Cell phones

[Smackre]

I am looking for a new cell phone. And was hoping to get some input from you guys as to what I should get. Here is what I am looking for.

A full keyboard phone.

Larger screen.

GPS ability.

Pretty much all I want to be able to do is:
Text
Call
Email
Internet
and GPS driving directions.
Be able to work on Alltel network.
And if its possable hook it to my laptop to have mobile net on my laptop.

I was looking at Blackberry's and the new MotoQ and Palm's. Those are the 3 i like so far.

I am unsure what all I need for the GPS stuff. On the motoQ it shows a GPS navagation add on. Do I need this to do GPS stuff? Because its a extra 250$ for it. I wouldnt think you would need it. Do you need a add on for all phones to do GPS navagation?
http://www.store.motorola.com/moten/...oductID=89131N



I plan on buying the phone on ebay. And right now It looks like I can get a Palm or motoQ or blackberry 7250 for under 150$ off ebay easily.

[Lebell]

I was looking at something more fancy (the Samsung i760 PDA phone), so I can't help you.

But just to warn you, that if you plan to modem your computer with it, that your data plan SPECIFICALLY allows it. "Unlimited data" plans are usually only "unlimited" for the phone, NOT for an attached PC (they use ALOT more bandwidth).

Good luck!

[ironman]

I have and would suggest you an N95-3. It has everything you're asking for except for the keyboard although its T9 dictionary is great and allows one to input text even faster that with a full keyboard.

[Lucifer]

speaking as someone who uses his cellphone as a modem for a laptop, I'll caution you that bandwidth for a cellphone internet connection is very different than bandwidth for a home internet setup. On a cellphone internet connection, you pay for ALL bandwidth. That means that all those little blips of data that your computer regularly sends and receives from the internet ('are you there' 'yes I'm here') count towards your total bandwidth limit. As well as loading webpages, some are relatively easy to load and some are not. I can get the main TFP page easily enough, but forget about anything with photos. My bank webpage loads easily enough, but for some reason any blogger page takes about 5 MB to load. And when you are paying by the MB, it adds up quickly!

[healer]

I'm currently loving the HTC Tytn II.

I think it meets all of your criteria, although I'm unsure about the GPS. It's a bit bulky and not the lightest phone in the world, but I dig it.

[Smackre]

Well I prolly would not hook it to my computer very much at all. the biggest thing I want it for is Text / Email / Sports scores and GPS.

I am hoping to get a GPS solution for it that I dont half to pay for every month. does anyone know of any?

[allaboutmusic]

Here in the UK I used a bluetooth GPS receiver which I kept in my car, and TomTom on my Windows Mobile phone. Much better reception and cheaper to run. Don't know if you have anything similar in the US?

[Smackre]

Well I bought a Blackberry 8830 World Phone on Ebay for 200$. It has GPS and gps enabled software already on it. So no messing around with adding anything.

It also does all the other things I wanted it to do.

I am unsure how the internet to laptop thing works threw a cell phone. Do I just use the cell to make the call to a dialup service or do I use the Data plan threw the phone some how? I am confused at how it works usually

[Jinn]

Depending on the carrier, it is a separate plan to have "tethering" instead of data use. If your phone supports Bluetooth, wifi, "Beam", etc, you can share internet that way without the plan. AT&T charges you the tethering fee if you exceed a certain bandwidth, but I've never been charged.

[Smackre]

I am just looking for a simple way of hooking my lappy up to the net once in a blue moon. I have been out of the office alot and it sucks getting a call while on the road and something needs done right away and u dont have net access to access ur computer at work. would be nice to be able to plug the phone into the lappy and use the net for 5 mins and fix the issue. It sucks driving 20 mins in to do something for 5 mins and driving 20 mins back.

[freelod]

Originally Posted by Smackre

Well I bought a Blackberry 8830 World Phone on Ebay for 200$.

How does it work? I also want to get one, and can pick up one for $90 after rebate.

http://www.dealstudio.com/searchdeal...d=91233&ru=290

[Smackre]

I like it so far. Everything is impressive so far. The only thing I dont really like is the gps seems really sketchy. losing signal when a normal GPS wouldnt and etc. Right now I have a normal GPS i barrowed from a friend and this in my car and the normal gps gets me where im going and never really loses signal. and the phone just doesnt work very well. Slow loading the maps. and losing signal alot.

So other than the GPS it is great so far.

Can anyone tell me if alltel's blackberry with voice covers tethered modem service. It lets me do it but will they hit me with a huge charge at the end of the month?