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View Full Version : What's your take on smartphones?


RWB
12 Feb 2008, 6:26am
So I've had my T-Mobile 'Dash' for a while now, maybe 4-5 months at this point. And within the past month I've really gotten into it, and this past week I've got it to have better web browsing using Opera, watching movies, etc... pretty much everything my laptop does(except play higher performance demanding games that I don't really play much anyways). I find myself using the phone more and more everyday as I get more used to it.

So far I've enjoyed it more than my laptop in many ways, most notably heat and battery life; in that order. While the phone has a much smaller screen, the lack of heat and not having to worry about the power cable(which is getting on my last nerve at times) more than makes up for this. Sure I can get one of those laptop boards, but when it comes to my lap in Texas.... it sweats if something is there period.

So far this week I've learned to do a great deal of things on my phone including using it as a NES Emulator(it plays so well), eBook reader(found some fantastic legally free ebooks at Baen), and of course the obvious web browser and email client.

Granted, the phone ain't perfect. The keyboard and screen are small and there is not much I can do about either, storage is also small, but again I go back to what I just said. But that to me is superficial to the big points made at the beginning of this post and that is heat and battery life, plus that damned power cable. I can't get very comfortable with my laptop while reading eBooks or online articles for that matter. I like to lay in bed if possible but that begins to wear out my arms as I don't like to rest in the positions required to see a laptop screen properly. With the phone it's much more comfy, but not totally. I still have to hold up the phone, but.... nothing you can do about that as it'd have to be done even with a book. Guess I am just lazy.

The screen on the phone is crisp and clean, and at night or in the dark my eyes can easily read the screen for hours on end without a problem. I thought I would need to buy an eBook reader with an E-Ink screen so to not hurt my eyes for this, but gladly I won't(got a ticket, taxes, and too many bills to catch up on first and I have yet to receive my first paycheck on my new job).

Back to the "it ain't perfect" deal, I also have to reboot the device about twice a day as lockups occur from certain sites or some kind of memory leak. And for long posts like this one, I of course go back to using the laptop for obvious stated reasons.

All in all, I went from desktop to laptop for the smaller space and portability, but now I think I see Smartphones being the new thing for me as I don't need a laptop or desktop for much these days(thank god). I can see the Smartphone market growing as much as I am sure a lot of you do. I'd like to see a smart phone that can "do it all". Like having ports to plug in an external display for example so you can have in essence a desktop when you want it. I am happy with my purchase(it was actually an early Christmas gift), and with adding the data plan for only $20/month when I get my paycheck it will be a great thing to have with me on the job where I drive around a lot and the places I go don't have any open AP's.

Thrax
12 Feb 2008, 6:58am
The blackberry was the best electronic device I ever owned. While I love my computer, the sheer convenience of the 8300 is incomparable.

RADA
12 Feb 2008, 4:33pm
Agree with Thrax, my 8830 (Verizon) really fills in the gap when I'm not in front of a PC.

It's my favorite because I have never seen the need for a camera on a phone. But being able to play mp3s comes in handy during down times such as on a plane for business/fun.

Here at work we all take one week every 2 months on a rotating weeknight/weekend standby shift. During our week, all the critical servers and systems are hooked into an application that emails us the equipment status ever 4 hours, and also sends an automated alert phone call if something goes down. Having this type of connectivity to our network has paid for the phones, and the system many times over due to how quickly we can respond to situations.

Kwitko
12 Feb 2008, 4:50pm
Don't get the Q. If you decide to go Windows Mobile, make sure it's version 6, not 5. 5 = fail.

TheGr81
13 Feb 2008, 2:09am
Meh... My A707 is smart enough til I have some money.

mas0n
13 Feb 2008, 4:05am
I have a been a smartphone user for a few years now and have had no need for a laptop since. In the very near future my "Main Rig" will be the one in my pocket, desktops will be for gaming/folding/file serving.

McBain
13 Feb 2008, 5:36am
The blackberry was the best electronic device I ever owned. While I love my computer, the sheer convenience of the 8300 is incomparable.

Had? Whaaaa haaaaponed?

Even though Kwitco doesn't recommend the q, I have the q9c w/WM6.....love the thing...direct push email for work, gmail, accessible GPS....plus the SERO plan costs me $30 a month free data.

Balla.

Thrax
13 Feb 2008, 5:41am
I got laid off.

