Smartphone

[zoto1a]

My search on this board failed to yield any threads on smart phones: So here is my question:
I am looking for a phone with internet access, mp3, GPS and general computer abilities
Any suggestions?

[LostSoul]

My search on this board failed to yield any threads on smart phones: So here is my question:
I am looking for a phone with internet access, mp3, GPS and general computer abilities
Any suggestions?

I have an iPhone and used it on the road all over the west successfully. Between towns, there are many areas where you do not get 3G coverage. However the GPS application that I downloade and the maps application that come on the phone work very well. I have about 1500 songs loaded on mine and use it to shoot video as well. Internet access is fast and for the most part widely available.

[Jackrabbit379]

My wife has an IPhone. It's got everything but the kitchen sink on it. IPhones are higher than a kite, but it would have everything you mentioned on it.

[Malaki86]

I'll stick with using my phone to make phone calls and my laptop to do everything else you mentioned, as well as play video games, watch tv and watch movies.

[Luzon]

Basically, cell phone companies fall into one of two catagories.
1. Cellular companies
2. PCS companies

There aren't many true cellular companies left these days. Verizon and US Cellular are two. All the rest fall into what is loosley called PCS companies. (This isn't 100% correct - It's kind of like getting a copy and saying I'm going to go Xerox this document - you may not use a Xerox at all but a different brand of copier. PCS isn't really a brand but that's the best analogy I could come up with.) ATT, T-Mobile, Sprint, etc all fall into this catagory.

It boils down to frequencies. G3, G4, CDMA, etc - all wireless phone technologies, use different frequencies. Verizon and US Cellular use older technologies, which may sound like a draw back until you look at how the technology works.

The technologies Verizon uses has a wider foot print - roughly 20 miles. PCS towers have a signal radius closer to 12 miles. PCS signals are also more easily interrupted by LOS (line of sight ) issues. This all assumes similar conditions on the tower. Another factor is that each tower can only handle a certain number of conversations at one time - 255 to be exact. Also, as the number of users on any one tower increase, the effective signal footprint of that tower decreases.

With that all said, as a truck driver, I'd say that you'd be well advised to choose a "cellular" company if your main concern were connectivity. If on the other hand, bells and whistles are your main thing, then a "PCS" company may be a viable option. As of right now, ATT is the only carrier that you can use an iPhone with. (It's possible to Unlock the iPhone and others for use on other carrier's service but that's a whole other topic.) Verizon has recently come out with the Droid, which from all accounts I've heard, is the closest to an iPhone replacement.

All major carriers carry a number of versions of Blackberrys. This is the smartphone with the longest history. Depending on what you want, this may be a good choice. If you want the absolute latest in technology, features, bells, and whistles, you'll want to look at iPhone and Droid.

I hope this all helps. And if you are wondering, yes, I used to be in the cell phone biz.

[wally world]

my chime is..............
it depends on which one you can afford. if you can afford to get Verizon then you should. i have sprint for the second time around and it's a lot better than it was. i had att and they were awful. then i had Cingular, after the att fallout and they were great, but then it reverted back to att and the bs started all over again. if you have att check your bill very very carefully. customer service sucks over there too. i lost alot of signal all over the country.
sprint is a little better than they were as far as coverage and customer service. i have a blackberry with them and it came with navigation already on it, but you can download google maps for free.
never had verizon though, but as soon as i can i will get a phone. during the last black out i was in new york city, just came out of the Lincoln tunnel when all the lights started going out. the only phone to work was verizon.
just my take.....

[Kevin0915]

My search on this board failed to yield any threads on smart phones: So here is my question:
I am looking for a phone with internet access, mp3, GPS and general computer abilities
Any suggestions?

why...so you can use it without a handsfree headset, while trying to back into a tight dock at a shipper all the while u got 2-3 other drivers waiting for you to get it in, so they can get around you?

already looking to be a super trucker, huh. ;-)

[Hawkjr]

I had the Samsung Omnia with Verizon but it keep f-ing up on me... i could save mp3's, get gps, computer applications, and 5.0 megapixel camera which takes F-ing unbelievable pics for a cell phone, and a pretty good internet browser..

i personal suggest is get a laptop even a used one, a aircard, and a decent phone where you could pay for the aircard and the phone service together.. It cost my cousin around 130 a month with an aircard and 700 mins with sprint and its unlimited

[Malaki86]

I pay $160 a month through Sprint for my aircard and 3 cell phones.

[Kevin0915]

i got a phone with an MP3 player, i can run applications and most all that other crap. but why do u need a phone that does anything more than....uh......make a phone call?

if the phone cant wash your clothes, cook your dinner or !#$% you off, then i dont need it. =)

[Malaki86]

I'd be happy if they made a Jitterbug style phone for Sprint. As long as I can use my bluetooth headset, I'd be happy with it.

[Mr. Ford95]

I love my IPhone, it's literally the smallest computer ever as Luzon said. Takes up much less space and only 1 wire to worry about, the power plug.

[Malaki86]

With my eyes the way they are, I'd have to hold that goofy thing about 1" from my face. Not too practical.

[Double R]

i got a phone with an MP3 player, i can run applications and most all that other crap. but why do u need a phone that does anything more than....uh......make a phone call?

if the phone cant wash your clothes, cook your dinner or !#$% you off, then i dont need it. =)

I have to agree. I use my phone for calls only(and some text messages).


SHOCKING! I agree with Kevin

[Malaki86]

I think I've sent out a total of 2 text messages since I got my first cell phone. I've received a few, but they were always from a wrong number. I finally just put a permanent text messaging block on all my phones.

[thebaldeagle655]

Just remember, they are called "SMART PHONES" for a reason. They rapidly show us how dumb we are! I have an Iphone that I love but it takes a LONG time to learn it's ins and outs get it set it up.

[Mr. Ford95]

Mal, you can zoom in on the screen to see what is there.

[dieselgrl]

I have a Blackberry Curve 8900. I've gone through a few smartphones, and this is by far the best one I've owned. Solid too...I've dropped the thing more times than I can count and it's still working. It's also easy to take apart and replace parts to if needed if you're like me and don't carry the carrier insurance. Has GPS (though any phone GPS I wouldn't use on a rig....), snappy browser, apps (though not as many as the iPhone unfortunately, especially if you want games), MP3, standard size headphone jack when using it as an MP3 player, or you can hook up bluetooth. Single cable mini-USB charger, will either charge off a wall/inverter/travel charge, or off of the USB port of a computer. Good ringer volume and speaker volume - and while I've not tried speakerphone in a truck, in a car the other person hasn't been able to tell I'm on a speakerphone.

[607]

My search on this board failed to yield any threads on smart phones: So here is my question:
I am looking for a phone with internet access, mp3, GPS and general computer abilities
Any suggestions?

What you are looking for is a "smartphone". Blackberry, Iphone, Palm, HTC are just some of your choices and will meet your requirements. For great info & customer reviews of phones go to phonescoop.com.

I have a Blackberry 9630 Tour (Verizon Network) and I am generally happy with it. The cons first, sometimes it will get bogged down, but I have a lot of added software, much of it running at the same time. The trackball has issues going right, trackball issues are common in this model. Factory ringtones have wimpy volume. Free ringtones can be had at zedge.com (some are so loud they will wake up the driver in the next truck over :-)

The pros for the 9630. Great reception, awesome battery life, beautiful screen, loud as heck speaker (with the right ringtone), good camera w/ super bright flash, lots of app memory, real gps inside, with practice it is easy to use the keyboard. can be used one handed (left or right), good vibrate and much more.

A phone is nothing with out a network, so a very short recap. Verizon & Sprint are on the CDMA network, have a larger coverage area, roam on each others networks and cannot do simultaneous voice and data. You can talk on the phone OR surf the web but not both at the same time. Price per minute is generally higher.

AT&T & Tmobile are on the GSM network, have a less of a coverage area, roam on each others networks and can do simultaneous voice and data. You can talk on the phone AND surf the web at the same time. Price per minute is generally lower.

Carefully research both phones and carriers. The reps at the stores are there to sell phones. You will need to look out for your own interests. For example, Verizons "unlimited" data = 5 gigabytes. It's in the fine print in the brochure.

Lastly a bluetooth headset is just about mandatory. I currently use a Plantronics Voyager Pro which has awesome performance in the truck (and uses the same charger as the phone). My previous favorite the Blue Parrot BT250 is now used by my wife and has the same great performance.

Dan

[Justruckin]

iPhone here too. I don't drive anymore, but still keep the phone as it is just so easy to use. I have had a bunch of smart phones except for a Blackberry. The iPhone just rocks in my book, even though other companies look to be catching up.

I liked mine for the fact that I could recieve faxes on it, which was nice when I had my authority. I could keep driving and make sure the numbers were right when accepting a load. The GPS is really nice and works as well as my Garmin along with the web search function that allows me to make a call right from Google, and or bring up a map with GPS. There are so many things that the iPhone can do, it still blows my mind. I even have a "level" function app on mine which honestly has come in handy when I was leveling out some shelves in a not so well lit room.

Mike