Hey, Vincent here. I fell in love today, which is perfect timing, considering the date. Only it wasn’t a woman, it was a phone. Because my last phone suddenly broke, I was forced to quickly get another, and because I usually need to read about 10 websites before deciding, I bought the cheapest unlocked phone available: The Motorola Motophone for €30!!!

That you can get an unlocked phone for that price is a miracle alone. However, when I asked about it, the clerk warned me that it was such a simple phone that I would probably not like it. Not like it? I love it!

These are the features of the phone.

1. You can call with it.
2. You can SMS with it.
3. It has a clock and an alarm.
4. It can ring and it can vibrate.
5. It has a speaker-function.
6. You can (auto) lock the screen.
7. It has a monochrome screen.
8. It is very thin, around 0.5 cm.

And that’s it!

In many ways, it’s the perfect geeks‘ phone. The interface reminds me of my first DOS-based computer, except everything happens on 1 line. Yes, even SMSs have to be read on one line. To access functions like sms-ing, you have to use a function key, there is no visual menu. To access the advanced functions, like enabling auto-locking the keyboard, you have to enter a code. And when you first turn it on, a voice greets you (which you can keep), giving you verbal feedback on your inputs.

And with all of this, I am perfectly happy. Why? Because 99% of the time I don’t use all the features other phones have. I stopped using calendars, because I prefer to have a paper-based one and don’t want to have to remember to sync it (+ the small keys suck!). I don’t listen to music on it, because I have an iPod. I rarely play games on it, except if I’m bored, and I try to never be bored. And I don’t use the internet, because no provider has perfect coverage. And I won’t even go into phone-providers’ shameful roaming service. With this phone, I’ll just get a prepaid card in whatever country I’m in.

A year ago, I thought about getting an iPhone. No more! I am convinced that it and the iTouch are inferior iPods (in terms of user-interface) and I don’t want to spend €500 for a phone and enslave myself for two years.

Instead of becoming mini-computers and media-centres, I want my phone to get smaller and simpler, a quick communication tool that does things my computer cannot. Whatever happened to the phone in a watch? Now that is a design and philosophy that I can live with!