Motorola C116 -- It's Just a Good Cheap Phone
I followed a link from a post at Slashdot called How Great Cheap Phones Never Get to the US. Gary Krakow at MSNBC writes about the Motorola C116, a cell phone that's sold in many countries for about US$40 -- total price. You choose whichever wireless phone provider you want, switch whenever you want, and your phone is yours, bought and paid for.
Of course for $40 you don't get a lot a bells and whistles. You get a basic phone. Makes calls, receives calls. Sends and receives SMS messages. And that's about it. No MP3s, no camera, no internet access. Sounds perfect!
This is coming from a guy who uses a Nokia 3210. It's 5 1/2 years old and it's the only cell phone I've ever owned. I got it when I agreed to a 2 year contract, I switched to a much better deal with another company as soon as my contract was up, and I'll probably keep using the phone until it dies completely. I can't find batteries for it locally, so I either buy them on eBay or direct from China. I can get new faceplates and other accessories for it the same way.
I'm happy with it, but I know it won't last forever. So it's good to see that somebody is making a basic phone that doesn't cost a lot and doesn't get me tangled up in any contracts. It looks like Motorola doesn't sell them here in Australia, either. I've found 1 on eBay, and I'm going to keep looking around. I'd like to know that if my 3210 dies, I can buy a brand new phone kit for under AU$75.
If people want to spend $1000 (either up-front or by signing a contract for services they probably don't need) for a high-spec phone that's fine. I just wish there were more options for those of us who don't. My phone isn't a fashion accessory or a mobile multimedia device. It's just a freaking phone.
Of course for $40 you don't get a lot a bells and whistles. You get a basic phone. Makes calls, receives calls. Sends and receives SMS messages. And that's about it. No MP3s, no camera, no internet access. Sounds perfect!
This is coming from a guy who uses a Nokia 3210. It's 5 1/2 years old and it's the only cell phone I've ever owned. I got it when I agreed to a 2 year contract, I switched to a much better deal with another company as soon as my contract was up, and I'll probably keep using the phone until it dies completely. I can't find batteries for it locally, so I either buy them on eBay or direct from China. I can get new faceplates and other accessories for it the same way.
I'm happy with it, but I know it won't last forever. So it's good to see that somebody is making a basic phone that doesn't cost a lot and doesn't get me tangled up in any contracts. It looks like Motorola doesn't sell them here in Australia, either. I've found 1 on eBay, and I'm going to keep looking around. I'd like to know that if my 3210 dies, I can buy a brand new phone kit for under AU$75.
If people want to spend $1000 (either up-front or by signing a contract for services they probably don't need) for a high-spec phone that's fine. I just wish there were more options for those of us who don't. My phone isn't a fashion accessory or a mobile multimedia device. It's just a freaking phone.
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