[PTinVT]

It looks like I'm getting a new job where I'm going to be traveling just about every week. I've been getting by forever with a plain old cell phone - I could never bring myself to pay all that $$$/month for a smartphone while my company or family's plan was giving me a free voicephone. But I'm pretty much expected to have a smartphone now.

My problem is I really don't know what my mobile use is going to look like until I get into it. I'll want to be able to read work e-mail, sometimes quickly reply to it; and do basic surfing (like weather, finding restaurants). I'm probably NOT going to be updating facebook, shopping, playing on forums, texting, etc. I'll have a laptop, there's free wifi at the local airport and I'll probably get a wifi subscription for the remote airport (same one every week, and it's always a direct flight either way).

So I'm not so much concerned about apps or phone brand, but what KIND of device might be best for what I think is going to be still primarily voice calls but maybe a few hours a week of phone internet:

1 - full screen with touchscreen only, no actual keys (like iphone)

2 - smaller screen with tiny keyboard (like classic blackberry)

3 - flip-open or pop-out-keyboard style with bigger keyboard/screen than non-flip "brick"

I haven't been shopping in person yet, only looked on line. I'll probably have better impressions after actually handling devices in the stores, but I'd like to hear from people who have had different STYLE phones and why they prefer what they use.

Thanks!

[Quick6EF]

Before reading my post, consider my phones were for personal use.


Smartphones that I have owned:

Blackberry World Edition
Blackberry Curve (with the trackball)
Blackberry Tour
Droid X (current)

Right off the bat I would say that I think a Blackberry would suit your needs well - I would stick to a smart phone with a QWERTY keyboard and best battery life.


Now I am certainly biased due to owning several RIMM products, however they truly are simple to use, and take a short period to master.

I think a full touch screen should be out of the question based on your minimal demands from a Smartphone; I have trouble typing as quickly as I did on my BB then on my Droid.

If your e-mails are consisting of just written text, Blackberry would suit your needs well. If you are downloading attachments, viewing pictures, etc., I would try a more advanced smartphone.

If you want to totally disregard anyones opinion, I would head to a few stores and spend a good amount of time demo-ing them.



FWIW I am absolutely in love with my Droid X. It does everything (and more!) than I ever imagined.


CNet created two articles: Best and Worst Smartphones of 2010

Best: http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-6452_7-...?tag=mncol;txt

Worst: http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-6452_7-...?tag=mncol;txt

[335e92tx]

Had a blackB 8620 for like 2 years. Started acting flaky. Ball would not work when clicked. Could not use escape option.

Got a droid2 with a slide out keyboard about 6 weeks ago. Works fine for me.

[JayKay335i]

Sounds like you need a blackberry. If you dont mind ATT, get the torch. Full touch screen and a slide out keyboard.

[Salespunk]

The new Droid Pro looks like it would also fit the bill. Full keyboard plus the advantages of Android.

[ragingclue]

Do you travel a lot where you'll be unable or seriously inconvenienced if you have to try to charge your phone?

As far as the keyboard goes, either you need a physical one, or you don't. If you do, you do. If you don't, then you don't.

Figure out which carrier you want to go with. Then choose from there. The SGS phones are good and the Vibrant has a keyboard if you need it, but it sounds like overkill for your situation, and honestly none of the full screen high-res phones do well with battery life.

If I had to recommend something to you based on your explanation, I would recommend a RIM product. Maybe the Torch, but again, battery drain is a concern on it and it could even qualify as overkill in your case.

[PTinVT]

Thanks for all the input guys. I have some time to make a decision and will keep all this in mind as I shop and play with the different devices.

[JayKay335i]

Are any of the new Droids international phones? I remember a friend not picking up a droid last year because they could only be used in the US or something like that.

[GuyOh]

black berry torch

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Are any of the new Droids international phones? I remember a friend not picking up a droid last year because they could only be used in the US or something like that.

I think they've got one out now.

[E92-Lighting]

Iphone 4

[Saintor]

Iphone is still the best, IMO. Even the less expensive 3GS. But this new high resolution display is addictive.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by E92-Lighting

Iphone 4

Originally Posted by Saintor

Iphone is still the best, IMO. Even the less expensive 3GS. But this new high resolution display is addictive.

Hands down. Most every bb person I know that finally made the switch has kicked themselves for not switching sooner. Even the ones who don't kick themselves still concede that its better.

Wife was bb queen saying my iPhone was stupid. Her company switched and got her an iPhone. Now I over hear her telling people how much better it is than her past blackberrys. And she still has the 3GS!!

[JayKay335i]

While the Iphone is a fine phone, I dont want it. Many people agree.

a) I dont use apps. I dont give a fuck about flinging pizzas or autoleveling my ball sack. I use a map here and there.
b) I have an ipod. I dont want to bring my phone into a gym and then put it to my face. that is disgusting.

