Smart phone

[Techsan]

The laptop thread got me thinking...I've been considering upgrading to a smart phone with Sprint. I've also considered getting just a PDA, but I really don't want to tote around a PDA and a cell phone. Anyone here use a smart phone with sprint or another carrier? If so, what kind of phone/plan do you use? I'm just looking to see if its worth getting. My pocket-sized notebook is starting to get messy and I need a little more organization.

Techsan

[Guest Dwight Schrute]

I have a treo 650 with Sprint. Pros: Palm software, great pda, cheap ass unlimited internet ($15/month or so), great for text messaging, real player (audio only). Cons: Palm software, not a great phone, slightly clunky compared to blackjack and other smart phones.

I only knock the Palm software because some of it does not work real well with microsoft based products (hotmail for example). Try out both OS before you buy and see what fits your needs better. I kind of wish I would have went with the windows version. Definitely buy one on ebay if you decide to go the smart phone route. They are, relatively, inexpensive if you are going to stay with Sprint; I got mine for $200 with a 2gb memory card. The phone exterior was slightly beat up, but it works fine.

Wait for the iPhone to go through its first generation growing pains. That thing is f'ing awesome.

[Goblin]

I have the ppc6700 with Verizon, but they also make a version for sprint. I love it because it does everything i need it to do and nothing i dont. It has the whole Microsoft Office Suite plus Media Player. E-mail and AIM on the go is also an added bennefit. I dont have a data plan since everywhere i'm at usually has wi-fi. Only the Treo 700wx and the ppc6700 have wi-fi and it is a BIG help.

I have a 1GB card that holds plenty of music and bluetooth headsets that are pretty good. You can find one on eBay for about $150 with all the accessories. Its

[Glenn]

I have the ppc6700 with the semi-secret Sprint SERO plan.

https://sprint.p.delivery.net/m/p/sprint/epc/epclanding.asp

I get 500 min with unlimited data for $30 / month. The phones pretty hefty, but does a ton of stuff.

[DuckHunter]

I went ahead and bought an iPhone, so far so good. It does everything it said it would and more. Also, the way I looked at it, was everyone was telling me to wait because "Apple would come out with something better in 6 months" but I don't know how much more they can add. I think all they will do is change the color or come out with a 16 gig, which I really don't care about.

[brabus]

The iPhone is badass, but at $500, I think I'll be waiting. My buddy who did get one for him and the wife pays 85 bucks a month to cingular...shares 700 min, night starts at 7pm, all min rollover and unlimited data plan. That's a fvcking awesome deal...except for the $500 on the phone. I'll wait till they go down in price, but if you don't care about spending the cash, it's a great product and much better IMO than the standard smart phone.

[KennyB]

The iPhone is badass, but at $500, I think I'll be waiting. My buddy who did get one for him and the wife pays 85 bucks a month to cingular...shares 700 min, night starts at 7pm, all min rollover and unlimited data plan.

I thought you had to go through AT&T to get the iphone... that wrong?

[Champ Kind]

I thought you had to go through AT&T to get the iphone... that wrong?

Cingular = AT&T

https://www.cingular.com

[stract]

FYI, in case everyone didn't already know, Cingular/AT&T gives military a 39% discount on phones, 25% discount on accessories, and a 19% service plan discount. Go to the business solutions link, then Fed Govt, and fill our your .mil e-mail addy and you'll get a link to the webpage with all the discounts. I'm not sure if the iPhone is there or not, since I don't have access to my .mil acct right now, but it's probably worth it to check out. And you can suspend your service when you deploy and have your phone number still waiting for you when you return, free.

[drewpey]

Just bought the Samsung Blackjack. It's pretty sweet, and have been impressed with it so far. Definitely not an iPhone, but I didn't pay anything for it with rebates...so no complaining there.

It's with AT&T, and I signed up for the smallest minutes package (450 w/ rollover), and the unlimited data plan. It comes out to around 80ish a month, which is more than I was paying before, but I have to admit, the internet(porn) at your fingertips is pretty handy at times. And if you are lucky you get some decent download speeds.

Haven't messed with it too much yet, but I already have free instant messenger as well as google maps installed on it and works great.

[brabus]

the internet(porn) at your fingertips is pretty handy at times.

No pun intended, right drew?

For anyone w/ windows mobile smart phones, you can get google maps or windows live search for free...no data package needed (works through normal connectivity...don't know how, but it does). Live search is way better than google maps. I installed both and live search can do a lot more and is easier. I have an SDA from Tmobile.

[Guest skycarven]

I have the ppc6700 with the semi-secret Sprint SERO plan.

https://sprint.p.delivery.net/m/p/sprint/epc/epclanding.asp

I get 500 min with unlimited data for $30 / month. The phones pretty hefty, but does a ton of stuff.

That is a great price. Does anybody know if verizon has some kind of "semi-secret" plan like that??

[Goblin]

I was just at the Verizon store on the 4th and they dont do anything other that a discount for govt and mil ... nothing on phones / accessories or anything cool like that

[Right Seat Driver]

I was just at the Verizon store on the 4th and they dont do anything other that a discount for govt and mil ... nothing on phones / accessories or anything cool like that

Really? You might have not talked to someone who knew what was going on. With Verizon you get 15% off your plan plus 15% phones and accessories but it requires you to use your AF e-mail to activate the discount for your plan. Phone and accessories discount at the store usually requires you to just show them your Mil ID.

