Gonna be doing some Cell Phone Shopping soon

Lucascraft

My current phone is about 4 years old and is very basic. The plan I'm on is also very basic.

I've recently changed jobs and my new job gets me a 15% discount on my monthly bill with AT&T so I was thinking about switching to them. I was thinking I'd either get an iphone or perhaps a Blackberry or some other data phone.

However, since I've been on the same phone and same plan for about 4 years, I'm a bit behind on the current plans and current phones. Just looking for some input and advice before I go out and sign any sort of new 2 year agreements or anything.

Those of you on AT&T or those of you with a good data phone, what advice can you give me? Is there a specific plan that's really awesome that I should be looking for as a single guy? Are there any must-have accessories or apps for a particular phone?

My one reservation about getting an iphone is that I already have an 80g ipod so I don't really need the iphone for its music capabilities. If I got an iphone, it would be for the apps and 3G network.

Anyway, I'm just looking for some opinions and advice before I take the leap and switch networks and phones.

EliteLamer

I think everyone is going to tell you to get an iphone but if I was you I would try to hold out for the Windows 7 phone if possible and if it comes to ATT.

EliteLamer

I would get a blackberry though and put it in a hardcase. That thing will last forever. Iphones break easily, cracked screens and moisture in the phone (My friends iphone stop working because he would let it rest in the cup holder)

Improvolone

If you don't want a Smartphone, LG makes a seriously fucking fantastic phone time and time again.

Lucascraft

Is it possible to use Gmail and Google chat on the iphone?

Kyougu

Lucascraft wrote: »

Is it possible to use Gmail and Google chat on the iphone?

If those are concerns of yours, you could look into the Nexus One, it's coming to ATT I believe.

I love the crap out of mine. Both features work on it.

mere_immortal

Anyone know much about the HTC HD2?

The screen loooks far too sexy to ignore and I've heard good things about the internet access.

Stormwatcher

there is also that motorola with Android 2
they say it's great.

Big Red Tie

iphones do not break easily. if you want your shit to last, stop dropping it without a case/leaving it on inside of water
you'd think this would be obvious, right

you can use gmail and google chat on the iphone

EliteLamer

Big Red Tie wrote: »

iphones do not break easily. if you want your shit to last, stop dropping it without a case/leaving it on inside of water
you'd think this would be obvious, right

you can use gmail and google chat on the iphone

They break all the fucking time if they didn't you could insure the damn phone.

You can use google chat on just about any smart phone.

smokmnky

gmail is built into the iPhone, super easy to setup. It's literally just a matter of clicking the gmail option and then putting in username/password and you're done. I've never worried about google chat but I'm sure 1 of the 140,000 apps has that support though.

ben0207

EliteLamer wrote: »

Big Red Tie wrote: »

iphones do not break easily. if you want your shit to last, stop dropping it without a case/leaving it on inside of water
you'd think this would be obvious, right

you can use gmail and google chat on the iphone

They break all the fucking time if they didn't you could insure the damn phone.

You can use google chat on just about any smart phone.

My iPhone 2G is nearly 3 years old. It still works flawlessly, and my Mum uses it day in day out without a hiccup.

Natheo

I'll throw in for iPhone durability. I've seen them working despite some pretty horrendous treatment.

But yeah, if you wanna go top shelf, take a look at the iPhone and the Nexus One, see what suits you better.

If you're big on using google services, I'd suggest a nexus one. That's why I went with it, at least.

Spoit

mere_immortal wrote: »

Anyone know much about the HTC HD2?

The screen loooks far too sexy to ignore and I've heard good things about the internet access.