BB is superior for email. BBM. Its what it was made for.

[Bakeme521]

I have had a droid x for about 5 months and I think it's great. The email is awesome on it and surfing the internet is great. It seems like you will be a bit more savvy with a full keyboard so I think the droid 2 will be better for you. Android gets great reviews as business phones.

As for the iphone, it is an awesome phone, but from what I gather from friends the iphone isn't the best business phone. And it also doesn't have a keyboard. Which is just seems to me you would rather have.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

While the Iphone is a fine phone, I dont want it. Many people agree.

a) I dont use apps. I dont give a fuck about flinging pizzas or autoleveling my ball sack. I use a map here and there.
b) I have an ipod. I dont want to bring my phone into a gym and then put it to my face. that is disgusting.

BB is superior for email. BBM. Its what it was made for.

I don't get the pizza thing? And like you I thought it was silly to have the ipod in my phone. However the ipod in the phone has turned out to be really cool. I guess it's nice to always have some tunes with you.

I disagree. As does every bb user I know that has switched. iPhone email looks and functions just like your outlook or Mac mail. Not to mention the hot links to phone numbers, addresses and appointments that pop up in the emial. (maybe bb does this too??) But when I get an email with a phone number, address or time/date all I have to do is tap it and it will call the number, map the address or create a ne appointment.

Only my opinion. You asked for it!

[335e92tx]

They now have a droid 2 global

http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/...-34212159.html

Another good review
1.2gighz cpu
http://blogs.computerworld.com/17404...iginal_droid_2

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by MP0WER

I don't get the pizza thing? And like you I thought it was silly to have the ipod in my phone. However the ipod in the phone has turned out to be really cool. I guess it's nice to always have some tunes with you.

I disagree. As does every bb user I know that has switched. iPhone email looks and functions just like your outlook or Mac mail. Not to mention the hot links to phone numbers, addresses and appointments that pop up in the emial. (maybe bb does this too??) But when I get an email with a phone number, address or time/date all I have to do is tap it and it will call the number, map the address or create a ne appointment.

Only my opinion. You asked for it!

BB actually pushes out emails faster. If its something thats important to you. If something like 10-15 minutes could make or break a deal/situation, you'll want a BB.

My room mate has had a BB, iphone, sony xperia, and now that google phone. I still get my emails 20 minutes before he does when sent from the same person.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

BB actually pushes out emails faster. If its something thats important to you. If something like 10-15 minutes could make or break a deal/situation, you'll want a BB.

My room mate has had a BB, iphone, sony xperia, and now that google phone. I still get my emails 20 minutes before he does when sent from the same person.

Yeah I had a 9000 and then a 9700, and the email always arrived before it hit my outlook inbox. Sometimes it would be there minutes before it was in outlook.

With my iPhones and also with my Android phones, this isn't the case. In fact, with both of those OS's, I had issues from time to time with them "forgetting" to sync or they even stopped syncing altogether. If this kind of thing is crucial to you, and you don't mind giving up some of the flashiness and vanity, then the BB products would be best suited.... Especially if you need a keyboard. Even after getting used to Swype, my WPM was higher on the 9000's keypad.

[335e92tx]

^ this can probably be configurable on the server side. I get mail to the phone within about 6-10 mins of the desktop. Maybe a change of 2 to 4 mins from BB.

The email setting for 'fetch schedule' setting for the droid (under e-mail delivery) has options for 15/30/60 mins. Mine gets it at much quicker than 15 mins. I would imagine there is a app that has lower settings.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

^ this can probably be configurable on the server side. I get mail to the phone within about 6-10 mins of the desktop. Maybe a change of 2 to 4 mins from BB.

The email setting for 'fetch schedule' setting for the droid (under e-mail delivery) has options for 15/30/60 mins. Mine gets it at much quicker than 15 mins. I would imagine there is a app that has lower settings.

Mine's been set to push and works great for a few days up to a few weeks until it just stops receiving pushes. This happened with my 3GS and both Eclair and FroYo for my Captivate, but I never had the problem with the BB. The IT guys in Germany (server side) say everything's good to go on their side, that it must just be an issue phone-side.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

^ this can probably be configurable on the server side. I get mail to the phone within about 6-10 mins of the desktop. Maybe a change of 2 to 4 mins from BB.

The email setting for 'fetch schedule' setting for the droid (under e-mail delivery) has options for 15/30/60 mins. Mine gets it at much quicker than 15 mins. I would imagine there is a app that has lower settings.

I often get email on my phone before my computer. In fact, i get them on my phone first about 60% of the time.

My wife's is even faster than that. Most if not all her emails come to her iPhone first, then her outlook. But her company has a large IT dept and definitely configured it that way.