Cell/PDA advice
 

It's time to get a new cellphone, mine is beat beyond submission.

I've also been looking at PDA phones as I'd like it to double up as an ebook reader - I keep looking at used Tungsten E's and stuff for $50 but it doesn't make sense if I can score an okay PDA phone on the cheap. If it opens .pdf/.doc/.html/.lit/etc files I'm a happy ----------er, which I am ASSuming is all of them.

Steer me in the right direction, HMT, I know jack and ---- about phones. Here are my criteria:

- cheap
- Verizon compatible (nothing else gets signal in WNC)
- PDA
- basic WAP/web access ability
- not too fragile
- prefer a slide open keyboard so it doesn't get trashed in my greasy work environment, but really not important as I can use a bluetooth headset when my hands are dirty and trash it.

I've got a list of them on the verizon site if posting those would be important.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

i hate all PDA phones except the iPhone. only problem is the only thing it does that you listed is the ebooks.

with all of the windows based phones there are downsides. you always have to trade something. the best one i have ever used was the tilt which i dont think you can get on verizon. it has a 3mp camera, gps and wifi. it does most of that stuff pretty well, but sucks as a phone. all of the others have shitty camera, or no wifi or no gps. you just have to pic which options you can live without.

another thing i hate about windows based phones is how they are very notchy to use. programs load slowly, nothing moves smoothly and they lock up a lot just like a PC. all of this is coming from a PC user, i have never owned or even used a mac in the last 10 years or more.

you couldnt get me to give up my PC for a mac but you couldnt pay me to use a windows phone ever again. my advice is to go into the store and play with each phone that intrests you for a while. there probably isnt much anyone here can do to help too much. you are going to get so much mixed advice its going to confuse you more

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

I don't care about camera, wifi, or GPS. I just want a phone with ebook capability and regular WAP access through Verizon so I can check email.

Sounds like I should hop on the Palm Centro, I never had a problem with Palm OS and they are $99 through Verizon.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

yea, if you dont care about those things then i would fully recommend the palm stuff. they make solid stuff, just not enough options for me. i either way the iPhone or the most standard phone you can imagine. all or nothing

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

JD, I have been using a Windows SmartPhone device for a couple of years now, and bought an app for it called tiny ebook reader. Opens .lit and .txt files, but does not work with PDFs. If you are going to buy eBooks, the .lit will work for you, and you can get them from Amazon for download. I have tried to find a warez source for lit files (sci fi) and have yet to find a solution. It was painful enough that I gave up and continued to read paperbacks.

Am looking at the iPhone, and will have to look up the eBook capability for that device. It's a requirement for me as well, and I totally forgot to check it for the iPhone. I forgot about this because I had picked the iPhone for it's screen size and non-wep page internet viewing capability, which appealed to the surfer/reader in me. I was unwittingly substituting web browsing for reading.

Now that you have cleared my head, I did a quick search for eBook readers for teh iPhone, and hit a couple of links. This one stood out.

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives...ook_reader.php

TextOnPhone is also interesting. It's a website viewable with an iPhone, where you can upload all your own text for later reading, as well as have access to 20K books online. http://www.textonphone.com/

I'd really like to find an eBook reader app that lives on the phone, where the books themselves can be stored there as well.


Craig

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

if you jailbreak the iPhone you can load ebooks to it. its really easy with ZiPhone and if you have problems, you can reset it back to factory specs easily so you wont void the warranty

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

http://www.anonib.com/bookchan/

http://fennetic.net/pub/bookwarez/

The majority seem to be pdf or html, but those are viable formats in my mind. Last time I tried a pdf to ??? converter it was glitchy as hell, but that's likely changed in the last four years. I know you can transcribe the html (and other formats) to lit, etc. I'll have a poke around and see if I can find some free/shareware that does the job well.

Also, I have 6-7 gigs of sci-fi and fantasy... I didn't know you liked the good stuff, too. You'd like my paper library, it takes longer to move than everything else I own put together.