Typically the only time they won't give you the Gov't/Mil discount is if their sale price is lower.

[Guest Tertle]

I use a blackberry pearl. It's not as big, in fact, its smaller than most phones, but it is still as functional as regular blackberries/pdas. I can email, stream video/audio, excel, word, internet etc.

[ACCBoomer]

I love my blackjack but it seems like the iphone came out my internet service has slowed down...

[Goblin]

Really? You might have not talked to someone who knew what was going on. With Verizon you get 15% off your plan plus 15% phones and accessories but it requires you to use your AF e-mail to activate the discount for your plan. Phone and accessories discount at the store usually requires you to just show them your Mil ID.

Typically the only time they won't give you the Gov't/Mil discount is if their sale price is lower.

Looks like I found someone who didnt know what was going on...shoulda went to the Livonia store

[Right Seat Driver]

Looks like I found someone who didnt know what was going on...shoulda went to the Livonia store

I have come to the conclusion to just keep hunting people down until you get the answer that you like or the best deal. For example, if you are having a problem with your Verizon bill (not like it ever happens) and the dude on the other end says you're screwed, just hang up the damn phone, and call back until you talk to someone who will credit your account and fix the problem that should not have been a problem in the first place.

There are some shady Verizon guys at a few Best Buys in the SE MI area and never go to the Novi store.

Edited July 11, 2007 by awol406

[Steve Davies]

I use a blackberry pearl. It's not as big, in fact, its smaller than most phones, but it is still as functional as regular blackberries/pdas. I can email, stream video/audio, excel, word, internet etc.

I used a BB Pearl, too. However, I sent it back after it consistently refused to sync with Mac OS X.

Just a warning for all the Mac users out there.

[Guest Hydro]

I used a BB Pearl, too. However, I sent it back after it consistently refused to sync with Mac OS X.

Just a warning for all the Mac users out there.

Steve,

Have you checked out Missing Sync software? I've been very impressed with it - syncs Mac apps to my Palm (and vice versa) beautifully. I imagine their Blackberry and others versions would be just as good.

[Guest Fuse]

The laptop thread got me thinking...I've been considering upgrading to a smart phone with Sprint. I've also considered getting just a PDA, but I really don't want to tote around a PDA and a cell phone. Anyone here use a smart phone with sprint or another carrier? If so, what kind of phone/plan do you use? I'm just looking to see if its worth getting. My pocket-sized notebook is starting to get messy and I need a little more organization.

I have an xv6700 through verizon. The Sprint PPC-6700 is the same version, but Sprint also recently came out with the newer version, PPC-6800, called the Mogle (has WM6 vs. the 6700's WM5). If you don't mind a big phone and want it to do nearly everything a computer can do, it's the best choice. WM5 is highly customizable if you know what your doing, and if you don't there is a virtually limitless amount of 3rd party programs as well...

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/rub...apScr0001-1.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/rub..._CapScr0002.jpg

I also have owned a Treo700w while owning this one and the 6700 is better - for me at least. If you think you wil be using data features, messaging, emailing, and other applications more than the phone, the 6700/6800 is the better choice. If you want a phone first with a few extras added in, the Treo's are decent choices. I prefer the slide out keyboard, bigger screen, more memory space, and faster processor in the 6700 vs the Treo.

To research more goto www.pdaphonehome.com

They have info and forums for virtually every smart phone.

[Steve Davies]

Steve,

Have you checked out Missing Sync software? I've been very impressed with it - syncs Mac apps to my Palm (and vice versa) beautifully. I imagine their Blackberry and others versions would be just as good.

Hydro

Many thanks for the tip.

As a point of principle, I decided not to spend another $40 on Missing Sync to make the Pearl actually work in the manner that RIM's marketing bumpf told me that it would. I suppose that already having to pay almost $100 per month (including line rental and the BB email service) was enough of an expense already for me.

When I heard that the iPhone would be out in the UK in December, I decided to cancel my contract within the agreed get-out period, and will wait and see what the reviews for the Mac equivalent are like.

At least I can rest assured that if I do get an iPhone, it'll sync with my Mac without having to splash out on third-party software!

Cheers

Steve

[Guest Cam]

I've got a Blackberry 8300 with AT&T. I love it, although the internet service through AT&T is freaking expensive.

[Guest pblarson7]

All,

I'm going to be buying a smartphone in the next month for an organizer, email retriever etc... I heard from an ANG guy that the blackberry was the only device you could retrieve military email from due to its superior security? Is this true or can you get access to your mil accounts via any smart phone?

Edited July 27, 2007 by pblarson7

[Login Name]

All,

I'm going to be buying a smartphone in the next month for an organizer, email retriever etc... I heard from an ANG guy that the blackberry was the only device you could retrieve military email from? Is this true or can you get access to your mil accounts via any smart phone?

if comm issues it to you then you can retrieve your mil email...otherwise, no dice.