I’m shipping back that Pantech Duo tomorrow that I really liked. That has me wondering what you all are really liking right now? Which phone is currently making you very happy and why?
For me, I just dragged the HTC S620 out of the drawer, synced it up to my Mac with MarkSpace’s MissingSync will give it a go again. It’s another very friendly form factor phone that I seem to gravitate towards. I also love a QWERTY keyboard :o)
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My favorite phone right now is the Blackberry Curve (8320). I’m coming from a Treo 750 (Windows Mobile) and the Blackberry OS is such a pleasure to deal with after having to deal with the constant resets, freezes, and bugginess of WM. I used to love WM because of all the customization and programs I could download….now I realize that simplicity was what I really needed all along. It’s nice to have a phone that “just works”.
My favourite phone right now is the iPhone. Before that I had a Sony Ericsson W960i. While I enjoyed the robustness of the Symbian OS and the ability to install Symbian apps with it, in the end I was left disappointed. The UI was just plain against logic and the Symbian crashed a lot. I was looking forward to installing some apps, reminiscing back to my old Handspring Visor days, only to discover most of the apps available were either only for the Nokia Symbian phones or just plain sucked…
While I understand the limits of the iPhone, years of using phones that frustrated me (before the Sony Ericsson it was a Motorola RAZR, which I wanted to throw against a wall), I was willing to live with the limits in exchange for what is otherwise a truly amazing phone.
My phone for about the last 16 months has been a Sprint PPC-6700 with WM5. The 6700 has a nice slide out physical QWERTY keyboard which works fine with my big fingers. I do not like virtual keyboards for anything over a sentence or two. I have tried full screen keyboards on VGA WM devices, and the hyped virtual keyboard on the iPod touch. I am just not a virtual keyboard person.
I have seen posts about alleged unstable 6700’s. My 6700 is very stable, rarely needs a reset, and I love the plethora of 3rd party apps available for WM. I regularly use HanDBase database, CedeFTP, H-Bomb HTML editor, Slingbox Mobile, Opera-Mini 4 with IBM’s JVM, most Resco apps, IM Plus (supports most IM clients), Vectorsoft Draw, PrintPocket CE (print wirelessly to network printers), and stream video from NAS drives using CorePlayer which supports most codecs. Based on extensive use of Opera-Mini 4, and mobile Safari (iPod touch), Opera-Mini does as good a job as mobile Safari on the full internet, and a better job with some single column pages that require horizontal scrolling for every line with mobile Safari. Oh, and it is pretty nice phone as well, with excellent EvDO coverage in Boston and suburbs. I have been able to purchase some extra batteries on eBay (original OEM batteries) for about $6.00 a piece.
I intend to keep the 6700 at least until the 2 year contract is over. At that time, I will check out the crop of new phones available then, and probably purchase another WM smartphone with at least 3G, – 3.5, or 4 would be better. I use the phone more for data than voice, so a WM device with multitasking, and the plethora of 3rd party apps is the ideal choice for my needs.
[Edited at March 12, 2008 00:49:26 AM.]
My personal favorite phone is the Verizon 6800 (HTC) with Windows Mobile 6. Mobile 6 is a nice improvement over Mobile 5 and the memory was a major improvement over the 6700 model. The applications for the Windows Mobile platform are quite good and productive. The slide out QWERTY keyboard is nice though I still use the stylus based keyboard most of the time. The sound on calls have been very good for me since my purchase of the unit in mid December.
[Edited at March 12, 2008 07:16:57 AM.]
My favorite phone at the moment is the SE W580i. Can customize menu options using software from SE and acts as a walkman too. Currently have an 8gb M2 Memory stick and a Plantronic Voyager 855 with stereo headset capabilities. I am in music listening heaven.
My previous phone which was the SE W600 was too heavy and didn’t have expandable memory. Plus when the phone was rotated to answer a call the phone would shut down.
My new phone is so much better. I have retired my Ipod to my workout area, but that is cause of my speakers with the Ipod port built in.
I juggle between a samsung d900i, and a moto slvr-L7. I don’t particularly like either phones, but they are filler until Apple decides to let us extremely patient canadians at the iphone.
Jeez… if Ireland gets iphones before canada, i am going to really freak.
(not that i am against ireland….just that they are not even in North America)
I am aware i can buy an unlocked model…but i would rather wait for a “legit” version.
