How I Met ’’The One’’
My most recent cellular phone purchase was an AudioVox CDM 8200. I was very eager to get rid of my bulky, embarrassing flip phone that I’d had for a few years, and replace it with a lighter, smaller, feature filled model. My friends all had phones that could fit invisibly in the palm of my hand, but I needed something that I couldn’t easily lose.
I roamed the mall, like a mad dog looking for a thick piece of meat. I was looking for the steak. More specifically, the filet mignon--as I think filet mignon is the tastiest cut and it’s perfect for me. I saw many models that I would describe as Salisbury steak. Bottom of the line, not really a phone, more like a toy. Some were sirloin steak. Pretty good if I need an emergency phone and there’s nothing else, but nothing to stand it out from the rest. And then I rested my eyes on ’’the One’’. My filet mignon, with all the trimmings. It was $150 (CDN), with a $150 rebate, at Bell World (other stores known as Bell Mobility). So, essentially, I got the phone for free.
Why is ’’The One’’ Special?
Looks
Its unique ergo-dynamic design makes it easy to hold. I like to hold it with one finger and rest the bottom in my palm. It fairly disappears in my hand. Plus, it is only 3.8 ounces, so it is not difficult to hold at your ear, even by a fingertip. There is no bulky battery to ’’cramp your style’’, as the battery is flat and it fits into the phone like a puzzle piece. The buttons are large enough so you can press one at a time, instead of a few at a time like on smaller phones. Unfortunately, there are no fancy screen colours, just plain grey, but I like the grey, so I’m happy with the display screen. One special feature of the screen is that there is a place for a personalized banner. Some put their name. I put ’’The Goddess’’, so everyone will know that it’s obviously my phone.
Contact List
This phone stores up to 100 contacts, or up to 300 numbers. Specifically, it stores 100 names with three numbers each (office, home, and cellular), and their email address. This saves space and time looking for numbers. It is itemized in a pull down list that you can scroll through and choose. It is also itemized by numbers. Say your friend ’’Susie’’ is number 02; you press 02 in the keypad, hit phone, and her number is automatically dialed.
Sound
I am impressed with the sound reception on this phone. I can hear everything happening on the other end, including whispers and embarassing bodily noises. Sometimes it sounds like they’re shouting, so I can just press the volume button on the side of the phone until it is a good volume to listen to.
Special Features
This phone has a memory with 13 different ring tones in it. While only 6 are actually rings, the other 7 are songs. Although I’ve heard some phones with ring tones that sound like radio songs with radio quality, these songs are very electronic sounding. Nonetheless, I am not picky, and I like these songs, even though I choose for my phone to ring.
As well as pre-programmed ring tones, there is extra storage for 5 downloadable rings. This is where you can personalize your ring tones. You can download ’Eminem’, ’Celine Dion’, or even music you’ve composed yourself. You can also download screensavers, much like a computer screensaver on your phone.
My phone came internet ready. There is a button you press that says web, and if you pay for it on your plan, it will connect you to the internet for a small charge. I can surf the net, read my email, play games, and even chat on any messenger such as Yahoo or MSN.
There is a built in speaker phone that you can use if you are a flashy person, or can’t hold the phone to your ear (if you have a broken arm or something). The sound from the speaker is good, you can hear the person clearly. However, you have to have the phone reasonably close but far enough away to and from your mouth for the person to hear you clearly. I don’t like to use it because I usually use my phone in loud areas, and this disturbs the sound quality of the speaker.
There are no games on this phone, but there is a clock, biorhythm, calculator, stopwatch, and schedule. I always use the biorhythm, which tells you your emotional, physical and intellectual waves on a certain day according to your birthday.
Lastly, there is two-way text messaging. I’ve heard this called SMS. I use this option daily to talk to my cousin. It is much like chatting on MSN, although you have to make your sentences short and simple.
How I Like ’’The One’’
This phone is my favorite of any cell phone I’ve owned so far, and I’ve owned about 10 since the early 1990s. The price is perfect, after all it was free. There are no games, and I’m quite upset about it, but there are the games on the internet. The phone battery lasts for about two days before I have to recharge. It looks nice and is easy to hold. All in all, I’m in love with my phone, and I don’t foresee a ’’divorce’’ until I find the same kind of phone with games on it.
If you are in the market for a cellular phone, I do recommend the love of my life, the AudioVox CDM 8200. This phone is easy to use. If this is your first phone, there is a very-easy-to-read guide that will help you. I, having had many phones, didn’t need the guide and I learned how to use the phone within 1 hour of buying it. You will not be disappointed with my love, unless you are a game freak, in which case you can buy a Nokia.