Best HANDHELD device for accurate/frequent stock quotes?

CrimsonChaos

Senior member
Mar 28, 2005
551
0
0
I'm looking for a HANDHELD device that will allow me to punch in some stock symbols, and it will give me frequent and continual updates (i.e. every minute?) indicating what the current prices are of the stocks that I specified.

Of course, I'd like the most "economical" solution possible, but if there's something that's much better than the competition, I'm willing to spend for it. I'd also like to mention I don't want "delays" (some stock quote places have a 15-minute delay between real stock price and reported stock price).

I'd like it to be as focused around the stock-quotes as possible -- so I don't need other fancy bells and whistles unless it's just part of the whole package.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

Edited for clarification.

---

*UPDATE*

I ended up purchasing the AT&T Tilt with the Data-Only plan, and added Quotestream. Let me say I really do like the Tilt and it works great with Quotestream, however this phone is not for everyone. To summarize, it is probably best suited for business users.

Pros:
It has a lot of features (perhaps similar to the features on other PDA's) such as calendar, IM, e-mail, games, camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (tethering), and Syncing to name a few. The keyboard hides underneath the screen (easier portability), and is a pretty nice size, so it's a bit easier to hit the buttons without mis-typing. The screen tilts, which makes it easy to sit on my desk and watch quotes all day without having to prop-it up like I would have to with another PDA. The screen is a nice size, and rotates automatically depending on if the keyboard is slid out or not.

The battery seems sufficient, but nothing spectacular. It has a 3-Megapixel camera. You can easily turn off features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It feels solidly built and is pretty heavy (though some have reported that even small drops will break the LCD panel). Most importantly for me, you can navigate to any website (not just a small pre-selected group like on some mobile phones).

Cons:
I've read the voice-quality leaves a lot to be desired -- I can't comment on this as I don't use it for phone, but thought it was worth mentioning. You have to use the stylus a LOT. With no thumb-mouse feature, and no hardware scrollers, you pretty much have to use the stylus for everything you'd normally use a mouse for. You cannot type on the keyboard with one hand (like you can with other PDA's) because the keyboard is so big. To me, that isn't an issue, but it might be to other people who like single-hand functionality.

Some have reported problems with battery-drainage when using the voice capabilities (again, I can't comment on this). The camera is OK, but seems to blur easily (maybe it's just my unsteady hand), plus there's no flash. This thing is pretty heavy for a phone - which could make it uncomfortable to carry around in your pocket. The games available on it are mostly for demo - you can't download the games, instead you subscribe to them for an hour.

I will say some websites do not work properly for me. For example, the "Find" button does not work on Altavista.com. The site NASDAQ.com starts to load, but then the Windows Explorer goes blank once it is fully loaded, which is very unfortunate for me. I'm sure there are others but those were the two major disappointments for me.

Overall:
Basically, if you are looking for a fun and quick mobile phone, this is NOT the phone for you. Everything about the Tilt is slow and, well, not really geared toward any fun features.

But if you are looking for a solid piece of business equipment that has a lot of features, access to all Internet sites (though some don't work properly), and (like me) don't care if it takes a little time to move through screens and interfaces, then the Tilt could be for you.
 

hoihtah

Diamond Member
Jan 12, 2001
5,183
0
76
it's not the easiest method, but i use my iphone's safari browser to login to my scottrade account.
any major online trading site should give you real time quotes.

i thought about creating a page myself to extract the quotes off of scottrade site to eliminate the login process, but i'm not sure if i'd be breaking their tos.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
I also use my iPhone for stocks.

The only gripe I have is that it's difficult to enter my password with the virtual keyboard, but that being said, outside of a laptop, it's the best hand held device I've ever used for such a purpose, and I've owned everything from a Palm VII to the iPhone & nearly everything in between. I have 4 HTC smartphones laying around that I need to list on fleaBay after TMob gets around to sending me the unlock codes.

If the Android phones live up to their promise, I think they'll have similar functionality.
 

CrimsonChaos

Senior member
Mar 28, 2005
551
0
0
Thanks for the responses. I was hoping for a cheaper solution than iPhone. Plus, I don't want to have to login either.

Like you guys said, it'd be nice if they had a device that just kept updating you on stock prices of the symbols you key-in. Oh well, I guess my search continues...
 

uli2000

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,257
1
71
My .02 would be for a blackberry. You would have to get a 3rd party stock software, shouldnt be more than $25 or so. Tmobile will give you a blackberry for free with a 1 yr contract and data only service is $30/month for unlimited data (no voice plan included, but you can add blackberry service to a voice plan for $20/month).

Here's a review to a streaming stock software for BB. another review of the same software. Looks like in addition to the blackberry service, its $10/month, but it does have a free trial.
 

CrimsonChaos

Senior member
Mar 28, 2005
551
0
0
uli2000,

That is MUCH closer to what I am looking for. Thanks for the link. Now, another question - should I get a PDA or a Blackberry?

Here is mainy what I want (in no particular order):
- Reliable wireless service
- Fast Internet
- Great stock software/fast updates
- Durability
- Long battery life

And that is it. I do NOT care about:
- Cellphone
- E-mail
- Games

Whether you recommend PDA or Blackberry, can you recommend a brand name as well?
 

DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
0
If you get a BB you could even use Opera mini and Google stock quotes. Not real time, 20min delay, but it would probably work for you.
 

uli2000

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,257
1
71
Personally, go with the blackberry. I dont use one myself (looking into getting one, but right now, cdma bb's dont do wifi, so I got to stick to WM), but I have hardley ever heard a complaint from a BB owner. I did have a early version (6290) some years ago that was a little buggy, but I hear that thats a thing of the past, and the os is rock solid now. I cant say much about the stock software avalible (maybe can find some info/other options in a blackberry specific forum). Blackberrys are reliable, and something like the pearl (8100/8120) is relativly small and unobtrusive sized device. I have found if you live in a decent sized area, Tmobile usually has decent coverage, but coverage in rural areas is usually limiled to major interstates/highways. The one yr contract with a free blackberry is currently a deal they are running (usually its a 2 yr contract and you have to pay at least something for your bb). The details can be found at Slickdeals. And btw, it looks like Tmobile now charges $40/month for unlimited blackberry data/email only plan, but ask about discounts for your employer, AAA, or other organizations and see if you can get another 10-15% off your monthly bill.

Another option may be a Windows mobile device like the Mogul or touch thru sprint and get the SERO plan. $30/month for 500 minutes voice plus unlimited data. Unforutunatly, they charge a extra $40/month for blackberry service on top of the $30 monthly fee. Once again, Im not sure what stock software options there are, but I know there are some.
 

CrimsonChaos

Senior member
Mar 28, 2005
551
0
0
Please note I have bought the AT&T Tilt, and have posted my 3-day impressions of it in my original post.
 

CrimsonChaos

Senior member
Mar 28, 2005
551
0
0
Well I am posting this from the Tilt, however for some reason I can't see any of the messages in the thread -- any advice?