Zan
04-08-2009, 09:33 PM
I was going to post this in the iPhone thread but I noticed that most people there seem to enjoy jail breaking and paying $70-100 a month for their plans. In posting a new thread, I hope I can reach few people closer to my position of wanting to be tighter on money or less of a hobbyist with my phone, and even help people in a similar position.
A bit of background info may be in order. I'm currently using a basic prepaid nokia type phone and use for calls, text, to tell the time and as an alarm clock. The same basic capabilities that every phone has had for years. None of the features of new phones have ever had any sway on me until I saw a friend logging onto IRC in his. The ability to do this on the fly for me would be quite handy, and upon thinking it over I figure gmaps and gmail would be great as well.
Anyway, my current phone accidentally went through the wash so I figure I better get something new shortly. My $40 optus plan is out of contract now and I'm leaning towards switching to 3. Reception problems aren't a big deal to me as I can use a work phone outside the city, so I don't see any downsides yet.
ANYWAY, apologies for my life story. The main point of this thread is trying to decide whether I should go with an iPhone on a similarly priced contract, or something else. I know most of you might say iPhone but I should note a couple of things:
-I'm really not impressed with Apple products or their design philosophy. I'm not a hater, but I have a two year old 80gig iPod which has given me nothing but problems, and some of them are simple things that caused by bad design.
-I'm really not sold on touch pads, and I think I'd prefer the tactile response of a keyboard phone, particularly for emails and irc.
I don't know what exactly else is out there other than iPhones though. I see some nokias have the keyboard like the e63/71, and blackberrys are a bit higher on price. Hell, even if it is a non apple touch phone I'd like to hear what people's experiences are.
So for everyone thats TLDR:
-Want to upgrade for gmaps, gmail and irc.
-Would prefer keyboard over touch screen.
-Currently on a $40 plan, not really looking to pay much more.
-Not really fond of apple products, but I'll bite if they suit my needs better.
A bit of background info may be in order. I'm currently using a basic prepaid nokia type phone and use for calls, text, to tell the time and as an alarm clock. The same basic capabilities that every phone has had for years. None of the features of new phones have ever had any sway on me until I saw a friend logging onto IRC in his. The ability to do this on the fly for me would be quite handy, and upon thinking it over I figure gmaps and gmail would be great as well.
Anyway, my current phone accidentally went through the wash so I figure I better get something new shortly. My $40 optus plan is out of contract now and I'm leaning towards switching to 3. Reception problems aren't a big deal to me as I can use a work phone outside the city, so I don't see any downsides yet.
ANYWAY, apologies for my life story. The main point of this thread is trying to decide whether I should go with an iPhone on a similarly priced contract, or something else. I know most of you might say iPhone but I should note a couple of things:
-I'm really not impressed with Apple products or their design philosophy. I'm not a hater, but I have a two year old 80gig iPod which has given me nothing but problems, and some of them are simple things that caused by bad design.
-I'm really not sold on touch pads, and I think I'd prefer the tactile response of a keyboard phone, particularly for emails and irc.
I don't know what exactly else is out there other than iPhones though. I see some nokias have the keyboard like the e63/71, and blackberrys are a bit higher on price. Hell, even if it is a non apple touch phone I'd like to hear what people's experiences are.
So for everyone thats TLDR:
-Want to upgrade for gmaps, gmail and irc.
-Would prefer keyboard over touch screen.
-Currently on a $40 plan, not really looking to pay much more.
-Not really fond of apple products, but I'll bite if they suit my needs better.