Selecting a PDA/Cellphone Combination? 44
zrk asks: "It's coming time to replace my cellphone - way out of warranty, physically broken, the coverage isn't what it could be, and so on. My initial thinking here is that I should replace it with a combination PDA and cellphone, but I have no clue as to which way to go. The selection process seems to be along the lines of either getting the cellphone service/coverage I want OR getting the small computer I need and living with passable phone service. Another possibility is to get a phone and PDA that easily interact. I live in the north-eastern part of the US, and given that I travel occasionally, I'm concerned with phone service. Verizon seems to have the most complete coverage, but they don't offer all the devices. AT&T also seems OK, but there have been a lot of complaints about bandwidth. Sprint is OK, but coverage is spotty as you go more rural (insert your own Axe Gravy Soap joke here). I know of Handspring's various products, some of the Pocket PC type devices, and also the Kyocera Smartphone lines (still waiting on the 7135!). Which way do I go, George, which way do I go?"
"If you're going to recommend something, have some questions I'd like you to answer:
- How is your PDA functionality - limited, annoying because of size, etc?
- How is the phone service?
- What do you wish your PDA/Phone could do that it can't?
- Is it worth buying a combo unit or should I consider elements that interact properly?
Samsung IPH-300 & SprintPCS (Score:3, Interesting)
I have a Samsung IPH-300 with SprintPCS. I've been mostly happy with the phone and grow less impressed with the service.
The IPH-300 makes the primary compromise in the dialing interface -- which is a touch screen on the palm rather than physical interface. I haven't found this to be a problem, though it is a slightly less friendly way to go about dialing. It's also a little large for a phone these days.
The screen is smaller than a normal palm, which suits me fine. PalmOS works like PalmOS. I use it for calendar and contacts exclusively.
SprintPCS in Ann Arbor, MI sucks. I lose signal indoors constantly. That's my biggest complaint. Cingular has a good rep here, and I'd move but they don't support my phone, IIRC.
The only thing I really wish this phone had was BlueTooth for syncing.
If you, like me, only use a PDA for calendar/contacts, a combo unit is an ideal solution IMO. I'm also attracted to the Sony Ericson T68i.
Good luck.