Forums | MacLife

Bren · 2009-05-20 8:06 am

Hello,

I need some advice from any cell-phone mavens out there. It's time for me to replace my Nokia 6620 with a new AT&T smart phone, but I find the choices a bit bewildering.

First of all, I refuse to own an iPhone, so please don't suggest such a thing.

Now then, which of the remaining choices are the best?

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that those idiots at AT&T are finally carrying a Symbian Series 60 phone again, the Nokia E71x. I'm concerned, however, that the little four-way control button thingy might be a bit flimsy and not hold up to the kind of punishment I'd subject it to during videogaming sessions. Also, I'm not sure how I feel about the relatively small screen. That it's not a touch screen probably doesn't matter to me, though.

I think I might like the HTC Fuze, but it is pricey.

I'm very curious about the supposedly ruggedized Motorola and Samsung phones they offer, but those aren't smart phones. However, non-smart phones seem to have a lot of smart-phonish features these days. Anybody have an opinion or input regarding what smart phone features I'd be giving up if I went with a Tundra or a Rugby?

I suppose it would be good to mention what I do with my current phone:

Cruising the Web and text messaging, obviously.

I very much like having a call-recorder that doesn't beep to alert the sucker with whom I'm conversing to the fact that they're being recorded.

Having a camera that can capture good, long video clips is a must.

I really like being able to run eeMAME on my phone, and videogames in general.

Oh yeah, I also occasionally use my phone for making phone calls. Occasionally.

Thank you in advance for your guidance in this matter.

Last edited by Bren (2009-05-20 8:07 am)

mrreet2001 · 2009-05-20 1:09 pm

iphone hands down tongue

Bren · 2009-05-20 6:20 pm

Remember, being able to capture nice, long video files is a must. I vaguely recall hearing something about the next gen iPhone being able to capture video, but I'm sure AT&T would charge a whole lot more for that thing than the $18 upgrade fee they'd charge me if I went against my principles and got the current iPhone.

USS Promethius · 2009-05-20 11:34 pm

I would say wait until June-ish, when Apple will unveil new models to see if they fit your fancy.

My $0.02

Bren · 2009-05-21 6:50 pm

I can't wait. My current phone is having major problems and it's just all wore out. Plus, I already bought into the lie that the original iPhone was worth waiting for. It wasn't, and I don't intend to get my hopes up again.

dv · 2009-05-22 10:13 am

You know, I went out on a limb and got a phone with a camera in it, which sort of supports some smartphone features...

My next phone will be the kind with big buttons and no display. smurf this.

WhirlinGraphics · 2009-05-26 9:31 pm

Only thing constructive I can add is to make sure you are aware of Sascha Segan at PC Mag?

http://www.pcmag.com/products/0,,qn=Phones+ATT,00.asp

Bren · 2009-05-27 8:35 am

"Sascha Segan?"

Is she, like, some hawt European girl who posts videos about new cell phones or something?

gd · 2009-05-29 3:18 am

Maybe there is an app for video capturing from the iphone. If not there should be and that means they are committing false advertising. There's an app for that. Why don't you just buy any digital camera since you don't care how mediocre the quality of the video is.

Last edited by gd (2009-05-29 3:20 am)

Bren · 2009-05-29 4:22 pm

Because, like most people, I'm not in the habit of carrying a digital camera around with me everywhere I go. My cell phone, on the other hand, is permanently glued to my hand. Having a phone that captures videos really comes in handy (no pun, really) when the unexpected and wonderful happens. Why, half of my body of work on YouTube wouldn't even exist were it not for my ability to whip out the old cell phone and capture some shaky, poorly-aimed, low-rez video with my thumb covering half the lens.

Bren · 2009-05-29 4:25 pm

Whatchyall think of the Samsung Epix? It's cheaper and faster than the HTC Fuze. So fast, in fact (624 mhz!), that if it was any quicker, it'd be a netbook.

