Question to tech savy DU'ers

[nadinbrzezinski]

Yes I lost my phone, cell phone that is. Right now if I wanted I could just go ahead and get an I-Phone, a major reason why we could not afford to, went away. We finally put a kibbush on the YMCA membership we were not using. So the data package is affordable right now. (With money to spare for bank savings account in fact)

Here is my problem, I have a touch, why go for the full monty? (I would not forget it at home, or other places?)

Anyhow, I am looking at the google phone, it is droid based, and I know I can get Evernote on it, and that will be a happy day for me... I am also looking at a few others (droid based) or a Win CE smart phone... or plain out vanilla flavor phone. As is I was looking at a few refurb jobbies.

Any recent experience with smart phones? And yes hubby is happy as can be with his I-Phone.

[TransitJohn]

1. Use an ipod

and put Skype on it....save a bundle. Of course, you'd be limited to wifi.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Yeah I know, but a FEW times I've needed the actual cell

Been cosidering just canceling my line and just getting a basic jobie with minutes on it.

If you use the phone as often as I do, it makes sense... like once a month at best.

[Cant trust em]

3. Depends on how much you really want to have internet all the time.

If that's really important to you, then splurge. I love my iPod touch, but wouldn't mind getting NPR on it everywhere I go. Having instant access to e-mail or facebook isn't that big of a deal to me.

I don't know if any of it is worth an extra $360/year.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. I know, hell I had to get MMS molsty off my account

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. I have the Google NexusOne and love it

but I am in a major metropolitan area. They are limited to T-Mobile right now, so your MMV.

I have had Treos and Blackberrys for the last ~10 years and can say that the NexusOne is the fastest phone I have ever used. I wouldn't go back to WindowsMobile, PalmOS or RIM for anything.

In fact, I am watching for the Google android version of the iPad to come out this fall and will stand in line for it.

The downside to the iPhone (IMO) is that AT&T oversold for their network. May not affect you, so research connectivity along with the hardware decision.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. That is not an issue where we live

why AT&T is our service provider...

Now when I was in Cleveland for a month.. it was.

I am truly debating this since I DO have the Touch... and that one with skype and microphone enabled headphones works too, (when you have wireless)

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. My issue was I needed the operating system for apps

If you don't, then factor that in. I am a huge fan of the NexusOne, so will always recommend when asked! :D

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. How well does it play with both Mac and Win?

I mean I know win CE is lousy with the Mac... one reason I stopped using my HPC

[Ruby the Liberal]

11. I don't have a Mac, but with Win XP and 7, it is flawless

Not to mention, Android 2.2 (in beta) will let you tether so you can use your phone as your netbook modem on your unlimited wireless data bill when you do't have wifi access. AT&T and Apple currently have no plans to add that.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. That is good to know

I was toying just canceling phone line and getting a cheap jobbie, but that might make it something to consider... the netbook is win 7, and if for whatever reason it don't play well with OS X... well there is always the gaming rig.

More thinking to do, I guess.

[Ruby the Liberal]

14. If your internet connection is strong enough, you can drop the landline AND the internet

That said, AT&T is the only company that affords internet + phone at the same time. I would have to check, but I think T-Mobile will disconnect your internet connection with an incoming call.

AT&T and T-Mobile are however global where Verizon and Sprint (CMDA) are US only.

Unfortunately, one size does not fit all. You need to take a lot of usage/need factors into account.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. Why the more that I think about it I might just drop my line

and buy a by the minute vanilla flavor phone. Me and my 80 year old mom share that. We use our cells, (when we remember to carry them) for truly emergencies. When we were in Cleveland in the winter I used my phone the most... all of oh forty minutes in a month.

I average a two minute call a month, and I am being generous. So paying by the minute in that case, with cards makes sense, I think.

[Ruby the Liberal]

16. Yikes!

Oh yes - definitely look into prepaid. I didn't realize your usage was so low.

Good luck with your research!

Edit to add - my Mom is on prepaid T-Mobile for that very reason. Emergencies + can call me for free.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Yeah it is that low

only reason I was thinking IPHONE is I'd not forget it. I carry my IPOD with me everywhere. It is my PDA...

[Dappleganger]

19. I have an el cheapo texting phone...

used to have a BB for when I worked out of the house but it was just too pricey. Our reception here is very poor inside the house so texting the kids is easier. I probably use all of 30 minutes a month on the phone, if that. My sister and I use Skype most of the time.

BTW, the iPhone's contract w/AT&T is supposed to be through 2012 and then after that Apple can take it to the highest bidder.

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. Yeah I am hopping it will not go nuts

when they do that. Hubby uses his IPHONE (A lot more than I do) and loves it.

The gaming club, they message each other all the time. Me... haven't had that phone for close to three months, don't miss it... so if I decide to go for pre paid, it will be an el cheapo phone.

[Ruby the Liberal]

12. Tethering links:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/android-2-2-froyo-to-include-usb-tethering-wifi-hotspot-funct/

http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2010/05/speedy-android-22-hits-with-tethering-push-framework-morespeedy-android-22-hits-with-tethering-push-framework-more.ars

http://techcrunch.com/2010/05/13/exclusive-google-to-add-tethering-wifi-hotspot-to-android-2-2-froyo/

[ShamelessHussy]

5. you can get evernote on the iPhone, and it has a lost phone tracking system

if you want more focus on app quality, and usability you can't go wrong with apple products in that regard.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Evernote works regarless of platform actually

it is platform independent, and I do run it on the IPOD... though much prefer to use it on the netbook or the macbook, real estate and all that.

I mentioned Evernote since I went... cool they have it on this platform too.

[Dappleganger]

18. You're looking at AT&T vs. Verizon, right?

Make sure you compare phone companies prior to making the big decision. What is reception like for AT&T's network where you live. Most complaints wrt the iPhone have to do with AT&T's service and not the iPhone itself.

IF you are a Mac-user anyway it really is easier to stick w/the iPhone. However, the next generation is just around the corner (this summer) so if that's what you want you should probably wait for it.

My brother-in-law has the Google phone but he also just bought a Macbook Pro. Now he wishes that he'd sprung for the iPhone instead because the integration is much more seamless. He does like the phone for it's open-source loveliness :)

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. I am also looking at prepaid

that is how much I don't use it, nor miss it. But should have one for emergencies.

As to integration, yes, I got a Mac and a win, so I guess that would not be that much of an issue.

And as is I will have to wait a little, JUST HAD to replace the microwave oven... ah our designed to fail crap hits again.