Contract renewal 9/15--- What phone?

[zerogear]

Looking mainly at iPhone since I would like to stick with AT&T, is there any other better options out there than the iPhone in the foreseeable future?

 

[gorcorps]

Unless you want to try out a blackberry. They're pretty nice as well, but it depends what you want to do with it. Completely different worlds there

 

[zerocool84]

If you wanted to switch carriers yes but since you don't then it's either iphone or blackberry.

 

[Muadib]

gorcorps post is key. What are you looking for in your phone?

 

[zerogear]

All the usual, but mainly, the ability to sync to Outlook for Calendar/To-do lists. Easy web access (Having access to full webpages is definitely a plus); GPS ability. Sync to Phoneboook via Outlook or otherwise. Good alarm/scheduling w/ reminders.

To be honest, just all of the things that regular PDAs do.

If I were willing to switch carriers, what other phones are out which are good/be a good contender to the iPhone?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: zerogear
All the usual, but mainly, the ability to sync to Outlook for Calendar/To-do lists. Easy web access (Having access to full webpages is definitely a plus); GPS ability. Sync to Phoneboook via Outlook or otherwise. Good alarm/scheduling w/ reminders.

To be honest, just all of the things that regular PDAs do.

If I were willing to switch carriers, what other phones are out which are good/be a good contender to the iPhone?

Anything BlackBerry, Pre, HTC Hero/Magic, G1, etc.

 

[Deeko]

Sounds like Blackberry fits what you're looking for better than iPhone, IMO. AT&T will also be getting the Touch Pro 2 soon (although the carriers are horrendously overpricing this phone).

As much as I love my G1, I can't recommend an Android phone for you. It does not sync nicely with Outlook - although it does have the best google syncing around (of course).

 

[Muadib]

I'm a bit confused as to why you feel Blackberry fits better than the iPhone.

Outlook sync - yes
Web access - Still the best, IMO.
GPS - yes
Alarm - yes

The only edge that I would give Blackberry is if you need it for work.

 

[IamDavid]

Forget the IPhone, Get the new Touch Pro 2... I never did get into my IPhone like others have, nor did I like my Curve.. So far TP2 for the win.. And a cheaper plan to boot!

 

[thecoolnessrune]

The TP2 is overpriced compared to the TP1 but appears to have fixed the defective keyboards and horrid overheating problems. It still retains the problems of no proper graphics drivers and a tendency to be really sluggish at times. It also brings the new problem of now having no flash.

 

[IamDavid]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
The TP2 is overpriced compared to the TP1 but appears to have fixed the defective keyboards and horrid overheating problems. It still retains the problems of no proper graphics drivers and a tendency to be really sluggish at times. It also brings the new problem of now having no flash.

expensive? I paid $199. Seems snappier than m Iphone, less apps of course though. And Flash? Oh well, can't have everything.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Honestly, I'd hold off a bit, there's a hell of a lot of Android phones in the pipeline... I'm not even suggesting you buy one, but I think they're going to add some competition to the market that doesn't exist now, perhaps leading to cheaper data plans etc...

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: Muadib
I'm a bit confused as to why you feel Blackberry fits better than the iPhone.

Outlook sync - yes
Web access - Still the best, IMO.
GPS - yes
Alarm - yes

The only edge that I would give Blackberry is if you need it for work.

OP mentioned specifically To-do lists w/ outlook sync and calendar, and since he mentioned it I figure he'd use it alot and the iphone definitely lacks in that department. It syncs w/ outlook fine, but for entering tasks and stuff from the phone it's not as good as the BBs, so again it depends what he needs it for.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: Muadib
I'm a bit confused as to why you feel Blackberry fits better than the iPhone.

Outlook sync - yes
Web access - Still the best, IMO.
GPS - yes
Alarm - yes

The only edge that I would give Blackberry is if you need it for work.

OP mentioned specifically To-do lists w/ outlook sync and calendar, and since he mentioned it I figure he'd use it alot and the iphone definitely lacks in that department. It syncs w/ outlook fine, but for entering tasks and stuff from the phone it's not as good as the BBs, so again it depends what he needs it for.

Maybe not out of the box, but like the commercial says, there an app for that! Quite a few actually.

I like Todo. He can use Toodledo if he wants an online sync, or ToodledoSync to sync with Outlook.

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: Muadib
I'm a bit confused as to why you feel Blackberry fits better than the iPhone.

Outlook sync - yes
Web access - Still the best, IMO.
GPS - yes
Alarm - yes

The only edge that I would give Blackberry is if you need it for work.

OP mentioned specifically To-do lists w/ outlook sync and calendar, and since he mentioned it I figure he'd use it alot and the iphone definitely lacks in that department. It syncs w/ outlook fine, but for entering tasks and stuff from the phone it's not as good as the BBs, so again it depends what he needs it for.

Maybe not out of the box, but like the commercial says, there an app for that! Quite a few actually.

I like Todo. He can use Toodledo if he wants an online sync, or ToodledoSync to sync with Outlook.