I will add another vote for the iPhone! I used to be a big Palm Treo fan but I am sold on the iPhone and have never looked back. It really feels like a whole new mobile platform with a TON of potential and that is exactly what I am looking for.
Ed
[Edited at March 12, 2008 20:47:22 PM.]
i agree with Alex H. here, i have an iphone, and before that one, i had a nokia 6620 so, what can i say,l the iphone is great, and now with that SDK for developers that apple released you can expect a ton of new software for it, not only that, apple is working on suppor for exchange servers, so any executive can use it for the work they do every day.
After a decade with the PalmOS, including using the Kyocera 7135, Treo 650, and then a very brief foray with the Centro, I picked up and Blackberry 8703e on eBay. So far I love it. Very stable, syncs easily with gCal, has incredible battery life, built-in GPS, and a very good keyboard. I believe this is the platform I’ll be with for a long, long time.
Now if I could just learn to stop tapping the screen…
[Edited at March 12, 2008 23:34:54 PM.]
For the iPhone people:
What do you all think about the fact that the new developer apps won’t be able to multitask?
I don’t have an iPhone currently, but am not as concerned about the multitasking limits and want to see how it is implemented. Since the SDK just came out, we don’t really know all of the limits or tricks yet.
I do find that my WM phone can become unresponsive and I expect it is due to multiple threads running. It’s pretty frustrating to have a phone with a bunch of features, but I miss a call coming in. Not often, but it has happened.
My current phone is Nokia E61. The top reason is the QWERTY keyboard and WiFi. The OS also not much of a fuss, and rather solid. Synchronization of PIM also works well and that keep my mind at ease.
No camera? No problem. Just wish it’s a bit faster like E61i though.
I’m currently switching between (#1) HTC TyTnII and (#2) the iPhone. If the iPhone had a better calendar, it would be the permanent #1. The iPhone dependability is the best. I like the TyTnII, but there always seems to be a few glitches. The Daylight Savings Time snafu of WM6 was almost enough to send the thing packing for good. What Geek at Microsoft would think you might want to adjust for time zones when you input an appointment or flight time. The itinerary (inputted in PST) says you have a 10AM flight from London to Bonn. When you arrive in London, WM6 now says your flight is at 2AM!
My current phone is a Sprint Palm Centro – upgraded from a (very old) Samsung A400. Love it! I’ve been using PalmOS devices since the Palm Vx and chose the Centro for software compatibility, extensive software selection and the fact that it just works.
Picked up a SE W580i in Hong Kong as a travel phone and my Wife has a Treo 680. I love my Samsung Blackjack. Not as bulky as other Windows based phones with a full keyboard. Pretty easy to use and does what I need it to do. I prefer function over flash. Next on the list would be the BlackBerry Curve then th iPhone (most likely will move up when the Gen2 comes out w/3G)
My current favorite is a Sony Ericsson W810i: it is small, holds my contacts, notes (doubled as a shopping list), photo notes, family album, maps, secured passwords, and some game. I use the camera on this phone quite often to take notes and to take photos when my camera is not around. Here is a picture I took with this phone (after some retouch): http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/2008/03/needleandrail_grab.html
Best of all, the W810i syncs with my Mac via bluetooth. I also use bluetooth to transfer photos I took.
I have played with almost every Windows Mobile device since inception (and I stick with WinMo because of the synchronization and ability to run my software). I am currently deciding between the HTC Vox (S710) or the new T-Mobile Shadow as being my favorite phones. For someone that needs to write a lot of text, the S710 is the best choice. For a small, light phone with a slick interface, and occasional texting, I’m finding the Shadow to be quite nice.
L.B.
