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Do I really need a Smartphone?

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Posted by: Rhibert

Hi, I'm new to this whole Smartphone/PDA thing and I was hoping someone could give me some advice. We're getting ready to sign up for a SERO plan, and I'm afraid I'm getting more than I need if I get a PDA.

I currently have a Motorola V266 with US Cellular. I know, I know- sucky phone, sucky carrier. I'm trying to take care of that now. heehee...

Here's what I'm looking for in a phone:

Internet browsing- nothing in particular, mostly if I need to look something up on the fly (say, in the middle of a heated argument about how to spell "foliage") or if I need to check online for prices or coupons for something I'm getting ready to buy B&M

I want to be able to take advantage of EVDO tho, and I would really like to be able to connect my laptop thru the phone from time to time (I'm still not clear on if you have to sign up for a PAM add-on or what)

Text- I'm not a big texter, but DH and I like to exchange small texts when we know the other one is at work and don't want to interrupt each other with a phone call ("U gonna P/U kids?"). I got used to texting the old fashioned way and I hate the predictive text in my phone now- where on earth does it come up with some of these word guesses?

Email access isn't particularly necessary as long as I can access my Yahoo email (I can, can't I?).

Primarily, I will use this phone as a phone. The other goodies will be great, will make things much easier, but I don't want to go overboard on my phone choice just because I'm getting all googly-eyed over the gadget factor.

I think with a Smartphone I could use most of the features available, and could get used to syncing it with Outlook and all that stuff. I'm stuck between the Treo 755p and the 700wx, I think those are the two that I'm most likely to buy if I go this route. One thing I'm really not jazzed about, tho, is I really would like a flip-phone like I have now. The PDAs just don't seem comfortable, altho I suppose I would get used to it like everything else. But, with the flip phone, I know it's protected, and I don't have to lock the keys or anything. My phone rides in my pocket with my keys and such, and I'm worried I might damage a PDA.

P.s. Cost's not a huge consideration, because I figure we're saving a ton by going with the SERO plans, and I want to make sure I get a phone that I'm really going to be comfortable with for the next two years. I can't say money's NO object, of course I'd rather get a cheaper phone as long as it takes care of what I need it to!

Ok, all things considered, can anyone tell me if I'm going overboard by going the Smartphone route? If I can meet my needs with a less-complicated phone I would rather avoid overdoing it. Thanks so much (in advance!) for your help!

~Rhibert
St. Louis, MO


Posted by: Kichigai

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhibert
Internet browsing- nothing in particular, mostly if I need to look something up on the fly (say, in the middle of a heated argument about how to spell "foliage") or if I need to check online for prices or coupons for something I'm getting ready to buy B&M

Well, thanks to Google, you can do that on pretty much any phone. There's also mobile eBay, and a comparison shopping site they partner with. Since these are all mobile-customized, it's not necessary to get a smartphone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhibert
I want to be able to take advantage of EVDO tho, and I would really like to be able to connect my laptop thru the phone from time to time (I'm still not clear on if you have to sign up for a PAM add-on or what)

With Sprint, you do. The only company I know of that doesn't charge extra to tether is T-Mobile, and their data services are now $19.99/mo.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhibert
Text- I'm not a big texter, but DH and I like to exchange small texts when we know the other one is at work and don't want to interrupt each other with a phone call ("U gonna P/U kids?"). I got used to texting the old fashioned way and I hate the predictive text in my phone now- where on earth does it come up with some of these word guesses?

Well, many Windows Mobile devices come with a predictive text system called XT9 on-board, but they're usually pretty easy to disable. One thing of note: do you think you can work one of the thumb-pads? Try going into a Sprint store and messing around with one of their display models.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhibert
Email access isn't particularly necessary as long as I can access my Yahoo email (I can, can't I?).

