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dbspringe... dbspringe...
 
M$5 January 02, 2009 06:27 PM

I need to get a web-capable phone for work, what should I do? (Please read details)

From the big man himself (jasoncalacanis):
"Everyone at Mahalo is required to have a web/email enabled phone like a blackberry, iphone, google phone, windows smartphone, etc. If you don't have one yet please get one online for the new year."

The problem: I still have a chump phone that doesn't do any fancy stuff--I need to upgrade.

My situation: I'm ~15 months through a two year contract with Verizon and I'm trying to decide if I should stick with Verizon or look for a way to get out of my contract and go with something else.

I've heard the new Blackberry Storm is pretty neat and I'd be able to stick with Verizon, but I'd like to hear from someone who has been using it (or is well versed in its reviews) and how the experience has been. Particularly, how is Verizon's web/data speed/reliability?

Alternately, if I end up breaking with Verizon, what should I do? I'm not too keen on the iPhone, but I've been eying the T Mobile G1.

Detailed, personal experience or well-sourced answers = best!
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mckoss mckoss
 
 January 02, 2009 08:38 PM
I think there are only 2 good choices:

- iPhone
- Google Android/G1

I was a long-time BlackBerry user (Pearl) on t-mobile. You are locked into a proprietary architecture with them - this is really a corporate/enterprise product. If you're connecting to Exchange Server at your work, then this would be an excellent choice (provided they support the Blackberry service).

I just switched to the G1 after considering an iPhone purchase. The main selling points for me were:

- Non-proprietary platform. Google is committed to an open platform with a level playing field for application developers. Contrast to Apple's proprietary controlled stack. Just as MS "won" the PC wars - I think Android will win the mobile platform war with this strategy.
- Lower fee structure. t-mobile data plans including text messaging are MUCH less expensive than iPhone plans (esp when a typical text messages plan is included). AT&T/Apple are trying to recoup the very high device costs by jacking up their monthly fees with the new 3G iPhone.

3G web access on the Android has been a pleasure. So much faster than the EDGE service I used with Blackberry/t-mobile. It's also great that you can switch to WiFi when I'm at home/work/coffee shop. Blackberry browsers are notoriously non-standards compliant - the Safari-based iPhone and G1 browsers will be much more compatible with more web sites.

BTW - The reviews of the BlackBerry Storm have bee REALLY BAD - especially with the ability to type using the on-screen keyboard. Beware! The G1 has the flip-out QWERTY keyboard, which has been generally really good to use.
Asker's Rating:
• Wow, really thoughtful advice and I appreciate the comments on getting out of contract! I think I might really look into getting out of Verizon and switching to T-Mobile for the G1.


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dbspringer dbspringer
 
January 02, 2009 08:46 PM
It seems like the reviews for the Storm have been all over the place. @spoon seems to think that after a recent update many of the problems have been fixed.

I reeeeally want to get a G1, but I'd have to find a way to break with my contract with Verizon, as I have to get a new phone ASAP. Any thoughts on getting out of a contract?

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mckoss mckoss
 
January 02, 2009 09:11 PM
Typical cost of getting out of contract is $200. Since you have 9 months left it's unlikely that you'll save anything by paring down your current phone plan to minimize your monthly charge (if you can strip features w/o extending your contract you'd still have to get it to under $22/month).

I would consider your $200 amortized over the life of your plan - you got 15 months out of it - so it only cost you $13/month.

BTW - since your employer is asking you to do this - why not ask him if he'll give you $200 toward your contract buyout to help you make the switch!

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vandal913 vandal913
 
January 02, 2009 06:49 PM
The attached image is a chart from Consumer Reports ranking smart phones. The Blackberry Storm is rated fourth, so it could be a good choice, but another Verizon smart phone, the MOTO Q, is actually rated higher and looks like it costs about half as much.

I use Consumer Reports reguarly before major purchases, whether it be a car, electronics, etc. Their information is very reliable!


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dbspringer dbspringer
 
January 02, 2009 06:54 PM
The MOTO Q looks interesting, but can you find me any good reviews?

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vandal913 vandal913
 
January 02, 2009 07:01 PM
Here's a review from CNET, a reputable online reviewer of electronics:

http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/motorola-q9c-sprint/4505-6452_7-32746402.html?tag=cnetfd.mt

While the phone they reviewed was technically through Sprint, it is still the same model that Verizon carries, so the information should be the same:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=3765

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xds xds
 
January 02, 2009 07:05 PM
If this is for mainly use with the MAHALO website I would definitely consider something with a thumboard like the G1.

The dash pro has just been released as well.

I myself would get a pearl flip but I have a little more experience with crackberries than the average person.

Then ofcoars there is the iPhone 3G , And now that a unlock solution has been released for it I would def. consider this as a option if you are used to touchscreens and/or own a MAC in general.