I think it's only coming to T-mobile in the US. Sometime in the summer, in other words, just soon enough to be rendered obsolete by WM7

nerve

I'm looking in to getting a new phone too. One big draw for me in smart phones was to be able to use maps, but then today I was reading that either you can't use internet features outside the country or the price is insanely expensive. Is that true? One big reason I wanted one for was for travel.. ;/

*more specifically on at&t or verizon

EliteLamer

Azio

if you want a smartphone, for the kind of money you're looking at, you cannot afford to buy anything that isn't iPhone

Unless you want to make apps for it and don't own a Mac, in which case some argument can be made for an android phone

but seriously

just get an iphone

mere_immortal

Spoit wrote: »

mere_immortal wrote: »

Anyone know much about the HTC HD2?

The screen loooks far too sexy to ignore and I've heard good things about the internet access.

I think it's only coming to T-mobile in the US. Sometime in the summer, in other words, just soon enough to be rendered obsolete by WM7

UK here, been out since Nov. The Legend and Desire are coming out in April though; better OS but smaller screen.

tsmvengy

EliteLamer wrote: »

What's the future of the Pre/Pixi looking like? Are people actually developing apps for it? Is Palm going to go under and leave these phones sucking?

Big Red Tie

EliteLamer wrote: »

Big Red Tie wrote: »

iphones do not break easily. if you want your shit to last, stop dropping it without a case/leaving it on inside of water
you'd think this would be obvious, right

you can use gmail and google chat on the iphone

They break all the fucking time if they didn't you could insure the damn phone.

You can use google chat on just about any smart phone.

maybe you should stop mistreating your devices (and your fellow forumers, considering what you've suggested instead of an iphone)

Obsidiani

EliteLamer wrote: »

Big Red Tie wrote: »

iphones do not break easily. if you want your shit to last, stop dropping it without a case/leaving it on inside of water
you'd think this would be obvious, right

you can use gmail and google chat on the iphone

They break all the fucking time if they didn't you could insure the damn phone.

You can use google chat on just about any smart phone.

Do you own an iPhone?

Have you broken that iPhone to pieces?

No?


I have an iPhone, have dropped it several times, and it still works flawlessly. Screen doesn't even break.

Wezoin

I really love my Blackberry 9700, if you can get one of those I'd highly recommend it. It can multitask too, which is something iphone users bitch about not having all the time.

Swainwalker

Obsidiani wrote: »

I have an iPhone, have dropped it several times, and it still works flawlessly. Screen doesn't even break.

Heck, it'll keep running even if the screen does break.

syndalis

I, as a CTO and IT person, have deployed roughly 40 iPhones into the wild.

4 have broken within a year of use, two by the same person and for the same reason (wearing it without a case inside exercise clothes while working out and moisture-bombing it). The other two were drops that cracked the screen.

I have also deployed about 20 blackberries and 50 WinMo devices. And they have a FAR WORSE rate of destruction amongst the same population over the same span of time.

EliteLamer

Wezoin wrote: »

I really love my Blackberry 9700, if you can get one of those I'd highly recommend it. It can multitask too, which is something iphone users bitch about not having all the time.

This.

Big Red Tie

you don't need full multitasking on a phone
seriously

you're pretty obviously just trying to put down the iphone for no real reason, and without backing up your claims
I do not bitch about not having multitasking
No one I know that uses an iphone bitches about not having multitasking

EliteLamer

Big Red Tie wrote: »

you don't need full multitasking on a phone
seriously

you're pretty obviously just trying to put down the iphone for no real reason, and without backing up your claims
I do not bitch about not having multitasking
No one I know that uses an iphone bitches about not having multitasking

I have full multitasking on my phone and I find it VERY useful.. I can check maps and websites while I am on a phone or make a note.

smokmnky

you can use map while on a call with the iPhone, i do it all the time. You can also do notes if you want too.

syndalis

EliteLamer wrote: »

Big Red Tie wrote: »

you don't need full multitasking on a phone
seriously

you're pretty obviously just trying to put down the iphone for no real reason, and without backing up your claims
I do not bitch about not having multitasking
No one I know that uses an iphone bitches about not having multitasking

I have full multitasking on my phone and I find it VERY useful.. I can check maps and websites while I am on a phone or make a note.

You can do all of that on the iPhone too.

