...recently traded in a number of feature-laden phones for a stripped-down model. He said he didn't like using them to surf the Internet, rarely took pictures with them and couldn't stand scrolling through seemingly endless menus to get the functions to work.

"I want a phone that is tough and easy to use," said Bales, 30. "I don't want to listen to music with it. I'm not a cyber-savvy guy."

But the wireless industry needs him to be comfortable with advanced features and actively use them. As the universe of people who want a cell phone and don't already have one gets smaller, wireless carriers are counting on advanced services to generate the bulk of new revenue in coming years.

OK, so call me a crazy but how about giving people the features they want and better service? Or a more reasonable range of monthly service options? OR, stop marketing phones with lots of cool features and then disabling them (that would be you, verizon!).

I agree with this piece on CNN -- I think most people don't want to surf the net on a tiny screen. I have a much better camera that travels with me. I haven't had a single reason to consider taking video with my razr, let alone sending it to someone. Much of what the phone can do has been disabled (aka money-grubbing, switch and bait) by my provider.

For example, Verizon does not allow me to upload a data file to my phone. They think this will make me get ringtones from them. Not interested in ringtones at all. AM interested in being able to quickly move a file from one place to another on occasion. Do it with my iPod all the time.

Wireless access not being universal yet, many people want to be able to use their cell phones as modems occasionally. Phones can do this but carriers only support such things if you're a business-type customer wanting to pay hefty monthly fees. Can you figure out a way? Yes, but why not make it an easy feature?

It doesn't surprise me at all that it takes so long for companies to think about usability. Hello - most people don't even know how to transfer their address books from their computer to their phones, let alone how to use the phone features.