I am soooo confused...help!

[Lexee15]

I am currently looking for a new phone/pda. I am soooo confused, there are so many choices out there!

Please give me your experiences with the different all-in-one type of phones. I would like to have a phone with an actual keyboard, I text a lot, internet access, and organizer. I’ve looked at the iphone, versions of the blackberry and a samsung.

I have not seen any of these in any detail, I have no idea what to look for, it seems so overwhelming once you factor in price, wireless company and contract.

Your help, suggestions, advice, do’s, don’ts and any other information would be greatly appreciated. I would like to be as informed as possible in order to make a smart choice/purchase, thanks.

 

[Lorrie]

I’ve been with T-Mobile for about 5 years and haven’t had any problems with them (I’m sure someone will come along who has). For me personally, I try to stick with anything Nokia or Samsung, I’ve never had any issues with their phones. As for something with a keyboard the thing that pops into my mind is a Blackberry. I’m not too familiar with them though, sorry.

 

[Lexee15]

I’ve been with T-Mobile for about 5 years and haven’t had any problems with them (I’m sure someone will come along who has). For me personally, I try to stick with anything Nokia or Samsung, I’ve never had any issues with their phones. As for something with a keyboard the thing that pops into my mind is a Blackberry. I’m not too familiar with them though, sorry.

Thanks Lorrie…hello…anyone else got some info.? I know there are some pretty knowledgeable people on this forum, some electronic experts too I bet, any help would be appreciated.

 

[RHisComingHome]

I have the LG enV and it is absolutely wonderful. It flips open and there is another whole screen and a QWERTY keyboard. I text message quite often so it’s perfect.

 

[montanaman]

Geek talk! Alright!

I had the Cingular 8125, but that’s no longer sold. I liked it, but I upgraded to the Cingular (now AT&T) 8525. It’s basically the same thing, but with slightly more memory/power, and a better keyboard. I got it because it runs a shortened version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. I also got it for the full qwerty keyboard. I hate “texting.” People hate my text messages because they’re very long and grammatically correct. Lol.

Here’s a link to the phone: reviews.cnet.com/smart-phones/at-t-8525/4505-6452_7-32133413.html?tag=prod.txt.4

I highly recommend it. I wouldn’t bother with a data package plan unless you’re rich and absolutely need the Internet. And if you don’t get the data plan, make sure you don’t access the Internet with AT&T’s “MediaNet.” It’ll charge you by the kilobyte. I’ve heard of people getting surprise phone bills of $800. You CAN get online without the package, and without the high bills, but only if you use the WiFi, and I’ve found that to be hit-or-miss.

Sorry I don’t know more about other phones, but I like this one. I plan to get the 8925 when it comes out.

 

[Cactus]

I have a Cingular 8125 but am having difficulties getting much mileage out of the Pocket PC format. I like the fact that is is one of the few WiFi compatible units. I know that its capabilities are strong but I’m having difficulties with the learning curve of the device. I still use an older Palm Model Vx PDA and wish that now I had a Palm OS-based integrated phone, PDA, mp3, and camera.

 

[montanaman]

I have a Cingular 8125 but am having difficulties getting much mileage out of the Pocket PC format. I like the fact that is is one of the few WiFi compatible units. I know that its capabilities are strong but I’m having difficulties with the learning curve of the device. I still use an older Palm Model Vx PDA and wish that now I had a Palm OS-based integrated phone, PDA, mp3, and camera.

What kind of problems are you having? If it’s the WiFi stuff, I can’t be of much help, but I found that if you just start exploring every function and reading all the help documents on there, you can master it pretty quickly. Just think of it as a computer that happens to have a phone in it.

 

[kage_ar]

I can tell you, I WISH I’d gone with an blackberry. I hate hate hate my “smart” phone. My next will be a blackberry.

