A Phone Worth Keeping

[Wizzo]

Is it just me or does this seem like a really good idea?

[cosworth151]

An outstanding idea! I hope they can make it work.

[Scott]

There are certainly times when I would like to reconfigure my phone - more memory when I am on a holiday, more battery life when I am on business somewhere, and upgrading screens and cameras is also an interesting concept. 

I think at the moment the telco's and phone makers like their present business plan, and would be reluctant to provide something that might last years though.  I'm sure it's a tough club to join though.  Maybe Blackberry could reinvent themselves by picking up this concept...they seem to be the bad boy of the market anyhow.

[Ian]

It's a good idea alright, but I reckon the 'bloks' would be pretty expensive.

[Jericoke]

It's a good idea alright, but I reckon the 'bloks' would be pretty expensive.

That's why it works though Ian.

You buy your starter phone at cost, or even a loss.  Then you buy a bit here, buy a bit there.  Who cares if you're buying $10 worth of memory for $20?  It's better than buying a $700 phone, right?

Of course, you buy memory, and then a camera, and faster access, a bigger screen, and you've spent $700 before you know it anyway. 

I used to love building my own computer, so I love the idea of building my own phone.

[Ian]

I wouldn't even dream of paying £100 for a phone Jeri. In the event of mine breaking I can get a used Nokia 6700 the same as mine for £20/£30. It does all I want in a phone.

[Jericoke]

I wouldn't even dream of paying £100 for a phone Jeri. In the event of mine breaking I can get a used Nokia 6700 the same as mine for £20/£30. It does all I want in a phone.

I guess part of the problem is calling the device a 'phone', as though it's in any way connected to the thing Alexander Graham Bell invented.

Having access to a large portion of human knowledge any time, any where is valuable to me... even if mostly I'm just using it to play plants vs zombies while waiting for my lunch.

Most people don't NEED these devices, but there's a long list of consumer goods that the world would survive just fine without.  Anytime we can reduce landfill while keeping corporations happy is a win.

[Ian]

If I wanted to I can go on line with my mobile but I use my pc for that.

[Neil.P]

I like the idea of that phone. But as Ian states, it could work out to be quite expensive buying all the bits.

Neil.P

[vintly]

Neat idea, but businesses won't go against their core interest to develop something else until they HAVE to, so cross-collaboration a non-starter. Would be lovely if Blackberry or someone had a go at it as Scott says, they'd certainly get a lot of interest.

Personally I like upgrading iPhones every 18 months. On to my 5th now - and all the old ones still work. The kids have one each (no SIM, some games, lots of music, limited use); another is the stereo in the kitchen; the remaining spare is on loan to a visiting guest. No landfill here, but that may come, so no shiny halo either 

[cosworth151]

I always get my new mobiles the same way. I walk in the office & Laura says, "Here's your new phone. Give me your old one." 

[Scott]

I upgrade my iPhones when I can get one at least a year old for next to nothing from my telco.  Have a 4 at the moment (no, not 4S).  Works fine.  Probably keep this one for another year or two.  Silicone case has saved me from an annual upgrade, I'm sure.