Cell Phones & BusinessIt's a funny think how the older I get the further away I feel from current technology. Perhaps it's because I've given into the attitude of, 'what does it matter keeping up if it's only going to change again tomorrow.'
Currently I have a Samsung flip phone, that’s where this photo came from. It’s not the most technologically advanced phone ever, it only has 20 buttons. I got so sick of my Palm Treo three years ago because I kept hanging up on people when it touched my ear while I was talking. It doesn't sound like it's much better off nowadays as my cousin called me from Texas last week on his new Treo. We don't talk much and that day wasn't supposed to be an exception but he accidently dialed me when he brushed up against the phone screen. If that weren't enough after we talked he accidentally called me back. That's not a frustration I want to go through with my clients, "oh it's just my haberdasher dialing me from his pocket again."
With my friends and clients texting me at an unprecedented rate I feel it necessary to get something with a keyboard. But what phone? I think I'm going to take about 6 months to research my next new phone. That's when T-Mobile says they'll chip in to buy it if I sign up for a longer contract. I saw phones on ebay this weekend so that is an option. My friend Sunny from www.techlab102.com sells & repairs cell phones so I’ll be sure to talk with him as well.
I want to be informed when I buy so I know I’m getting the right phone for what I do. Another friend/client of mine has a phone that syncs throughout the day with his computer and his truck so no matter where he is he knows where he’s supposed to be. I was thinking he must have a Cadillac truck or something but he told me it is a Honda Ridgeline & it greets him with a review of his schedule in the morning. I like that idea.
After about 6 months of frustration I tossed my Palm in the garbage & started writing my schedule on paper again, but in today’s world that is no longer an option. Now I want a phone that will work with my haberdashering. The options are endless… which phone is right for me?
I talked to someone about buying one of those unlocked Apple phones one Ebay. I was told they would work fine on a network besides AT&T but if I wanted to do any online updates then Apple would relock the phone.
So again I ask, ‘which phone?’ Anyone?
My Best,
Jeff Collins Professional Haberdasher www.MyHaberdasher.com
I hear you about the treo. I went through two of them, and they almost made me stop using cell phones entirely they were such worthless pieces of technology.
The answer here is All Phones Suck. You're going to pay $200-$500 for something with poor reception, lousy call quality, but at least it's shiny.. That's the way the market has gone.
I've been thinking about buying the jitterbug, it's supposed to have great call quality, and only has 11 buttons.
How do people feel about the Blackberry?
Jeff, this doesn't answer your queries about the phones, but I think maybe you're on to something here. Can you build and market a suit with pockets guaranteed not to dial a phone? (she asks, half seriously.)
(I'm in the market for a phone, too.)
Jeff: I like my Blackberry. It works and that's what matters. I had a Treo and it was erratic. I can email, keep track of appointments, and use it as a phone. Good luck!
Paul
Blackberry is great, the best inexpensive smartphone by far. I still carry a standard moto flip phone though. I like having something small enough to keep in a pocket. For when I need more, I also carry an Apple iPod Touch - it gives me the internet goodness of an iPhone but that way I don't have to carry a larger phone all the time.
What I hope long term is we'll see the 900MHz spectrum become open, then we can buy the phone we want and VoIP carrier/phone system we want. But that's all fantasy right now...
Who is your carrier? That will help you choose your phone. The Apple iPhone will only work with a GSM provider (basically, AT&T and T-Mobile in the US.) I'd stay away unless you're on AT&T.
There are also lots of unbiased reviews on CNET and user forums for various networks, which I used before buying my last two phones. It helped a lot!
I currently have T-Mobile. I was with AT&T until the merge. I was really unhappy with their customer service at that point so I left after 7 years with them & they didn't try to keep me.
My T-Mobile contract is up in the summer. That's when I can either leave or get the best price on a new phone if I stay with them.
Everyone I know who has the iphone loves it. I would like something with great coverage, email & internet. I have a feeling there will be a lot of options at that point. Also I have gravitated towards flip phones because they protect the keyboard/screen from making unwanted calls.
Over a decade ago I had a cell phone for about three months - and I HATED being that connected. I've never had one since. My clients and vendors know they can reach me by email or via my office phone (where they can leave me a voice message). It works just fine for me.
quick bullet points, and please take this as anecdotal and YMMV.
carrier, Verizon and T-Mobile as choices in order of preference. Verizon for a business phone, T-Mobile if it's a personal phone.
I'd wait for the second generation of iPhone. in my office there are 4 engineers with them, and every one of them hacks it to get it where they want it to be... that may be a pain for the non propeller heads. Hopefully the second generation will be offered by more than AT&T as carriers, and even if they aren't they will be a much more mature product. .. also, the available network for data specific to the iPhone will be much faster (in the works now).
i have mostly gotten away from smart phones. i carry a clamshell phone (Verizon/Motorola RAZR - but any clamshell with a stable OS on a good carrier will do), i too hate misdials, so the keys are covered. and for data-email if it's that important to me i carry my laptop and air card.
my two cents
I looked into the AT&T/Apple contract & it is for a 5 year period. Unless Apple is able to get around this with another product chances are I won't be getting one of those.
One thing about the iPhone is that it requires two hands or a hand and eyes to do basic functions such as answering the phone. With its touch screen, you cannot press buttons by feel. Therefore, you must look at the screen. The screen locks automatically as to not allow for pocket dialing, but to start using it you must slide your finger along the slider. That can be done with the phone in your palm and your thumb is you are nimble. If not, then two hands are needed. Again, either way you will need to look at the phone as you need to touch the slider that cannot be felt.
Blackberry is good for all the basics without many bells and whistles. The web browser is not quite standard so web pages will look funny unless if they were built with smart phones in mind (which is growingly so). I have been using one for 4 years with T-mobile and have not had any problems. It just works. T-mobile also has the Blackberry Curve that can do wi-fi calling. That means that if you are getting a wireless internet connection at work, home, or a coffee shop, your calls will be done through the internet without using up any minutes on your plan. Great feature and I would like to get one of those soon. Currently using the 8700g.
Frank
That's some good insight, Frank. Thanks
Most people I know like the Blackberry because it can take a little abuse as well. Not so apt to break when dropped.
Yes, that is true. I have dropped mine four times so far on the pavement while getting out of the car. Just a few scratches on the plastic and luckily the screen is still perfect.
Frank
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