When are phones going to have a big advancement?

[SViper]

Originally posted by: punchkin
I would like a computer phone, one on which you could really type. It could work like this: the phone (maybe a flip type) is set on a level surface where you can see the screen, which should be as large as possible. The keyboard patter is projected dimly on the surface, and sensors pick up keypresses (really just you "typing" on the surface). A device that small with true fast input ability could lead to convergence. I wouldn't need a laptop and could quickly take notes on such a device.

Something similar to this? http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/

 

[erwos]

I have no idea why people are complaining about data - I'm using EVDO Rev.A, and it compares pretty favorably to anything else I've heard of around the world. The real problem is that AT&T and T-Mobile have been taking FOREVER to wheel out HSUPA on any serious scale. Verizon and Sprint are very much ahead of the game.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: erwos
I have no idea why people are complaining about data - I'm using EVDO Rev.A, and it compares pretty favorably to anything else I've heard of around the world. The real problem is that AT&T and T-Mobile have been taking FOREVER to wheel out HSUPA on any serious scale. Verizon and Sprint are very much ahead of the game.

And what are you paying for that? $45/mo for unlimited, or $25/mo for 10 mb. Either way you look at it compared to the rest of the world (specifically in Asia) our networks are slower, and more expensive. Add in to that our phones are no where near as "advanced" as the rest of the world.

We have a lot of other issues that make us evolve slower. Our country is bigger, we have areas that still have little to no cell coverage (granted its in the middle of no where, but still is there), we want faster speeds and more features (on the network) but the cost and time to implement it countrywide is not realistically possible, etc.

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: erwos
I have no idea why people are complaining about data - I'm using EVDO Rev.A, and it compares pretty favorably to anything else I've heard of around the world. The real problem is that AT&T and T-Mobile have been taking FOREVER to wheel out HSUPA on any serious scale. Verizon and Sprint are very much ahead of the game.

And what are you paying for that? $45/mo for unlimited, or $25/mo for 10 mb. Either way you look at it compared to the rest of the world (specifically in Asia) our networks are slower, and more expensive. Add in to that our phones are no where near as "advanced" as the rest of the world.

We have a lot of other issues that make us evolve slower. Our country is bigger, we have areas that still have little to no cell coverage (granted its in the middle of no where, but still is there), we want faster speeds and more features (on the network) but the cost and time to implement it countrywide is not realistically possible, etc.

I think too many people forget about this aspect of the US when it comes to implementing anything nationwide. The US is HUGE compared to other countries with our population spread out over a wide area. Putting up the cell towers and equipment necessary for all these demands takes time, and more importantly, money. Going to a national scale with any of these technologies is absurdly expensive and the potential return on the investment will take a long time, so companies are less likely to roll out something which the US population will not adapt, or is at least less likely to adapt

When it comes to the cell phone tech, you have to look at what your consumer base is wanting, not what a few tech nerds like us want.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: erwos
I have no idea why people are complaining about data - I'm using EVDO Rev.A, and it compares pretty favorably to anything else I've heard of around the world. The real problem is that AT&T and T-Mobile have been taking FOREVER to wheel out HSUPA on any serious scale. Verizon and Sprint are very much ahead of the game.

And what are you paying for that? $45/mo for unlimited, or $25/mo for 10 mb. Either way you look at it compared to the rest of the world (specifically in Asia) our networks are slower, and more expensive. Add in to that our phones are no where near as "advanced" as the rest of the world.

We have a lot of other issues that make us evolve slower. Our country is bigger, we have areas that still have little to no cell coverage (granted its in the middle of no where, but still is there), we want faster speeds and more features (on the network) but the cost and time to implement it countrywide is not realistically possible, etc.

I think too many people forget about this aspect of the US when it comes to implementing anything nationwide. The US is HUGE compared to other countries with our population spread out over a wide area. Putting up the cell towers and equipment necessary for all these demands takes time, and more importantly, money. Going to a national scale with any of these technologies is absurdly expensive and the potential return on the investment will take a long time, so companies are less likely to roll out something which the US population will not adapt, or is at least less likely to adapt

When it comes to the cell phone tech, you have to look at what your consumer base is wanting, not what a few tech nerds like us want.

I'd like to be able to use the features my Blackberry Curve supports. Why on earth would I want to spend more money on a Bold with WIFI and other features when Verizon will cripple it? I have to use a GPS puck for every application other than theirs, rendering any and all third party software useless as a stand alone for this purpose.

Please, just give me what I already have and paid for.

 

[frostedflakes]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: erwos
I have no idea why people are complaining about data - I'm using EVDO Rev.A, and it compares pretty favorably to anything else I've heard of around the world. The real problem is that AT&T and T-Mobile have been taking FOREVER to wheel out HSUPA on any serious scale. Verizon and Sprint are very much ahead of the game.

And what are you paying for that? $45/mo for unlimited, or $25/mo for 10 mb. Either way you look at it compared to the rest of the world (specifically in Asia) our networks are slower, and more expensive. Add in to that our phones are no where near as "advanced" as the rest of the world.

We have a lot of other issues that make us evolve slower. Our country is bigger, we have areas that still have little to no cell coverage (granted its in the middle of no where, but still is there), we want faster speeds and more features (on the network) but the cost and time to implement it countrywide is not realistically possible, etc.

Alltel has a pretty decent data plan, $25/mo for unlimited tethering (and it appears to be truly unlimited, I use probably 40GB+ per month, been doing this for over a year and so far they haven't said anything). Lately I've been getting about 2.1Mbps during non-peak hours, and 1.5-1.8Mbps during peak. Definitely not typical of EVDO rev. 0, but I'm not complaining, lol.

I've heard they'll be rolling out rev. A soon. Most of the towers are converted, it's just a matter of turning it on.

tl;dr: Make sure you're in an Alltel coverage area. Hopefully they don't start restricting bandwidth, though. Verizon has always had a 5GB/mo limit, and I read that recently Sprint implemented one as well.