What PDA/ cell phone are you getting?

[stmclovin]

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I am thinking to get a PDA/ cell phone that will be compatible with my school e-mail/calendar system (so you can just import all the information into the cell phone calendar without typing it), must have hi-speed internet, bluetooth. I kind of dislike Windows mobile phones because they are not easy to use when in a hurry, plus they are not great phones. I am not sure if I am a fan of blackberry since I do not text message (maybe send 1 txt/ year).

I thought of just updating a phone and getting a separate PDA as well. Any siggestions?

I will probably be going to CCOM and currently have ATT. But might switch to other company for better wireless internet coverage. What is the best PDA/cell phone right now?

Edit: I liked iphone, but it does not have 3g so it is out.

 

[prionsRbad]

Edit: I liked iphone, but it does not have 3g so it is out.

Just wait till the summer or early Fall. 😉

http://startupnewz.com/blog/2007/09/19/apple-3g-iphone-in-2008-steve-jobs/

 

[stmclovin]

The thing is that I do not like Apple at all. I really hate Itunes... very useless and slow software. But these guys make nice things and stay in the niche for awhile.

Now we have to get Microsoft buy Apple and be able to download/upload songs into iphone from my computer without Itunes.

 

[blahwhatever]

Have you looked into AT&T's Tilt? That's the best phone for your purposes I can think of, but I haven't really looked into any of the other carriers since AT&T is what I have too. Overall it seems like a nice little gadget, the touch screen feature is nice. I've played around with it, it was a bit sluggish at times and it has windows.

 

[DOctorJay]

get the centro just released on at&t or go with the at&t tilt. also check in the tech forum here on SDN.

 

[stmclovin]

Have you looked into AT&T's Tilt? That's the best phone for your purposes I can think of, but I haven't really looked into any of the other carriers since AT&T is what I have too. Overall it seems like a nice little gadget, the touch screen feature is nice. I've played around with it, it was a bit sluggish at times and it has windows.

Tilt is ok. The only thing with window mobile devices, it is hard to use them on the go. Small onscreen buttons, have to use a stylus. Also, I am not sure how good the call quality. I used to have Eten X800 (built in GPS, wifi). Too many features, as a result the quality of the cell phone reception sucked.

right now, I got Motorola Ming A1200, but it is going bad on me and it does not have 3G and you cant import calendar. Plus, many Cingular menus are abscent on it since i did not buy it from ATT. I was able to get mobile web and txt to work on it though. I like its small size, touch screen, and the reception/sound quality are excellent.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Dre9Q_Nzc

 

[TexasTriathlete]

The iphone is the worst piece of **** ever created. It is very pretty, but it ****ing sucks *******s like there's no tomorrow. What's the point of not having buttons on your ****ing phone?

 

[slim78]

The iphone is the worst piece of **** ever created. It is very pretty, but it ****ing sucks *******s like there's no tomorrow. What's the point of not having buttons on your ****ing phone?

Why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel?

 

[stmclovin]

The iphone is the worst piece of **** ever created. It is very pretty, but it ****ing sucks *******s like there's no tomorrow. What's the point of not having buttons on your ****ing phone?

why do you need buttons? The only reason I do not like Iphone is that i do not like Apple and Itunes in general.... Who came up with a one-button mouse. WHY?! Everyone knows you got to have 2 buttons.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I need buttons because I want to be able to ****ing type the letters and numbers I want to type, as opposed to some other ****, and the stupid iphone trying to guess what I'm typing. I have a blackberry 8703e, and I could not be happier. It does everything I need, and does it well. And it has buttons.

 

[blondeshell15]

I am thinking to get a PDA/ cell phone that will be compatible with my school e-mail/calendar system (so you can just import all the information into the cell phone calendar without typing it), must have hi-speed internet, bluetooth. I kind of dislike Windows mobile phones because they are not easy to use when in a hurry, plus they are not great phones. I am not sure if I am a fan of blackberry since I do not text message (maybe send 1 txt/ year).