This is silly.

On an iPhone, you can:

*Listen to music while doing anything.
*Use each and every single app while making a phone call, including playing system-intensive games, taking notes, browsing the web, GPS directions on google maps, etc.

This multitasking thing only bites you if you want to STREAM MUSIC from last.fm or pandora and do something else... something that just isn't practical as it rapes the batteries of devices that do allow this.

In other words, this is a bullet point for other smartphones to show that they can do something the iPhone cant, when in all practical application it means jack.

Big Red Tie

elitelamer
do you have disabilities that we should know about

Natheo

I dunno. I like having to not load up an application every time I need to switch back to it. Entering information into my calendar from an email or a website. Switching back and forth from the browser to maps. Leaving Legend of Zelda running in the background while I send out a text message, or change my pandora station. All sorts of fun stuff. It just speeds things along and is more convenient.

I mean, I guess if I didn't have access to it I'd probably try to justify it as well. But all you iPhone kids will see soon enough, if appleinsider is right.

Christ, you do NOT make disparaging remarks about the jesusPhone in these parts.

syndalis

Natheo wrote: »

I dunno. I like having to not load up an application every time I need to switch back to it.

With rare exceptions, most information based apps load up instantly.

Entering information into my calendar from an email or a website.

Copy/Paste, and works on the iPhone, and is crazy fast. Also, the open appointment page is the thing you return to when you go back to the calendar, functionally acting just like multitasking.

Switching back and forth from the browser to maps.

Again, same as above. There is really no noticeable lag going between your browser (which retains its exact state when minimized) and maps (which retains the exact position and data from where it was last opened)... and by not running the GPS when you aren't looking at it, you save battery life.

Leaving Legend of Zelda running in the background while I send out a text message, or change my pandora station.

Chances are if you are using emulators you are already familiar with the concept of working on the device at the file-level... so just jailbreak your iPhone and BOOM! total multitasking, emulators, etc.

I mean, I guess if I didn't have access to it I'd probably try to justify it as well. But all you iPhone kids will see soon enough, if appleinsider is right.

If it is in there, fine. I am sure that Apple will find some way to bypass the streaming audio multitasking hurdle (maybe allow streaming audio apps to tie into the iPod service)... but if it never shows up, I don't think I will miss it terribly much. And it's not justification at play here; the OS is built from the ground up for a single app on screen experience, and the time between switching apps is ridiculously short, so functionally, I don't see any advantage.

Also, if you look at the breakdown above, I think you are assuming the iPhone can't do a lot of things it actually can do...

Christ, you do NOT make disparaging remarks about the jesusPhone in these parts.

No, there are plenty of things to find flawed about the iPhone.

But lying or misrepresenting its limitations is just goosey.

Natheo

I get what you're trying to say in your breakdown, and there's some truth to it. but in my practical experience in comparison with my friends iPhone, it just doesn't hold up. It's not as fast. A lot of times, it's not even close. Bobby was dismayed to discover this. And we haven't gotten into the notification bar, or widgets. Are you really suggesting that in order to square up with android an iPhone needs to be jailbroken? I didn't it was that bad.

I guess I'll settle on that saying arbitrary multitasking on android is useless is like saying that the iPhone doesn't multitask.

syndalis

Natheo wrote: »

I get what you're trying to say in your breakdown, and there's some truth to it. but in my practical experience in comparison with my friends iPhone, it just doesn't hold up. It's not as fast. A lot of times, it's not even close. Bobby was dismayed to discover this. And we haven't gotten into the notification bar yet, either. Or widgets.

3G or 3Gs? the 3G iPhone's processor really isn't up to the task of the OS at this point, IMO. Not when you are bouncing between apps for C&P, etc.

As for Android... Widgets are nice. The Notification Bar is a good idea too. There are strengths to the Android platform for sure... I have an iPhone 3Gs and a Droid, and both devices are pretty damn ace. The iPhone is ridiculously easy to use and has the best and widest variety of software of any device on the market, period. Android has a steeper learning curve, but allows for some very neat "computer-in-a-pocket" freedoms that the walled garden of Apple denies its users currently.

