Okay, so my plan is up at Verizon and I’m getting a little tired keying in my text messages on the numeric keypad of my slidey-phone.
Since I text more than I call, I figure I ought to get a text device that doubles as a cell phone and not the other way around.
I’ve asked the IFOC audience this every now and then, and now it’s time to toss the net into the ocean of wisdom that is the IMAO audience…
Required features:
SMS capability
Alpha keypad
Alarm clock
Records voice memos
Ability to play Backgammon when waiting for things
Optional:
Email capability
Sync to computer
Plays MP3s
Takes some form of common data card
Simple headset
Web browsing
Decent battery life
Isn’t the size of a concrete block
Not critical:
Camera
Bluetooth
Funky ringtones (I tend to leave phones on vibrate-silent mode)
Preferred carrier is Cingular/AT&T.
Suggestions? Personal experience?
you’ve been keying in your text messages? you do mean T9 keying, right?
I love my Treo 650/Cingular combo. Does everything you mentioned. Bluetooth headsets rock
If you get the 650, which is a Palm device, download CallFilter. You can set it so specific contacts or groups get certain actions, such as specific ringtones. Or my favorite – “Ignore.” Phone doesn’t ring/vibrate, call goes straight to voicemail.
You may want to take a look at the MDA offered by t-mobile. It has a full keyboard that slides up under the screen, runs windows mobile 5.0 so it is compatable with pretty much anything. Has expandable memory, 1.3 megapixel camera, bluetooth, touch screen, voice commands, and pretty much everything you listed. Uses internet explorer, and can connect to the web using edge, gprs or wifi. Just so you know, i do work for t-mobile, and i have been working tech support for about 2 1/2 years now. I dealt with pretty much every different type of mobile data device, and think the MDA is the best on the market today.
ummm…camera…not optional? A camera on a cell phone is only an option for High School Girls to click pictures of themselves and their friends and then squeel and twitter uncontrollably. No real man would ever…EVER…admit to having a camera on his cell phone…EVER!!!
Was I clear enough on this…don’t EVER admit that you have a camera on your cell phone unless you are a High School Girl or Barney Frank…OK?
Frank, do you like the “feel” of vibrate? Is there a particular oscillation/frequency you’re looking for on vibrate mode? How about intensity? I find your obsession with vibration disturbing, yet so very fascinating…
Nevermind that Laurence posted it, not Frank…
I’m just amazed that someone over the age of 21 uses text messaging.
my phone has a camera, I don’t want it though. I like the idea of being able to take my phone to work, not necessarily use it. Since I am an engineering student concerns over espionage, idustrial or regular, cameras tend to be verboten.
I have a blackberry 8700c, that does everything on all thee of your lists except the data card and the camera.
My carrier is Cingular/AT&T, and while I hate it because work assumes that because I have email access I will be accessing my email at all times I have no complaints about the device or the service itself.
The UT Starcomm PPC6700 is a pretty nice phone. A bit pricey, but the slide out keyboard is really nice and it has Windows Mobile 5 to boot. It also has a camera and uses Mini-SD cards. It makes a great media player (video and audio).
I think the Cingular phone which is similar is the 8125.
The only drawback is that the phone is a tad larger than a normal phone and you have to get a carrying case that does a good job of protecting the buttons and screen from accidental pushing. In other words, buy a good quality case, the one it coms whit it sucks.
Treo, but wait a week or two for the 700p to come out. It would be very annoying for you to get yourself a Treo 650 and have the next gen model come out a week later, while you are stuck with a two year plan.
It has all of the features you list there and then some, plus I know some programmers who will write for it, so if you need any apps…hint hint
I have a Treo 650 through Verizon and love it. I have been with Handspring since the beginning, so it was a natural for me. One caveat is that the camera isn’t very good. It would also be cool if it could access wifi natively. While I will stand by my Treo and the Palm OS, there may be better options for you
u have to go with the treo 650, greatest phone ever made, i have verizon, but i know its availible for the other companies. it has everything u specified and can take a sd card (media card for a digital camera) it has a touch screen as an advantage over blackberrys
If you have T-mobile in your area… STAY AWAY FROM IT!!!! THEY SUCK A**!!!
Cingular friendly for sure!
Nokia 6682… Meets all of your specifications and supports a foldable keyboard and a digital pen. Also has a killer 1.3 Megapixel camera that takes video WITH sound. Speakerphone is excellent, comes with an adequate wired headset, supports (beautifully) bluetooth.
Got mine (and a family phone plan) for a truly excellent rate with $200 in rebates from LetsTalk.com
(No, I don’t work for them).
BTW: BEFORE you buy ANY stuff for your phone, check out CellPhoneShop.net. Got extra batteries, chargers, Big ol’ RSMMC-card (phone will hold 800 pix and a gob o music now) for a song!
Regards!