My mother wants a cell phone, but I wonder how easier it would be for her to use. Rheumatoid arthritis has affected her hands pretty significantly, and I think a small phone–and the trend has definitely been toward smaller and smaller–might be hard for her to use.
Any thoughts???
I could see if my mom wants to get rid of hers. She still has one she got back in the early 90’s. Takes up the whole side of her face, and don’t even think about trying to fit it in a pocket.
Can you still use older cell phones on current plans? I’ve seen a lot of older, larger cell phones at garage sales and thrift shops lately. Cheap. Can you do anything with them? Should we start an “Old Large Cell Phones for the Elderly” drive?
Most older 'brick" phones are non-digital, analog service only which may (or may not) limit your service and or plan options depending on coverage in your area. I have a perfectly functional Motorola analog service 'Brick phone" I be happy to give you for the shipping cost if you want it, however, I still think a more modern phone would serve her better.
I second what astro says; you’re unlikely to get a good rate plan for analog service, but do shop around to be sure. I have a couple of Motorola flip phones, which was the next evolution after the brick phone, which you could have.
It’s funny how cell phones are so common now that people are willing to just give them away. In fact I was just commenting to a friend that I don’t even feel nervous leaving mine in the car in plane sight. Years ago someone would have busted the window as soon as you walk away, but now everyone has them and no one needs to steal them.
Quick question: analogue service is still available in the US? 
I think the reason the US still has it is because it would cost too much to go just digital (like australia did) all at once.
Im not too sure though, thats just my ‘‘WAG’’
(i added inverted commas to show how much the word would sound like leftovers if i said it in real life… imagine your school principle saying cool. They would say “cool”)
My phone, a Motorola, can be programmed for voice recognition. Turn it on, press one button, and tell it who to call. Call home, call work, etc. Works pretty good, but background noise can screw it up. This may be helpful if dialing is going to be difficult.
Analog service is still available in the US. I haven’t see companies like Verizon selling any analog only phones lately.
[Tedious but (hopefully) accurate answer follows…No clever quips. Feel free to SKIP!]
The answer is “Yes, in some areas” for a couple for reasons.
Because the cellular companies (and I believe it’s only the cellular companies because PCS were digital from Day One) originally sold analog (no “ue” in the USA) service contracts (because there wasn’t any digital then - it was all only analog in the early days) and some people are still on those plans, having stubbornly refused (in the eyes of the companies) to convert to the digital phones/service so the companies must, technically, continue to provide it.
This is a problem for the companies, though, especially in urban areas because-
a) it’s expensive to maintain 2 kinds of equipment (analog and digital) at a single cell site, and
b) it’s an inefficient use of spectrum, which is a prime commodity
At this point most analog customers have switched to digital service ? mostly through positive incentives from the companies like better pricing plans, more minutes, smaller phones, etc. The companies would like to convert all remaining the analog customers to digital. They?re generally considered more trouble than they?re worth, but the FCC won?t let the companies just ?disconnect? them.
In (generally) rural areas, the systems are still analog because analog service functions as a ?least common denominator? ?type service across carriers, and spectrum is not at such a premium. Analog cellular service comes in only 1 standard in the US: N/AMPS*. Digital comes in a few different varieties: GSM, TDMA, CDMA, etc. Different companies have networks based on different digital standards. (Voicestream=GSM, Cingular=CDMA, mostly). A CDMA-type phone will not work on a TDMA network. Most phones sold today are dual-, tri- or multi-mode phones, meaning they have a predominant type of network they look for (generally the company you have your service contract with), but if that network is not available where you are trying to make a call (i.e. you are ?roaming?), it will look for another network to ?ride on?, but it doesn?t necessarily have the technology to ride on all kinds of networks. And while a digital cell phone may not work on other types of digital networks, almost all digital cell phones will work on analog networks - the ?least common denominator?. So, if you?re the cellular company in ?middle of nowhere, USA? and there aren?t any/many other companies providing service in that area (because it?s too small to be worth the trouble, generally), then you will likely want to have an analog network because then you can carry calls for (and collect roaming fees from) the maximum number of other companies? customers. I don?t know if I explained that clearly.
Anyway, that?s why you sometimes still see analog networks. But they?re definitely on their way out.
Hope that helped. Yes, I make scintillating conversation at parties.
*Yes, there are exceptions. Feel free to call me out if it’s worth the effort to you.
I have an analog phone (just bought it 6 months ago!)–it gets much better coverage than my wife’s digital. Esp. in rural areas.
Interesting (well, to a geek like me, anyway). However, this could be due to any of a number of reasons:
Not to dispute your claim (or your decision to go with analog), just wanted to elucidate.
Wow, interesting. (And an appropriate username, no?)
Analogue service was abandoned in Australia on January 1 2000 (actually it could’ve been 2001, if my memory has failed me). GSM covers all population centres and CDMA is supposed to cover the more isolated regions. (Although I’m not sure what is the exact extent of CDMA coverage in the bush - it’s also somewhat of a political issue.)