AT&T Phone Novice, Tech Junkie

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nychick16

New member
Being the programmer that I am, I don't have many friends! Therefore, I've never used my cell phone that much except for the occasional call. I'm going on about 4 years with an old Samsung that's been flopping around in my pocket. I recently decided to switch from Verizon to AT&T/Cingular and I am looking for a phone to go with it. Currently in the MD/VA area.

I understand most phones have bluetooth support built in, but I suppose bluetooth 2.0 is what I'm looking for as I'd like to get one of those nifty headsets. (Any recommendations on those are welcome as well)

I'm also fairly clumsy and my phone will take a few spills. So far I've looked at the latest Razr, blackjack, 8525, and n75. I want something kind of small so it's not bulky in my pocket--but it would be pretty sweet to look up stuff on google maps or check e-mail. WiFi is a plus--I guess you need the data plan with AT&T as well to use those features?

Thanks for any input you may have in advance! Your time is very much appreciated-- Steve
 
You should be able to run google maps off a wifi connection but if you plan to use it in places without a wifi connection it may be a good idea to get a data plan. Likewise for email. Without a plan it could be quite costly. But i'm fairly sure you won't need a data plan to use them on a wifi network.

Are you looking for any specific features besides wifi? For instance, would you like a decent camera, qwerty keyboard, 3G (High speed data network), reasonable music functions, and so on.

Since you're a programmer would you like a phone that's hackable?

How much would you like to spend?
 
I don't particularly care about the camera... but it looks like most have a camera built in anyway! Qwerty keyboard isn't a must.

It would be pretty sweet to modify/run my own apps on my phone.

I'm in the $200 price range--but really I just want a slick looking phone that has excellent reception, runs a few apps(to do list!), and can handle being tossed around.

Steve
 
Hmm, there are dozens of phones that could work for you. It's hard to narrow it down to a couple. If wifi is a must that would cut out most possibities. Just, phones with wifi tend to be large. You'd likely have to make a compromise.

You mentioned you looked at a few phones. Which one was your favourite and why?

Also, are you intending to sign a contract with AT&T?
 
Yes, Intending to sign a contract with AT&T. Strictly because the person I call the most is using them as their carrier.

I think my favorite phone thus far is the LG VX8700. Looks nice! Unfortunately only offered for Verizon.

How are the Razr-esque phones in terms of reception? That's a main stumbling point for me. I live in the boonies for part of the time when I'm not traveling and although I get a signal at the house it is very weak.

Steve

Thanks so much for your help!
 
The RAZR phones are pretty good for reception, yeah. The V3xx is a good slim phone, as is the upcoming RAZR2. However, the only apps you can install on these are J2ME apps. They have a calendar built-in but no to-do list, but both are HSDPA if you're in a 3G area. RAZRs also tend to be pretty hackable.

However, if you REALLY want to go for installing apps, you need a smartphone, like an N75 (Runs Symbian S60) or a Cingular 3125 (runs Windows Mobile). Only the N75 is 3G, and that's only UMTS speed, which is slower than HSDPA. Of course, if you don't have 3G in your area, that's not going to matter.

A full-fledged PDA phone would work too. The Blackjack also runs Windows Mobile, and has a QWERTY keyboard, but no WiFi. The 8125 and 8525 DO have WiFi but are fairly bulky. All 3 would use the PDA data plans, which are much more expensive (the 8125 is 2G, the 8525 is 3G).

Sounds like one of the first 4 would serve you best...RAZR2 V9, RAZR V3xx, N75, or 3125. Which one depends on which is more important: 3G data, or "Smartphone" capability. You can get a J2ME To-do list, but it's not going to sync with Outlook, whereas the Smartphone to-do lists will. What languages do you develop for?
 
Java, Pascal, PHP.

I went and checked out some phones at a local store... and I must say I liked the beefier feel of the blackjack-esque phones.

Are there any phones you think I should avoid?
 
The Samsung SYNC should be avoided at all costs. If you want to develop in Java, pretty much anything will do (you're familiar with the MIDP 2.0 extensions and standards, right?).

The Blackjack should do fairly nicely. If you like that you might also like the Nokia E62. It installs J2ME apps directly, instead of housing them in a seperate VM (then again, some people prefer that). The E62 runs Symbian Series 60, if you're bored with Windows. :P

Not sure how much development kits for each are, but you might want to look into that as well.
 
I went with the n75. Should be here monday!
All of the input from here was extremely useful and helped me make the decision.

I did my own research, but getting second opinions/experiences from you all was very much appreciated. I did not get a data "service" with my plan, but I guess I'll go for the "Data Unlimited" or "Unlimited PDA"... whichever it was.

Can't wait to start tweaking it.

steve
 
With the N75, it would be MediaMAX, which starts at $20 for unlimited internet and 200 SMS/MMS messages I think. Cheaper than the PDA plans, which is a definite advantage.
 
go with the helio heat, and the all-in plan 500.($65 a month, 500 minutes, unlimited everything so no additional charges.) the heat is very small and also has blutooth and integrated google maps gps.

i guess its too late now though
 
I know downside was not having integrated GPS and Wifi. But I'll make do... being as I really only have ever used my phone to make calls.

I looked at what Helio had to offer--but the main motivation was to switch to at&t to get unlimited mobile to mobile with the person I call the most. :~)
 
Like what npaladin2000 said, if you need data plan, go for the $20 MediaMax 200, which basically covers the same thing as the expensive PDA plan (I doubt anyone really need that). You can even use your laptop to access internet thru the phone.

I seldom use Wifi on my phone as the EDGE connection is good neough for web and email, and you can rarely find a free unprotected Wifi connection on the street anyway. You N75 supports Cingular's 3G which will work even better.

When you need GPS, you can go buy a bluetooth GPS receiver ($80) and a GPS software for Symbian S60 3rd Edition (I'm using Tomtom).
 
Got the phone and it finally activated today! Thankyou all again so much for the input, I'm very satisfied thus far.

One last question: I added the Media 200 bundle... for cingular should the access point be wap.cingular.com or isp.cingular.com? I recall reading that one you would be charged out the wazoo even if you had the unlimited bundle.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Mine should be arriving today too...after it arrives and I get it set up and tested I'm gonna call to port.

Kind of curious about the answer to that myself. I think ISP would be the one that would be necessary if tethering and using the OpenWave browser as opposed to the MediaNet browser, right?
 
wap.cingular.com for Media plan, it also works for DUN over BT
other expensive data plans uses isp.cingular.com
the only difference I've heard is isp.cingular.com have compression enabled, though I'm not sure.
 
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