Donnie Berkholz ([info]spyderous) wrote,
@ 2006-11-24 23:38:00
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Entry tags:cell, communication

Smart phone recommendations?
Anyone got recommendations for smart phones to choose or avoid? I'm looking into picking one up. The main requirements are solid Internet (thus, a nice screen) and typing that doesn't suck.

My provider is Cingular, so my options are:


The BlackBerry is pretty much out because Cingular's variant only has proprietary BlackBerry IM, no AIM, Yahoo, etc. I'd appreciate opinions on the rest. Looks like the Samsung and Treo are both around $199, but the 8525 is $399. So if that's the way to go, make your argument very convincing.

Thanks!

Update: I got the BlackBerry.

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I've had the 650 for 2 years
(Anonymous)
2006-11-25 08:15 am UTC (link)
Having used the treo 650 for 2 years (Though if given the choice I would probably say go with the 680 if it's cheaper as it has more ram) I heartily recommend the palmos. I've found windows mobile slightly confusing, and the wealth of palm software (Including some opensource) really makes it an ideal pick. I would also recommend gps software and tomeraider/wikipedia as well as palm fiction. Those 3 pieces of software have made the treo a constant companion.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: BLACKBERRY
[info]rawy
2007-03-18 02:20 pm UTC (link)
Blackberry is a complete small smart and stylish. Smartphone sets new standards for ease-of-use. Its next-generation user interface features a pearl-like trackball navigation system that makes using this smartphone incredibly intuitive.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Anonymous)
2006-11-25 09:43 am UTC (link)
Consider the HP iPAQ phones. They have WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, expandable storage, a fairly usable keyboard, and some have a camera if you care. You can buy them unlocked or locked to Cingular, directly from HP. Most interestingly, handhelds.org has GNU/Linux ports in progress for several models.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(Anonymous)
2006-11-25 09:59 am UTC (link)
Oh, and as usual, if you can live with a locked one, you could also buy it from Cingular and get a discount through a service plan.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Blackberrry
(Anonymous)
2006-11-25 10:37 am UTC (link)
Work has provided me with a Blackberry 8700g and you can get Google talk for it http://www.blackberry.com/GoogleTalk/ as well as a number of other google mobile application such as mGmail and Google Mobile Maps. They all work very well.

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(Anonymous)
2006-11-25 10:43 am UTC (link)
how about the OpenMoko?

http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS2986976174.html

- sog

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[info]spyderous
2006-11-26 01:08 am UTC (link)
Still vaporware AFAIK ...

(Reply to this) (Parent)
Nokia e62?
[info]nchip
2006-11-25 01:35 pm UTC (link)
Why not consider: Nokia E62 http://business.cingular.com/businesscenter/nokiae62/ ? The keyboard rocks. IM isn't supported out of box, but downloadable apps IM exist (google: agile messanger). and putty for ssh rocks. While it's still a proprietary OS, symbian atleast is not a Microsoft OS...

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How about the Nokia E62
(Anonymous)
2006-11-25 02:41 pm UTC (link)
A coworker of mine has a Nokia E62. The screen is incredible. I have a Palm Treo 700W and the Nokia is SO much cooler. Plus, it doesn't run Windows which means it doesn't have to be rebooted periodically. Seriously.

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/rss/nokia-e62-details-revealed-158849.php

--foomonkey

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PalmOS has free software support
(Anonymous)
2006-11-25 06:32 pm UTC (link)
I've had a Treo 600, a Motorola Razr and currently carry a Nokia 6131. Of the three, the Treo was the most convenient to use with free software. Both for development with gcc and with synchronization with Debian, everything 'just works'.

I managed to get opensync mostly working with the 6131 recently, but not without some significant learning (and a few bug fixes). Syncml is an ill-defined standard it seems. It still wedges while syncing my calendar and appears to have left several contacts behind on my desktop. I never managed to get it working with the razr, but the razr was the worst phone I have ever owned for so many other reasons.

If connectivity with your desktop, and the ability to do custom development are important to you, I'd go with the Treo. I'm tempted myself to get a 680 unlocked (I prefer t-mobile to cingular for various reasons) if I can't get the 6131 working better with the desktop.

Sometimes "just works" is a compelling feature, and getting my address book and calendar into my pocket is mission critical for me.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: PalmOS has free software support
(Anonymous)
2006-11-25 06:33 pm UTC (link)
Forgot to sign my post...

-keithp

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Nokia 770
(Anonymous)
2006-11-25 07:10 pm UTC (link)
The best hand-held device for the internet is the Nokia 770. It has a gorgeous 800x480 screen (225 dpi!), a real web browser (Opera), and it runs Linux.

It is not a phone, though. And it has no hardware keyboard.
I find the stylus-based entry methods adequate, and you can use a Bluetooth keyboard with it if you do not mind the expense.

This comment was written on my 770.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: Nokia 770
[info]kOoLiNuS [myopenid.com]
2006-11-26 11:19 am UTC (link)
Recently I saw an Ad which showed an "affordable" bundle of a Nokia 6680 + Nokia 770. perhaps its still in course.

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Nokia E-series
[info]kOoLiNuS [myopenid.com]
2006-11-26 11:18 am UTC (link)
i own two smartphones: an iPaq 6345 (windows mobile) and a Nokia N80.

If your primary use is the phone then go with any Symbian based device. I can suggest to look @ Nokia E-series if you're in search of a business oriented device. To have an idea of the potential going there look at this site: http://www.e-series.org/

An alternative can come from Sony Ericsson M600 or P990, but it seems to me that Nokia is pushing more on it's Symbian based devices.

Yes, HP phones are hackable with linux and suck, problem is the "support" of the producer. To say my iPaq has only an year and half but HP has somewhat abandoned the support of this device (no new firmware, no new support to WPA wifi networks) and developed new devices (65xx series to say).

With the PalmOS Treo 650 a dear friend of mine (which runs windoze, OSX and a couple of linux boxes at home) had nothig but a series of problems and hickups during use and he is regreting of having purchased that, get figure.

On blackberry I can't say since in Italy there is no such a massive use of "pup-up" emails or affordable GPRS/UMTS rates.

Hope to have covered all the points :-)

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Go with the 650
[info]cshields.myopenid.com
2006-11-26 11:03 pm UTC (link)
I love the 650.. I'll be honest that it broke eventually (but I was pretty rough on it) and was given a treo 700w as a replacement and hate it. I'm looking for a way to go back to another 650.

I had the same Tungsten that you had, and got very familiar with palm apps and wifi that worked just the same on the 650 (but a little slower on the wifi part).

Good luck on the search!
-C

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Your Blackberry
[info]skimol
2007-03-17 09:23 am UTC (link)
Hope you share your experience with the blackberry.

atmega private

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