They're basically small computers that you can make calls on. Additional software -- applications, aka "apps" -- downloads from an online market that you access directly with the phone. I have an Android phone (I don't like AT&T's crappy service and I don't like the restrictions Apple puts on their software store), and I have added about 30 apps to it from the Android Market since I bought it. However, they were all free. I believe the iPhone Apps Store has free applications, but I don't know if they have as great a share of free apps as the Android Market. If you ever decide to pay for an app, most of them are about $1-$2.

As for fragility, you don't want to drop them. A fall onto a hard surface can crack the screen or otherwise damage the device, so many people add a protective shell to give it a little more protection. Other people destroy them by putting them in their back pocket, forgetting it's there, and sitting on the phone. A fall into water can totally ruin it. For those reasons, insurance is often bought separately.

I'm with kudzu on iPhone vs. Android phones. I have a lot of useful apps and games on my Android phone and all of them have been free. I like that I even have turn by turn directions on my phone - just like a dedicated gps device. If you want to buy them something that they can purchase apps with an iTunes gift card, but I'm not positive.

Yes, modern smartphones are very much akin to mini computers. In fact, what you can do with them far more limited by the small screen than processing power. Understand that you will be required to purchase a data plan with a smartphone (in addition to whatever voice plan you have). I think the iPhone's data plan is $30 per month plus tax.

They can be fragile and damage depends on what distance the device falls, the surface it falls onto, and at what angle it hits. I had a friend who had her iPhone 4 slip out of her pocket as she was sitting down on the toilet. The screen shattered (although the phone still worked). Fortunately for her, she had bought the insurance at AT&T replaced it immediately. Although I would suggest that you look at the replacement cost vs. the cost of insurance before making buying insurance. You should also look at the fine print, in some cases you might not get a new phone if the old one is damaged. Some kind of case is a good investment as well.

As for Android, I'm quite underwhelmed with my Droid 2 and Verizon's much vaunted network. Call quality is mediocre, the phone has plenty of bugs, and dropped calls are no better than with AT&T.

I love my Blackberry and have dropped it numerous times without breaking it. I'm sure I have just been lucky. I only have a few Apps as I just like my phone to be a phone. Verizon only as I had AT&T for years and it was horrible.

It is useful for emails but due to the small screen, I don't use it for web browsing except to check a stock quote or something that doesn't require a lot of reading.

I love it for receiving emails but will use my computer to reply if I need to type more than a few words. The keys are tiny.

Never thought I'd like these phones, but after using it for a year, I can't imagine being without one anymore.

Jane

mike_kaiser-
Consider getting your phone unlocked so you can use it with a different carrier. I've had TMobile for eight years because they have a good network and excellent customer service, and I've never had a problem with dropped calls or call quality. I know that good cell service can be a function of where you live, but I've been able to use my TMobile phones all over the U.S. with no problems.

The Droid 2 is a CDMA phone, it won't work on T-Mobile or AT&T unfortunately. Then, of course, there is the contract...

My last phone, a Nokia e71, was unlocked.

mike-
Yes, I forgot about that one little detail! Oh well, when it dies or you murder it, then you can consider switching.

I have wanted to ask a question about cell phones but was afraid I would be scolded for going off topic, so I am happy to read this thread. I have had AT&T as a prepaid phone for years, and the coverage/reception for where I live, call to, and travel are all dismal. I am seriously thinking about switching to Verizon. I never text or do any type of social networking, so I have always had very cheap, simple phones. My current (GG180) LG's car charger died recently and since I hate the tiny phone I decided to get a new phone AND switch carriers. Verizon offers a prepaid plan in which I pay $100 dollars and get a year's service (same as AT&T gives me). I never use all my minutes and they will allow me to roll over unused minutes.
I want a phone with a decent camera--2.0 MB or more, and auto focus and flash would be nice. Unfortunately, a phone with a great camera is also loaded with functions I won't use, but will have to pay for. I have been looking at unlocked phones and I visited a Verizon kiosk for information. The saleswoman agreed that I want an expensive phone and showed me the LG Octane. I loved it, but can't afford their price. I asked if I could buy an unlocked phone online and then come in and sign up for a prepaid plan. She said I had to get a Verizon compatible phone and then she said something about Verizon getting an improved type of service in a couple months. What is this better service? From what I understood of the sales pitch, if I wait for this improved service, I would no longer have to get a Verizon compatible phone. Can anyone explain this to me? Also, does anyone know of a reputable site where I can find phones sold without a contract? I have looked at several, but I don't really feel comfortable buying from them. So many of the phones are used or refurbished, or sold without a warrantee. I believe I am really inadequately prepared to buy an expensive phone from an online store, except for Amazon. Over the years I have given them plenty of business and haven't felt that I was cheated by them. Thanks for any advice.
Nancy (near Syracuse, NY)

