Get Internet Capable Phone?

[clement]

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So I'm one of those that has put off on getting a fancy phone until residency. I still have an old Nokia candybar...For at least one of two interviews I've received, I replied two hours after the Email got to me and the date I wanted was full...Is now a good to time to get the phone? $50 more per month on my phone bill... :-(

PS: I also had an interview invite end up in my spam folder (just happened to log into MyERAS and see that I had a message). Pretty annoyed. I'm sure there's a Gmail setting for safe addresses but they are school-specific addresses and not one generalized ERAS domain.

 

[coup de chance]

So I'm one of those that has put off on getting a fancy phone until residency. I still have an old Nokia candybar...For at least one of two interviews I've received, I replied two hours after the Email got to me and the date I wanted was full...Is now a good to time to get the phone? $50 more per month on my phone bill... :-(

PS: I also had an interview invite end up in my spam folder (just happened to log into MyERAS and see that I had a message). Pretty annoyed. I'm sure there's a Gmail setting for safe addresses but they are school-specific addresses and not one generalized ERAS domain.

That is a really good point! What brands of smart phones are recommended? I have a TMobile plan currently, but am opening to switching if the phone is worth it.

And what about tethering for your laptop when you're traveling for interviewing? Any recommended plans or other methods? Or do most airports/hotels have WiFi for your laptop for free/reasonable prices?

 

[stapleit]

So I'm one of those that has put off on getting a fancy phone until residency. I still have an old Nokia candybar...For at least one of two interviews I've received, I replied two hours after the Email got to me and the date I wanted was full...Is now a good to time to get the phone? $50 more per month on my phone bill... :-(

PS: I also had an interview invite end up in my spam folder (just happened to log into MyERAS and see that I had a message). Pretty annoyed. I'm sure there's a Gmail setting for safe addresses but they are school-specific addresses and not one generalized ERAS domain.

That sucks. But unless you're sitting next to your computer all week long, you're bound to have this ^ happen again with other programs. If yo'ure applying for lesser competitive programs where they offer a ton of interviews, and getting specific dates isn't a big deal to you (so as long as you get an interview at your program of choice), I would pass on a smart phone buti it can certainly make your life a bit easier. You're paying $$ for convenience. However if you're applying to the more competitive fields that only offer 2 or 3 interview dates, you NEED to get a phone.

 

[Samoa]

I'd get a smartphone, because sometimes you really do have to jump on an invitation to get the date you want. Back when few people had them, it wasn't such a disadvantage not to. But now it's a whole different ballgame.

Regarding Gmail and spam, as long as you clicked the button that says "not spam" you shouldn't have any further problems. Gmail learns pretty fast.

 

[stapleit]

If you dont want to strap yourself to a phone w/ a contract, itouch with wifi is an option.

 

[coup de chance]

If you dont want to strap yourself to a phone w/ a contract, itouch with wifi is an option.

Thanks!
Would a iTouch give more WiFi options than a Palm with WiFi?

 

[stapleit]

Thanks!
Would a iTouch give more WiFi options than a Palm with WiFi?

Probably the same. I just suggested the itouch but anything with wifi for email access is what you're looking for, right? The only thing is unlike a smartphone which would notify you of any new mail, with wifi you'd need to constantly check your email. If I were you, I'd go with the smartphone for the convenience.

 

[snowbank]

I have an Ipod touch, but the only bad thing (obviously) that you need a place that has wifi (and free at that too!) for the internet to work. Same with a PDA. I had a PDA before, but for practicality and size and user friendliness, much prefer the touch.

Now most hospitals that you will be interviewing it will probably have a wifi network, but NOT all airports and cities and buses and trains while you are travelling there will, so you'll be offline for at least some portion of travels.
Im struggling with the same question myself now, whether that time is worth the money and costs of a smartphone.

On that topic though, by no means do I want to hijack the topic, but does anyone here have the Evo or the Samsung Captivate or the Droid X or Droid2? Heard and seen lots about the iPhone 4. Am more interested in the android phones now....

 

[smq123]

On that topic though, by no means do I want to hijack the topic, but does anyone here have the Evo or the Samsung Captivate or the Droid X or Droid2? Heard and seen lots about the iPhone 4. Am more interested in the android phones now....

I have a Droid X, and I really like it. Great internet capabilities, and a lot of the cool google apps. It IS a little bulky, but the fact that I have a touchscreen phone that lets me stay on Verizon is worth it.

 

[gutonc]

I have a Droid X, and I really like it. Great internet capabilities, and a lot of the cool google apps. It IS a little bulky, but the fact that I have a touchscreen phone that lets me stay on Verizon is worth it.

+1. Got my Droid the day after they came out. Haven't looked back and don't in any way regret not having an iPhone (even though I'm a total Apple fanboy). And now that Flash is native on Android...even better. And not having to be on ATT is worth its weight in gold.