Good Luck in your search and don't forget.

You can't do this with a blackberry....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhCJq7EAJJA




And you can't do this with a iPhone...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PRfVKzuUJ4

Source(s):
My Brain.


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spoon spoon
 
January 02, 2009 07:34 PM
I can tell you from experience that the Storm is a great little device. I moved from the HTC 6700 windows mobile device on Verizon to the Storm the weekend it came out. There are little bugs (which is expected with any 1st gen device) but a recent update has fixed much of the problems I had with the Storm. After a very short time the touch screen seems to be easy to use, the features become a requirement for life and the “crackberry” name becomes completely understandable.

I think it is important to decide how important the service is to you before you decide to switch carriers. I have had great service with Verizon in the area’s that I tend to be, so switching (even though the iPhone is a great device) was not something I wanted to do.

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dbspringer dbspringer
 
January 02, 2009 07:55 PM
I'm a fan of Verizon's service, but I'm constantly frustrated by how the lock down their phones. The Storm comes with GPS, right? I've heard Verizon charges ~$10 a month to use it while the other providers let users have it for free. Is this true?

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xds xds
 
January 02, 2009 08:16 PM
I am also mad that verizon has such a strong stranglehold on what they allow with their network and their phones.

But you have to take the bad with the good sometimes.

Personally I would never use verizon simply because i have commercial contracts with other providers.
Not to mention the tight grip they wear like a flippin badge.

EDIT I:

Unfortunately the iPhone as of RIGHT NOW is simply NOT an option for me because of the lack of *native* A2DP support.

((Stereo Bluetooth))


EDIT II:

And unless either apple fixes the profile OR someone comes out with a case/charger/BT2.1(see icombi/Infinixx and others) option in a nice looking bundle...
I won't ever be buying a iPhone.

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markjeffre... markjeffre...
 
January 02, 2009 08:14 PM
The original iPhone is not a bad deal -- $199 for the handset, and then contract with AT&T is about $120 / month (unlimited data, etc.)

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dbspringer dbspringer
 
January 02, 2009 08:51 PM
I just can't get myself to care about the iPhone (I was the same way w/ the iPod for a while). Maybe after they sweeten the pot after a few more releases I'd be interested.

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jasoncalac... jasoncalac...
 
January 02, 2009 08:28 PM
You can't go wrong with a blackberry. They are rock solid devices that are AMAZING for email and very good for surfing the web.

iPhone are AMAZING for surfing the web and OK for email.

That's the basic rub: one is good for email, one is good for surfing the web. That's why I have two.

You can always upgrade your plan and get refunded/credited the difference... in fact, these carriers want you to to that so you can reset your plan. Essentially you're spreading out the cost of the phone when you get a plan like this.

Blackberry Pearl's are cute little devices, but I've been rocking the Curve since it is has a full keyboard, great camera, great web and now video.

Blackberry is a great device to have since Mahalo Answers obviously leverages email--and will more so in the future.

Verizon seems to be giving away the Pearl for $19.99! There is some big rebate program going on!

http://img.skitch.com/20090102-rwwwkehxefdfud76qm342x6ktw.png


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xds xds
 
January 02, 2009 08:41 PM - New Source
I agree , go for the pearl or pearl flip if its available.

If you are going to be typing away a blackberry is the easiest solution to WPM.


EDIT:

Or you could even get the storm on verizon's network and hope someone releases a hack for the shenztech mini SDIO WMSD-MT5911N card to allow for 802.11*g* WiFi access.

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dbspringer dbspringer
 
January 02, 2009 08:52 PM
The Pearl is the blackberry w/ two letters to each key, right? Ugh, I tried playing around with my friend's a while ago and it drove me nuts! Preferably I'd like to have something with a full 1:1 qwerty keyboard.

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xds xds
 
January 02, 2009 08:56 PM
You could always get a portable fold up keyboard if it drives you that nuts, they come small enough to fit into your pocket now.

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dbspringer dbspringer
 
January 02, 2009 09:01 PM
@xds true, but I *really* don't want to lug around a million little devices to make the *one* device I care about work like it should. Plus, have you ever seen someone use one of those plugin devices? TOOLSVILLE, USA.

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xds xds
 
January 02, 2009 09:10 PM
Yes FYI i have I own 2 keysboards one from stoaway and one from T.O. they run on 3 standard AAA batteries and I don't need to keep it with me everywhere i go. Just between corp. hours.

So writing a e-mail or a forum post isn't a chore.


As a matter of fact I wish palm would have released the foleo, I would be much better off than I am right now.

If you don't want to lug around a keyboard pickup a older blackberry with a larger thumboard and work your way up.

