I need a new cell phone
So I’ve decided I need a new cell phone. My functional requirements are the following:
- qwerty keyboard
- must grab various email accounts (POP3 Gmail & Yahoo, as well as hotmail).
- web browser
- SMS text messaging capabilities
- speakerphone
- bluetooth enabled
- unlimited nights and weekends
- minimum peak minutes (~500/mo)
- about $60 a month total
I’ve been thinking about a couple of options. One is the yet-to-be-released Motorola Q (aka the “razrberry”).
Unfortunately, this won’t be expected to hit stores until Q1 2006, which might be a bit long to wait. It also runs on the Microsoft PPC operating system, which I don’t particularly care for. it’s also not clear who’ll be carrying this device in the United States, and so waiting for this could be a bit of a crap shoot.
I’ve also thought about getting a Blackberry:
While the Blackberry doesn’t come with a speakerphone, it does meet all the other requirements. Blackberry is the de facto standard for working professionals, and have a reputation for being reliable, making it more appealing. In addition, they are durable, capable of withstanding more punishment than the metal-casing alternatives (e.g. Treo).
In addition, T-mobile has an unlimited data plan available for $19.99/mo, making this even more attractive. The unlimited data plan must be combined with a regular calling plan (they start at $40/mo). Alternately, t-mobile offers a standalone unlimited data plan for $30/mo, and charges calls placed at $.20/minute.
The problem as I see it is that my current wireless carrier, Cingular, has continually renewed my contract each time I’ve upgraded a phone throughout the years. My current contract isn’t scheduled to expire until March 2006, and Cingular imposes a $200 early cancellation fee. So switching providers now seems like a waste of money, even though it makes some sense in the long run.
Should I choose to upgrade my phone through Cingular prior to 3/06, they’ll impose a $50 “exception upgrade” fee. And to the best of my knowledge, their unlimited data rate plans start at about $40/mo before you add the mandatory calling plan.
If you know about a calling plan that makes sense, or if you have some insight on these phones or know of other phones I should consider, please leave a comment.
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I swear, absolutely swear by my Treo 650. I have cingular, so the data plan pricing is ridiculous, but it does everything else you want. It has the best looking SMS program I’ve ever seen, and of course in cludes Bluetooth and a web browser. I had a Treo 600 before, and I’m finding new little enhancements they threw in there every day. They fixed problems I didn’t even realize I had with my old Treo, and they seem to care about the smallest details in the OS.
The Treo 650 has all the features you are looking for. I have mine through Earthlink and pay approximately $78 a month (includes a $7.00 plan for all my text messaging, $40.00 for 500 minutes, and $19.99 for unlimited data).
haven’t stopped by here in a while - looking good!
the only thing my Sidekick doesn’t have that you’re looking for is Bluetooth, and so far, I haven’t needed it.
i have 600 minutes, plus unlimited nights and weekends, and POP3 service for up to 3 additional accounts (including GMail).
i know you’ve seen it already, but stop by SD and check it out. Mike Shaw has one now, too!
I just picked up a Treo 600 on ebay. Haven’t recieved it yet. It doesn’t have wifi, but I was looking to replace my 2 month old sharp zaurus with something that didn’t ‘forget’ my todo and calendar lists. I decided that though linux PIM management is great that palm os is more stable and fits my needs just fine. It’s ‘unlocked’ so I can use it with any service, and it came with some extra goodies too.
i when to new phone in t- mobile
So, what phone did you end up getting?
None yet… Still deciding…