No-Cellphone Experiment Short Lived - Skype Still Rocks!

My old flip phone. 

Well, at least I know it can work. Using my iPad as my "cellphone," that is. Thanks to Skype. I did, in fact, get several voicemails via my Skype account, so that is cool. However, yesterday, while rummaging around in a cabinet where I keep old electronics, I found the Samsung (Verizon) flip phone I used before getting my first iPhone four years ago! Once I found a compatible micro USB cable and plugged it in, I found it did charge perfectly! So, off I went to the Verizon Store and had them get it set up to make and receive calls using my cell number. It ain't no smartphone, to be sure, but at least I can now make and receive phone calls while I'm away from wi-fi.

It still works! 

This experience, however, reminded me just how handy VOIP (Voice Over IP) services such as Skype and Google Voice are! I never had to, but I could have also used Skype to make calls. I always realize I have Skype as a "phone" backup when we're abroad. As long as I have connectivity such as wi-fi or cellular data (through an in-country SIM card), I can use the Skype app to make calls to land lines and cell phones almost anywhere in the world at a very low fee. It has also reminded me to use Skype from home more often as I always carry some credit on my Skype account.

I was lucky to find that old flip phone. I thought I had donated it or thrown it away. So that is another good lesson: hang onto at least one old, operable cellphone in your house just in case you lose your smartphone or do something stupid like I did and take it for a swim! For everything except voice calls, I will continue to rely on my iPad Mini 3. Will I get a new iPhone when the 7 comes out? You bet I will! I still do miss having all that power and those electronic resources right in my pocket all the time. And an ever ready camera. I didn't realize just how much I relied on my iPhone to take pictures even if just for documentation! And if Apple continues its normal practice, there is every reason to assume that the 7's camera will be better than that in the 6S model. And rumors hint at it being water sealed! Yes!