Bren · 2009-06-02 9:51 am

Help me out, people! I'm torn between the Fuze and the Epix.

The Epix has got that insanely fast processor, but the Fuze has nearly twice the RAM, 288mb versus the Epix's 150mb, and a 640 by 480 screen, versus the Epix's 320 by 320.

Still, according to the reviews, the Epix is way better at streaming video, and I don't trust the Fuze's slider mechanism not to break.

Surely somebody here must have some opinion?

nayrk · 2009-06-08 10:21 am

I've seen more users than not end up frustrated with slider phones in general. Having had the w580i and the w760a from Sony I'm bound to agree.

I would go with the Epix. ... or the Sony Xperia X1... even though its a slider... blush

Last edited by nayrk (2009-06-08 10:23 am)

Bren · 2009-06-09 2:57 pm

Aw, damn it! Now Apple had to go and add copy-and-paste and a damned video camera and a friggin' faster processor. Damn it, Apple, why you gotta complicate everything for me?

And I just phoned AT&T, and got one of those rare customer service reps who actually sounded like a competent person with a brain who understood and addressed all of my questions! I'd think maybe I accidentally dialed the wrong number, but he was able to pull up my account info, so I guess it musta really been them.

He assured me that, contrary to what I'd been lead to believe, there is no difference in the monthly cost between an iPhone data plan and the data plan I'd need for an Epix.

So...

Three questions that I forgot to axe the guy...

1) Is it true that you can't get insurance on an iPhone, 'cause they're dear enough that nobody wants to risk having to foot the bill if one gets lost or broken?

2) That whole thing about having to "jail-break" an iPhone in order to be able to install programs not officially sanctioned by Apple... That is just a big, elaborate, ongoing practical joke, right? I mean, in this day and age, the most innovative consumer tech company in the world couldn't possibly, really be imposing such monopolistic, fascistic control on their valued customers, could they? Surely if I got an iPhone, I'd be free to install any software on it that I wanted to, regardless of where it came from, and this would require no hacking on my part, yes?

3) Does the damned thing have Flash on it yet? Or at least the ability to watch YouTube videos inside an HTML browser? 'Cause when I watch YouTube videos, I want to watch them on the real YouTube Web site, not on the stupid, dumbed-down, feature-deprived, iPhone YouTube app. Can I do this?

Damn you, Apple!

I feel just like so many of my fellow indoctrinees did when we went through The Landmark Forum's EST-derived four-day cult recruitment/personal empowerment seminar: The Kool Aid looks real good, and you are thirsty, and you really would like to drink that Kool Aid, but...

There are these little doubts.

I love you Steve, but that doesn't mean you don't remind me of Werner.

WhirlinGraphics · 2009-06-10 12:29 pm

1) Don't know, I self insure and take care of my shiny gadgets.

2) Nope.

3) Still the same as far as I know.

In summary: I'm sure the Samsung Epix has some major downfalls as well? wink

Bren · 2009-06-10 1:54 pm

Well when I was playing with it at the AT&T store, the YouTube video I watched seemed kinda blurry at times, as if the picture wasn't refreshing quickly enough, so there were tracers or ghost images left behind by moving objects. Don't know quite what that's called. This was much better than the HTC Fuze, though, which simply refused to display YouTube's videos. Everything else on the YouTube pages came right up, but no videos, and no explanation. I know this is something the Fuze can do, but it's not very impressive that it couldn't just do it.

Another thing about the Epix that was less than impressive was the slowness with which the Ms. Pac Man demo ran. You'd expect one of the fastest processors ever put in a phone to do better.

On the bright side, the Epix has a tiny, little track pad (they call in an optical mouse for some reason) that works beautifully. It's the nicest, most natural, best working way that I've seen so far of getting your pointer to move around the screen. Much better than actually having to touch the screen with your finger, though that is an option.

The biggest cause for concern is that the Epix is, of course, a Windows device. It's got Windows Mobile Professional, so there's now Mickey-Mousing around with lightweight consumer crap, but still...