Cell phones in the United States are heavily subsidized by the carrier. That is to say the give you a big discount on the phone in exchange for a 2-year contract. Which is why that Octane is so expensive on a low cost, pre-paid plan.

"Unlocked" generally refers to GSM phones and means that the programming has been removed that ties the phone to a particular carrier. GSM is the technology inside the phone that makes it work and of the major carriers on AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM. GSM phones use what's called a SIM card; a little plastic card that identifies the phone on the network. Unfortunately Verizon and Sprint use CDMA (which is another technology and completely incompatible GSM) and their phones can't be "unlocked" because they need to be programmed with the information that allows them to use the carrier's network. You will either need to pony up for the phone or perhaps find a used one, from, say, eBay or perhaps a friend or relative. Then have Verizon activate the phone (a service they will charge you $25 or so to do).

As for the sales pitch, Verizon is in the process of upgrading their network to LTE, which is the next generation of cellular data transmission (often called 4G). But that only effects data transmissions (web browsing, email, etc.) so it won't benefit you just making phone calls. And, yes, you will still need a Verizon compatible (CDMA) phone to use the network.

I wish I had better news for you but the options in the pre-paid market are kind of limited.

You should also be aware of some commercial exageration going on with 4G. Many companies are calling their service 4G when it is not true if you use the definition of the standards group. Speeds of 100 MB per second are part of their definition but Verizon's speed is about 10% of that. Their is similar exageration by all other vendors who do not want to be left with no "4G Service".

It will cost you too. Here is an excerpt: "PCMag.com found that the 5-gigabyte monthly data allowance on Verizon's least-expensive ($50) monthly plan for 4G could be exhausted in a mere 32 minutes at max speeds in its tests. Overage charges fetch $10 a gigabyte. Bummer!"

Here is a link that might be useful: USA Today Article on Verizon 4G

I've heard U.S. 4G is more accurately 3.9G (but 4G sounds a lot more appealing in advertising).

And, yes, expect to pay more for it.

I have a 4G hotspot for my computer through Sprint. It is quite satisfyingly fast for my needs. Of course, you have to be in an area that supports 4G.

i have an iphone 3gs and my mom an iphone 4 mine was hers both baught like THE day they launched

mine like constantally has a screen protector on it and tho the screen looks junk i know its a bad screen protector i also like to keep cases on mine it came to me with a cool ed hardy case that i loved but aftr it falling on cement and the like latex that the design is on starting to peel off i knew it was time for a new one so i got the green one i have now its taken a good few falls and its just fine--i think the day iphone 5 comes out (the next) i think ill have an iphone 4 so lol its good im learning how to use it now

back when i got my eriscon z520a i was asked about insurance it was like one time of 60 bucks covered EVERYTHING you could think of now on my a707 and a767 it was 5 or so bucks a month (the a707 was i think the first to survive over a year with me the a767 also survived awhile prior to that every outher was busted or outherwise in under a year from me so im if you can get insyurance DO it can be worth it (60 is a LOT less then 200)

as for the phone/computer argument no an iphone is not a computer the computeer cant play b the ios apps as a standalone (tho if you have osx and a sdk like me you may be able to try them out sdk is free that i have you can "demo" some apps in thery) you can move some files between the computer and iphone but some things just wont you also cant instapp that game you love on the iphone

think i was gonna say more but ill hush now