Old Mobiles — the Bad and the Ugly

CrazyPhrog writes "File under nostalgia? This round up of mobile hardware from days of yore includes the Dynatac ("the world's first proper mobile phone"), which looks like something likely clamped to Joan Collins' cheek in an episode of Dynasty; the frankly violent-on-the-eye jade T10, courtesy of a pre-Sony Ericsson; and the unwonderful Siemens Xelibri which looks as if it was designed to give simultaneous ear, eye and finger ache. Thankfully they really don't make 'em like they used to."

Comments

The bad and the ugly?

[Mikachu]

I certainly wouldn't classify the Motorola StarTAC as bad or ugly. In fact, as far as mobile phones went, it was certainly ahead of its time. I remember seeing those things years and years ago... I thought they looked pretty sweet, to be honest. From the picture they have on the site, it certainly doesn't fit under bad or ugly.

Feature bloat != good

[Jorkapp]

I've read through most of the posts, and the general consensus is that newer phones with more and more features are not what people want.

I couldn't agree more.

About 5 years ago, I bought a Audiovox CDM8150 as a cheap phone for sending/receiving calls, text messages, and some very light web browsing. It worked like a charm - I never had any problems with that phone. Unfortunately, I let the account lapse (it was prepaid), and it suffered to the fate of a dresser drawer.

6 months ago, I was in need of a cell phone yet again. I was faced with a choice - reactivate my old one for $75+tax (but with $75 in prepaid credits), or buy a Samsung A630 for $150 with the same amount of credits. Stupidly, I thought the A630 was a better choice.

Now, bear in mind, I bought this just before I left for basic training. What's worse was it was defective, and this wasn't apparent until about 1 week in. The A630 has an internal battery because it uses VRAM, and the internal battery was malfunctioning - causing the phone to cut off calls and randomly reboot itself even when plugged in. Bear in mind, I could not leave the base to get my phone replaced until 3 weeks later, which left me stuck to payphones until then.

I ended up getting the phone exchanged after 31 days - 1 day over the limit (thanks to the very understanding and professional staff at TELUS) - a fresh new A630 - and it too was defective. Same problem, internal battery (this one was a little better though, I could make a 15 minute call before it cut off). Another trip into the city, and alas another A630. This one has been working well so far.

Towards the end of basic training, I realized how much better I would have been with my old CDM8150. Considering I never downloaded images or ringtones, played any games, or did anything "new" that my CDM8150 couldn't do, I kicked myself for not having my CDM8150.

Re:Link is Slashdotted

[Kenshin]

You're asking the wrong crowd for a mirror. One's personal appearance isn't considered with this group.

New Motorola

[Anonymous Coward]

My new Motorola FCKZOR has everything I need:

1) Camera
2) MP3 player
3) Browser
4) Games
5) GPS navigation system
6) Radar
7) Television
8) Microwave oven
9) CD/DVD player

Unfortunately, since it is so fashionably thin, there was no space to fit a microphone and I am unable to make calls.

call me a grumpy old man if you want

[cascadingstylesheet]

But I want my 1997 cellphone back. The earpiece was actually at my ear, and the mouthpiece was actually at my mouth, more or less. It had buttons that a full grown man could actually press one at a time. It made calls. It worked if you dropped it.

So given the technology and network improvements, I should be able to get the same thing now with a free phone and $5/mo service with free airtime, right? {cricket chirp ... cricket chirp ...}