Smartphones revisited

[subnuclear]

I know we've had about 5 smartphone threads here, but I just got a new job that doesn't provide a work cell phone and there seems to be couple of new smartphones on the market since the amazing technical minds assembled at this site have last discussed this topic.

The most appealing feature for me in a smartphone would be to access Google maps.  A phone that did this best would be the one I would be mostly likely buy.  It wouldn't necessarily have to have GPS since I'm ok at reading street signs.  Though I still need it to work as a phone and access the web. 

I'll accept the iPhone as the answer if that's the answer, but it would be nice to hear what the smartphone aficionados here have to say.  If you know a good article comparing the latest phones that would be nice to read as well. 

[HudsonHawk]

I will say this:  if you need it to be a phone and access the web, don't get a Blackberry. Mine sucks at both. I'm an iPhone man. There...I said it.

[Lurch]

I know we've had about 5 smartphone threads here, but I just got a new job that doesn't provide a work cell phone and there seems to be couple of new smartphones on the market since the amazing technical minds assembled at this site have last discussed this topic.

The most appealing feature for me in a smartphone would be to access Google maps.  A phone that did this best would be the one I would be mostly likely buy.  It wouldn't necessarily have to have GPS since I'm ok at reading street signs.  Though I still need it to work as a phone and access the web.  

I'll accept the iPhone as the answer if that's the answer, but it would be nice to hear what the smartphone aficionados here have to say.  If you know a good article comparing the latest phones that would be nice to read as well.  

You DO want GPS since it enhances Google maps so much in my opinion, but the good news is that hardware is so cheap, almost all smartphones have them now anyway.  iPhone probably does it best as the Google maps software it runs is native to it.  All of the others are using a more generically supported browser version that has to account for variability in hardware, software and provider implementation.

I have an HTC TouchPro2 which I really like, but if you're open to anything with fairly minimal requirements going in, I'd be surprised to see you end up with anything other than an iPhone right now.  There are lots of cool new phones out now, but I would say they're not mature enough yet to go with unless you just like playing with new/different technology.

[BizidyDizidy]

I like the blackberry google maps app better than the iphone actually. Find it a lot easier to use.

[Outlawscotty]

iPhone is far superior to anything HTC has IMO.  I had the Touch, which was considered untouchable (and un-insurable)at the time of the iPhone launch.  Once the iPhone overcame the Microsoft compatibilities, you can't find anything better.  The GPS is very integrated into everything and is much more accurate than what I expected.  BB and RIM can kiss my ass.  If you think Apple is proprietary, just go corporate BB.   

[Bench]

I like the blackberry google maps app better than the iphone actually. Find it a lot easier to use.

Maybe my blackberry is hopelessly out of date (a Curve I bought in 2007), but other than twitter, espn fantasy football, and the most mundane of key word searches, I find the internet function generally useless.

[Lurch]

Does the iPhone allow for tethering so you can connect your laptop to it to use it's Internet connection?  That is something I could not live without... just an FYI

[BUWebguy]

I think my iPhone does Google Maps great, and would suggest it to just about anyone.

But, something to think about... Apple and Google appear to be more headed towards a divorce than blissful marriage. Apple recently bought a company that does something similar to Google maps, and many speculate that sooner rather than later you'll see Google with a much reduced presence on the iPhone.

This site might be helpful:
http://www.smartphoneroundrobin.com/

[Waldo]

Apple and Google appear to be more headed towards a divorce than blissful marriage.

The increasing relevance of Android should be evidence enough.

[Guinness]

Does the iPhone allow for tethering so you can connect your laptop to it to use it's Internet connection?  That is something I could not live without... just an FYI

My iPhone connects to my wifi when I'm at home, and regularly alerts me when other wifi is around (like at work).  I know this is a battery hog, so I should turn it off.
I got an iPhone for Christmas.  Get one.  It's great, I love it, and I was always one of those people who thought all a phone needed to do was make calls.  I've gone over to the dark side now.  I also have a BB for work, and it's not near as cool. 

