Passworded Cell Phone Keylocking

A. G. Pym

I use a Nokia® 9300 Communicator for a cell phone, and there’s one thing about it I really get frustrated at: the keylock / unlock routine.

Sure, I absolutely know why you need a way to lock the phone’s keys when you’re going to carry it in a holster or pocket or purse or somewhere else that might cause buttons to be pushed at random. My first cell phone did NOT have locks, and at one Sunday brunch, I became aware of a tiny voice screaming at me from my hip - somehow 911 had been dialed, and the Operator was understandably upset that noone was answering. So, you need to be able to secure the phone.

I can even understand why you might want to password the function - in a house with small children or snoopy companions, it might be an embarrasment (or worse!)-saving precaution.

But, to have to enter a password (minimum 6 digits) each time you both lock AND unlock the keys, is maddeningly excessive, to my mind. When you’re trying to make a call or text message quickly, or if you’re walking somewhere and need to use some function of the phone, to be forced to perform this time-wasting seven-keystroke ritual is maddening beyond the miniscule amount of time it takes to perform. It just really gripes my fleen, you know?

I’d really love to see a means to select between a “simple” lock (say, a two-second push of the “Lock” button) function, and a “secure” lock function (with password protection, as now). That would let the user customize their tool to match their needs - and save a lot of sotto voce cursing!