need help on buying phone

[evident]

I'm looking to buy a new phone for my AT&T contract at the end of april. i'm finally deciding to move to a smartphone w/ a data plan.

I'm settling on an android platform, as it seems like windows phone 7 is kind of stale right now and while i liked my ipod touch i would like to see what android offers. i would like it to replace ipod touch as my full time music player.

i've seen good reviews about the atrix 4g but people dont like the custom skin and it's locked down environment. are there any other phones i'm overlooking on AT&T?

 

[TheInternet1980]

http://www.htc.com/us/products/inspire-att

 

[smartpatrol]

What's wrong with Windows Phone 7? Samsung Focus is one of the best phones on AT&T, IMO. WP7 uses the Zune software and it's compatible with Zune Pass. IMO that is the killer app that you can't on any other platform.

For $15/month you get unlimited streaming & downloads of everything in their catalog, plus you get 10 song purchase credits/month. Songs you purchase permanently are in mp3 format. Songs you're just "renting" can still be burned to CD up to 7 times. It's awesome.

 

[Kabob]

My boss has a Samsung Captivate and loves it, but I'm sure there are better Android offerings now.

Personally I'd go iPhone though. I've got an Android phone and while I enjoy the illusion of freedom it's just not nearly as polished as iOS...yet.

 

[evident]

What's wrong with Windows Phone 7? Samsung Focus is one of the best phones on AT&T, IMO. WP7 uses the Zune software and it's compatible with Zune Pass. IMO that is the killer app that you can't on any other platform.

For $15/month you get unlimited streaming & downloads of everything in their catalog, plus you get 10 song purchase credits/month. Songs you purchase permanently are in mp3 format. Songs you're just "renting" can still be burned to CD up to 7 times. It's awesome.

if they released a second generation of WP7's i would pounce on it right now. i think it's a a pretty sweet phone, but it seems like the apps for it are not there yet. just as an example, angry birds isn't even out for it yet, wtf?? one reason why i really like my ipod touch was because i'm able to get some pretty cool, mature apps (i'm learning a foreign language when i'm on the potty, tee hee), and i worry that WP7 isn't at that point yet, is this assumption incorrect?

 

[Kabob]

just as an example, angry birds isn't even out for it yet, wtf??

Angry Birds = massively overrated. I mean, it's fun enough but I fail to see what all the hype is about.

 

[s44]

i would like it to replace ipod touch as my full time music player.

If you're an audiophile, you're pretty much stuck with Samsung for its Wolfson DAC (and the custom software to get out of its way). Captivate is getting a bit long in the tooth (current hardware revisions actually have working GPS though) but the Infuse is supposed to come out... soon.

 

[smartpatrol]

if they released a second generation of WP7's i would pounce on it right now. i think it's a a pretty sweet phone, but it seems like the apps for it are not there yet. just as an example, angry birds isn't even out for it yet, wtf?? one reason why i really like my ipod touch was because i'm able to get some pretty cool, mature apps (i'm learning a foreign language when i'm on the potty, tee hee), and i worry that WP7 isn't at that point yet, is this assumption incorrect?

The app selection isn't quite as good, but it's growing quickly -- faster than the Android or iOS app stores did even.

BTW it has a pretty great selection of Xbox Live-enabled games already, and there are a bunch of big names coming soon. This spring we will be getting Angry Birds, Plants vs. Zombies, Hydro Thunder, Sonic 4, and some others.

 

[evident]

Angry Birds = massively overrated. I mean, it's fun enough but I fail to see what all the hype is about.

Agree, but i hope you understand the point i'm trying to make with that example.

 

[evident]

so 10 days has passed and i'm leaning towards the motorola atrix. anyone have experience with it?

 

[sciwizam]

AT&T and Samsung have an event this week (the 4th or 5th). It'll probably be about the Infuse 4G (I believe single core, 4.5" SAMOLED+) , but I'm hoping for Samsung Galaxy S2.

 

[alent1234]

i have the HTC Inpsire 4G. looked at the atrix and i like the bigger screen on mine. don't care about dual core.

for AT&T you get the atrix, inspire or iphone. WP7 might be good in a few years but right now it's way behind android and iOS

as a former iOS user my opinion is that the max you spend on android is around $100. i personally prefer iOS a lot more and use my ipad more than my phone. i'm on a family plan so the data costs only $25 a month and i bought my inspire at costco for $20

 

[evident]

hopefully some new phones will be announced at the event like the Galaxy S II

 

[kubani1]

alright i live in the uk, so i don't know what AT&T has to offer, but i like the htc range, the user interface is just much nicer. as this would be your first smartphone i'm pretty sure you aren't too interested in rooting the phone and all that.

as far as using it for your music/ipod replacement, i use doubletwist, it imports all my itunes playlist, syncs my device with my macbook, allows me to browse by artist of genre or whatever, has the album coverflows, shuffle, whatever. i'm not asking for much when it comes to playing music, i like to be able to buy my songs through amazon, play them and add my personal music collection, you can do that with pretty much any music software, including the standard software that comes on the phone. if you are looking for something that looks as flashy as an iphone, well, get an iphone, if you just want to be able to play your music, any smartphone will do.

 

[sciwizam]

Looks like Samsung has another event planned for May 24th. I think, this is about the new Galaxy Tabs, but who knows maybe they'll bring out the S2.

 

[Kabob]

So today's event was to announce an event in three weeks?

 

[sciwizam]

So today's event was to announce an event in three weeks?

May 24th event is a separate event from the May 5th event. Tomorrow's event is in partnership with AT&T. The May 24th event looks like it's just Samsung, which means either the new Tabs or a full launch announcement of Galaxy S2 phones on all carriers.