Despite the Kool Aid factor and its now shorter list of shortcomings, the fact that the iPhone is an Apple product does factor heavily in any prediction I'd make regarding the likelihood of technical issues and the quality of the ownership experience. You just assume a certain level of goodness with Apple, the same way you would with Rolls Royce or Rolex.

WhirlinGraphics · 2009-06-11 12:21 am

Bren wrote:
Much better than actually having to touch the screen with your finger,...

This is where you lost me.

Bren wrote:
The biggest cause for concern is that the Epix is, of course, a Windows device. It's got Windows Mobile Professional, so there's now Mickey-Mousing around with lightweight consumer crap, but still...

Run Forest, RUN! eek

nayrk · 2009-06-16 7:50 am

Bren wrote:
Aw, damn it! Now Apple had to go and add copy-and-paste and a damned video camera and a friggin' faster processor. Damn it, Apple, why you gotta complicate everything for me?

And I just phoned AT&T, and got one of those rare customer service reps who actually sounded like a competent person with a brain who understood and addressed all of my questions! I'd think maybe I accidentally dialed the wrong number, but he was able to pull up my account info, so I guess it musta really been them.

He assured me that, contrary to what I'd been lead to believe, there is no difference in the monthly cost between an iPhone data plan and the data plan I'd need for an Epix.

So...

Three questions that I forgot to axe the guy...

1) Is it true that you can't get insurance on an iPhone, 'cause they're dear enough that nobody wants to risk having to foot the bill if one gets lost or broken?

2) That whole thing about having to "jail-break" an iPhone in order to be able to install programs not officially sanctioned by Apple... That is just a big, elaborate, ongoing practical joke, right? I mean, in this day and age, the most innovative consumer tech company in the world couldn't possibly, really be imposing such monopolistic, fascistic control on their valued customers, could they? Surely if I got an iPhone, I'd be free to install any software on it that I wanted to, regardless of where it came from, and this would require no hacking on my part, yes?

3) Does the damned thing have Flash on it yet? Or at least the ability to watch YouTube videos inside an HTML browser? 'Cause when I watch YouTube videos, I want to watch them on the real YouTube Web site, not on the stupid, dumbed-down, feature-deprived, iPhone YouTube app. Can I do this?

Damn you, Apple!

I feel just like so many of my fellow indoctrinees did when we went through The Landmark Forum's EST-derived four-day cult recruitment/personal empowerment seminar: The Kool Aid looks real good, and you are thirsty, and you really would like to drink that Kool Aid, but...

There are these little doubts.

I love you Steve, but that doesn't mean you don't remind me of Werner.

1 - AT&T /ensurion (the cell phone insuracne company... i think that is their name) does not offer insurance. However you can buy Apple Care for the iPhone... kind of a similar deal. Luckly you deal with Apple instead of two horrbile CS companies.

2 - You can install anything from the AppStore, and while that suits the needs of most people (myself included) some things aren't sanctioned by apple... and thus there is the JailBreaking scene. Idk how vibrant it is... but it does exist. I wouldn't recommend it.. .as it tends to void Apple Warrenty... but since its software based as long as you can wipe your phone w/iTunes you might be OK.

3 - Flash is still a nogo, but apparently still in development. If you must have flash check out the Samsung Instinct (i think it is.. it has flash and works pretty well).

You can watch YouTube from the browser... although email links and such open up in the YouTube App.

---

Sometimes the bluryness is just do to the fact its YouTube... but i've had hit and miss quality with the videos... but i normally don't watch em.

For me as i've said before I'd need the Xperia X1 if I were to go WinMo.

Bren · 2009-06-16 6:21 pm

A good friend of mine is trying to convince me to go with the Samsung Impression, which is not a smart phone, and she makes a very compelling argument:

Unlimited texting would be free under my family's plan, and unlimited data would be just ten bucks a month, whereas with an iPhone or any smart phone, the texting wouldn't be covered by the family plan, and would cost twenty bucks a month, and unlimited data would be thirty bucks a month instead of ten.

