Any tech geeks in the house? Smartphone questions. [OT]

AxeYrCat · Post by **AxeYrCat** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:22 am

So, it seems like having a smartphone would make my life a lot easier, at least as far as my professional life goes -- I'm sure it'll make my private life less convenient in a lot of ways.

Anyway, I had a Treo 650 for about a week two years ago, and I hated it. Granted, it was pretty early into the firmware, but I felt like it worked great as a PDA but pretty much sucked as a phone. I'm wary of such an experience again...

I can get a pretty nice deal through Sprint's SERO program (really, that looks like the best deal running), but I'm open to other carriers (apart from Verizon -- I effing abhor Verizon).

T-Mobile seems to have some decent stuff (as far as smartphones and the Sidekick3), though I don't like that they've got a slower network as far as data, and their plans seem to be pretty spendy.

I even considered Helio, but the only device that I'd consider from them -- the Ocean -- has been received with VERY mixed reviews... Their rates are pretty reasonable.

Also, I know that devices like the Ocean and the SK3 aren't smartphones, but they do what I want them to do: Send and receive e-mail.

As far as the Sprint options are concerned: I dig the Q, but the Q9 is going to be dropping soon, and so that makes me lean towards the 755p, simply because it's going to be the newest of the hardware available from them. Also, I don't really want a Windoze Mobile device because I'm a Mac user... I'd consider the iPhone more seriously, but it's going to be seriously expensive, and it's not going to have 3G capability...

Thoughts?

Oh, and thanks a lot in advance.

bwilms · Post by **bwilms** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:07 am

I've had a Cingular 8125 (HTC Wizard) for almost two years now and I really like it. It took a little getting used to, but once I did I really enjoyed using it. It runs Windows Mobile 5.0 but pretty much any Windows Mobile device you'd get today would come with 6.0, which I've heard good reviews about.

The phone works well, however it has soft buttons for numbers. I pretty much just choose people out of my contacts or use voice dial, so it doesn't bother me much. I do have to power cycle it every couple weeks or so because sometimes I think I must give it to much to process, but I've never had any issues with it during phone calls - just when I'm messing around with applications.

The wifi capability is pretty cool, because I can jump online where there is wireless access. The full QWERTY keyboard is nice too. I'm not sure if their new models have gone 3G yet. Engadget just took a look at HTC's latest offering and it still uses EDGE wireless data technology.

Anyhow, I guess the long and the short of it is, I have a Windows Mobile phone and I'm happy with it. Let me know if you have other questions.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:57 am

AYC,

I have to carry a Blackberry 8700 for work. It is very useful generally, and Google maps is always there if you need it, etc. But... unless I turn it off (not really supposed to), they can always find me. It is somehow more pervasive than a garden variety cell phone. People who would never dream of calling my cell during non-standard work hours think nothing of sending me an email or an instant message asking for something.

Unless you want to be a slave to your smartphone or desperately require staying in contact with work 24/7 I would recommend against it, particularly this early in your marriage. Your wife will run over it with the car, steal the battery, crush it under foot, or otherwise sabotage it.

Mark my words. Blackberry, smartphone, etc = very bad.

AxeYrCat · Post by **AxeYrCat** » Wed May 23, 2007 2:12 am

Excellent advice!

However, I am a freelancer in the commercial world, so if I don't get an e-mail (even the ones that hit at 3 am), I can often miss work, and that missed work can often mean the difference between ramen noodles and sashimi dinners. [either

or

]

It's really rough: I both want and loathe the connectivity. Unfortunately, I think it's sort of a necessary evil. I'm just trying to determine which device is going to be the one that won't meet its end when I smash it into something...

codemonkey · Post by **codemonkey** » Wed May 23, 2007 2:39 pm

I LOVE my blackberry but I love my husband's sidekick even more (I couldn't get a phone with a camera in it because they didn't allow them at my work at the time, they actually changed the policy recently.)

bwilms · Post by **bwilms** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:24 am

I use Gmail and they have a really good client for Windows Mobile. The speed isn't blazing over EDGE, but it seems to be dependable.

I think with WM 6.0 they start to get themselves more into the push email space. At least, that's what I hear.

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:19 pm

My wife LOVES the look and concept of the new iPhone. I imagine fairly soon we'll be breaking our Verizon contract to go back to AT&T/Cingular with a new toy.

One of our friends formerly worked with a Congresswomen. Recently switched jobs and sent a mass email saying nothing more tha:

"Blackberry withdrawl...must access info now...blackberry withdrawl..."

codemonkey · Post by **codemonkey** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:27 pm

I lust after the iPhone

AxeYrCat · Post by **AxeYrCat** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:38 pm

Being that I'm a Mac user, I'm definitely a fan of the iPhone. However, with its hefty pricetag, and the fact that Cingular/AT&T service is spendy (compared to the other deals I can get out there), I don't know if I can justify it.

Compound that with the fact that the iPhone isn't 3G capable, and it's a bit of a downer...

You've gotta pay for the nice data package, and then get pretty crippled speeds.

I'm seriously thinking of picking up the Motorola Q and then adding Missing Sync or just hacking the heck out of the software (Motorola products seem to take to that pretty well in my experiences).

Do I WANT an iPhone? Yes. Resoundingly.

I just don't know if it's going to be as incredible as its hype makes it seem.

jaded · Post by **jaded** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:47 pm

ooooooooo, iPhone! yum.
I want one, I want one!!

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Thu May 24, 2007 5:47 pm

Having worked for apple and experiencing a few product launches. I told my wife and anyone else. WAIT A LITTLE BIT.

Honestly I'd say around or after the holidays in December.

WHY, takes some time to get bugs out. Plus all the "hypers who MUST have the latest greatest product FIRST" need to get their products and realize all the bugs/kinks aren't COMEPLETLY worked out.

I also said that time frame so I can try to buy her one for Christmas!

FYI again having been an Apple employee:
Buy from the refurbished section off of Store.Apple.com Many times, especially the iPods were just returned and a certified Apple tech gives them a once over and IF there is a need to replace parts-they are certified Apple parts! Still not as cheap as other places but basically the refurbs are still QC'd by Apple.

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:08 pm

I'm so *NOT* a gadget grrl, yet, but I'm just yearning to become one of y'all. I figure this is as good a thread as any to "Axe" this. So my question is:

Are there any snazzy gadgets that are phones, PDAs, and GPSs all rolled into one? Please do recommend. My phone contract with Cingular is up in July, and it's time for me to upgrade (exponentially, even!).

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:14 pm

Apple's iPhone expected to be released in June or July...on Cingular...