 

[PaulinVA]

I love my BlackBerry. it’s great for email and calendaring tied to my work and personal accounts. It was very easy to set up. My boss has a Cingular 8525 and it is bigger and a little more complicated than the BBerry, but I think it holds more. A BlackBerry is, in my experience, something that doesn’t store email but is used mainly for getting the message, replying, and deleting it.

Actually, there are two kinds of Blackberry plans. One set is for people who work somewhere and have a BlackBerry Enterprise Server at work. You have access to business email (and personal acocunts) and can synch your BBerry to the work account.

The Personal plans are for people without a BlackBerry Enterprise Server at work. You can still check any email account, you just don’t have the more capable synching with the work account.

If you are more interested in texting than email, aren’t there texting-specific devices like Sidekicks and such?

 

[Robaynne]

Most of our managers here at work got Imate. It works for them especially for emailing purposes and using the internet.

It is better than the blackberry because it is not so big in size like the blackberry. Check out this site to have a look at the different types they have. clubimate.com/t-DETAILS_JASJAR.aspx

Nokia not my favourite becoz. I have a friend who works for a cellphone network provider and he does new cellphone contracts. Majority of phones that get called back are Nokia becoz they give such problems especially the Nseries.

I love Samsung exspecially the U700 it is such a slimline phone and easy to use. Check this site out.
samsung.com/za/products/mobilephone/handset/sgh_u700.asp

The imate is nice but it depends on what your needs are.

Some of the phones that you guys have spoken about have not even reached here is South Africa. The imate and blackberry are about a year old. The U700 Samsung that is a new phone on the market just came out about a month ago. But Samsung is still my favourite and will always be.

So goodluck in your choice.

 

[kage_ar]

Follow up - mine is a Cingular 3125 and it is soooooo not user friendly.

 

[montanaman]

Follow up - mine is a Cingular 3125 and it is soooooo not user friendly.

That’s basically a smart phone, right? But it doesn’t have a qwerty keyboard, so I can see how that would be a problem.

One thing I like about the 8125/8525 is that you can put whole word documents on it. And, you can add Bible programs and apologetics software. (See the consolidated electronics thread in Apologetics. It’s a sticky). Right now I’ve got dozens of documents on all kinds of topics on my phone. Sometimes it comes in handy…

 

[kage_ar]

That’s basically a smart phone, right? But it doesn’t have a qwerty keyboard, so I can see how that would be a problem.

Smart is not the word I would use

I keep telling my boss he needs to get me a 13 year old assistant if he wants me to actually REPLY to email using this darn thing.

It does not even function well as a phone. Let’s say someone calls you, and you want to save that number to your contacts. It is saved there, but, I STILL cannot figure how to actually call someone from that contacts list.

Anyway, back to Lexee’s issue. I am just the warning in the wilderness on this one - avoid smart phones especially those without real grown up keyboards.

 

[Lexee15]

Thanks guys for your replies, I will probably go out this weekend and look at what you all have suggested.

I have a sidekick and have had it for about a year now, I really like it because I text a lot, but I don’t like the calendar it has and I can’t open documents or anything like that on it. I need something to help keep me organized with projects I have going on, basically to fill some new needs.

I decided to look for something that’s an all-in-one type of thing with a qwerty because I only want to carry one device. I also would like to have internet access, I don’t use it a lot, but I do use it, it comes in very handy sometimes. I know I will still text a lot so having a keyboard is of utmost importance, but I also want something that is user-friendly.

What would you suggest I look for when I’m comparing phones, plans and companies? What things should I absolutely avoid? Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Lorrie]

What would you suggest I look for when I’m comparing phones, plans and companies? What things should I absolutely avoid? Your help is greatly appreciated.

Like I said way up there, I’m with T-Mobile and I haven’t had any problems thus far. I have 1,500 anytime minutes, free nights and weekends (although it doesn’t start until 9:00 pm, I wish it was 7:00 pm like other companies). I get 500 texts a month for $5.00 - I usually use about 1/2 that, I text a lot but not a LOT. My total bill every month is around $60.00. I’m also wireless (no home phone) so 60 bucks isn’t that bad to me.

