Shopping for new Smartphone/PDA/BB?

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mr_pawr

New member
Hello all! Short time reader, first time poster.

I'm looking to replace my Treo650 either when my "new every 2" on Verizon is up in mid-June, or when my 2 year contract is up in mid-August. I'm in the DC area, so both Verizon and Cingular have great reception. BF has Cingular, so changing carriers would reduce minutes/month plan needed. If my best bet is changing carriers, waiting the extra 2 months to do so isn't a problem. I don't have a data plan now, but am planning to get one for email for both home and work applications. I've had my 650 for not quite 2 years, although I really love it and have loaded it up with 3rd party PalmOS apps, I've had to replace it twice in less than 18 months (screen first time, keyboard second time).

Features I need: Phone (duh!), BT, push email for Yahoo, Comcast, and work email using Exchange, sync home(personal) and office(work) calendar, tasks, memos, SMS, tracking home finances with Quicken, GPS/realtime maps/driving directions (with traffic reports a bonus!), QWERTY keyboard, view/modify Office files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SD card expansion.

Nice to haves: a good MP3 player for walking/gym workouts, camera/video for the occasional picture or short video, a couple short games to keep me occupied for a couple minutes if I'm waiting in line somewhere, additional ringtones to customize ringtones to contact categories or individuals.

Not importants: minimal web browsing, extended battery life (I charge my phone daily), price (under $500)

I have PalmOS now, and as stated before, bought a LOT of 3rd party apps to customize my 650. However, most of the apps have WM versions, so I'm not tied to PalmOS, either. Looked at the Cingular 8525 - it has all the features, but I'm not sure about the slider issue. Haven't tried any of the Blackberry series, but not ruling them out, either.

Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions!
 
The BB 8800 has built in GPS so you don't need a puck and you can get turn by turn directions using Telenav for an extra $10 per month, so you should probably look into that as well. The downside tot he BB is that there are not as many add-on applications, but I really don't need them. The calendar and contact info functions are adequate and the email app is great for me. Phone is also adequate.

I really do not recommend doing anything related to finances, credit card transactions and the like via a wireless handheld as security is an issue.
 
DubDub - thanks for the comments, I really appreciate the input!

Critical staff at my employer carry Blackberrys, so I know my work email would work with the hardware, should I decide to go with that. I like the built-in (no puck involved) Nav features of the BB and the 8525. Not sure whether I'll get the unlimited or the limited plans - Cingular seems to be quite flexible with switching between the 2 plans - but then again, they're trying to woo me to them, so I'd have to see what's in writing in a contract.

Thanks for the warning on the financial security issue. I think you misunderstood my original post. I use PocketQuicken for syching my Quicken desktop file to my handheld to have my financial information accessible, should I need to know my checking account balance or other financial information. I don't use the handheld for online banking, purchases, bill payment, etc. I would definitely use a remote locking program to secure my device and installed data such as Warden that I currently have to secure my device when I'm not physically in touch with it.

To expand on my original post, I'm primarily interested in the following:Cingular 8525Blackberry seriesTreo series
 
If you keep financial info on the handheld, make sure you have a strong password to protect it if you lose the device or it gets stolen.

I personally cannot recommend the Treo. I had 3 Treo 600s and a 650 and all were junque. Won't go that route again. As for the 8525, it is Windows Mobile and prone to random reboots for no reason. I suggest you search on the Treo and the 8525 to see what you find. People either love them or hate them.
 
Thanks again, DubDub! Despite replacing my 650 twice in 18 months, I really don't mind it, despite the random reboots.

I'm leaning towards Cingular for service, as it appears that Verizon (at least here) doesn't have a PDA/SmartPhone that has GPS/mapping built in. Plus, I'm a bit torqued at Verizon right now because I went a mere 300 minutes over my allowance, and my freaking bill DOUBLED!
 
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