OT: For you smartphone/multimedia phone users out there

NeveSSL

NeveSSL

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Hi all!

I'm up to renew my contract (and subsequently change carriers or get a discount on a new phone) in August.

I am presently looking very hard at the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 for Verizon (and not switching). It looks like quite the sweet phone!

I know some of you guys are iPhone users and I'm anxiously awaiting the announcement of the new model. But, how is the browsing experience on it? It seems as though they pretty much have web browsing down. I'm hoping its at least doable on the BlackBerry.

Also, any Voyager users out there? I don't think you can use Gmail on it, which is a HUGE, HUGE turnoff and probably a deal breaker, but I'm still curious. :)

If anyone has any thoughts, comments or recommendations (especially on the BB Pearl 8130), please post them!

Brandon
 
I've heard rumors of AT&T subsidizing part of the cost of the iphone as well. Im eagerly awaiting the announcement.

However, if you are waiting until august, the first android phones are supposed to be out towards the end of the year. If you haven't seen whats possible, check out the incredible apps developers sent in for the contest.
 
well the browsing experience would be great if AT&T network was faster. The old iphone is great for browsing however the edge network is dial up speed at best .
I hear the new iphone will have 3G witch will make it better but is still not fast at all compared to sprint(not a sprint fan)
I would not buy the new iphone if it doesnt come with the new cingular video.
Cingular also has Blackberry's
 
After a few years of blackberry use I finally switched to the iphone because the build quality on the blackberry's had gone to crap. The "Pearl" trackball on all their models just doesn't last. I went through three 8800's inside of a year. Yes ATT was fantastic about replacing them, BUT those days of downtime waiting were just killer.

Any issues I have with the iphone will be fixed with the next version I'm sure. Heck, 90% of my issues with it will be fixed in the next software update this june.

Browsing on the iphone is brilliant vs. the misery of browsing on the blackberry.

The blackberry gets you email instantly, the iphone gets your email every 15 minutes.

GPS on the Blackberry 8800 was great, google maps on the iphone is OK.

The interface with the iphone is really the killer. Its unbeatable. You get used to the keyboard. BUT you can't use the iphone while driving. Not that you should... no voice dialing on the iphone unless you have it built into your car like I do..

The deal breaker for me is Visual Voicemail on the iphone. Once you try that, you'll never want to go back to anything else. Being able to see who left you voice mail, check them in any order, and not have to dial in for any of it... its amazing.
 
they suppose to open up alot of 3rd party applications for the i phone as well. this will push it above the rest with new applications.
More audio codecs will be installed which is needed because my iphone wont play anything but very specific qicktime files from the web
 
I have to support many phones at work, and while I'm NOT into high end phones (I just don't care to carry one around, but have to) I think I can say that BlackBerries are JUNK anymore, and there service is going downhill. They have had at least 4 hours of downtimes once a week for the last month.

I have a Tilt, I like it, does everything, and more, that I need it to do. Basically, I only use to to check email, text/call, and to listen to mp3s on occasion. Does all of this fine, but I would never have paid the price that they go for.... worked required me to have a smarter phone than I had, so they bought it.
 
Awesome... thanks for the replies, guys!

It sucks to hear BB's are not so good at the moment. I really, REALLY like the Pearl 8130. It does everything I want, plus it is compact (close to the iPhone). Plus the price is only $100 after all discounts. Verizon is also supposed to be "opening up" to more third-party companies this year, but we'll see how that goes.

The iPhone is killing me because the interface is so quick. I mainly just want to check my email and reefcentral to be honest. BUT... I'm not sure my wife will go for AT&T at all... so we'll just have to see. I still have a few months. :)

Thanks for all of your guys replies. I appreciate it! Still a bit of time to sit back and see what happens... a whole lot can change in 3 months. :)

Brandon
 
The Pearl sucks! But blackberry haters beware They have a completly revamped model coming in July to try to compete with the iphone in the internet area.

I have a iphone its cool. Would I buy it again maybe.
 
I will say I had a Blackberry curve before the iphone & it was Awesome I really miss that phone. One of my best friends hass the Voyager & compared to th e Iphone its junk. Look at the HTC Touch. My brother has it & its pretty awesome little phone.
 
i not an iphone hater....but the texting is ridiculous.....i'll choose a qwerty keyboard over that anyday.......if i wasnt so much into texting, i'll probably like the iphone.
 
Sweet... thanks Jason.

