Tell me about your smart phone and service.

[LarBrd33]

Cingular's 3G network needs major overhaul.

I think buying an iPhone in the next 3-6 months will end up being like buying a members only jacket in 1991. Sure, everyone has one...but the smart people are looking for something new, because its time.

I had this same mentality... and it's the reason I stuck with my piece of crap 3 year old LG phone... waiting for the better option.   I did a ton of research on it.  Too much, actually.  And bought into the fact that HTC was making far superior devices and releasing them in Europe with far more features and capabilities... and bought into the idea that Android was going to be a killer OS at some point with killer aps... and bought into the idea that all it was going to take was for HTC to take one of their superior devices and put Android on it instead of Windows Mobile... and the game would be over...

And I waited...

and I waited...

ANd then I finally just bought an iphone and accepted that it's a ridiculously awesome device.

In the same way the iphone can make you look like a Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. sheep... I kinda feel like buying some inferior device to "stand out" just makes you look like a pretentious snob.

[mgent]

I've got the LG Incite for AT&T.  It's a very nice phone and matches most of the features on the iphone and the blackberrys.  I personally like it because it runs Windows Mobile.  It's all about preference, so my advice would be to try out as many phones as possible.

[indeedproceed]

Cingular's 3G network needs major overhaul.

I think buying an iPhone in the next 3-6 months will end up being like buying a members only jacket in 1991. Sure, everyone has one...but the smart people are looking for something new, because its time.

I had this same mentality... and it's the reason I stuck with my piece of crap 3 year old LG phone... waiting for the better option.   I did a ton of research on it.  Too much, actually.  And bought into the fact that HTC was making far superior devices and releasing them in Europe with far more features and capabilities... and bought into the idea that Android was going to be a killer OS at some point with killer aps... and bought into the idea that all it was going to take was for HTC to take one of their superior devices and put Android on it instead of Windows Mobile... and the game would be over...

And I waited...

and I waited...

ANd then I finally just bought an iphone and accepted that it's a ridiculously awesome device.

In the same way the iphone can make you look like a Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. sheep... I kinda feel like buying some inferior device to "stand out" just makes you look like a pretentious snob.

I dunno, I got the samsung blackjack II b/c I was due an upgrade and it was one of the free options. I have a new ipod touch (gift) and I didn't see the point in being redundant.

I'm very happy with my Samsung. I know, the Iphone is the bomb. I know it is. But now, everyone has one. How much longer can apple support this unchallenged domination?

Of course, you don't wanna be the only kid on the street asking if anyone wants to swap songs with their "zune". Cuz dude...nobody has a Zune. Go play by yourself, loser.

[LarBrd33]

Cingular's 3G network needs major overhaul.

I think buying an iPhone in the next 3-6 months will end up being like buying a members only jacket in 1991. Sure, everyone has one...but the smart people are looking for something new, because its time.

I had this same mentality... and it's the reason I stuck with my piece of crap 3 year old LG phone... waiting for the better option.   I did a ton of research on it.  Too much, actually.  And bought into the fact that HTC was making far superior devices and releasing them in Europe with far more features and capabilities... and bought into the idea that Android was going to be a killer OS at some point with killer aps... and bought into the idea that all it was going to take was for HTC to take one of their superior devices and put Android on it instead of Windows Mobile... and the game would be over...

And I waited...

and I waited...

ANd then I finally just bought an iphone and accepted that it's a ridiculously awesome device.

In the same way the iphone can make you look like a Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. sheep... I kinda feel like buying some inferior device to "stand out" just makes you look like a pretentious snob.

I dunno, I got the samsung blackjack II b/c I was due an upgrade and it was one of the free options. I have a new ipod touch (gift) and I didn't see the point in being redundant.

I'm very happy with my Samsung. I know, the Iphone is the bomb. I know it is. But now, everyone has one. How much longer can apple support this unchallenged domination?

Of course, you don't wanna be the only kid on the street asking if anyone wants to swap songs with their "zune". Cuz dude...nobody has a Zune. Go play by yourself, loser.

Heh.  Zune. 

So I wasn't sure if I should share this story... but I think I will.  Just don't tell nobody...

I just got a new job as a digital production specialist for a Microsoft vendor.  Basically I get paid to make films and videos for Microsoft.   I got the job about a week after buying the iphone.  One of the first things I had to do was go to the Microsoft campus in Redmond and film one of the VP's doing a short video speech.   I was sitting there checking my email on the iphone and suddenly realized, "wait a second... what the hell am I doing?  I can't be playing with this in the middle of the Microsoft campus!" and shoved it quickly into my pocket.   I turned to my coworker and said, "man... probably shouldn't be playing with my iphone here" and he goes, "are you kidding me?  Half the people who work here have iphones"   ...   