Being on Verizon the iPhone is a no go for me, and with the new one coming out at $200 it eclipses my pricerange by $50. Also, my E815 is dying, all my calls are breaking up to th point it is unusable. The more I look at the Palm Centro the more I like it, but I am uncertain I am still eligible for the rebate since I recently redid my two year contract to add the daughterunit to the plan. I've got a couple tuning victims who are Verizon employees, so I've put out some feelers, cross your fingers for me pls kthx.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

iphone suggestions/comments are useless. As JD said, they're not usable on Verizon.

JD, why use Verizon? The only real benefit is the fast data network - which AT&T also has, and T-Mobile has finally begun rolling out. GSM will open the doors for hundreds more phone options, has cheaper service plans, and you can get better deals on phones since GSM equipment can be stolen/resold while Verizon phones get locked.

I've used Windows Mobile phones for quite a few years. As far as "locking up" or "running slow," it depends on the firmware and phone specs. My MDA (HTC Wizard) was slow and had its quirks. My Wing (HTC Herald) has the same processor (OMAP 850 200mhz), newer version of windows, and runs helluva lot smoother and can use it for days without it having to be restarted. Adobe has an Acrobat Reader just for WinMob, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were homebrew pdf readers as well. Oh, and you don't have to "jailbreak" to install anything.

Be aware, pdf reading on phones is not very enjoyable. The resolution is low (320x240 usually, very few have 640x480) and it limits how much text can be on the screen at one time. The adobe reader annoys the ---- out of me because you either have to zoom out to where the text is too small but the page fits, or zoom in and have to scroll left and right. Maybe there's 3rd party pdf readers that skip the pictures and scale the text so you can avoid the left/right/up/down scrolling to read? Haven't checked, but maybe it exists.

Memory...the iphone has 8-16gb, not really that special. I have a 4gb microsd card, and I know they make at least 8gb cards. EBay has memory for crackhead prices.

I haven't used a palm device for a long time, so not sure how the UI is now, but it wasn't bad a long time ago. Also, what about Symbian-based phones? Nokia loves symbian and so do many geeky developers, so there's a pdf reader I'm sure.

I don't keep up with Verizon phones, so can't suggest any specific ones, but there's some ---- to think about.

Why not head to the GSM side?

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

Try making a call outside of a downtown metro area in western North Carolina with something other than Verizon. It ain't happening.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

ever look into a samsung u740?

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

If it did ebooks that would be perfect, Jon.



Craig, I lack the patience to muck about overmuch tonight, but this torrent has seventen of what you desire: http://thepiratebay.org/tor/4073583/...ocessing_Soft_[Scanning__Scan_Conversion_Processing__OCR_

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

I have US cellular now but it steals signal from verizon towers.

T-mobile doesnt exist here.

JD buy my samsung ching chong meow qwerty phone. You know you want to... :P

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

This is coming to verizon:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/25/v...today-for-200/

A little over your budget. Says up to 51 apps you can install, but doesn't say which ones and if any read PDF. Personally, I don't care for touch screen phones unless they have a tactile keyboard with it, but...

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

At the price of the Centro? Do I get a free ebook reader with that?

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i had a centro for sprint for a while. i really liked it. i have an htc mogul now i really like this phone.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

Well, I ended up getting the Centro, I'm on it right now. With all the credits and crap I ended up dropping $145 on Centro, 1 gig xD card, charger, a w385 for the kid, and I get a 70 rebate to boot. :)

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

mail-in? Don't forget to mail it...

Procrastination and memory issues have cost me hundreds over the years...

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

i've found through selling those awful wireless devices that if you yell loud enough to someone you'll get your $$ from a MIR if you're a tard and dont mail it off...

though it was always the trashy ghetto mother fuckers that made a fuss about MIRs that THEY usually fucked up; not us or the provider..

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

HTC ftw, dont know that they have anything out for Verizon, samsung has a decent touchscreen WM smartphone out for verizon (i760) that you can find pretty cheap...
http://www.phonescoop.com/ is a awesome site with "phone finder" that lets you narrow down selection by carrier and features, and you can read decent reviews too...
otherwise, grab a HTC mogul or a HTC touch... or i guess even the Q or Q9m by motorola... not TOO many smartphone choices for ya... i personally have the AT&T Tilt, and LOVE it, although video performance kinda blows, its a 400mhz ARM11(IIRC) processor, with a serperate ARM9 for the radio/camera/etc... takes good pictures outside, Garmin Mobile XT rocks (pirated), and i can listen to music and browse the web at work or wherever... ALSO a awesome program to take a look at if you get a decent data plan, WMWiFiRouter basically lets you tether wirelessy with your phone, out by ohare INTL i got ~1mb/s up and down on speedtest.net :6 ... anyways i'm done with rant.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