Yeah but it's an extra 10 bucks for something other phones do already.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: Muadib
I'm a bit confused as to why you feel Blackberry fits better than the iPhone.

Outlook sync - yes
Web access - Still the best, IMO.
GPS - yes
Alarm - yes

The only edge that I would give Blackberry is if you need it for work.

OP mentioned specifically To-do lists w/ outlook sync and calendar, and since he mentioned it I figure he'd use it alot and the iphone definitely lacks in that department. It syncs w/ outlook fine, but for entering tasks and stuff from the phone it's not as good as the BBs, so again it depends what he needs it for.

Maybe not out of the box, but like the commercial says, there an app for that! Quite a few actually.

I like Todo. He can use Toodledo if he wants an online sync, or ToodledoSync to sync with Outlook.

Yeah but it's an extra 10 bucks for something other phones do already.

Actually iPhone does it already too, just not as well as a Blackberry. I used it's calender for most of the first year I had the 3G, and was OK with it. I'd probably still be using it if someone hadn't shown me Todo. The iPhone calender syncs with Outlook, and will repeat tasks. The OP might be quite fine with it too.

And remember, I said there are apps for that. With a simple google search, I've found 13 other to do list apps, and a few advanced task managers. The OP can go nuts finding the perfect program for him. That's the beauty of the iPhone, if there something you feel is lacking, odds are there is already an app to address it. Yeah, you may have to pay a bit, but since app store sales average $200 a month, it's clear iPhone users don't mind.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: Muadib
I'm a bit confused as to why you feel Blackberry fits better than the iPhone.

Outlook sync - yes
Web access - Still the best, IMO.
GPS - yes
Alarm - yes

The only edge that I would give Blackberry is if you need it for work.

OP mentioned specifically To-do lists w/ outlook sync and calendar, and since he mentioned it I figure he'd use it alot and the iphone definitely lacks in that department. It syncs w/ outlook fine, but for entering tasks and stuff from the phone it's not as good as the BBs, so again it depends what he needs it for.

Maybe not out of the box, but like the commercial says, there an app for that! Quite a few actually.

I like Todo. He can use Toodledo if he wants an online sync, or ToodledoSync to sync with Outlook.

Yeah but it's an extra 10 bucks for something other phones do already.

Actually iPhone does it already too, just not as well as a Blackberry. I used it's calender for most of the first year I had the 3G, and was OK with it. I'd probably still be using it if someone hadn't shown me Todo. The iPhone calender syncs with Outlook, and will repeat tasks. The OP might be quite fine with it too.

And remember, I said there are apps for that. With a simple google search, I've found 13 other to do list apps, and a few advanced task managers. The OP can go nuts finding the perfect program for him. That's the beauty of the iPhone, if there something you feel is lacking, odds are there is already an app to address it. Yeah, you may have to pay a bit, but since app store sales average $200 a month, it's clear iPhone users don't mind.

To add some balance, there are plenty of apps for missing functionality on almost all smartphones. The iPhone is not unique in that regard.

 

[zerogear]

Thanks for all the info, definitely helpful. I might end up waiting for a little bit longer and see what pops up on the Android line. Though one question is there any valid proof that iPhone 3G S batteries explode?

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: zerogear
Thanks for all the info, definitely helpful. I might end up waiting for a little bit longer and see what pops up on the Android line. Though one question is there any valid proof that iPhone 3G S batteries explode?

There are pics of damaged iPhones, so it does seem to be happening. It appears to be phones sold in Europe, not here in the US. Apple says exploding iPhones not our fault.

 

[corkyg]

There is some benefit to keep on keeping on - continue without a contract. It feels good to not be beholden to anyone. If your current phone does the essentials you need - wait. They might even start making offers to you (ATT.)

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: corkyg
There is some benefit to keep on keeping on - continue without a contract. It feels good to not be beholden to anyone. If your current phone does the essentials you need - wait. They might even start making offers to you (ATT.)

The problem with that is that, yes my Blackjack II does what I need, but it has started developing problems such as random freeze-ups, problem starting programs, and lately I have to constantly restore to a previous backup because it won't run programs.

I agree that it'd be nice without a contract, but right now, I would like to switch to something more usabile asap, although it's not an emergency.

 

[HopJokey]

Used BB out of contract?

 

[zerogear]

hmm. I'll consider that too Where do you guys usually buy used BBs?

 

[TimeKeeper]

If you do not use data plan that much ( iphone require $30 + Tax data monthly plan ), spending extra $400 a year really doesn't seem like "saving" though..

Peronsally, like other mentioned, I do not want to be "tight up" w/ any contract.

If you enjoy a good Capacitive touch screen like iphone and , you might want to check out LG arena. ($300ish) Unlock and debrand and no string attach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1NGV-eMiis

For myself, I am very happy with less than $200 Samsung S5230.

 

[Rottie]

Blackberry gives you rebates on selected bb phones apple doesn't offer rebates for all iPhone