I'll have to see what I can find out about that new BlackBerry. Thanks for the heads up. Again, a lot can change in 3 months. :D

Brandon
 
Yeah, fortunately for me texting isn't as much of an issue. :)

When the time comes, I'm planning on going out and trying some new phones. The new BlackBerry Bold (I think what Jason was referring to) is due out for Verizon in September.

We'll see.

Thanks for all of the replies!

Brandon
 
Reef central will be more enjoyable on the iphone than any other device right now.

Plus once the app store opens... its all over.

You get used to the keyboard real quick, BUT no tactile feedback means you actually have to look at the device... so you can't do it while driving..

As long as the blackberries have trackballs, I can't recommend them. The failure rate is too high.

My 8700 series blackberry was tough, the 7600 before it could have been used to drive nails. The 8800 just was crap in comparison.
 
I have a Pearl with AT&T and haven't had any problems with it in terms of durability (track ball or otherwise) or service. Any holes that I found in their service areas were sewn up when Cingular and AT&T re-merged (and after a short time to get their networks straightened out). I can now get service in the middle of South Cumberland State Park (Brandon, I think you'll understand why that is impressive), so I guess you can say I don't see a huge problem with their service in general (as far as phone calls are concerned).

Back when my cell phone bill was paid for by someone else and I could justify the bells and whistles, I had a data plan and would use my phone to check e-mail/browse. I use gmail and there was a downloadable app for the phone which worked brilliantly. Probably works better now... As far as web browsing, I thought it was pretty abysmal (slow and lots of issues with viewing certain sites). Once my phone service stopped getting paid for I decided I didn't use those functions often enough to justify all of the added expense (especially because the web browsing was more or less crap).

Even if I could find a phone where browsing was better (and it sounds like there are some), I'm not sure I have enough important things to go on there for that the cost would be worthwhile... especially because I carry a laptop almost everywhere and there are so many places that offer free wireless. Also, I don't mind having an excuse for not getting an e-mail right away or not being able to check something online. I know this world is a really plugged in one, but I don't really want to be able to do those things 99.9% of the time I have my cell phone but not my computer with internet access.

I'm also not a texter since they cost money and I can call someone and talk for free (seems like it should be the other way around). I'm not sure how I missed this trend, but I wouldn't say I'm missing it... That said, the Pearl keyboard has two letters for most buttons, which means that it doesn't have the full functionality (or size) of a qwerty keyboard, but does a heck of a lot better of a job of predictive text than a standard keyboard phone. Takes a bit of getting used to I guess, but even with my limited experience I haven't really run into frustrations with it.

So (IMO), I guess it comes down to whether or not you'll really use your internet/e-mail all that much. If the answer is yes, then I'd say you better save your nickels and go for the best tech you can buy with a browser that is as close to a computer browser as possible (and worry less about other aspects of the phone, especially if you aren't a text message kind of guy and/or won't be using it primarily as an mp3 player). If not, save money on the phone and the cell phone plan and just buy... a phone. Most phones that I've messed with (at this point) seem to have a browser that is halfway between totally useless and superbly frustrating with download times that harken me back to the mid-90's... which means I can still flip open my laptop and retrieve the information faster than I could on many phones.
 
I use the Samsung i760 with verizon, it's an all right phone. Except for some issues that verizon is fixing for me right now. I text a lot so the slide out keyboard is perfect for me. It does what I need it to do, haven't try to browse the internet with it yet so I can't really tell ya how it does on that part. The media player is fine, I wish it can play it a bit louder like a pocket pc can....voice recognition stinks on this phone, the best voice recognition phone I've had is Motorolla, but I hate those phones.......
 
Great points, Brian.

I think ultimately the Pearl should be fine for now. When I was thinking about going out on the road (touring), it would have been great to have the internet with me all the time as we often would setup and I'd be done, just chilling through sound check unless we had problems.

However, email is the biggest thing to me, and even then its not a huge deal. I will probably get the data plan and I may get the option to tether just to try it. Ultimately, its probably not worth it for me to get a super phone. If I was to get one, I'd go for a Nokia N95 or an iPhone... not 100% sure which one. But we'll see. :)

Brandon
 
Sorry I missed your post, Mike!

I thought about getting the i760. Its received pretty good reviews. I don't think I want a QWERTY, though. I just don't text much. :)

Brandon
 
I would still suggest the curve over the Pearl. To me its a better phone. I dont know which service you currently have but heres a link to another forum Im on alot these days & hes selling a Brand new pearl. It mahttp://www.tngunowners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=106773#post106773y work for you & keep you out of a new contract.
 
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