Yep. Yahoo! has a program for Windows Mobile called "Yahoo! 2 Go." It might be available on other platforms, but I don't know for sure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhibert
I think with a Smartphone I could use most of the features available, and could get used to syncing it with Outlook and all that stuff. I'm stuck between the Treo 755p and the 700wx, I think those are the two that I'm most likely to buy if I go this route. One thing I'm really not jazzed about, tho, is I really would like a flip-phone like I have now. The PDAs just don't seem comfortable, altho I suppose I would get used to it like everything else. But, with the flip phone, I know it's protected, and I don't have to lock the keys or anything. My phone rides in my pocket with my keys and such, and I'm worried I might damage a PDA.

Well, if you can get a Nextel (iDEN) phone, the Motorola i900 (I think that's the model number) is a Windows Mobile flip-phone. You get all the benefits of a Windows Mobile device (minus the full QWERTY keyboard) in a flip-phone design.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhibert
P.s. Cost's not a huge consideration, because I figure we're saving a ton by going with the SERO plans, and I want to make sure I get a phone that I'm really going to be comfortable with for the next two years. I can't say money's NO object, of course I'd rather get a cheaper phone as long as it takes care of what I need it to!

Good, because if you go with a Windows Mobile device, you're likely going to end up spending some kind of money on applications (like an IMing app, or something like that). If you go the Palm OS or Symbian route (I don't think Sprint offers any Symbian devices, however), then you're fine. Blackberries have some third party apps, however I've found most of them to be ungodly expensive (eOffice, for editing documents, spreadsheets and presentations, costs $150! DataViz needs to hurry up and give them some competition).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhibert
Ok, all things considered, can anyone tell me if I'm going overboard by going the Smartphone route? If I can meet my needs with a less-complicated phone I would rather avoid overdoing it. Thanks so much (in advance!) for your help!

One thing I've discovered since I bought my Smartphone is that it creates a need for itself. If you invest in it, you'll find uses for it, and you'll end up wondering how you lived without it. Since money is no object, then go ahead and see if you can find a smartphone that tickles your fancy. After all, with unlimited data included in the SERO plans, it can't hurt too much.


Posted by: Aleki

very well put kichigai. ive definately grown into my smartphone, and i will probably never get anything else from here-on-in. one difference i'd like to point out though; if you dont mind a little more bulk, i'd get the hermes. ppc's can do way more than smartphones can. i personally would dive for a ppc phone for the fact that i still have to lug my pda around for certain tasks (not as often as i used to before the smartphone)


Posted by: zephxiii

EVen though my v3xx is a very capable phone, i just can't go back to after using my E62, cause it rocks (specially the web browser).

If you chose to go with a CDMA carrier, i would definately get a PDA as their regular phones suck for the most part.... then again you'd be stuck with the PDA at the same time....either way, PDA FTW

P.S. USCC isn't a sucky carrier, just their phone selection is sucky (thanks to CDMA once more


Posted by: tamoghno

Why foot you consider nokia s60? Those have full functionality but their beauty is that unlike windows mobile or palm os s60 was built ground up for mobile phone. I think nokia e65 is a great balance between phone and pda. Also look at SE pseries like p1i


Posted by: jontymisra

I cant live without my smartphone, active notes, calendar, email, gps. Man smartphone is the way to go!


Posted by: Fred333

I really like my smart phone too. It is the wave of the future. Phones are going to just become more and more interactive with its user.


Posted by: srk999

A PPC Phone is like a bride. You love it until you take it home.

But if you are a business guy or alike, you might need one. Also, some phone are all-rounders. Like Eten M700 (a.k.a. Glofish 2). The phone got EVERYTHING a PPC phone has, plus radio, GPS, 2.0 MP camera, sliding keyboard, a sleek look and a nice glow at night.


Posted by: monkeyboy

Consider waiting for the CDMA Touch/Vogue, coming to Sprint in Nov. A PPC phone that is touch-screen only, like the iPhone. It is very small and pocketable. Or look at the just-announced Palm Centro. These new choices for Sprint are probably more interesting than the existing options.


Posted by: jontymisra

I'd pick HTC Kaiser over ETEN M700.
But, My E90 suffices all my needs and has certain better aspects compared to the other two




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