I have been looking for that one phone I can be happy with for a very long time now. I am also a fan of QWERTY keyboards. I had a Nokia Communicator 9210 since 2001. After that, I moved on to an O2 XDA lls which was a complete disappointment. Plenty of software and firmware bugs. Resetting the device was up to 5 times a day. In less than 3 months (I am a patient person!) I changed to a Treo 650 which I always fall back on whenever I feel I need something reliable on trips. Recently, I moved to another part of the world and needed something capable of multi-language, multi-tasking (namely copy n paste, translating received text and email messages and also composing, on the device and also to and from my notebook computer instantly), capable of GPS (not necessarily built-in) and able to clearly display and enlarge scanned road maps on a larger display. Not wanting another Treo, I ended up getting a WM5 HTC P4350 (aka Dopod C800 in this region). Having used WM before, I was a bit skeptical if a WM based device is now mature enough. It does all that I need it to do pretty well except that resets are still needed once every one or 2 days! Hardware-wise, the slide-out keyboard is quite disappointing. Over a short time and with only occasional usage, there already is an approximately 1mm gap between the screen side and keyboard side. There is that irritating wobble when tapping the screen or pressing the front buttons. The in-call sound quality is not quite “there†even with a bluetooth headset. I have also tried all the registry tweaks I could find but with no success. As with the Treo 650, the speaker mode is as good as not having the feature. Nothing I have used is as good as the sound quality that the Nokia 9210 produces. The speaker mode is really impressive! (The Motorola V3 RAZR is not bad though) I am still using the Nokia 9210 today but I don’t usually take it around with me due to its size. It always sits on my desk because its such a pleasure to answer and make calls in speaker mode. With it, I have never needed the handsfree headset while driving. Simply set it to “auto answerâ€, leave it open on the dashboard and I have an instant handsfree solution.
I have had my Nokia 9210 for a long time and is my mostly used phone but I wouldn’t declare it my favorite (I bought a new battery for it last year as the original one was at the end of its life span. 6 years, hmmm… not bad!) The Treo is more reliable but not a favorite either. I will keep my HTC/Dopod for what it can do but its unlikely I will want another WM device. I have used the IPhone but don’t own one or want one as at yet. But if I did, can it be a favorite? Unlikely! An out-of-the-box IPhone is a monopoly and has plenty of limitations compared to what is already out there. So, unless and until it matures, I don’t think so. I don’t want to spend so much time upgrading from one firmware to another just to be able to make it work for me. I do have an IPod Touch and frankly I am already tired of the frequent updates.
I am really keen on the Nokia 9210’s sibling, the improved version of the Nokia E90 (earlier releases had problems with the mic/speaker and the keyboard was marking the internal display). The problem is I can’t buy one yet as its not available in any of the Nokia stores where I am now and resellers who have it are asking for prices way beyond its price range which I am not willing to submit to. Could this be my favorite phone to be? If I am able to do what I do on the HTC/Dopod and its speakers are as good as the Nokia 9210, then I’M HOME!!!
I am surprised that the E90 has not been reviewed here yet. Or did I miss it? If I haven’t, Julie, any chance you may be able to review one soon? Please?!? Pretty please… ?!? It has QWERTY! 😉 Thanks.
D
Mine is the Blackberry 8320. Had been a Palm Treo user for a long time but for the last few years, the Blackberry has been my all-in-one gadget, especially now that there are more medical applications/software for it.
Centro (Sprint) and loving it. I’m switching to iPhone when it:
(1) has a keyboard
(2) has lots of apps to install (without jailbreaking)
(3) can copy and paste
(4) is smaller
(5) has a swappable battery
(6) is available on carriers other than AT&T
I just hope I don’t have to wait too long.
[Edited at March 16, 2008 21:01:58 PM.]
I am using Sidekick II — an oldie but goodie. It has calendar, a (slow) browser, AIM, and other usual applications. You can download games, and other productivity applications for it at a small price for each download. I wanted to switch to Nokia E61i but I am so used to using the Sidekick’s spacious thumb keyboard. Anyone want the Nokia E61i?
[Edited at March 17, 2008 09:07:35 AM.]
Daniel87:
No you’ve not missed a review of the E90. You know, I just can’t get ‘into’ Symbian phones. While I love how great Nokia phones are as far as signal strength, the OS just doesn’t do it for me.
I just picked up a Sony Ericsson K850i last Friday. It’s a cute little candybar phone with a great 5mp camera. So far, I’m not loving the interface. I’m trying hard not to put it in a drawer so soon after starting to use it. I get impatient too quickly these days when it comes to phones. ;o)
It’s the iPhone for me. I just can’t get over the fact that I have the real internet available to me anytime and anywhere. Sure Flash isn’t supported, but that’s okay for now. I’m sure they’ll get around to it (I’m in no rush). Would love to have Yahoo IM though, but that might be around the corner soon. Besides, it’s constantly being updated anyway.
So here’s my list – every Gadget person has to have more than one – it was a challenge not to have a top-ten!