I thought of just updating a phone and getting a separate PDA as well. Any siggestions?

I will probably be going to CCOM and currently have ATT. But might switch to other company for better wireless internet coverage. What is the best PDA/cell phone right now?

Edit: I liked iphone, but it does not have 3g so it is out.

....sorry....I'm still hung up on "(maybe send 1 txt/ year)."

I wish they had the support group "texters anonymous" - I would be first in line.

 

[stmclovin]

....sorry....I'm still hung up on "(maybe send 1 txt/ year)."

I wish they had the support group "texters anonymous" - I would be first in line.

Lol. I really dislike tpying message on 10 buttons or on a tiny onscreen keyboard. I prefer to use full size keyboard and send an e-mail or maybe call people. Messaging is so 90's. If I need someone, i will call them. If they do not pick up, they are too busy to communicate with me anyways. Also, I never received any important information via txt so I do not use it.

 

[ellinopedo182]

i have the iphone and i like it a lot. had a n95 before that, loved it and its 3.5G, extremely fast but still hated how its not touchscreen.

 

[DocRawk]

When the iPhone goes 3G and adds the new SDK so that 3rd party software development can happen, it will be the best option available. Software and internet navigation are both very intuitive, and AT&T has the thing set up so that a $59.99 plan gets you basic calling, unlimited data, and 200 messages. A comparable phone with Windows Mobile or Palm OS will require a $39.99 calling plan plus a $30 data plan with another $5 for 200 messages. With a $15/month plan difference, it isn't hard to see that the $100 difference between it and the Tilt will be more than offset by your 8th month of service. By the end of your 2 year contract, you'll have saved $260. Considering the fact that I'll be paying interest on the student loan that the $260 comes from, I'll take the iPhone. Data plans for the Blackberries are even more pricey...

 

[DredPiratRobrts]

I have a Treo 650. My Verizon plan is up in May and Im considering an iPhone. However I'm also considering a Blackberry or a Treo 750.

 

[ppatel1185]

Sony Xperia X1 ..... by far the best phone in the market....when it comes out this summer...

 

[stmclovin]

When the iPhone goes 3G and adds the new SDK so that 3rd party software development can happen, it will be the best option available. Software and internet navigation are both very intuitive, and AT&T has the thing set up so that a $59.99 plan gets you basic calling, unlimited data, and 200 messages. A comparable phone with Windows Mobile or Palm OS will require a $39.99 calling plan plus a $30 data plan with another $5 for 200 messages. With a $15/month plan difference, it isn't hard to see that the $100 difference between it and the Tilt will be more than offset by your 8th month of service. By the end of your 2 year contract, you'll have saved $260. Considering the fact that I'll be paying interest on the student loan that the $260 comes from, I'll take the iPhone. Data plans for the Blackberries are even more pricey...

The problem with the "unlimited" plan is you cant download that much stuff with your phone anyways. Now if you can connect the phone to your laptop through bluetooth or something, then it makes more sense. I really want to use my phone for internet access from my laptop when wifi is not available.

 

[DrMidlife]

I have a Treo 650. My Verizon plan is up in May and Im considering an iPhone. However I'm also considering a Blackberry or a Treo 750.

I got a Treo 700p with the intent to use it as a one-size-fits-all device during med school. I love it now, but it won't work like I thought it would down the road: I'll need to be able to use med software while I'm talking on the phone. D'oh, no can do. Plus it's heavy & bulky. But having phone/email/internet/MP3/DVR/camera/calendar/alarmclock/GPS... in one device is really fun.

 

[brgotch]

I love my iphone. I also text like nobody's business.

 

[Four]

I considered getting a Meizu M8 whenever it comes out, but it also depends how long I am shackled to Sprint. If I decide to stay (since it is still cheap), I might get one of their Palms, but the M8 might be what I chose.

And it would make sense to have a feature to disable calling. I mean, think of Blackberries and Treos in meeting rooms. They surely turn off the phone function, right? I don't know; this is the first smartphone I buy.

