Thanks to those of you who have replied. Here's some updated information for all of us...
- I can stay with Verizon and get new 352 phone numbers while maintaining my old, cheap grandfathered plan.
- If I choose a Verizon phone that can access the internet, I can get unlimited access for $17.55 all-in, taxes included in addition to the $63 I pay for my grandfathered nationwide plan with 500 minutes shared between me and Mrs. Kahuna.
- The all-in taxes on cell phone charges in Florida are 17%.
- If I re-up with Verizon for 2 years, my wife would get a free new phone and I could get one of the new LG Dare models for $100.
- The rep in the Verizon store on 441 across from Home Depot is researching a question I had on the Dare. I wanted to make sure that I could wirelessly synchronize my Address Book and Calendar between the phone and my computer. He thinks the Dare will do this, but is checking for me. He knows that any of the PDA/Smartphones (Treo or Blackberry) will do this, but they aren't as good for accessing the internet plus their monthly fees are more expensive.
So the bottom line is that with your input, I'm beginning to edge away from the iPhone idea. It's a great device, but it has a lot more capability than I really want. (I'd never use it to take pictures--besides it has a lousy camera; same for video--it has none; I have an iPod, so I wouldn't use it for music or podcasts; it does synch with the computer beautifully, a key feature I like.)
So at this point it looks like I can get a new phone/device that will do what I want it to plus another new phone for my wife for $100 up front plus about $79 per month. That compares to $300 out of pocket plus about $118 per month for the iPhone for me and a new phone for the Mrs. Hey, a $40 a month savings is a nice dinner out.
That's the direction I leaning towards right now--with your input. I'll let you know how I finally wind up.