Please educate me !

[themightyboosh]

I seem to be a few years behind everyone else when it comes to mobile phones - I am due for a new contract soon and trying to decide what I want/need...

Loads of people have got blackberrys - Whats the big deal with these, and why are they better than normal phones?

What is 3g ? The (cheapest) blackberry that I've seen - the 8520 - Apparently isn't 3g, is this a handset best avoided?

Internet on mobile phone - I presume this has improved from the WAP services that used to be offered? Just how good is it?

Are there any alternatives to blackberry, from someone like Nokia that might be better? I've always preferred nokias


I am sure I'll think of more questions, but they can do you for a starter !!!

Thanks :)

[nigel_williams]

It really depends what you want from your phone, some people are happy with voice/text and nothing else. If you feel the need to have services like email, Twitter, Instant Messaging and web browsing on the go, then a smartphone is what you want. Next to consider is budget, you generally need a data allowance in your contract so it will cost more than just minutes/text.

Web browsing is quite different now, they can usually render web pages ok but of course the smaller screen does make it little limited. But many websites now have a mobile version of their site (including this forum!), so they are friendly to use and quick to load. 3G is not entirely essential, but it does make using data intensive apps a better experience e.g. Google Maps, which is a godsend :)

Personally I have an Android based G1 which is extremely easy to use. My brother is a bit of a technophobe but he really liked it and was able to use it. If you get a chance, I suggest you pop down to local phone shop and have a play with an Android based handset and see what you think. There is of course the iPhone, but it's generally a bit more expensive to own and run.

[themightyboosh]

Thanks for the reply Nigel

So 3g makes data transfer faster, I guess essential if doing lots of internetting

So many phones to choose from, and no idea which are good or not. The iPhone looks great but far too expensive for me - Quite a few of the lads in work have blackberrys which is why I asked about them

Because I've always had Nokia (and when I've used anything else I've been lost) I am shying away from all the others; Sony, samsung, LG etc - I just find Nokia phones very easy to use, am I missing a trick thinking like this? Any manufacturers I should avoid?

I think a smartphone sounds fun, the ability to email/facebook/occasionally web browse would be very useful. Any that can get a semi decent game on wouldnt go amiss either :) keep me occupied in moments of boredom.

Now... Just need to choose a network!

[paulsaz]

It's all about apps these days and for that you're really looking at the iphones or something android based. android is the operating system that several manufacturers have got together and adopted and superficially looks and feels like the iphone interface. I don't think I'd look at anything now that wasn't one of those two.

If the iphone is out of the question then look at something like the htc tattoo on vodafone maybe. Just go and have a wander round the operators and see what appeals at the right price, and make sure that you get a decent data bundle included if you get a smart phone as they do churn through data just keeping themselves synced.

[nigel_williams]

I've seen a few decent contracts for the Hero which is a very good Android handset. Most are 24 months, which is a bit long, but I believe you can get them on 18 months then pay around £20 (ish) for minutes/texts and data. It really depends on your budget, but T-Mobile do offer good value, and believe Orange are doing similar deals now.

I know what you mean about Nokia, they always had a good user interface on phones. But I have to say I've been disappointed by the few smartphones they have put out. It really does feel like an old phone system with a poor touch interface bolted on. There are a couple of Android based phones out there, some with their own UI bolted on top like Sense on HTC devices or Motoblur on Motorola. Both are designed to give a better experience on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter etc as well as a few other nice touches.

I'll be looking for a new phone in May, and it will definitely be another Android handset.

[waldopepper]

Basically only get a Blackberry if you use email a heck of a lot whilst on the move or out of hours. Personally, I hate the fiddly little keyboard - I can type quicker on an iPhone keyboard. But Blackberry's are mostly so that you can have an 'always on' link to your work email server and get notified with a ping when you get an email.

There are lots of ways to do this for home email on normal phones - and yes, viewing web pages has got a lot better on phones in recent years. The main consideration is how big a screen will give you what you want web-wise whilst on the move. Personally I have a small screen for occasional web-browsing but some people prefer much larger screens so they can see much more of the webpage and view it almost at full size rather than a 'mobile view'.

From personal experience web-browsing on Blackberrys is way worse than on most other phones.

When looking for a contract most include unlimited internet access - this will be important if you want to browse a lot on a larger screen and if you'll use an app like MSMessenger to inform you of email all the time.

[Ian_Vodafone]

Hi Guys,

There's been a lot of great information on possible new handsets available.

You mention that you're due a new connection soon, I'm assuming it's an upgrade.

Vodafone also offer some fantastic phones, with a great range of packages and as I'm part of the Web Relations Team, we look to ensure that you get the best package here.

Along with Nigel_Williams who has posted a link to T_Mobile's I've included a link to our website here Vodafone (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=389)

Feel free to let me know if you need anymore help.

Best Wishes

Ian

Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK