So, I'm getting a smartphone...

[Trebort]

First off, I've noticed these threads get more hits if they have a So before anything, So I've added one even though I'm not actually getting one.

I'm considering getting a smart phone, it would be nice to have a touch screen again and check my emails on the go, even though I already have a new netbook in my bag.

I'm only going to buy a phone with the Google Android OS, and I'll never, ever touch an iPhone. Apple is the AIDs of the IT industry, but that's for another thread.

So which would you suggest, Escapists? I've been looking at the HTC Legend and I have to say, it enrages a mighty tiger behind my fly... but I'm still open to suggestions.

How much should I pay? Which brand should I go with?

Discuss!

 

[Matt_LRR]

Well, my iPhone 4 is pretty swe- oh wait. I'll show myself out.

-m

 

[Judgement101]

Well, my iPhone 4 is pretty swe- oh wait. I'll show myself out.

-m

This.....Oh, I just finished reading the rest of the article. I'll let myself out as well.

 

[Geekosaurus]

I had a HTC Hero with the Android OS, and yes, it could do email and internet but it would take forever. I've switched to a Blackberry and have realised that it can do everything the HTC claimed to do, but much faster.

Personally I think the only phones worth buying at the moment are the iPhone or a Blackberry, but if you're set on buying a phone that uses Andriod then I suggest you just go to a phone shop and ask to try them for yourself. That's the only way to find out which you like.

 

[Nimbus]

As horrifying as many of Apple's policies are, they are where the developers are for smartphones.

 

[ViaticalTarsier]

HTC's are awesome the Evo 4g from sprint is nice though its massive (free wifi hotspot is useful)..... really you can't go wrong with any Android based phone. I wouldn't pay anything over $200 and you probably could get one for around $100 with a 2year contract........ Check out http://phandroid.com/ for a list of androids and carriers and it gives a brief overview of every phone.

EDIT: Whatever you do stay the heck away from blackberry they underpower all their phones, have no good free apps (besides pandora and poynt), and are generally a pain to use. (and the browser has issues rendering the Escapist webpage)

 

[Jinxzy]

I still have the first droid. I got it for free cause I got credit from my other phone. I love the apps but in the end it's a phone.

 

[Dags90]

I love my HTC Aria. It's nice and compact. Yes AT&T are douchebags for not letting you sideload apps (or delete theirs), but the lovely people at HTC fixed one with an unintentional update to HTC Sync. I'm eating up Swype as we speak.

It has everything I need and it actually fits in my pocket.

 

[Mr Snuffles]

I vote... don't go for an HTC, I know many of my friends who got rid of their old phones for one, and wished they kept them! I myself have a blackberry... Also, I find the problem with touch screens is that they become unresponsive and unnsynchronised after some time, so you would need another phone!

My advice: Ditch your idea of Android, get a blackberry, I'm more than content with mine!

 

[Trebort]

I'm only going to buy a phone with the Google Android OS, and I'll never, ever touch an iPhone.

Thank you. Thank you. You have no idea how much effort you've saved me. The iPhone remains a compromised platform, even with the fourth-generation improvements.

Anyway, the Android platform has quite a few choices. There are a few simple decisions you'll have to make, like:

- "Do I want/need a physical keyboard?"
- "Do I plan to multitask heavily?"
- "Do I need a high screen resolution?"

Based on your answers to these questions, we can answer your question more accurately.

Well, no I don't need a physical keyboard, because I'd never use it.

I don't plan on multitasking much.

I don't really need a high resolution, but high res would be spiffing.

I've considered a blackberry, but I'm not sure they look very nice. The HTC models look like they would fit wonderfully in my hand.

 

[Trebort]

HTC's are awesome the Evo 4g from sprint is nice though its massive (free wifi hotspot is useful)..... really you can't go wrong with any Android based phone. I wouldn't pay anything over $200 and you probably could get one for around $100 with a 2year contract........ Check out http://phandroid.com/ for a list of androids and carriers and it gives a brief overview of every phone.

EDIT: Whatever you do stay the heck away from blackberry they underpower all their phones, have no good free apps (besides pandora and poynt), and are generally a pain to use. (and the browser has issues rendering the Escapist webpage)

Just coming back to you fella,

I'm not looking to get a phone on contract, and I'm in the UK.

I'm actually going to buy Sim Free/Unlocked as usual. ^_^

The price does skyrocket a bit Sim Free though.

 

[Danzaivar]

Well, no I don't need a physical keyboard, because I'd never use it.

I don't plan on multitasking much.

I don't really need a high resolution, but high res would be spiffing.

That makes the iPhone ideal for you then. Ha.

Could always dally a couple of months and get a Windows 7 phone when they're released? They look fairly promising (Plus the games on it will give you xbl achievements too, if that sort of thing bothers you).

Otherwise I would def. recommend something with Android rather than the Blackberry OS or the Palm OS.

 

[Dags90]

How much are you planning to spend? Off contract phones are a serious investment (although phone contracts are pretty hefty, too).

The HTC Legend looks like a slightly larger version of the phone I have (The HTC Aria), with the G1 style "chin".

 

[Trebort]

Well, no I don't need a physical keyboard, because I'd never use it.

I don't plan on multitasking much.

I don't really need a high resolution, but high res would be spiffing.

That makes the iPhone ideal for you then. Ha.

Could always dally a couple of months and get a Windows 7 phone when they're released? They look fairly promising (Plus the games on it will give you xbl achievements too, if that sort of thing bothers you).

Otherwise I would def. recommend something with Android rather than the Blackberry OS or the Palm OS.

I considered a Palm, but it's a bit dated now I feel, thought I'm far from an expert on Phone OS'.

Windows 7 phone could be promising, Xbox Live on my phone you say? I could be won round with enough cake and nudity.

How much are you planning to spend? Off contract phones are a serious investment (although phone contracts are pretty hefty, too).

THE HTC Legend looks like a slightly larger version of the phone I have (The HTC Aria), with the G1 style "chin".

Planning to spend? Well, I'd never have another contract phone (May the bastards at 3 burn in hell for all eternity) so off contract is for me, besides, I know where I am with my money then, being a student money is always tight.

I'm planning on between £200-400 depending on the phone.


Also, I like phones with a large screen, the bigger the better, so I find touchscreens ofter have a little more room. My eyesight can sometimes be a ***** and send my head to all kinds of wavy places because I'm sensitive to light, so something easy to focus on would be swell.

 

[Withall]

I'd also recommend a HTC phones. though, I can't really point you in any other direction other than the Desire. From what I have gathered, it is a basic, but competent smart-phone from HTC.

 

[Dags90]

Planning to spend? Well, I'd never have another contract phone (May the bastards at 3 burn in hell for all eternity) so off contract is for me, besides, I know where I am with my money then, being a student money is always tight.

I'm planning on between £200-400 depending on the phone.

I would suggest against Win7 because they're taking away multitasking. Multitasking is one of the reasons I loved my previous WinMo5.1 device. Once you get multitasking, you never go back.

Both the HTC Aria and HTC Legend seem pretty appropriate. The Aria isn't particularly kind to anyone with large hands or paws. Thankfully my hands are on the smaller side, so it's easy for me to trade off what I consider excess bulk.

Also, I highly recommend getting the Swype app, it'll change your life. Or at least the way you text.

 

[Trebort]

It's actually AIDS. The S is capitalized as it stands for Syndrome.

I just got a blackberry last week, it coo.

It's actually "cool" - Sorry, could not resist.

have a look for the DELL Streak (yes the PC guys)
Its a pretty huge thing though but it has the greatest touch-screen Ive used in a while AND it can be loaded up with emulators
My friend has one and he uses it for Megadrive and SNES games

I've seen it, and while it does give me nerdgasms, seems a bit OTT for what I want. ^_^

Planning to spend? Well, I'd never have another contract phone (May the bastards at 3 burn in hell for all eternity) so off contract is for me, besides, I know where I am with my money then, being a student money is always tight.

I'm planning on between £200-400 depending on the phone.

I would suggest against Win7 because they're taking away multitasking. Multitasking is one of the reasons I loved my previous WinMo5.1 device.

Both the HTC Aria and HTC Legend seem pretty appropriate. The Aria isn't particularly kind to anyone with large hands or paws. Thankfully my hands are on the smaller side, so it's easy for me to trade off what I consider excess bulk.

Also, I highly recommend getting the Swype app, it'll change your life. Or at least the way you text.

I don't really need multitasking. I'm a man after all (We can't do it!) (Joke)

Seriously, Multi tasking is not something hugely important to me, but nice.

 

[Trebort]

It's actually AIDS. The S is capitalized as it stands for Syndrome.

I just got a blackberry last week, it coo.

It's actually "cool" - Sorry, could not resist.

Aaaaactually, you're wrong. If you changed "coo", to "cool" it would still say "it cool". That don't make no sense. If you wanted to correct my personal meme of "it coo", it would be "it's cool".

Damn you. Get off my thread /flail

 

[Azure-Supernova]

I'm looking into a getting a HTC Desire and after having a mess around with a friends as work, it's great. Sadly, pay as you go will be £350 minimum. You could beat a very good deal out of Orange though like I did with my Wildfire, they originally offered me a HTC Wildfire on an 18 month contract for £25 a month. I went into a shop in another town and told them that I was currently on O2 and was unhappy with the service they were providing. They asked about my current (fictional) deal and I told them I was being offered an upgrade to a Blackberry on my £20 a month contract.

A few moments thought later and Mr. Salesman offered me a brand new HTC Wildfire on 18 months on Dolphin (unlimited texts, 300 minutes, email and internet) for a whopping £16 a month! Of course if you really can't stretch to contract, I'd still recommend a HTC.