Smartphones?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Well my poor iPAQ may be toast so I am looking into a replacement for it.  My options are spending $400 on a new one or spending about $250 and getting a new SmartPhone.  The SmartPhones I have available are the HTC Touch, HTC 6800 or the older Motorola Q.  I am leaning towards the 6800 if I decide to go that route.  My problem is that my current phone, a Sanyo 7300 is still quite functional, and I hate to replace anything that still works.

If I was to go with a new iPAQ though, it would cost me a small fortune as I would be looking at the new iPAQ 211 which I can get for around $400.

There is also the chance that I could get my current iPAQ repaired, but as it is out of warranty, this will also cost me.  I don't know if it's repairable, but it will cost about $70 to find out- about $20 to send it in, $30 to have it looked at and $20 to have it shipped back to me.  That's assuming that whatever is wrong is a quick and easy fix that doesn't require parts or heavy labor.  Of course, if it can't be fixed, I still get to pay that.

The SmartPhone seems to be my best option- the only thing worse than spending $250 on a new unit is spending $70 to find out that you have to spend $250 on a new unit....

Of course the new SmartPhones are using WM6 which I am unfamiliar with, plus I'm also unfamiliar with the SmartPhone components of Windows Mobile since I've never had one before.

Still, I'm open to other suggestions or comments if anyone has anything to contribute?

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

No one uses a SmartPhone?

 

Def

[Benner]

No one uses a SmartPhone?

 

Def

I'm afraid not. 

[Leatherman123]

You should consider the Palm Treo also! A buddy of mine has one and it has a very nice phone indeed!

[Grant Lamontagne]

I wonder if that's a subtle hint that maybe I should keep looking then!

I'm a little surprised since a PDA and/or SmartPhone is the electronic equivalent of the multitool.  A PDA performs many functions, none as well as a dedicated tool, but does many different things in a single, convenient package that you are more likely to have with you than say a laptop or full blown desktop.  It can be outfitted with customized options that suit your needs, but it also comes straight from the factory with all kinds of useful implements. 

The average PDA these days can take pics, send and receive emails, surf the net, show pictures, play video, play mp3's, read ebooks, view several types of documents, transfer files, communicate through IM, infra red or Bluetooth, record messages, organize contacts, keep schedules and alarms...  the list goes on and on.

Of course a full computer system does all that better and easier, but it really is a pain in the butt to carry around, just like a toolbox will do everything that your multitool will do, but you don't carry that around either!  It seems odd that no one else here makes use of an electronic multitool!

I'm unfortunately done with Palm.  I prefer the Palm interface, but it's a dying (or dead) platform these days.  As much as I hate to say it, I am sticking to Windows based devices now.  When it comes to PDA's, I am not a novice.  Here's the list (so far!) off the top of my head:

Palm:
IIIe
M125
Sony CLIE (I don't remember the model but I think it was the PEG-22?)
Tungsten E

Windows:
Old HP model with a keyboard- don't know the model
ASUS MyPal a600/ Zayo Razor
iPAQ hx2495b

I have oodles of software for the Palm platform, but it's done. 

Def

[Roadie]

Don't own a smartphone, but i have heard very good things about the HTC phones. But thats about all the help i can provide

[Sea Monster]

I didn't even know we had invented smartphones, let alone that they are commercially available.

[mcurtiss1970]

I've owned quite a few smartphones.

I really liked my HTC 8125 with cingular since it had wifi built in. I have the Blackberry pearl now and like that just as much but, since buying it, prefer the smaller size.  I've been meaning to sell my 8125 but haven't been able to get up the energy because i still like it so much.

i personally wouldn't go with anything Palm since their future isn't so bright.  i also think there have been many advancements made in smartphone OS's and palm is behind the curve on that front.  just my opinion, though.

[BIG-TARGET]

Think that has RFID too

[bobofish]

Can't help you much buddy other than to say everybody I know either has a blackberry or that accursed Jesus-phone.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Well I have decided to try and limp along with my iPAQ (easier said than done) and save up a bit to get myself a new dedicated PDA.  It'll probably be the new iPAQ, the 211:



It's a little more initially than a SmartPhone, but there's nothing wrong with my phone at all, and if I get the new phone I was looking at it would cost more in the long run with the data plan added.  Plus I hate adding multiple functions to these kinds of things, which is why I still have a separate mp3 player.  If you use one device for everything, then you are completely helpless when the battery dies, which happens more often since you use it constantly!

Def

[Rob]

The wife and I both have an AT&T Tilt (HTC 8925) and love them.  I agree a smart phone is a multi-tool of the geek world.  There are many down sides such as battery life, fragility, cost, etc over a standard mobile phone but not having to carry two units has been great and the features are amazing on this model.  GPS baby!  I can't count how many times the wife or I have handed the phone to our kids with a care bears or Star Wars video on it to keep them quiet in certain situations.  At this point I think I'd jump off of the first bridge I came across if I lost the thing.  So if you have any specific questions fire away.

[ducktapehero]

No one uses a SmartPhone?

Not me, new technology scares me. When I get a cell phone I tell them I want something simple that won't break when I drop it.

