Comments on: Asking for help from the hive (on mobile devices)

By: Grumpator

Grumpator — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:26:02 +0000

I second Rob – I’ve had the Cingular 8125, which is the previous generation of the ATT 8525, and I love it! The 8525 is a little sleeker and higher quality, so you’d probably want to check that out. I use the slide out keyboard and word mobile to take conference notes, minutes, blog, etc.

I don’t pay for the extra data plan, but I do use wireless whenever I can.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:20:40 +0000

I have an ATT 8525 and LOVEEEE it! It’s actually from a company called HTC and it really does everything and more. The newest version is the Tilt, get that.

By: me

me — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 02:09:34 +0000

Help from the hive…. what are you, a queen bee?

By: Meredith Farkas

Meredith Farkas — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:12:54 +0000

Thanks all for the feedback! Definitely gave me a lot to consider. I plan to spend some time over Thanksgiving break checking out phones and will definitely take a look at all of your suggestions.

By: Bruce Fulton

Bruce Fulton — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:11:08 +0000

I’m in the market for a replacement phone myself. I’ll be looking at the verizon voyager, the new so-called “iphone killer,” but it doesn’t sound like that’s an option if you are stuck with AT&T. Best source of info I’ve found on tech specs and what does what is http://www.phonescoop.com. Extended tech specs and a forum for chat and advice plus links to reviews. Also, query by model number on youtube; many people have created walkthroughs for some phone models. Think about whether you need to open or edit MS doc and xls files and/or do a desktop sync with Exchange/Outlook. If so, a Windows mobile platform probably makes the most sense (take a look at the ATT Tilt). Otherwise, compare features on available pda/smartphones on the blackberry or palm/treo from your carrier.

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:16:35 +0000

Okay, that was me using the Bluetooth keyboard with my Dell Axim PC. That was really the only time I used it though – kind of a pain to set up and connect for each session.

Now I use a Verizon XV6700 provided by my employer. It has a slide-out keyboard that is really convenient for text messages and short notes. It would work with the same bluetooth keyboard, if I was so inclined. That keyboard is from ThinkOutside and cost about $100.

Yeah, Windows Mobile 5 kind of sucked, was a battery hog, etc. I was able to flash version 6 and can now go a 3-day weekend on one charge.

The Wifi works great, the phone is okay. I prefer a flip-phone for the curve between microphone and earpiece, but I still have a landline at home so it’s not a big deal to me – I use a headset when I’m traveling.

Email me if you have any questions!

By: Andy Morton

Andy Morton — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:18:51 +0000

I agree with Steve Oberg’s post! I’m currently using a work-issued Blackberry 8130 Curve and really like it. If you didn’t have the keyboard requirement I’d recommend the iPhone, but my experience so far with my Blackberry has been great. It offers always on e-mail (good or bad, depending on your view, check with your campus IT folks about connectivity). The default Blackberry browser is a good mobile browser and you can also download Opera Mini 4 (just released). Like Steve mentions you’ll get used to the thumb-board pretty fast.

The unit I carry has the default 2mp camera which has come in handy PLUS there are multiple ways to upload directly to Flickr which is a bonus. There’s also a very large BlackBerry ecosystem out there of third-party apps, etc.

The only caveat is that I believe there are limited Mac sync options (for transferring photos and media). The standard sync suite works great with my ThinkPad, but I’ve read about Mac users having issues. For that you might want to checkout MissingSync from Markspace.com

Good luck!

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:00:08 +0000

Hi Meredith,
I was the one with the bluetooth keyboard (and a Dell Axim), but honestly that was the only trip I really used it on – it was kind of a pain to set up in each session. Now I have a Verizon XV6700 with an integrated keyboard that slides out – way more convenient for text messaging on the go, and relatively short notes. It’s compatible with the bluetooth, but I just haven’t felt the need.

http://estore.vzwshop.com/search/devices/vzw_xv6700.html

my employer paid for it

By: Steve Oberg

Steve Oberg — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:42:58 +0000

I think you should take a close look at the Blackberry 8130 (it’s available from AT&T/Cingular). A.k.a. the Blackberry ‘Curve’. It has all the features you want, and more. Earlier this year I decided to buy a refurbished Blackberry 8700c from AT&T for $69. The expensive part is that Blackberry’s require a separate data plan in addition to a regular cell phone plan (e.g. like Family Talk). Honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to afford the phone or the plan if it weren’t for the fact that I get a significant corporate discount (even though the phone is for personal use).

Blackberry phones have a fan base that is almost as rabid as the Apple iPhone. I often wondered what all of the fuss was about. Now I know. I am very happy with my purchase, having used it heavily for six months. The thumb keyboard took some getting used to (about two weeks’ practice). The only things missing on my model that I wish I had are in the 8130 model (camera, GPS,etc.).

Overall, I highly recommend a Blackberry.

By: Jon Gorman

Jon Gorman — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:46:52 +0000

I got a pda (Pocket PC of some type) as a gift a few years ago and I had been wanting one for a while. I thought I’d use it for similar purposes such as yours. This was four years ago, so things might have improved.
The truth was that

1) Connecting it to multiple machines was frustrating, frequently broken. Synchronization was a nightmare.

2) The Pocket PC browser stinks. Really, really stinks. I remember better browsers running on machines with less memory/processing power in 1994.

3) Power consumption seemed tricky to predict, frequently causing it to run out of juice, frequently losing tons of information I needed.

4) Wireless was flaky, extremely flaky.

5) Every single app, every single one seemed small, expensive, and poorly put together.

On the plus side, it did work well for reading, although truth be told I really would like to see something like the size of a large book. Or the things they used to carry around on Star Trek, TNG.

So…my advice? Wireless is probably solved by now. Look for something with flash/solid state memory that won’t go away when you lose power.