AIM, text, light calling

J

JakeT

New member
Hi!

I'm looking for a phone that is mostly focused on text messaging, but also allows a connection to AIM so I can use that to keep in touch with people as well. I text at least twice as much as I'm on my phone talking, but I do make occasional short calls to people. Though sometimes that talk time goes through the roof if I happen to get a chatty girlfriend or a succession of drunk friends.

Anyway, most of the phones I've been looking at have been PDA's with more features than I really have use for. While it would be nice to get my email, type my papers, and browse the web (even though all I really do is check facebook, myspace, and some blogs), those aren't really necessary.

I'm with Cingular right now, although I'm out of my contract so I'm open to suggestions to moving to another carrier. I live in Atlanta, though, and that's Cingular's home turf, so their coverage is pretty good down here.

So does anyone have any suggestions for a phone/texting device for me?

Edit:

Oh, also I should mention that I've never owned a QWERTY phone before, and as such have become incredibly proficient with T9 predictive text. I'm a bit wary about moving to a phone with another predictive text like layout (i.e. Suretype) but not so much about a straight QWERTY phone, since that would be similar to the computer keyboard I'm used to. Thanks!
 
I would second the Sidekick 3. I have a Sidekick 2 and it handles all of the things you have said with ease, and although I have never used a SK3 I have heard that it is better. But before you switch I would definitely recommend taking advantage of T-mobile's trial period because from my experience in a major city (L.A.), their coverage can be throughly crappy. good luck
-z
 
Get the Blackberry Pearl from CINGULAR if you want to stay with a predictive text phone.

If not the Samsung Blackjack is a awesome phone! It is the BEST phone I have ever earned.
 
I've heard different things about Suretype. Some people love it, some people hate it. I'm afraid I might fall into the latter category since I've spent so much time with T9. I've also heard different things about the build quality on the Pearl.

I haven't heard anything as to the Blackjack yet, but it seems like one of those phones with more stuff than I need.
 
Well,

The Suretype was pretty easy to learn for me since I hadnt used Qwerty ever on a phone. It took a day or so to really get the hang of it.

If you look at it, even the Sidekick 3 is more then what you need. The Vx9800 is the basic of the 3.

The Blackjack is a excellent phone. It doesnt have ALOT. It doesnt have any over the top features, nothing more then the Sidekick 3, besides the operating system. I was talking my sales rep at the Cingular store and she says its the best phone shes ever used. She also told me that they havent had any returns yet on their Blackjacks, which says its a great, durable phone with no problems.

I mean Sidekick 3 vs. the Blackjack...they both have qwerty, both have mp3 players, both can access the web, both do IM. They are pretty much the same in features. But the Blackjack is smaller (by ALOT, in all demensions), has a nicer screen, and has WM5, not the SK UI.

I would say its your choice between the 2. But I would go for the Blackjack.

Let me know if you have any questions about the Blackjack or Pearl. I am an expert at both.
 
Oooh, good.

How are the keys on the Blackjack? I haven't had time to get down to a Cingular store and play around with one. I know you said they hadn't had any returns, but how long has the phone been out? Maybe it's just not been long enough?

Between the Pearl and the Blackjack, which do you use more? Which do you like more?

One thing I have to consider when getting this phone is that I've already built my life around my computer, more or less. It's got my calendar, my internet, my IM, and all of my music on it, so I don't need another device vying for that spot. I need this phone to do one very important thing: integrate with my already existing technology.

This doesn't sound like a problem, but my computer--it's a mac. I've learned that can cause all sorts of troubles, so if you could, do you know which one of these devices suggested here would do the best job of that?
 
I would recommend an SK3. One of the hidden features of the SK3 is its amazing data plan. Unlimited web, e-mail, text, and IM all for $20/month. You sound like the perfect person for it.
 
If you don't mind carrying around the SK3 (its smaller then the SK2 but still kind of big) go with that, as long as the coverage fits your area. If not I'd stay with Cingular and go with the Blackjack, I saw that phone today and its SICK. My cousin switched from a SK to the Blackjack and he loves that thing.
 
The Blackjack has been out for just over 1 month. I use the Blackjack way more then the Pearl now and I think I might get rid of the Pearl, because i simply dont need it.

Mac's work great with a lot of phones these days, I havent tried it first hand but I am 95% positive the Blackjack works with a Mac through some sort of software. But just to be safe look it up on google.

I still would say the 2, the Pearl would be best for you suprisinly. Because you really dont need anything in a phone, as you described. You just wanted a phone for texting and light talking, the Pearl does just that. But out of the 2, I would recommend getting the Blackjack, it may do more, but it costs about the same and offers a full keyboard.
 
Pretty much every carrier (i think) offers a trial period. I believe it ranges from 15-30 days. This allows you to try their service and phone and if you decide that you do not like anything about them in that period you can cancel and only pay for the services you used, no early termination fees. My advice would be to take advantage of that and find something that works for you. good luck.
-z
 
Well,

I dont have 3g here so thats not taking up all my battery. I also just turned it off through a secret menu i learned here on Hofo, so it doesnt try to search for one, cause i know there aint one. I get about 2 days with moderate email and web browsing, little talk and little text messaging.

I personally as I stated have not needed to use the 2nd battery.
 
I was just about to point this out as well, note that there are some quirks to setting it all up and making everything be happy together. Luckily, T-Mo has a 14 day (30 day in some states) trial period.

The BlackBerry has a real live Mac sync app, from BlackBerry, and it works very well. I haven't set up a WM5 device on my Mac, but I know WM4 was kinda of a pain to get working right. 5 may very well be easier (plus Mark/Space is up 2 versions since then). I would go play with both phones and then pick the one you think will work best. You have 14 days to get it working. lol.

As for me, I would go with the Pearl myself.
 
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