[AtascAstro]

Does the iPhone allow for tethering so you can connect your laptop to it to use it's Internet connection?  That is something I could not live without... just an FYI

There's an app for that

[TheWizard]

I'm a huge fan of the Pre.

[hostros7]

I have a new blackberry bold.  I would say the best features (compared to iphone) are emailing efficiency with the qwerty keyboard and google maps.  Both are superior.  Internet is worthless for the most part and my phone (at&t) has shitty service and a bunch of dead zones and dropped calls, and I live inside the loop.

[subnuclear]

I'm a huge fan of the Pre.

Any particular reason why?

I like the blackberry google maps app better than the iphone actually. Find it a lot easier to use.

Which version of the BB do you have? 

[Outlawscotty]

There's an app for that

As per that link...
Tethering is not currently offered in the U.S. and some other countries. See your carrier for availability.

[BizidyDizidy]

I have the Curve; I also have an Ipod Touch I use around the house, and my wife has an I-Phone. I disagree with the sentiment that the internet is useless on the blackberry; I think for webpages with mobile sites, it is as good or better than the IPhone (Easier to navigate the mobile pages with the trackball, imo). I vastly prefer the mobile version of this site on the blackberry vs. trying to use the iphone on the regular site - too hard to click the "new" buttons and so on without constantly zooming in and out (no hyperlinks is annoying though).

I find it much easier to text/email with the blackberry, but I'm sure if I only used an iphone I would get faster at it.

[Limey]

The most appealing feature for me in a smartphone would be to access Google maps. 

There's an app for that.  It's pretty slick, actually.  You type an address or a search item ("Indian restaurant") and it drops pins on the map for you.   It knows where you are either via GPS or from triangulating cell towers (if you're GPS is turned off, which mine is), so it gives you local search answers if there are any.  You can tap the pins to bring up an info page, which includes the phone number and website, which you can then tap to phone or open the page.  It'll give you turn by turn directions too.

Also, Google Earth is on the iPhone.  Both apps are free.

[Limey]

My iPhone connects to my wifi when I'm at home, and regularly alerts me when other wifi is around (like at work).  I know this is a battery hog, so I should turn it off.
I got an iPhone for Christmas.  Get one.  It's great, I love it, and I was always one of those people who thought all a phone needed to do was make calls.  I've gone over to the dark side now.  I also have a BB for work, and it's not near as cool. 

I find that the 3G data feed is fast enough that I don't bother with WiFi, unless I'm buying songs directly on my phone.

[AtascAstro]

As per that link...
Tethering is not currently offered in the U.S. and some other countries. See your carrier for availability.

AT&T is struggling to keep their network afloat with a glut of data hogging iPhones.  They've promised tethering capability but continue to delay.  However, their exclusive deal with the iPhone expires this summer.  I would think that the prospect of competition may help move them along, but nobody seems to know for sure.

[Limey]

As per that link...
Tethering is not currently offered in the U.S. and some other countries. See your carrier for availability.

Yup.  AT&T blows.

[Limey]

AT&T is struggling to keep their network afloat with a glut of data hogging iPhones.  They've promised tethering capability but continue to delay.  However, their exclusive deal with the iPhone expires this summer.  I would think that the prospect of competition may help move them along, but nobody seems to know for sure.

Rumours are that the data-partner for Apple's new tablet will be Verizon.  This makes sense because, presumably, the tablet won't be making phone calls so it doesn't fall foul of the voice-or-data-but-not-both limitation of Verizon's 3G network.

[Gizzmonic]

I've got a Palm Pre and I enjoy it.  The web browser is very fast and compatible with most websites (although I wish it would allow me to save images).  The browser is based on WebKit, just like the iPhone's browser.

