Which cell phones and features now are very good-it's hard to keep up with fast changing technology and improvements.

Thanks

Everyone has their own definition of whats good. A teenager might think flashing LEDs and a camera are good things on a phone where someone else just wants to be able to make calls. Others want bluetooth and infared ports for syncronizing (sp?) with their wireless notebooks or using the phone as a modem. If you're looking for a phone check out http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/finder.php tick off the options and it will give you some results which you can read some user reviews and compare maybe.

http://howardforums.com/ is a good place too. Like WHT for cell phones.

Get this phone

http://www.sonyericsson.com/product/s700/index.html

Get a cheap phone; if you drop it in the toilet it won't cost you an arm and a leg :D

Like 3spades pointed out, it's up to the individual's needs and wants that decides what type of cell phone fits a person best. TheDavid recommended a very good web site to visit to check out about phones and service in general.

Now, depending on where you live, your choice of providers may be limited. There are 5 major technologies used in the United States; GSM, PCS, CDMA, TDMA, and iDEN (based off of TDMA).

Cingular, ATT&T Wireless, and T-Mobile all use GSM technology. Verizon uses CDMA while Sprint uses PCS. Nextel uses iDEN which is based off of TDMA. All the major networks have plans to upgrade their networks in the next two years to new standards. GSM will be moving to UTMS (WCDMA to some) and CDMA is moving to 1xEV-DO. Not sure on the future upgrade plans for Nextel.

Each technology has pros and cons. It's up to you to decide what you want and if the provider has service in your area. :) Check out each web site:

http://www.t-mobile.com/
http://www.cingular.com/
http://www.attwireless.com/
http://www.sprintpcs.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.nextel.com/

Now all the providers offer a "buyer's remorse" period where you can try out the service. It is usually 14, 15, or 30 days respectively (only AT&T offers the 30 day return).

If you plan on going outside the country GSM would be the best bet as you can use it in most countries around the world (as long as international roaming is enabled).

======

Now, for my needs I use an unlocked Motorola mpx200 and an unlocked Siemens SX56 PDA PocketPC with T-Mobile.

The mpx200 provides me the ability to sync with my PC via MS ActiveSync. It updates my contacts, notes, appointements, task, etc. from Outlook and displays them on the phone. It has a built-in voice recorder, MS Internet Explorer, and Windows Media Player. It's a flip phone that I use primarily for all my voice needs. This phone runs on the Microsoft Smartphone 2002 OS (2003 upgrade coming soon...and no it doesn't crash on me....hehe). Great device to have since you can do everything with one hand.

The SX56 runs PocketPC Phone Edition 2003. It has everything that the mpx200 plus more. It also syncs with my PC for my Outlook data, but I use it as a replacement to my laptop that I used to carry everywhere. I can VPN into the office, connect to our web servers for troubleshooting, download files, view any info I need via the internet, etc.

Now, I could carry just one device, but it's better that I have two. I like having a flip phone that I can operate with one hand. The SX56 is bigger and I need two hands to operate. It's hard to answer the SX56 while driving without using some type of Voice Command software.


I hope this gives you some insight. If you've got any questions, please feel free to PM me. :)

I'm not a fan of ToiletPhones. They stink. :rofl:

Originally posted by timechange.com
Get a cheap phone; if you drop it in the toilet it won't cost you an arm and a leg :D

Motorola MPX200

Originally posted by mj4589
Motorola MPX200

Good man. :) hehe

Thanks for the info about those industry related web sites

hey good point, i was wondering if i visit USA what mobile service should i take. mostly i will visit New york, las vegas and California for vacation. i was wonder is there any cell phone service which keeps me connected on internet through my laptop at lowest possible price !?

yes i will not use it much for calling just for internet.

any links will be highly appreciated. thanks :)

Get this phone

http://www.sonyericsson.com/product/s700/index.html



My friend has that it's pretty good, I personalyl have the Siemens SL55 which is also good, depends what you're looking to use your phone for.

Originally posted by X-Max
hey good point, i was wondering if i visit USA what mobile service should i take. mostly i will visit New york, las vegas and California for vacation. i was wonder is there any cell phone service which keeps me connected on internet through my laptop at lowest possible price !?

yes i will not use it much for calling just for internet.

any links will be highly appreciated. thanks :)

I believe only AT&T Wireless offers GPRS via their GoPhone rates. More info can be found at: http://www.attwireless.com/personal/gophone/index.jhtml

The rest of the providers do not offer data service with the pre-paid plans.

I wonder if my phone insurance covers toilet accidents...
:eek:


Originally posted by KimmiKat
I'm not a fan of ToiletPhones. They stink. :rofl: