Smartphones

[Andrew]

Any smartphone users out there? If so, what are you using and why?

Just curious to hear some different opinions, as there seem to be some techy types on these forums. I'm about to upgrade (from a 3+ year old Nokia), and have been internally debating iPhone4 vs. Android for a while.

As with most of their products, the iPhone is the simplest out-of-the-box solution, with a great selection of apps. While being a Mac user, however, I'm a little annoyed with Apple's stance on Flash, and restrictions on how apps are written, and what types of apps are approved.

Android is a platform that I've been fairly keen on, but until yesterday there haven't been any Android phones available in Canada that can compete with the iPhone. With the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant (Bell), and the HTC Desire (Telus), there are finally a couple of viable options.

I was leaning towards the Galaxy S, but played with one in the store yesterday and wasn't sold. The screen is nothing less than stunning, however the frame is somewhat bulky and in a hard plastic shell that makes it look and feel kind of cheap. If I'm going to sign a 3 year deal, I want a phone that looks durable enough to last that long. It's also lacking in a flash, and with a custom UI who knows when it'll update to the newest version of Android - and subsequent versions after that.

My heart says Android, but the latest available Android handset in Canada still isn't up to snuff when compared with the latest iPhone, so I'll probably go with the latter.

[franko]

I have a Nokia E71 . . . not many apps with Nokia as you would well know.

am also looking ahead at an upgrade and just can't wrap myself around an IPhone . . . and everyone and his dog has a BlackBerry around here.

I'm a Rogers customer and they have the Galaxy as well, and I agree with you . . . it just didn't have it [I've atarted the search for my next phone as well].

I liked the heft of the E71 and would love to get something of the sort next time but think I'll be out of luck . . . and probably follow your lead. keep us up to date [if RS came up with a Habs app I'd probably even look at an Iphone (did I just say that?)].

[Andrew]

Aug 7, 2010 18:14:44 GMT -5 franko said:

I'm a Rogers customer and they have the Galaxy as well, and I agree with you . . . it just didn't have it [I've atarted the search for my next phone as well].

I liked the heft of the E71 and would love to get something of the sort next time but think I'll be out of luck . . . and probably follow your lead. keep us up to date [if RS came up with a Habs app I'd probably even look at an Iphone (did I just say that?)].

I'll keep you posted for sure. I may take another look at the Galaxy S Vibrant, but have pretty much decided on the iphone4 (unless I get impatient waiting for supply to arrive).

Which Samsung Galaxy did you look at? Rogers is currently selling an older 'Galaxy Spica' (according to their website), which I agree is rather unimpressive. The newer Galaxy S line features a few variations (Vibrant, Captivate, and perhaps more). Looks like the Captivate is coming out on Rogers soon, so it might be worth a look.

redboard.rogers.com/2010/samsung-galaxy-s-captivate-coming-soon-to-rogers/

[Cranky]

I'm interested in this conversation because very soon, I need to have internet access for data transfer and video surveillance. As much as I hate supporting Apple, they seem to be the only way to go....although nobody has sat down and proven to me that it will work.

One thing I know is that the best time to get deals is around Christmas and I'm expecting Santa to be real nice.

[Polarice]

I had a Blackberry for the last 5 years now, different models of course, never had any problems with them, so I'll probably stick with Blackberry and upgrade to the torch.

[blny]

I've got a Curve for work. It's not flashy, but does the job. BBM is a great feature. Free communication between other BBM users.

[CrocRob]

iPhone 3G here, likely upgrade to iPhone 4 come October or so. The biggest drawbacks have been the closed app store and lack of multitasking, so I jailbroke it to enable those things. Now iOS 4 supports multitasking natively and is just about twice the phone that mine is.

I'm curious about Android. I'm not a Mac user and not beholden to Apple products, so if it's a better solution then I'd like to hear about it. I can't see myself buying a Blackberry. In my eyes it's a dying breed and they're falling behind from a consumer standpoint. Unless you're using the secure email, or desperate to use BBM I just don't see the benefit.

As for deals, if you're going to get an iPhone4 and don't currently have a data package, Rogers is offering their 6GB plan for $30, but it won't be around come the holidays. It'll end sometime in September. Mind you, if you're a light to even medium user, you can probably get away with less but since 500 MB is $25, 6GB at that price is a steal.

[franko]

I've been overpaying Rogers for data for the past 2 years. I just don't use it, but it was either pay for the phone up front or pay for the data so I chose the data.

whatever phone I wind up with next time [think my plan runs out next year though they're offering me an early upgrade to the IPhone for $150] it has to have a QWERTY keyboard.

remember when people had cell phones to call one another?

[Cranky]

Aug 9, 2010 10:35:59 GMT -5 franko said:

I've been overpaying Rogers for data for the past 2 years. I just don't use it, but it was either pay for the phone up front or pay for the data so I chose the data.

whatever phone I wind up with next time [think my plan runs out next year though they're offering me an early upgrade to the IPhone for $150] it has to have a QWERTY keyboard.

remember when people had cell phones to call one another?

I just got a cell phone a couple of years ago and just as I was getting used to figuring out which end to flip open, now the've up and changed it. Pffft....

[HABsurd]

Having used the 3 major platforms I would rank iphone over android over blackberry. The iphone os is just smoother, more responsive and better thought out. However, if you are heavily reliant on google apps (and especially google voice which, alas, is not available in Canada) then that might factor into your consideration.

However, if getting laid is more important to you than smartphone features you might wish to consider the following.

Data is provided from the okcupid dating website.

[/quote]

Attachments:

[franko]

is this phone sex or the real mccoy?

[Yossarian]

For those that are out of contract, and looking to get a smartphone, I just extorted Bell for a free Iphone 3G. I was on an old talk-only plan, about $45/month, with everything else extra.

I was all set to go to Telus and go with an HTC/Android phone, and made one last call to Bell to beat the offer and was hooked up to the retention dept, aka the "We'll lick you if you stay" dept.

They gave me a 3 year $45/month package with increased talk (250/month), unlimited text, 500 MB data, including voice mail and call display (bell charges $12 extra to regular subscribers for these extras, whereas Telus include the V.M). They gave me the 8 GB "refreshed" Iphone, with a full warranty, which I was only too happy to take. I asked for the 16 GB, but they didn't have a refreshed phone in stock anymore!! ;D In two days, they delivered it to me. For the same price as my old plan I got all the extras plus a free Iphone 3G.

R.S., what is "jailbreak"? The new OS is available for free for 3G and 3Gs owners, with multitasking available on the 3Gs.

[HABsurd]

Aug 10, 2010 18:42:43 GMT -5 franko said:

is this phone sex or the real mccoy?

The real thing. Maybe it has something to do with Apple's (unlike Android) blocking of all porn related apps?

[HABsurd]

Aug 10, 2010 18:55:04 GMT -5 Yossarian said:

R.S., what is "jailbreak"? The new OS is available for free for 3G and 3Gs owners, with multitasking available on the 3Gs.

Jailbreaking allows you to install applications that have not been approved by Apple. For example, a useful app is mywi which you can use to enable tethering with a computer.

[Cranky]

Aug 11, 2010 10:44:27 GMT -5 HABsurd said:

Aug 10, 2010 18:55:04 GMT -5 Yossarian said:

R.S., what is "jailbreak"? The new OS is available for free for 3G and 3Gs owners, with multitasking available on the 3Gs.

Jailbreaking allows you to install applications that have not been approved by Apple. For example, a useful app is mywi which you can use to enable tethering with a computer.

Ohh....jailBREAK. For a second I thought he said jailBAIT. I was getting all excited to sign up......

[Andrew]

Thanks for all of the insights. I did finally get my iPhone 4 last week and am very happy with it. Despite my annoyances over some of Apple's decisions, in terms of usability - like all of their other products - it's very stable and intuitive.

Thanks for the tip on the 6GB data plan RS. It turns out that Bell is also offering the same deal, which I took them up on. That much data is probably overkill for even power-users, but it's nice to have. I've been listening to a lot of streaming radio, and it's nice to have the piece of mind that I don't ever have to worry about going over.