Every time I’ve had to call them they are always very courteous and helpful.

 

[Lexee15]

Anyone know about or have experience with the Palm Treo, I think that’s what it’s called? I have a friend that has one and she likes it, also she said it’s compatible with both pc’s and mac’s. Your feedback is much appreciated…thanks:thumbsup:.

 

[dalesmom]

I strongly suggest that you don’t get a Palm Treo. It will rarely hotsync when you want it to. you cannot get wallpapers or anything except poly morphic ringtones(mechanical keyboard sounding ringtones). The Blackberry is a much better smart phone.

 

[Lexee15]

Geek talk! Alright!

I had the Cingular 8125, but that’s no longer sold. I liked it, but I upgraded to the Cingular (now AT&T) 8525. It’s basically the same thing, but with slightly more memory/power, and a better keyboard. I got it because it runs a shortened version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. I also got it for the full qwerty keyboard. I hate “texting.” People hate my text messages because they’re very long and grammatically correct. Lol.

Here’s a link to the phone: reviews.cnet.com/smart-phones/at-t-8525/4505-6452_7-32133413.html?tag=prod.txt.4

I highly recommend it. I wouldn’t bother with a data package plan unless you’re rich and absolutely need the Internet. And if you don’t get the data plan, make sure you don’t access the Internet with AT&T’s “MediaNet.” It’ll charge you by the kilobyte. I’ve heard of people getting surprise phone bills of $800. You CAN get online without the package, and without the high bills, but only if you use the WiFi, and I’ve found that to be hit-or-miss.

Sorry I don’t know more about other phones, but I like this one. I plan to get the 8925 when it comes out.

Ok, on this 8525 are you able to dial from the touch screen? Also, does the address/phone book come up on the screen and are you able to dial from there? What do you know about the 8925 and when is it coming out? Still doing my research, do you know what the difference is between a BlackBerry and this 8525?

 

[montanaman]

Ok, on this 8525 are you able to dial from the touch screen?

Yes, but I never do. I’m not sure why you would want to. Perhaps to keep from getting greasy fingers on the screen?

Also, does the address/phone book come up on the screen and are you able to dial from there?

Yes–I make the majority of my calls from the address/phone book. No dialing required–I just scroll to the name I want and hit “talk.”

What do you know about the 8925 and when is it coming out?

It’s coming out this year, I believe, and it’s a matter of much speculation.

I know that it will run the latest Windows Smartphone operating system, Windows Mobile 6. (Like many of the features, it’s only slightly upgraded. It might be better described as Windows Mobile 5.5). It will also have more power and memory, and if the rumors are true, built-in GPS. But the neatest feature, in my opinion, is the 45 degree angle of the screen when you flip it open. The keyboard looks roughly the same, but it’ll have more room because of the 45 degree angle.

Still doing my research, do you know what the difference is between a BlackBerry and this 8525?

I know next to nothing about BlackBerries, but they never appealed to me because of their keyboards. That, and I don’t know if any of them come with a model that runs the Windows smartphone OS. I like and need to have Word documents. I don’t think Blackberry does that.

www.cnet.com has great reviews. I really recommend you compare them on that site.

 

[Lexee15]

Geek talk! Alright!

Sorry I don’t know more about other phones, but I like this one. I plan to get the 8925 when it comes out.

Hey montanaman I just looked at the 8925…it is a nice one:thumbsup:!!! I think I may wait for that to come out, the reviews are great and I love that 45 degree screen!!! Sounds like it should have been out this month so I would imagine it won’t be long before it’s available.

The reason I was asking about dialing from the screen is because sometimes you need to dial the number, it may not be in your contact list and I wanted to know if it was easy to do that without having to open up the qwerty board (like I do with the sidekick) and dialing that way.

I have nails so hopefully my greasy fingers won’t actually touch the screen only my nails.