[Hoops]

If you want the ultimate all-in-one device, then iPhone is really the only way to go. If there's anything you've ever thought you might like to be able to do with your phone, iPhone probably does it.

However, as others have said, AT&T's network is overloaded (because millions of people love the iPhone). They simply can't keep up with the demand for network bandwidth. Part of that is AT&T's fault for being too slow in beefing up their infrastructure, but part of it is also Apple's fault (tongue in cheek) for building such a useful device. So, if you want "blazing" fast speeds on your mobile device that rival the speeds of your home broadband connection, then the iPhone will probably frustrate you. For me, I've never expected my mobile device to perform as quickly as my computer at home.

That said, the other problem with the overloaded AT&T network is dropped calls. I don't spend a ton of time actually talking on the phone, but dropped calls and/or bad connections really bite. So again, if you talk a lot on your mobile and really rely on it (e.g., if you have no land line phone), then the iPhone might be quite frustrating.

Personally, I'm optimistic that despite AT&T dropping the ball, they'll eventually catch up on their infrastructure and then everything will be fine. And if they don't, Apple will be forced to drop them as the exclusive U.S. carrier and then Verizon or someone else can hopefully do better at managing bandwidth issues.

[ChampKind]

T-Mobile Blackberry Curve.  I went through Sam's Club and the phone was free and the service plan was dirty cheap - $40/month for 300 mins, Fave 5 unlimited calls, unlimited data, free nights and weekends, etc.  It's been great for me - having gchat on my phone really cuts down on texting, and the internet has been mostly excellent, with the exception of a few slow downs.

I'm happy with it.

Well if you're just looking for the cheapest plan, I think T-Mobile is the best way to go.  I have the $40 My Faves plan, while 300 minutes seems low, talking to any 5 people unlimitedly is great (and you can change each 5 once a month, so if you play it right you can make it 10 people),  plus free nights and weekends.  You can get the MyTouch for like $150 now I think, which people tell me is better than the iphone and is 3G.  Plus they have a cheaper data plan than AT&T or Verizon.  I believe getting the web and unlimited texts costs $35 on T-Mobile, $50 on AT&T and $60 on Verizon.

BUT (see that's a big but), I think T-Mobile has the worst coverage.  I've had T-Mobile for 5 years now, and there's constantly times when I don't get service but people next to me with Verizon and AT&T have service.  It's fine out doors, but if you're ever inside a big building, there are many times you won't get service.  I find myself constantly going out to the hall or to the window to try and get service when I'm inside a building.  And this has happened to me across Texas, Connecticut, NYC, and Boston, and many other spots I've been. 

T-Mobile has the best and cheapest plans, but I hate their coverage (forget what their coverage map says).

A solid point, but all in all I've been happy with the coverage.  Most of my travel is in major metropolitan areas, and I'm actually finding that I have been service with T-Mobile than when I did with Sprint.  A legit concern, since T-Mobile is smaller, though.

[LarBrd33]

If you want the ultimate all-in-one device, then iPhone is really the only way to go. If there's anything you've ever thought you might like to be able to do with your phone, iPhone probably does it.

However, as others have said, AT&T's network is overloaded (because millions of people love the iPhone). They simply can't keep up with the demand for network bandwidth. Part of that is AT&T's fault for being too slow in beefing up their infrastructure, but part of it is also Apple's fault (tongue in cheek) for building such a useful device. So, if you want "blazing" fast speeds on your mobile device that rival the speeds of your home broadband connection, then the iPhone will probably frustrate you. For me, I've never expected my mobile device to perform as quickly as my computer at home.

That said, the other problem with the overloaded AT&T network is dropped calls. I don't spend a ton of time actually talking on the phone, but dropped calls and/or bad connections really bite. So again, if you talk a lot on your mobile and really rely on it (e.g., if you have no land line phone), then the iPhone might be quite frustrating.

Personally, I'm optimistic that despite AT&T dropping the ball, they'll eventually catch up on their infrastructure and then everything will be fine. And if they don't, Apple will be forced to drop them as the exclusive U.S. carrier and then Verizon or someone else can hopefully do better at managing bandwidth issues.

I really haven't had any issues with my iphone dropping calls or the 3g network going slow.  I'm able to surf the web at really quick speeds.  I wonder if it has something to do with my location.  I'm in Seattle... maybe ATT's coverage in the Northeast is weaker? 

I also think it's interesting that AT&T finally allowed the ability to use MMS with the iphone as of last week.  You can now send pics and videos.  Why do that if their network is that shakey?  Wouldn't that just mess it up even more?

I can tell you that the tmobile network is horrible out here, though.  My friends who have G1s tell me that the internet hardly ever works for them.

