iPhone

Now that the iPhone has gotten cheaper, I am seriously considering getting one.
Its hard to convince el hombre since he is all about spending wisely and not being a slave to gimmicks. I promised him that before I make an impulse purchase (as I am apt to do), I will try to do a bit of research on whether I need the iPhone or not.

Q. Why do I need a new phone?
My 2 year contract with Verizon ends in July. I am not a cell phone person. You won't find me rapidly texting away in abbreviated lingos or getting calls at all hours of the day or night. I can sustain a phone conversation for 10 mins max. before my mind starts to wander. I am also deathly afraid of carrying on a conversation on a cell, while driving. With that in mind, I decided to use the cheapest plan possible from Verizon and of course the cheapest phone. I also decided against adding insurance to the plan, reasoning that, well why should I pay $5 a month for something I would never need. The phone was the simplest one on the Verizon block with no added accessories like GPS, internet or a camera. The only thing i diligently used it for, was to tell time ( I hate wristwatches). And then one unlucky day, it fell down a storm drain. And the drama started. Verizon refused to send me a replacement, because I didn't have insurance. They also insisted I buy a phone at retail value! A kind customer service rep suggested I get a cheap phone off Ebay. So, I go and diligently select a phone, only to discover that that particular phone was now not available in the list of phones that Verizon services! Being bound by a contract, the only way I could walk out would be by paying a $150 fee.
Luckily, a colleague who was also a Verizon customer gave me his hunky old phone for free (after he got an upgrade). Throughout all this, I was still expected to pay the $44.50 monthly. phone charge (inspite of being without a phone for more than 2-3 weeks)!
The 'new' phone that I had didn't do so well either. It fell down a couple of times and somehow the earpiece within it got badly damaged. It meant I could not hear what the other person was saying, unless there was a pin drop silence. And I could not listen to any voice mails. Which meant, I started to use it to tell time. This had been going on for almost a year.
So, when a friend bought an iPhone, I could only look back in envy. For I was still bound by a contract and I was paying almost 50 bucks a month for nothing!

Q. What will I use the iPhone for?
Good question! El hombre first asked me, and I stupidly replied 'watch movies' at work. Here's where I am stumped. Since the iPhone is mac-based and I have always been a PC user, it might be difficult to get the hang of it. Although I am an obsessive email checker, I do it on a company provided computer and doubt if I will buy the phone to read emails. Maybe read a book? or Use it to study? In which case, I could lug my laptop around to work? What about music? No, I am not a music listener. I have a barely used iPod and its a shame to see it lying there. Maybe I want it for attention or because its super cheap? I don't do big commutes on public transportation. So, there is no need for me to kill time. And I am not a business traveler. So really, I guess if I have to use an iPhone (besides its phone options), it would be a) surf, b) study and c) read an e-book.

Q. Why not a Blackberry?
Hmmm! I thought about using a Blackberry because then I could keep my own phone number (by sticking to the devil- Verizon) instead of changing to AT&T. I am not sure if I can keep my own number. But doesn't tbe blackberry give you only 250MB space? What good is that??????????

Q. What about the other fancy iPhone clones?
Well, maybe they could be an option. But I want an iPhone (tantrum).

While I want to be a smart and unemotional iPhone user, I don't want to succumb to mania. I want it to be something I will use a lot.
ETA- My friend purchased her iPhone a few months ago for over $600 (lol)!