I have *4*, yes _4_ 7290's myself and couldn't do business without them.

If the original pearl wasn't to your liking atleast go into a store and checkout the pearl flip.

For all of our sakes. :P

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mckoss mckoss
 
January 02, 2009 09:12 PM
I agree - even as a long time Perl user, typing on it can be very frustrating. Their SureType technology works well *most* of the time - but when it doesn't, typing comes to a crawl.

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xds xds
 
January 02, 2009 09:20 PM
Also keep in mind no other phone your going to buy is built with Military 810F Specs. Including the iPhone.

Blackberries can survive everything from a drop in the toilet to the pulse of a nuclear blast.

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mckoss mckoss
 
January 02, 2009 09:21 PM
One more thing. Since Jason is requiring this of his employees I think he should be offering to pay at least for *part* of your phone plan (I would).

But even if he doesn't, you may be able to save money on your taxes by itemizing your deductions and including the added expense as "employee expense deductions". Unfortunately, there is a high deductible so you'd have to round up more than just your phone bill into your expenses to get a benefit.

http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2007/01/employeetaxopedia.html

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xds xds
 
January 02, 2009 09:25 PM
you're* damnit you're*

I really wish this edit button was more user friendly :-/

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xds xds
 
January 02, 2009 09:31 PM
@mckoss , Who says he isn't ?
The best thing to do would be to be put on a commercial contract threw the provider that has the best coverage in the surrounding area. And then everyone just pitches in for the phone themselves.

I have seen companies save tons of money this way, you just need to get intouch with you're (thank you /me takes bow) local service providers PR rep and see what they can do to work with you. Not only getting exposure for their service but getting you a great deal for you're business in the long run.

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jasoncalac... jasoncalac...
 
January 02, 2009 10:59 PM
McKoss: wish we could pay for everyone's home computer, mobile phone, and high-speed internet at home, but that's not how startup companies work. If you're a chef you need to own your knives and if you're at a startup you need to own your gadgets. The folks at Mahalo need to keep up with what the customers have (i.e. our top users have smartphones and so do 2/3rds of our staff already). I just need the stragglers to catch up and join the year 2006. :-)

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johnsonaar... johnsonaar...
 
January 02, 2009 08:51 PM
This isn't really an answer to your question, but it's a personal review of the Q you requested. I've had the Moto Q9m (second revision of the Q) on Sprint's network for almost a year now. I really like it. I've got a great employee line leftover from working for RadioShack so I'm locked in to keep the great rate (think $25/mo for unlimited service)

I love my Q. The mobile browser with IE is ONLY acceptable with mobile sites, and it likes twitter.com works pretty well too. Skyfire mobile browser is AWESOME and gives the desktop experience on the phone.

I've yet to find a good twitter client for the phone, but using the mobile browser and twitter.com works well. The sprint service is good for where I live (Denver Metro) and the EVDO service is rocking! I moved into a new apartment and the phone was my only source of internet while waiting for Comcast and I was pushing 700kbs download and 50kbps upload pretty frequently.

I still envy the iPhone and G1 a bit, but I hear battery life's not that great (or at least that's what I tell myself as I cry myself to sleep)

The Q is a good phone, that meets your requirements, but it doesn't go above and beyond.

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dbspringer dbspringer
 
January 02, 2009 08:55 PM
Hmm... the big man kinda makes it sound like we ought to get something that's a little more "cutting edge" than Q provides. The more state-of-the-art web-phone experience, the better, methinks.

Thanks for the great writeup on personal experience though!

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johnsonaar... johnsonaar...
 
January 02, 2009 09:14 PM
Yea, it's definitely not the "cutting edge" anymore, but it does all the basics. Good enough for me although it can't do Answers :-(

I'm waiting for a google phone for sprint.

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xds xds
 
January 02, 2009 10:13 PM - New Source
Skyfire kicks the crap out of anything available on WinMo

http://www.SkyFire.com

Best of all SkyFire is based on XUL and a child of the Mozilla Foundation !

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ctmiller ctmiller
 
January 02, 2009 09:21 PM
Personally, I'm a fan of the T-Mobile G1. It's not a media-friendly as an iPhone, but I dig it for the integration with Google, the built-in full keyboard, and the fact that's it's open. Since it's all Java-based, there's a low barrier to entry if you want to start coding for it. Also, I found the cost of the data plan to be more reasonable ($35/month for unlimited transfer).

My review:
http://www.unquietdesperation.com/2008/12/03/thoughts-on-the-g1/

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jasoncalac... jasoncalac...
 
January 02, 2009 11:04 PM
I think the G-Phone is going places... the open nature of it will make it take off i believe. plus we have a ton of iphone and blackberry users at mahalo alredy.

wondering how the various applications we build will flow from platform to platform.

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