So that's a fifty dollar per month penalty just for sending the exact, same messages and viewing the exact, same Web sites and videos on a smart phone. That's seriously unfair, and a huge rip-off.

AT&T's terms of use on their Web site state that if they determine that you're using an iPhone with your account that you bought somewhere else and didn't tell them about, all those smart-phone-penalty fees will be applied. I would assume they have similar verbiage to cover any unlocked smart phones you may happen to acquire, but I wonder...

If I bought a smart phone outright from some source other than AT&T and started using it with my account, how would they know it was a smart phone? Just on principle, it seems consumers should do everything they possibly can to get around AT&T's smart phone penalty.

knobtwirler · 2009-06-16 11:19 pm

So if I get a new iPhone, and give my old iPhone to my friend who has AT&T and puts a regular phone SIM card in it, what exactly happens? We all go to the principal's office?

Bren · 2009-06-16 11:45 pm

I'm not sure that it's as easy as just swapping SIM cards. To be able to use a phone with an account, you may need to also call your carrier, give them your phone's IMEI number, and tell them you want it to be "activated."

At that point, they've got you, 'cause the IMEI number more than likely identifies what kind of phone it is.

I don't know this for sure, but it's quite likely.

sturner · 2009-06-17 9:00 am

Bren wrote:
I'm not sure that it's as easy as just swapping SIM cards. To be able to use a phone with an account, you may need to also call your carrier, give them your phone's IMEI number, and tell them you want it to be "activated."

At that point, they've got you, 'cause the IMEI number more than likely identifies what kind of phone it is.

I don't know this for sure, but it's quite likely.

Other than they can, why should the phone company care which phone you use if you pay for your account usage, and it is compatible with their system?

Bren · 2009-06-17 7:11 pm

'Cause they're lookin' to stick it to you any way they can. Just like that airline that was thinkin' about charging people for the privilege of using the bathroom.

WhirlinGraphics · 2009-06-18 4:42 pm

Andy Ihnatko's iPhone 3Gs review.

Bren · 2009-06-19 9:53 pm

Bren wrote:
I'm not sure that it's as easy as just swapping SIM cards. To be able to use a phone with an account, you may need to also call your carrier, give them your phone's IMEI number, and tell them you want it to be "activated."

At that point, they've got you, 'cause the IMEI number more than likely identifies what kind of phone it is.

I don't know this for sure, but it's quite likely.

Well a friend of mine just received her new Samsung Impression that she ordered directly from AT&T, and she didn't need to phone them with her IMEI number or anything. She simply slipped her current SIM card into the new phone, and it just worked.

So there's that. Don't know if it'd be as easy with a phone that wasn't ordered directly from AT&T, but it might be.

Forums | MacLife

#1 2009-05-20 8:06 am

Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#2 2009-05-20 1:09 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#3 2009-05-20 6:20 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#4 2009-05-20 11:34 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#5 2009-05-21 6:50 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#6 2009-05-22 10:13 am

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#7 2009-05-26 9:31 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#8 2009-05-27 8:35 am

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#9 2009-05-29 3:18 am

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#10 2009-05-29 4:22 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#11 2009-05-29 4:25 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#12 2009-06-02 9:51 am

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#13 2009-06-08 10:21 am

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#14 2009-06-09 2:57 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#15 2009-06-10 12:29 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#16 2009-06-10 1:54 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#17 2009-06-11 12:21 am

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

Bren wrote:

Bren wrote:

#18 2009-06-16 7:50 am

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

Bren wrote:

#19 2009-06-16 6:21 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#20 2009-06-16 11:19 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#21 2009-06-16 11:45 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#22 2009-06-17 9:00 am

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

Bren wrote:

#23 2009-06-17 7:11 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#24 2009-06-18 4:42 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

#25 2009-06-19 9:53 pm

Re: Which AT&T Smart Phone should I buy, and why?

Bren wrote:

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