[blake]

Does anyone have a Palm Pre?  I'm thinking of getting one of those when my contract is up (next month).

I have had the pre now for a couple of months.  I couldn't be happier.  I have been with sprint for 10 years.  They were horrible for the first 8 years, but the last two have been fantastic.  Never a dropped call.  Never a missed call.

As for the Pre...wow.  An amazing phone.  You can read the reviews on CNet to see all the cool stuff it does about syncing calendars and contacts and all of that.  It is truly an awesome phone.

[Hoops]

If you want the ultimate all-in-one device, then iPhone is really the only way to go. If there's anything you've ever thought you might like to be able to do with your phone, iPhone probably does it.

However, as others have said, AT&T's network is overloaded (because millions of people love the iPhone). They simply can't keep up with the demand for network bandwidth. Part of that is AT&T's fault for being too slow in beefing up their infrastructure, but part of it is also Apple's fault (tongue in cheek) for building such a useful device. So, if you want "blazing" fast speeds on your mobile device that rival the speeds of your home broadband connection, then the iPhone will probably frustrate you. For me, I've never expected my mobile device to perform as quickly as my computer at home.

That said, the other problem with the overloaded AT&T network is dropped calls. I don't spend a ton of time actually talking on the phone, but dropped calls and/or bad connections really bite. So again, if you talk a lot on your mobile and really rely on it (e.g., if you have no land line phone), then the iPhone might be quite frustrating.

Personally, I'm optimistic that despite AT&T dropping the ball, they'll eventually catch up on their infrastructure and then everything will be fine. And if they don't, Apple will be forced to drop them as the exclusive U.S. carrier and then Verizon or someone else can hopefully do better at managing bandwidth issues.

I really haven't had any issues with my iphone dropping calls or the 3g network going slow.  I'm able to surf the web at really quick speeds.  I wonder if it has something to do with my location.  I'm in Seattle... maybe ATT's coverage in the Northeast is weaker? 

I also think it's interesting that AT&T finally allowed the ability to use MMS with the iphone as of last week.  You can now send pics and videos.  Why do that if their network is that shakey?  Wouldn't that just mess it up even more?

I can tell you that the tmobile network is horrible out here, though.  My friends who have G1s tell me that the internet hardly ever works for them.

I'm actually also in the NW (Portland) and I've noticed degradation in call connectivity in recent months. It's not like it's horrible, but it sounds like it's better in Seattle.

It's funny you mention the MMS thing. AT&T was supposed to launch MMS functionality right after the 3Gs was released in June. Nobody has admitted it publicly, but I think the reason for the 3 month delay was simply to give AT&T time to build up their infrastructure a little more so that they had a chance to handle the onslaught of bandwidth usage. I've heard that they've been putting up towers like crazy recently.

[BrickJames]

Does anyone have a Palm Pre?  I'm thinking of getting one of those when my contract is up (next month).

I have had the pre now for a couple of months.  I couldn't be happier.  I have been with sprint for 10 years.  They were horrible for the first 8 years, but the last two have been fantastic.  Never a dropped call.  Never a missed call.

As for the Pre...wow.  An amazing phone.  You can read the reviews on CNet to see all the cool stuff it does about syncing calendars and contacts and all of that.  It is truly an awesome phone.

I'm telling you - the HTC Hero is a lot better than the Pre.  No offense in that statement.  The Hero is simply a better phone.

10/11 = Sprint Hero.  can't wait.

[greenballs]

I have a Pre and I am very happy.

I can't say too much about Android because I don't know about it.

Sprint has good service in Boston.

My friends who have Iphone/ATT are always having problems because the network is overloaded.

Pre doesn't have too many apps but the App Store is just getting paid for Apps and it is all still very new.

The browser and email and chatting, maps etc are all very good.

You should check out the keyboard some people like physical keyboard, some like virtual though Pre will probably have both soon.

[BrickJames]

welcome greenballs

just FYI pre is an android phone

[LarBrd33]

welcome greenballs

just FYI pre is an android phone

no it isn't

[Donoghus]

So my 2+ year old Blackberry Curve is finally crapping the bed and I've come to the realization that I'm going to need to finally cave in and get a new phone.  I've been eligible for an upgrade for awhile now but decided to push this phone to the limit.  Unfortunately, the limit has been reached.  My trackball doesn't move down anymore and the phone is just pretty banged up from natural wear & tear.

Looking to get a new phone. To be honest, not gonna do the IPhone thing.  Was looking to probably stay in the Blackberry family.

Does anyone have the new "Torch" or anyone have the "Bold"?  Thoughts?

[GranTur]

Just get an iPhone. I gave in and did and it was worth it.