One happy discovery that I made is that the Google Sync allows me to synch all of my Google account data with my phone, using Exchange protocol. Gmail, contacts, and calendar are all pushed to my phone in real-time. www.google.com/mobile/sync/

[Disgruntled70sHab]

I know they're the a la mode kinda gig, but I don't know what I'd use a smartphone for to be honest.

I have a straight LG cell phone. I can access sports scores if I want to, but it costs me so much per internet page that comes up. I don't necessarily want a plan because other than Habs and Packer scores, I really don't have a use for the internet on my cell phone.

I've talked to iPhone users here at work and they all love their phones. Just one small story about iPhones. One of the systems I teach is DAGR. It's a new GPS system that can be used for either mounted or dismounted operations. I took one of the teachers from another section out for a dry run prior to teaching it to the students the next day. After we were done he showed me what an iPhone GPS was all about and I have to say I was extremely impressed. I don't know if he was using Google Maps or what the app was, but it was slick.

They have their advantages I reckon.

Cheers.

[CrocRob]

Aug 31, 2010 14:55:16 GMT -5 Disgruntled70sHab said:

I know they're the a la mode kinda gig, but I don't know what I'd use a smartphone for to be honest.

I have a straight LG cell phone. I can access sports scores if I want to, but it costs me so much per internet page that comes up. I don't necessarily want a plan because other than Habs and Packer scores, I really don't have a use for the internet on my cell phone.

I've talked to iPhone users here at work and they all love their phones. Just one small story about iPhones. One of the systems I teach is DAGR. It's a new GPS system that can be used for either mounted or dismounted operations. I took one of the teachers from another section out for a dry run prior to teaching it to the students the next day. After we were done he showed me what an iPhone GPS was all about and I have to say I was extremely impressed. I don't know if he was using Google Maps or what the app was, but it was slick.

They have their advantages I reckon.

Cheers.

For a phone, I have no reason to own an iPhone. However when I was looking to get a new phone I was also looking for a replacement mp3 player at the time. By purchasing the iphone I now have the phone, ipod, gps and mobile internet when hooked up to my computer (which I didn't use, but now use daily at work).

That being said, I dropped it a couple weeks ago which destroyed the camera and power button and now I'm looking at getting the new one (if stock ever arrives). They're a bit fragile for my liking, but since I'm eligible for upgrade the $159 price is reasonable.

[franko]

they keep bombarding me with the upgrade offer too . . . but I like the heft and feel of the E71 so I'm going to keep it for a bit longer . . . no apps, though . . . just GPS and MP3 really

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Sept 1, 2010 10:23:15 GMT -5 CrocRob said:

Aug 31, 2010 14:55:16 GMT -5 Disgruntled70sHab said:

I know they're the a la mode kinda gig, but I don't know what I'd use a smartphone for to be honest.

I have a straight LG cell phone. I can access sports scores if I want to, but it costs me so much per internet page that comes up. I don't necessarily want a plan because other than Habs and Packer scores, I really don't have a use for the internet on my cell phone.

I've talked to iPhone users here at work and they all love their phones. Just one small story about iPhones. One of the systems I teach is DAGR. It's a new GPS system that can be used for either mounted or dismounted operations. I took one of the teachers from another section out for a dry run prior to teaching it to the students the next day. After we were done he showed me what an iPhone GPS was all about and I have to say I was extremely impressed. I don't know if he was using Google Maps or what the app was, but it was slick.

They have their advantages I reckon.

Cheers.

For a phone, I have no reason to own an iPhone. However when I was looking to get a new phone I was also looking for a replacement mp3 player at the time. By purchasing the iphone I now have the phone, ipod, gps and mobile internet when hooked up to my computer (which I didn't use, but now use daily at work).

That being said, I dropped it a couple weeks ago which destroyed the camera and power button and now I'm looking at getting the new one (if stock ever arrives). They're a bit fragile for my liking, but since I'm eligible for upgrade the $159 price is reasonable.