I just think if you are going to help someone choose between devices, it's best the choose with accurate information, and not "it cant do this!" when it obviously can. It would be like saying not to get a droid because of the lack of physical keyboard.

edit:

Are you really suggesting that in order to square up with android an iPhone needs to be jailbroken? I didn't it was that bad.

No, I am saying that if multitasking is such a big deal to you (which for the overwhelming majority of iPhone users it isn't), there's an app for that... you just have to step outside of Apple's walled garden. Something you had no problem with doing on the Android to put a legally frowned-upon app on the device (unless they actually allow emulators on the market, of which I would think Nintendo would have issue with).

Natheo

His phone is a 3gs. I like it, there are some look and feel things that are pretty nice. His screen transitions are slower, but they are smoother. His scrolling appears to be smoother, but side by side it's really hard to tell the difference.

To me, the widgets and the notification bar is what makes multitasking in Android stand out, as opposed to having a program just consuming cycles and memory in the background.

And as far as misrepresenting a device goes, I agree. I also think that saying "In other words, this is a bullet point for other smartphones to show that they can do something the iPhone cant, when in all practical application it means jack," is misrepresenting what multitasking on android can do for you.

And yeah, those emulators are right on the market. SNES, NES, genesis, gamegear/megadrive, gba you name it. They run beautifully, and the paid versions have the ability to save state.

syndalis

Natheo wrote: »

His phone is a 3gs. I like it, there are some look and feel things that are pretty nice. His screen transitions are slower, but they are smoother. His scrolling appears to be smoother, but side by side it's really hard to tell the difference.

To me, the widgets and the notification bar is what makes multitasking in Android stand out, as opposed to having a program just consuming cycles and memory in the background.

And as far as misrepresenting a device goes, I agree. I also think that saying "In other words, this is a bullet point for other smartphones to show that they can do something the iPhone cant, when in all practical application it means jack," is misrepresenting what multitasking on android can do for you.

Okay, so aside from streaming pandora while browsing the web or doing another task, give me a practical FUNCTION* that multitasking affords the android platform that isn't available on the iPhone. Something android can do that iPhone cannot. And the truth of the matter is, aside from boasting a larger software library, that statement cuts both ways. The modern Android devices can do everything the iPhone can as well. It comes down to user preference.

*Not Form, mind you. One user interface to the next is user opinion...

Big Red Tie

what exactly do you do with multitasking that you can't do just as effectively on the iphone?
and do you ever have slowdown from memory being used in the background (and can you see why apple might not want that to happen to users who don't know how to stop it?)

Natheo

Uh, widgets and background tasks pushing notifications to the interface? I'm talking third party. locale is another example of an app performing functions in the background that wouldn't be possible on the iPhone.

No, memory isn't much of an issue. Sometimes I'll just kill all my background stuff in Astro before I pocket the phone to preserve battery life, though.

I have noticed that if I'm doing a couple of things at once some things will begin to unload in the background, and when I hold down the home button to bring them back it will refresh to page/map/whatever.

syndalis

Natheo wrote: »

Uh, widgets and background tasks pushing notifications to the interface? I'm talking third party.

My 3rd party apps on the iPhone push notifications to me via a text-like popup without having to consume any memory at all in the background. I use this all the time with my IM program (Beejive), major news stories, and the list app that I share with my fiancee.

The Notification bar is a nice UI feature, but the function itself exists right now on iPhones.

Natheo

is it just text, or can it run like an ongoing task to show you what's playing/being uploaded/whatever? I do this often with picasa, npr, and pandora. also I threw out an example of an application that straight would not work on the iPhone above.

Big Red Tie

if you really want to you can jailbreak and do that
the real question is why

The iPhone does push and since it's one app at a time there no need to have to kill apps that are hogging memory