Phone Home!

We have gone through a series of small, handheld devices here at the Olson Gazette. It started with a small handheld computer that Randy had when he was getting his master’s degree. It was able to do a limited amount of things and ran DOS. Later On, Georgia became interested as the small computers became more graphically oriented with the Palm series of Pilots.

Randy gave up his Palm Tx when he got his Apple iPhone in 2008 with a two year contract. He used it for his phone, reader, GPS device, spreadsheet reader, alarm clock, bicycle speedometer, camera, Internet browser, flashlight, etc.

As Randy moved to Yuma almost two years later, the ATT cell phone service was noticeably bad. In talking with his new co-workers he found that it was well known in Yuma that ATT offered the worst service in Yuma. His co-workers told him that Verizon offered the best, followed by Sprint, and then ATT. In order for Randy to have ATT cell phone service at all it was necessary for him to have a new SIM card installed in the iPhone. Service improved but was still not great especially when trying to use the more advanced features of the network and speedier Internet access.

Georgia watched as Randy used his iPhone over the past two years. She was using a just a plain cell phone, had her iPod, and the Palm Tx. She was using Randy’s old one since hers had decided not to hold a battery charge anymore. She wanted a new phone that integrated all three functions together. In other words, we would be getting two of the new phones when we got them.

Unfortunately the iPhone only runs on the ATT network that does not work so well here in Yuma. This meant looking for a phone that had the same basic capability that was available on Verizon. Android operating system phones are available. We needed a phone that was available. All of the new phones seem to have been selling out.

After a lot of browsing Randy finally settled on the Motorola Droid X phone that would be coming out on Thursday, July 15 at 8AM. He also gets a cell phone service discount for working at the local Hospital – YRMC. Although the phone is a bit larger than most, it had been given great reviews for its features and that includes good battery life.

The only problem was that he was going to be in class the day it went on sale and could not wait in line to get it. Georgia ended up being the first in line that day and was able to get two phones. There were at least 8 other people waiting in line. We were happy that we had not delayed getting the phones since they only had a limited number of phones in town. The Verizon web site says that they are now sold out until they get another shipment in.

We have been able to get music and programs transferred to the phones. The battery really works great which seems to be the problem with most of the new phones that have come out. Hopefully we will be happy with the service that we get from these phones over the next two years.

We now have two new phone numbers to send you. We will not be having a land line at our new house. These will be the phone numbers that we will be using for at least the next two years.