I think it's probably a good fit for you then, Red. You definitely have a use for the apps.

I also think the upgrade seems to be a very reasonable at that price given how much it would cost to make repairs (unless the warranty is still good).

Me? Well, if I had a use for an iphone I'd get one. I'd probably like to have an internet package, but for what I'd use if for the upgraded bundle wouldn't be worth my while. Besides, I'm on HabsRus enough as it is

Cheers.

[Skilly]

I went phone shopping yesterday ... made no decision. I havent the foggiest idea what I want, or what is even good ...

[ValkyrieNS]

Mr. Val and I might (depending on what Telus has to say) have to buy new phones at the end of the month.

Do you know how hard it is to get a basic flip-phone that does nothing but make calls nowadays? Near impossible!

If I had internet access on my phone, I would NEVER get any work done and my house would be a disaster area. Best to stick to a bare-bones phone

*Although I will admit to borrowing my bro's phone a couple of times to look things up on the netz. Since it's a work phone, I'm assuming he's got what BLNY has.

[BadCompany]

I have an iPhone, and while the apps are neat I think that aspect of the phone is a little overblown. Yeah, there are 800,000 apps or something, but 750,000 of them are somehow related to farts, fart jokes or fart ring-tunes. Most of the really cool, or worthwhile apps, are available on the other platforms as well.

The one thing I don't like about the iPhone is that it's email and calendar functions are not very good, in my opinion. The calendar is actually useless as far as my company's needs go, and our IT department won't even support that feature. If you call them about the calendar issues on your iPhone they just shrug and say "what are you gonna do?"

I don't have a BlackBerry, but if you want a secure phone for email and calendar functions, with some apps and texting, the new Torch seems to be the way to go. Yeah, the video and gaming features may not be on par with other smart phones, but I never watch videos on my phone anyways. Also, as Andrew pointed out, you can't use Flash on your iPhone anyways, so a good chunk of the videos that are out there can't be seen on your iPhone anyways. The BlackBerry email encryption, as we all know from the news now, is so good that governments around the world won't allow it, and given that it's the phone of the business community I'm going to assume their calendar is much better than everyone elses. By all accounts their keyboard kicks you know what (I don't like the iPhone keyboard either, now that I think about it, but I don't text, so...).

I won't say that I don't like my iPhone, because I do, I like it a lot, but from what I've been reading for me personally I think the Torch would probably serve my needs just as good in most areas, and better in a few others.

[franko]

I guess the reason I like my E71 is that it is solid [and it needs to be: I dropped it the other day and it skittered under a parked car. a little dent in the thing now but it works just fine.

I as a Luddite also like the feel of a "real" keyboard rather than a touch, which is why if I were to "move up [or down depending on perspective]" I'd go with the Torch.

still haven't found a cell phone with a rotary dial though . . .

[Cranky]

Sept 7, 2010 9:46:21 GMT -5 franko said:

still haven't found a cell phone with a rotary dial though . . .

I have one connected to my car. It's kind of complicated but it CAN be done.

[Tankdriver]

So, being 8 months later since the last post has anything changed? I'm about due for one and I am torn as everyone else. Each phone has its plus and minuses but does anyone know of a good web site to compare each one?

[Cranky]

I'm sort of in love with the HTC Desire Z. Although judging by the what just came out, that's already an antique.

[Andrew]

Mar 22, 2011 23:38:28 GMT -5 Tankdriver said:

So, being 8 months later since the last post has anything changed? I'm about due for one and I am torn as everyone else. Each phone has its plus and minuses but does anyone know of a good web site to compare each one?

I followed this blog for a while prior to making a decision: www.androidincanada.ca/

In the end I chose Apple over Android, however. As appealing as the open Google platform was, at the time that I needed to make a purchase there was only one viable Android phone with my carrier (Samsung Galaxy S). I played with it a couple of times in the store and I wasn't sold, so went with the iPhone. I haven't been following as closely since purchasing, though I'm sure that some slick new phones have been released.