Here's the one I have.

http://us.sanyo.com/wireless/handsets/index.cfm?productID=1468

[Dunc]

Cant really help you Def  All my experience is with Nokia's using a Symbian series 60 platform although at the moment I've got a Nokia 6500 slide phone which is a series 40 I think .

Dunc

[Abstraction]

Just saw this thread on my trawl through the forum....  Did you get a new one in the end?  I recently got the HTC TyTN II and have to say i love it.  As you say they're the electronic multi-tools and with a bit of work there's nothing this thing can't do (well, im still trying to figure out how to brew a cup of tea on it but im sure its possible).

 GPS works perfectly (it's great to be able to search 'pub' in the middle of nowhere and get directions to the local supplier of beer ), once you install the Opera browser the web is perfect, email syncs flawlessly with my home and work adresses, fantastic organiser  and the combination of touch screen/jog dial/full keyboard makes using it a doddle.  I don't know what price you're looking at over there but given i got it for free after some bartering with Orange i imagine you can get a good deal over there.

The only thing which lets it down is the camera, as while it is good quality in bright daylight it doesnt have a flash.

http://www.coolsmartphone.com/article727.html

[Grant Lamontagne]

I got the HTC Touch and I am really digging it.  I got it free for signing on to a three year contract with my cell company, which is fine with me as that's the company my wife works for, and as a result I doubt I'd ever want to switch!

With the Touch model the data plan was included in what I was paying anyway- there was no increase as this phone is marketed worldwide as an iPhone killer.  In order to do that, the various carriers needed to offer unlimited web surfing and data so folks could make use of all the built in features.  Of course the problem is now I'm a little addicted to having web access anywhere I want to go, and while I am not likely to do much surfing on such a small screen, the other features like email and weather updates are too handy to argue with!



Def

[duckman1975]

Hello boss def, are you prone to dropping your phone? If you do you might have to consider durability some of the high tech phones are good for only one drop.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have mine in a clear plastic protective case and I also keep it locked in a very sturdy pouch!

Electronics don't usually live long around me, but for some reason PDA's tend to last a little longer than most.

Def

[duckman1975]

My phones usually last only 1 to 2 years, don't like to put the protective plastic because it sometimes smells. Good luck on your next phone 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Yeah, I hope this one will last a bit- if it doesn't, I'd be willing to buy another one as I'm so pleased with it.  Of course I'd also rather buy this one so I don;t have to pay for the additional services I get with this one for free!

Def

[duckman1975]

Been hearing a lot of rave about the iphone is it in the category of the smartphones?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Supposedly it's Apple's first foray into the world of cell phones.  I have yet to actually see one in person, so I really can't comment on it.

Def

[duckman1975]

Thought its a big deal down there. guess its all hype 

[Leatherman123]

I LOVED my iPhone- until it broke..  They are coming out with a 3GB one for $199.. And, it is supposed to be faster than the original!

[duckman1975]

I LOVED my iPhone- until it broke..  They are coming out with a 3GB one for $199.. And, it is supposed to be faster than the original!

It broked? Guess its not as though as the ipod huh

[Leatherman123]

I dropped it and the corner of the screen broke. And then, it started to spider. What's dumb is that it cannot be replaced!

[Abstraction]

My HTC screen broke a few months ago which sucked, no idea how it happened but these large touch screens really arnt that durable    Thatnkfully im insured so i got a replacement sent out to me for £20 excess, delivered by courier the next morning 

If you're not liking browsing on such a small screen def i recomend you give the Opera mobile browser a try.  It's different from opera mini and its not free but its completely worth it, it transforms browsing compared to using that terrible excuse for a browser that comes with windows mobile.  Grab the demo here  http://www.opera.com/products/mobile/.  Of course there are ways to *extend* the demo if you don't like paying for phone software, i bought it but that was after trying it out for a few months first 

Other 'tools' i im liking on this thing are google maps, ultimate thief alert (http://handheld.softpedia.com/get/Security/Utilities/Ultimate-Theft-Alert-21042.shtml - for £10 the ability to smurf with anyone who steals my phone is just too good to resist), and windows live for msn messenger.  Anyone got any recomendations?

As for the iPone, i looked at one before buying the HTC.  Its good no doubt about that but no 3g meant relying on wireless access, and if im somewhere with wireles access ill probably have my laptop on me! Whereas the HSPDA on my HTC is faster than my home connection!!  Also having to rely on a touch screen sucks, its implimented well, as are the HTC's nowdays, but there are certain times when pissing about with a touch screen is the last thing you want and some good old fashioned buttons are a godsend.  On top of that, if you're getting an iphone it's presumeably so you can use it as an mp3 player as well as a phone, in which case what use is a few gigs of memory?  Until they slap a hard drive in a phone it won't be replacing my mp3 players, i've got used to carrying around 80 gigs of music with me!!

Anyone have any windows mobile software recomendations? 

[tiffany]

Please pm Grant your suggestion instead

[cerbera147]

 

Mmmm, tasty SPAM 

[tiffany]

Please pm Grant your suggestion instead

what is meaning ?  where is my post ?