Black Hawk
14 Feb 2008, 2:05am
Well my HTC TyTn has been good to me. Helps me alot with work since I got a GPS reciever connected to it via Bluetooth and I use it to navigate all around the island and I use 3G or wifi to search for companies and numbers.

When I'm bored I play SNES emulators, listen to music or sometimes jump on IRC (even though nobody's around when I'm working).

I use it alot to browse normal pages like Icrontic, ESPN and news sites like Reuters or CNN since I can browse full pages (although a bit uncomfortable).

A few days ago I installed Outlook so I also sync my address book, emails and calanders (very handy).

Overall, I love it and this is probably over used but I couldn't live without it. Really tweaked, a smartphone can do amazing things.

fatcat
14 Feb 2008, 2:22am
my iPhone is a dumbphone...idiotphone...lamephone...

but it does the job, and has the complete 2008, 2007, 2006 playboy centerfolds on it....

cometh sdk!

Shorty
14 Feb 2008, 5:53am
I have had:

Nokia Communicator 9210, 9500 and recently had a E90.
Sony Ericsson P800, P900, P910i
HTC something or other (some WM thing)
Blackberry Pearl 8100, Curve 8300

Currently using Pearl 8120

I am definitly a long term smartphone user/abuser!

Smartphones are just that provided the OS isn't bloated and the implementation is done right. I love my BlackBerry and it's now essential to my life, so I know what's going on, where I am supposed to be and why :)

TheLostSwede
14 Feb 2008, 12:26pm
I bit the bullet and ordered a HTC Touch the other day. It have had some raving reviews lately.

Kwitko
14 Feb 2008, 2:27pm
Had? Whaaaa haaaaponed?

Even though Kwitco doesn't recommend the q, I have the q9c w/WM6.....love the thing...direct push email for work, gmail, accessible GPS....plus the SERO plan costs me $30 a month free data.

Balla.

I don't recommend the Q because of WM5. WM6 >>>>>> WM5, and unfortunately Verizon feels no need to update the Q to WM6. You have to buy the newer Q's, like the Q Music.

Black Hawk
14 Feb 2008, 2:45pm
FWIW, even with a 2yr contract my TyTn cost almost $500. Save a little bit and get one of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834117623). ;)

RWB
15 Feb 2008, 4:31am
Here's a Q, why are Blackberry devices different than Smartphones, they are always in a different spot on these providers websites. "PDA's and Smartphones" or "Blackberry".

Thrax
15 Feb 2008, 4:32am
Because blackberries are the kings of all smartphones, and are pretty much in a league of quality all their own.

fatcat
15 Feb 2008, 5:02am
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/02/2-14-08-palm.jpg

;D

Crazy Joe
20 Feb 2008, 5:49am
Well I am going to be upgrading from my old Razr in the next few months and I am looking at the T-Mobile Shadow... I like the WM6 OS because it will let me work on MS Office files on the road (typing up lesson plans and such) and it is a pretty decent priced phone at around $150 or so with a new contract... Does anyone have any experience with this phone? Alternatively I looked at the Blackberry Pearl, but I think I like the Shadow better... Thoughts?

Black Hawk
20 Feb 2008, 2:43pm
If you plan on typing a lot I wouldn't recommend it. Go full QWERTY where the screen slides horizontally.

Crazy Joe
20 Feb 2008, 6:40pm
If you plan on typing a lot I wouldn't recommend it. Go full QWERTY where the screen slides horizontally.

Well I'd use the phone primarily as a phone and MP3 player with ocasional video thrown in. I'd only be typing a few documents and probably wouldn't get the $19.99 data package (at least at first.) I am deciding between the Shadow and something small like the Blackberry Pearl, and I do like that the Shadow has built in Wi-Fi for when I do decide to use the internet. Anyone here actually use the Shadow or the BB Pearl?

Black Hawk
20 Feb 2008, 6:52pm
I have a Pearl in my desk drawer and I never liked it. I hate 2 or more letters per key and BB's placement of some keys is annoying. On top of that I never liked the BB OS. WM6 is just more comfortable.

Thrax
20 Feb 2008, 7:07pm
Whereas I've used several smartphones on the market personally and/or for instruction for customers, and found the BB's OS to easily be the best smartphone OS out there.

Crazy Joe
21 Feb 2008, 3:28am
What makes the BB OS better than WM6?

GrayFox
23 Feb 2008, 2:07am
Googles android platform will revolutionalise the industry in September.