 

[DrMidlife]

I considered getting a Meizu M8 whenever it comes out, but it also depends how long I am shackled to Sprint. If I decide to stay (since it is still cheap), I might get one of their Palms, but the M8 might be what I chose.

And it would make sense to have a feature to disable calling. I mean, think of Blackberries and Treos in meeting rooms. They surely turn off the phone function, right? I don't know; this is the first smartphone I buy.

On a Treo you can turn on/off the phone. It should work faster, but it works fine. The switch to turn off the ringer is mechanical and immediate, though.

 

[MJB]

My only complaint with the Blackberry Curve is that the internet is too slow on it. My hope is that this will change.

 

[paramediclizard]

I want one of those awesome, huge brick phones from the eighties.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

You're talking about the Zach Morris phone. I don't think they're from the 80's. Maybe late-80's.

I had one my senior year in high school (graduated 1996), briefly. THen the flip-phone came out, and I was off to the races. Not long after that, they started getting down to about the size they are now.

 

[Halloweenie]

a Blackberry Curve, and I love it. 😀 TMobile's data plan is awesome. $9.99/mo for all your email accounts and $19.99/mo for all internet surfing.

 

[rockdascrubs786]

i was thinking about getting a blackberry, but will prolly go for two paper cups with string in between them. Regression!

 

[paramediclizard]

You're talking about the Zach Morris phone. I don't think they're from the 80's. Maybe late-80's.

I had one my senior year in high school (graduated 1996), briefly. THen the flip-phone came out, and I was off to the races. Not long after that, they started getting down to about the size they are now.

TT, I f-ing love that you can up with Zack Morris...that's totally what I was thinking!

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I'm the guy who started the "who would win in a fight: AC Slater or Daniel LaRusso?" thread in the loung. I can relate almost anything to saved by the bell.

 

[DOctorJay]

I'll need to be able to use med software while I'm talking on the phone. D'oh, no can do. Plus it's heavy & bulky. But having phone/email/internet/MP3/DVR/camera/calendar/alarmclock/GPS... in one device is really fun.

you can do this on your treo as long as you're using a bluetooth headset. how often would you need to do both at the same time anyway?

treo still far and away the best device for med students/residents/docs at this time - this may change if more software opens up on other platforms but the ease of palmOS has brought tons of software developers to use it for our collective benefit.

 

[doinmybest5840]

How important is it to have a cell phone with the ability to do all these things? All during undergrad I used a regular cell phone and a little leather-bound planner. Is it unrealistic to think I could get by with this in med school as well? I've never had a phone with a zillion different functions on it, so I don't even know how much of it I would use or whether it'd be worth spending my money on one. Thanks. 🙂

 

[PatriotsForever]

How important is it to have a cell phone with the ability to do all these things? All during undergrad I used a regular cell phone and a little leather-bound planner. Is it unrealistic to think I could get by with this in med school as well? I've never had a phone with a zillion different functions on it, so I don't even know how much of it I would use or whether it'd be worth spending my money on one. Thanks. 🙂

It depends on your school. TCOM, my school, requires a smartphone or PDA and is very technologically based. So while I've never had anything but a basic cellphone and in fact have not had for nearly 3 years... I need one for school so it is a necessity for me.

 

[hanky1982]

Seriously guys, I know having a PDA or a smart phone is nice (hell, I will probably get one in the next year or two), but YOU DO NOT NEED ONE FOR SCHOOL. At least you won't need one for your first or second years. Don't kid yourself into thinking that you will be getting urgent emails that just can't wait. You will always be on your computer and thus should have access to all the email programs you need. Remember, we are medical students, not doctors.... thus there are not many things that will require us to urgently reply to.

With that said, they are pretty sexy and are a sure fire way of wasting time rather than studying. Happy shopping.

 

[Playmakur42]

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[brgotch]

those phones have the added benefit of personal security.
My phone can email, take pictures, keep track of appointments, and surf the blagosphere, but that phone can bludgeon a would-be rapist to death.

 

[OCHO]

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