Best Buy has the Centro for $50 right now, and I am familiar with Palm’s OS. My nearly wife has a Blackjack II, and likes it, but I’m unsure of Windows Mobile. Is it stable? Is it quick? We use Outlook at work, and I wouldn’t mind having my work email available to me all of the time. However, the most important reason for me getting a smart phone is the keypad. I’ve started texting a lot more lately, and hate doing so on my RAZR. I have to have a good, full QWERTY keypad.
Well, you need to clarify what’s important to you.
First, Windows Mobile for Smart Phones is very stable (get the latest version WM6.1).
Do you want to sync with Outlook? I would imagine so, as not only can you get your email, but also all the contacts list, calendar, tasks, etc. You can also view documents, spreadsheets, etc (but on a smartphone, it’s a pretty dang small screen to be viewing things). Again, having all your Outlook stuff is great and it’s also an automatic back up.
Apple iPhone isn’t a smart phone really. It’s got a virtual keyboard and a touch screen so it’s more like a pocket PC. Do you want an iPod with a phone attached? If you’re going to look at pocket PC’s then you need a different list to compare with.
Suggest you play wiht the keyboards and see what feels better for you. I have the Blackjack 1. Nice lightweight device that I use on business trips to Hong Kong. (Personally, I need a pocket pc and use the Blackjack for the local HK Sim card for local calls. Having all my Outlook stuff synch’d is very useful.)
It’s widely believed that Apple will introduce a new version of the iPhone on June 9, so I recommend waiting until then to see if there’s anything really compelling.
The keyboard is easy to use and the applications run well. I moved from a Treo so I had to adjust to no touch screen, which not an issue you would have.
I run OneNote on my phone, and sync it up very easily with my laptop; I’ve taken pictures of diagrams with my phone, and synced them up with OneNote as well–I really do like this phone. I also sync with both Outlook (work email) and Gmail (personal email).
I won’t willingly use a non-QWERTY phone ever again.
I’ve got the BlackJackII and it’s like a gift from the heavens. I’ve not had one single problem with WM6. So far the only drawback is the need to purchase additonal memory and the fact that there aren’t many apps out there (like Pandora) that are configured for WM6 yet.
Man, it hasn’t been “the shizznit” since like, 2005 (3 years ago; aka a bazillion years in cell phone time). I wanted to burn mine when I finally got my iPhone.
I love my iPhone. It’s not PERFECT, but I don’t need it for serious business reasons. I don’t like most mobile versions of websites and the iPhone will give you the option of mobile or normal version if a site has both. My gmail is set up and I have it check for mail every 15 mins. It can open attachments, reply, use my contact info email addresses, etc.
Even if you got a current iPhone, there’s going to be a software upgrade in the next month, which I’m looking forward to. Some of the things that they missed will hopefully be upgraded, though I’m not sure*.
The deciding factor for me was the cheap data plan. I was torn between the iPhone and the Moto Q, but the data plan is $20/month for the iPhone and $40/month for the Q. Over a 2 year contract, that savings makes up for (and more) the higher cost of the iPhone.
I have a Blackberry Curve. I love it. Love the keyboard, love the feel and size, love the quality of the build, and love the reception. It is, however, my first non-basic phone, so…ymmv
I have an HTC Wizard or AT&T 8125, and I am a former Palm devotee. I like working with Windows Mobile over Palm OS any day of the week, and I desperately want the Tilt. If you’re on AT&T, they offer it for around $200 I think after contract renewal and such, so if you get it, I’m jealous.
That’s one of the nice things about the iPhone; that twenty bucks gets you what I believe is an unlimited data plan. It’s convinced me to get one, except I want to wait for the new version, so I hope the same deal will still be available.
I’m a Pocket PC fan mostly because I can open and edit MS Excel and other Office files on the go. I have the HTC Wizard and I would also love a Tilt. The Tilt’s keyboard is nicer.
You might not like the bulkiness compared to the phones you suggested, but IMHO the HTC phones are great.
If mobile browsing is your thing, you can’t beat the iPhone.
I was a Treo user for years and I was hesitant to switch to iPhone, considering how many apps I would lose. Then I went to the store and played with one.
You have to try it out. Go to an AT&T store or an Apple store and spend fifteen minutes playing with one and you will see why everyone loves it, even though it doesn’t do a zillion things (copy/paste is high on my gripe list).
The key thing is that, like in the Mac world, Apple does everything one simple way. If it matches your tastes, you will be overjoyed; if you wish to tweak, you might not be happy with it. The iPhone’s overall design (app suite and interface) may be “any color you like as long as it’s black” but it’s a very very good shade of black.
Like others have said, wait until the new one comes out to see if that’s the right one for you. Who knows — they might drop the price of the original one substantially.
Good advice and reasoning from all of you. Thanks, all, for that! I think I will wait until the new iPhone comes out next week and check that out. If it doesn’t strike me, I think I’ll go with the Blackjack II.
Please, feel free to keep commenting, though. I’ll post again once I make a decision.