While Apple product names are boring ala iPhone, iPod, iPad, at least there’s no sense of hyperbole with incremented names (e.g. iPhone 3, 4, 5).

Just verified that the Panasonic rechargeable batteries, HHR-4DPA, work as replacements for the HHH-55AAABU batteries that originally came with the phone (model KX-TGA101). Both are AAA sized and 1.2 V, but the 4DPA are 700 mAh while the 55AAABU are only 550 mAh.

You probably can find cheaper, but these qualify for Amazon’s free Super Saving shipping if your order is over $25.

Yesterday, the phone was frozen. It wasn’t responding to anything, and I couldn’t even turn it off. I had to remove the battery to reset it. The final straw.

I’m on the hunt for a new phone (still with Cingular though). Besides the usual wants like cheap, long battery life, and light weight, here are some of the features I like:

• Flip/clamshell design – smaller than the “candy bar” shape
• External display – to see the time and caller ID info-useful when wanting to ignore calls
• USB capable – to sync contacts with my Mac using iSync
• Easy to use interface – I’ve always thought the Nokia phones were easy to use. Motorola’s interface took a while to get used to
• Speakerphone (optional) – could come in handy with Merynn to tend to
• Camera (optional) – not a fan of the crummy pictures but it’s harder to find a phone without a camera
• Music/FM player (optional) – probably won’t be used with my iPod around
• Internet capable (optional) – does come in handy when it’s the only Net access around

Cingular offers these phones that come close:

• Samsung X497
• LG C2000 – Amazon review 4 stars, but the external display is a waste of time
• Samsung P207
• Nokia 6102 – Amazon review 4.5 stars
• Motorola v551
• Motorola RAZR V3 – too expensive
• Samsung D307 – ugly!
• Motorola MPx220 – you kidding me after my MPx200 experience?

The Nokia 6102 sounds like a good one. Any recommendations?