$10 cell phone: No 3G, no GPS, not even a screen
Fri May 30, 2008 10:40AM EDT
See Comments (91)
So, you really want a cell phone that just makes calls? Check out this unlocked, $10 GSM handset that dumps the fancy 3G data access, contact books, and Web browsers—heck, even the display is gone.
Available now in U.S. retail and convenience stores, the candy-bar style Hop1800 comes with...well, a 12-key numeric keypad, Talk and End keys, a speaker grille, a microphone, and a SIM card slot (you'll need a working SIM card—AT&T, T-Mobile, or pre-paid will do—to make calls).
Here's how it works: You pick the thing up, you dial, you talk. Oh, and you can listen, too—and don't forget to press the End key when you're done chatting. Since the Hop1800 lacks a display, you'll have to dig deep and remember how you used that old landline phone in your kitchen (the one without caller ID).
Looking for a simple phone that isn't quite as simple as the Hop1800? Check out Gina's recent post about Pantech Breeze, an easy-to-use "boomer" phone (and yes, it has a display) on AT&T.
Related:
Hop1800 press release [Hop-on.com]
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Comments on $10 cell phone: No 3G, no GPS, not even a screen
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7 Posted by s.veseling1@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:59PM EDT Report Abuse
Love it! Why have an address book? Stats show that our generation suffers lack of memory because our items do the thinking for us. For instance, we can't even remember our own phone numbers! I never use the address book, stay sharp!!!! Plus, texting causes us to break away from real and personal communication. Let me hear your voice!
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8 Posted by s.t.vasterling@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:59PM EDT Report Abuse
Finally a phone that can function as the status symbol they've been made out to be without costing the first born. I'm not a phone fan of any kind, I prefer face to face dealings, but this one may just take me into the 21st century.
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9 Posted by snarkysnarky@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:30PM EDT Report Abuse
I think it's great and about time someone came out with one. So you keep a sheet of paper in your wallet with a few numbers on it. Big deal. For people who just want to make a phone call and not microwave their coffee while talking to you on the phone, this is the cats meow.
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10 Posted by jandre1234@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse
this is a good phone for older aldults. they don't have to learn to program the phone.this means the phone has less keys. this can make it easy to use.
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11 Posted by tlgamk2005@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:12PM EDT Report Abuse
What is is with the world and texting!!! I have been in an accident recently where the other driver, a teenager, was texting on her phone and ran a stop sign. My own children have cell phones, which they pay their own bills, and all they do is text, text, text!! I can't even carry on a conversation with them because the darn texting is more important. What happened to the days of good 'ol face to face conversation????
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12 Posted by kathieuder@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:47PM EDT Report Abuse
Have we all become so lazy that remembering some phone numbers or keeping a list of phone numbers is to much? I don't own a cell phone but this thing might just change my mind. One other thing we were lucky to have a cell phone 20 years ago.
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13 Posted by txveggiegirl@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:25PM EDT Report Abuse
my cell phone is a pay as you go tracfone and it works Great I text with it just fine all the time why buy a high priced cell phone when you can just get a pay as you go plus a great phone from tracfone I love mine !
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14 Posted by bboyyak1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:03PM EDT Report Abuse
How anonymous would it be to have a phone with no information and a prepaid plan? Or, hmmm, say borrow (steal) someones sim. Might be useful if you are a terrorist or spy and want a diposable phone. It's pure conjecture and I'm sure it was not the intention of the manufacturer, but wouldn't it be possible.
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15 Posted by plumasb@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse
The phone is for dope dealers who only need incoming calls. No data is stored on the phone -So when the cops come an scoop up the phone - there is no data to get off the phone....
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16 Posted by antoniocruz1973@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:56PM EDT Report Abuse
that is the coolest cell i have ever seen , now thats my kind of cell phone. its about time, thank you china or taiwan or japan who ever made it..
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17 Posted by antoniocruz1973@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:56PM EDT Report Abuse
that is the coolest cell i have ever seen , now thats my kind of cell phone. its about time, thank you china or taiwan or japan who ever made it..
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18 Posted by tyshanica@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:26PM EDT Report Abuse
this phone is stupid you would have to hav 99.million phone numbers in your pocket because you couldnt memorize all those phone numbers
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19 Posted by dannychen1668 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse
i think this would be good for like a 5 year old just in case...like maybe with mommy's phone number written in sharpie on the back!But for older people..... ^_^
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20 Posted by nikdjiko@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:38PM EDT Report Abuse
and yet you can get free razrs from firefly with a plan. looks like this thing is officially pointless.
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21 Posted by nikdjiko@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:38PM EDT Report Abuse
i would actually prefer to carry around an 80's brickphone because it at least looks cool unlinke this thing
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22 Posted by rshaynes101706@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:54PM EDT Report Abuse
I will stick to not having to remember #'s, having net and text if I want it and paying alittle more money. The only thing I dont like about cell phones is the contract but we all have to make a sacrifice if we want something. There is NO WAY I could remember all my #'s. And with pay as you go I can not have the capabilities of having internet for my laptop where ever i go that allows for signal. So this cell phone needs to be for school kids that ONLY NEED THEM IN EMERGENCYS. Other than that i say burn it and get a REAL phone.
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23 Posted by nikdjiko@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:38PM EDT Report Abuse
anyone agree with the above posts?
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24 Posted by flammabl3@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:00PM EDT Report Abuse
hopefully it was just created as more of a joke than anything..but maybe theyll sell a few..good for little kids I guess?
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25 Posted by pj9424@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:13PM EDT Report Abuse
It looks like it might make a good weapon if thrown hard enough!
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6 Posted by einargrondal@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse
Well, I beg to differ. I have a private company and dumped two services before giving up cellphones completely. It seemed to me I was only contributing to other peoples salary by having all those bells and whistles, internet and text messages etc. I really wonder what kind of empty lives people are living that they need all that junk to be content?