3 Samsung BlackJack II
2 Motorola V600
1 Apple iPhone
Let me go into why I chose what I did. First if it was a contest of a PDA/Smartphone I’d have to add in a MPX 220, HTC 8525 and even a Palm Treo 600 (not the 650 – Palm never seemed to get the BT right and the layout for keys wasn’t as good – IMHO). Here’s my criteria for what makes a good mobile phone – First it has to work well for placing and taking calls! We get caught up in all of the wiz-bang things our mobile devices can do and often leave out the biggest reason for having one. Second the device has to have an interface that can be navigated without too much instruction or reference to a manual after a day or two. Third PIM or Contacts have to be easy to work with and be able to be managed from a computer (if software is required it shouldn’t cost more than the device!). I already (and most of us do too) have contacts in some type of PIM at the computer and don’t really care to enter them with a little keyboard or via the phones dial pad. I’ve never had much luck with SIM services before and the thought of paying for someone to move my info is a little like paying for PC tech support – not gonna do it….
So on to why I chose my top 3…. The BJ II has been a very good performer for the past few months – I use this in place of my iPhone when I might be doing any serious email or texting as I haven’t gotten that use to the iPhone’s “keyboard” I’m getting better but not as fast as “thumbing” with the BJ II. The fact that it has a GPS is also very nice – google maps runs very well – sorry TeleNav you’re not going to get many subscriptions from alpha-geeks. What I don’t like is the browser or to get a decent one you have to pay for Opera (yes I know Mini is free but it’s not as good as Opera for WM, minimo isn’t stable and just plain weird) Safari on the iPhone will spoil anyone – if I had Opera for say $10 and if the device had Wi-Fi it would be at the top of the list! A little work with google and you can get internet sharing to work and you’re on the web with a laptop at 3G speeds – NICE!
The Moto V600 – ok, why didn’t I pick a RAZR or another Moto product that runs the same basic “OS”? The V600’s form- factor and having a 2.5mm headset jack is what puts it on the list for me. Moto Phone Tools (eBay for $8) gives me contacts management from my PC. New housings can be had for cheap too along with batteries, cases, etc make this phone a bargin – it doesn’t have 3G but neither does the iPhone. Bluetooth performance is good (even though my V600 is somewhat aged) – ringtones, Java games, bacgrounds – no problem. The main reason why this is #2 for me is that it’s a great PHONE as a gadget it’s just OK.
The Apple iPhone – what could be said (more) that hasn’t already been said? A lot of reviews made this device seem like it was lacking in the PDA department. I think this does a decent job at working with contacts (especially with the fact this is Apple’s first attempt at it on a phone). I wouldn’t dare to try without iTunes or Missing Sync (which I will have to purchase for Windows Mobile and my Mac). Getting my Outlook contacts into the phone was a little bit of a chore but after I discovered that you could export your contacts to vcards and drop them into Mac’s contacts I’m now a happy camper. Safari and mail on the iPhone along with a touch screen that you don’t need any type stylus for is icing on the cake. The cake is very good call quality, reception (after firmcode 1.1.4), and overall ease of use. I’m not sure if I could rely on this as my business phone at this point – I have an 8525 that seems to work very well in the “business” setting.
wow, Daniel87! Nice post. Lots to consider.
I have a Treo 700p, up from the 650. It’s buggy, sure- Palm released it way too early and let us do the QC testing! But, I love:
having an all in one device. The camera’s good enough, the mp3 amd video player is great, the PIM/calendar/etc is plenty for me and with a 3600 M battery, I can get through a full day.
I will say this: Palm is going to lose a very good customer if they don’t start updating their gear. Their latest phones have been LESS powerful, LESS capable- why would I want that??? I’m an adult! I make good money, I want a real phone! My next phone will have the real QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen, a battery that lasts 2-3 days with moderate use, faster Internet and built-in GPS. Wifi would be great; as would a 2+ MP camera. If it costs a ton, it costs a ton. I can afford an iPhone, but I’d rather have a Treo that satisfies my needs. Treo, are you listening?
I’ve been using a Motorola MPX220 for a while, it’s a pretty good one; good for talking, decent as an older WinMo phone (can sync nicely, & can install apps, play media, etc…
Spec-wise I like the HTC TyTN II (no, it’s not the ATT Tilt), it’s coming to me in the mail now… The iMate Ultimate 9502 looks quite nice too, but it’s not out yet, I believe.
I don’t think i could be paid to use the iPhone since it would not work with any of my apps I already own, nor could it handle my media library.