well the HTC 6700 and 6800 are both available on verizon, i have/used them
i would recommend the 6800, its thin, windows mobile 6, build in GPS receiver( download google maps/free gps FTW) fairly fast when clocked (note: stock is like 400mhz but htc actually underclocks them to same power, its actually an 800mhz processor and flies when you open it up) you arent even overclocking it, just taking it back to normal

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

Thought I'd give an update.

Palm Centro gets an A+ as a toy, B as a phone. My major source of annoyance is that it's impossible to text/use the tiny keyboard while driving. I'm used to being able to text without looking on a normal cell's numeric keypad, not possible with this thing.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

You forgot THE most important requirement:
- Properly formats BangBro's websites.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

Damn, I keep forgetting to check that.

I have failed you, leed-sama

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

------ commie bastards made it illegal in the state of WA to text while driving...---- you cant even have your phone at your ear anymore... :3 whats next? you cant drink while driving :S

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

I could drive past every police station in WA while texting on a traditional phone and never get a ticket. It's not like I'm looking someplace other than the road.

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Yeah i noticed that when I have used the Ex's phone from time to time. Such little keys. you will get better at it though. I have a Treo 755p. Little tougher construction and larger key for my Jimmy Dean like fingers.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

That's my only dislike of full qwerty keyboards. However, I've been accustomed to holding the keyboard sideways and I can still type one handed while rubbin one out driving down the road. Takes a little thumb and arm stretching, but is possible.

Update on my T-Mob wing (HTC Herald): I installed OpenTouch 6.0 (a custom firmware available on xda-dev site) and it is MUCH better. It uses less memory, runs much smoother, has a much nicer interface, and doesn't crash or do anything screwy. Much better than the OEM garbage they put on there. Also, they included the SMS-threading from WM6.1. It's a really nice feature. Instead of having to go through each individual message, the stuff is divided into "conversations" and shows up much like an instant messenger screen. Even nicer, when you delete the conversation, it deletes all the sent messages as well as incoming in that conversation. Much better than going to "delete all" and waiting 5 minutes for them to be deleted, or having to manually delete each and every message, etc.

I recommend anyone that has an HTC Herald/Tmobile Wing to upgrade to Open Touch v6 custom firmware :6

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

still sooo expensive though... Sprint has the new Samsung Instinct for cheap. yeah i know different kinda phone, but it does internet and ---- too...

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

Someone give me a good deal on a nice Sprint phone

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

Just broke up with the GF, migth have a pink centro coming your way. lol.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

Instinct looks pretty good although I've never played with it. I'll be with WinMo phones for life. Once you get used to their functionality it's hard to go to anything less. I started with an SDA smartphone, upgraded to the MDA when it came out (wanted the touch screen and full keyboard), and have used the cingular 8525 and now the tmob wang. Honestly I probably wouldnt have spent the 300-350 on the wing, but I got 4-5 for $600. Sold 3 for $350 each and so mine didn't cost me.

I sold a PPC6800 for $75 a few months back when I was strapped for cash. Shoulda let me know sooner.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

i've got a samsung blackjack II with windows mobile 6 and a bunch of other crap that's very lightly used i'd get rid of for 125 or so, if anyone is interested.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

should have gave me one bastard :1 lol it will be like 300bucks once my contract is up [sept/oct or something] :-\

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

Word on da skreet is Tmob is getting the HTC Touch Diamond. I *might* upgrade and sell my wing for $175-200, but not exactly excited about no qwerty keyboard. I'm hoping they get the HTC Touch Pro (basically the diamond with a slideout keyboard), but so far it's only been sent through the FCC for CDMA so isn't looking good.

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

Hook it up, I got a sharpie! 8)

Re: Cell/PDA advice
 

---- it, they have skins for em that cover everything but the pink keypad.

We will see. I am trying to have her keep it and pay for half the bill though too. Either way it's all good.