It has a full keyboard-which I absolutely insist on.  I hate the touchscreen keyboard on the iPhone. Free access to NFL Network and the radio broadcast of every NFL game.    Sprint's network is pretty good for me, although I rarely travel outside Texas.  I noticed that I couldn't get a signal about 30 miles outside of DC, but other than that it's been good...I was getting a 3G signal all the way down 281 between Waco and San Antonio, good enough to hear the NFL radio broadcasts uninterrupted.  Battery life is good too-I get about 3 days between charges, although significantly less if I'm using the audio streaming.

It comes with Google Maps and the application works very well on the phone.  The weak spot for the Pre is number of applications-it doesn't have nearly as many applications as iPhone, and a good bit of the apps look like shovelware from the Blackberry or iPhone platform.  Still, you'll be able to find a lot of the "find concerts or restaurants in my area"-type apps.  It's possible that Droid and iPhone will completely steal the thunder from WebOS and you won't see any more applications in the Palm App catalog.  They really should have gone with open development like the Blackberry or Droid, but instead they decided to emulate Apple's one-stop shop for apps.

The only thing I really miss from my old Palm Treo is Slingplayer.  Otherwise, I'm happy with the Pre.

[HudsonHawk]

There's an app for that.  It's pretty slick, actually.  You type an address or a search item ("Indian restaurant") and it drops pins on the map for you.   It knows where you are either via GPS or from triangulating cell towers (if you're GPS is turned off, which mine is), so it gives you local search answers if there are any.  You can tap the pins to bring up an info page, which includes the phone number and website, which you can then tap to phone or open the page.  It'll give you turn by turn directions too.

Also, Google Earth is on the iPhone.  Both apps are free.

One of my favorite iPhone apps is "Around Me".  It pretty much does the same thing

[HudsonHawk]

Yup.  AT&T blows.

AT&T is the greatest wireless network in the history of the world. 

[Guinness]

AT&T is the greatest wireless network in the history of the world. 

We've been down this road before regarding coverage, especially downtown, but for customer service issues they're really top notch.

[HudsonHawk]

We've been down this road before regarding coverage, especially downtown, but for customer service issues they're really top notch.

Yes we have.  We've determined that Chuck was simply born under a bad sign.

[Limey]

AT&T is the greatest wireless network in the history of the world. 

Are you Luke Wilson?

[Guinness]

Yes we have.  We've determined that Chuck was simply born under a bad sign.

Maybe he pissed off some AT&T muckedy muck who vowed chuck would never make a phone call in Houston again.

[VirtualBob]

Yes we have.  We've determined that Chuck was simply born under a bad sign.

"Now entering Houston" ??




edited to remove auto-smiie-ification

[Limey]

Maybe he pissed off some AT&T muckedy muck who vowed chuck would never make a phone call in Houston again.

I think he's on the NSA's no call list.

[subnuclear]

I have an HTC TouchPro2 which I really like, but if you're open to anything with fairly minimal requirements going in, I'd be surprised to see you end up with anything other than an iPhone right now.  There are lots of cool new phones out now, but I would say they're not mature enough yet to go with unless you just like playing with new/different technology.

I willing to put up with new/different technology if its cheaper.  Why did you get a HTC?

I have the Curve . . .

I had the Curve at my old job and I liked it a lot.  I didn't use all its capabilities, because I worked in a shielded environment and generally left the phone on my dresser at home.  

if you're GPS is turned off, which mine is

Why do you turn the GPS off?

Thanks for all the info.  I might have to buy more than one now.  

[Limey]

Back to smartphones, the Apple tablet (possibly called the "iSlate" or "iPad"), will be announced next week.  It's expected to be, essentially, an oversized iPhone but, interestingly, will be exclusive to Verizon.

[Noe]

Back to smartphones, the Apple tablet (possibly called the "iSlate" or "iPad"), will be announced next week.  It's expected to be, essentially, an oversized iPhone but, interestingly, will be exclusive to Verizon.

God help them if they go with "iPad", the feminine hygiene product jokes will be deafening.

[Lurch]

I willing to put up with new/different technology if its cheaper.  Why did you get a HTC?

The problem with new/different technology (which I'm a sucker for) is the near certainty that you'll be patching it at least once ever 6-8 weeks as they work out kinks.  If you're going this route, I highly suggest finding a user forum for it first to make sure there aren't any big gotchas.  For example, I was an early adopter of one of the last Palm Treos and we pretty much had to solve their bluetooth problems for them.  Had I researched first, I would have gone elsewhere.

As for the HTC Touch Pro 2, it is generally considered the best out on the Sprint network right now and has a large, engaged user forum to help fine tune it.  Huge touch screen, but a full slide out qwerty keyboard for when you really need it.

[chuck]

Yes we have.  We've determined that Chuck was simply born under a bad sign.

I have and use four different cell phones for four different parts of the world. I have three LG phones, one each for Panama (Mas Movil), the UK (Vodaphone) and Australia (Virgin). They are simple, simple phones. Voice and texting. My Panama phone has a camera. The one for the UK may as well, if I recall correctly. The Australian phone which I'm using now does not. I have never, ever, EVER had a dropped call on any of these phones, ever.

My iPhone, which I LOVE as a device (carry it everywhere even when I know I'm not going to make calls because a) the apps are so useful and b) you never know when you're going to bump into wi-fi somewhere) drops calls like a motherfucker. I mean, 30% of my calls get dropped? Seriously. It's crazy. It doesn't matter what network the other party uses, either, my phone will drop your ass with great delight no matter who your carrier is. By the way, this happens far less outside of Houston. Outside of Houston the phone drops maybe 10% of all calls. That seems like a luxury, let me tell you.

But we've been over this before, n'est-ce pas?

[buz]

I have the HTC Fuze/Touch Pro and my wife uses the HTC Tilt , both are with ATT. We went with the windows based smartphone because we had HP PDAs and the interface of the winmo is pretty much the same. If you're a windows fans they're great, they have word, excel, and power point. The wife uses the transcriber to take meeting notes and download to her laptop and edit. I use the excel for formulas and spread sheets in the field. As for as ATT coverage I haven't had much trouble and I work in remote oilfield locations. We looked at the Tilt 2 when they first came out and they are sweet. I think they have a slightly larger screen than Iphone, 32gig micro sd card capacity, you can tether using wifi and 3g, but have to get ATT's highest priced media plan. I use the gps alot and its pretty accurate, the mp3 player has great sound and interface, and the full keyboard is great and easy to use. Also there is a great web site at xda-developers.com and microsoft has started their marketplace app. store. As for as price you can get the Iphone cheaper, we are long time ATT customers and the best deal we could get was 199.00 and that was with mail in rebates and 100.00 trade in on her tilt (ATT's website has a list of phone they will take as trade ins). As far as HTC phones they are pretty rugged, if my wife can't tear one up in 3 yrs no one can.

[BUWebguy]

Ah, the caveat:

I have the HTC Fuze/Touch Pro and my wife uses the HTC Tilt , both are with ATT. We went with the windows based smartphone because we had HP PDAs and the interface of the winmo is pretty much the same. If you're a windows fans they're great, they have word, excel, and power point. The wife uses the transcriber to take meeting notes and download to her laptop and edit. I use the excel for formulas and spread sheets in the field. As for as ATT coverage I haven't had much trouble and I work in remote oilfield locations. We looked at the Tilt 2 when they first came out and they are sweet. I think they have a slightly larger screen than Iphone, 32gig micro sd card capacity, you can tether using wifi and 3g, but have to get ATT's highest priced media plan. I use the gps alot and its pretty accurate, the mp3 player has great sound and interface, and the full keyboard is great and easy to use. Also there is a great web site at xda-developers.com and microsoft has started their marketplace app. store. As for as price you can get the Iphone cheaper, we are long time ATT customers and the best deal we could get was 199.00 and that was with mail in rebates and 100.00 trade in on her tilt (ATT's website has a list of phone they will take as trade ins). As far as HTC phones they are pretty rugged, if my wife can't tear one up in 3 yrs no one can.