Skubala

SIMPLE QUESTION: I'm on my third phone in 10 months. What should I do to ensure best performance out of the box?

BACKGROUND: I have had a Backflip for almost a year and have found it to be less than I'd hope for. I came from a dumb old Nokia, so I wasn't polluted by some other smart phone. That being said, I do have to put up with significant mockery from my lovely iPhone-toting wife.

Major complaints;
- it's slow (I tap the screen and get nothing ... tap, ... tap, ... tap, tap, tap, and then I'm dialing the wrong person. Is like a butt call, but not.)
- it randomly locks or has to be "forced closed"
- it wakes up dead (it turns itself off with a full battery)
- sometimes the screen just goes black and all I can do is remove the battery

I have my second warranty replacement phone still in the box (phone #3) and I'm wondering if it's worth it to try again! Or is there a phone-whisperer that I can take it to? Do I need counseling?

I see a lot of stuff about "rooting" and "2.1" -- would any of that help me?

Thanks. Pass me a tissue. And a beer.

Dave ....