Merriam-Webster defines obsolescence as "...the process of becoming obsolete or the condition of being nearly obsolete."

The cellphone on the lower-right has been my near-constant companion for the past 3 years. It doesn't do anything fancy--it's just a phone. But it's a great phone and it has done me great service everywhere I've gone.

But as of late in some areas I couldn't make a call. Customer service decided the problem was that I needed to update the PRL (Preferred Roaming List) on this phone. But then they decided they couldn't update the PRL because the phone is "too old"--at only 3 years of age. (Gee, what does that make me???)And so they recommended I buy a new phone...

In recent months we've had a few other issues with our provider (Midwest Wireless are you listening??) and so I decided if I need a new phone maybe I need a new wireless provider as well. Thus the new LG VX8600 "Chocolate" phone in the upper left. It plays music, video, has a camera and camcorder, surfs the web (courtesy of the Mobile Web 2.0) and can even give you verbal turn by turn directions via VZNavigator. Oh, and it also makes calls...

But I still like my old LG VX4400. It was a great phone--and I wouldn't have replaced it if I didn't have to...