[Saidear]

I'm in the market for a new cell as mine is dying and can't keep up to my needs.

First, off.. I need a phone that lasts.. I'm big on text and IM use and I work 16 hour days plus commute. I have three chargers that I can dump my phone onto currently tho I'd like less if possible. Now I don't expect miracles but a hefty battery is definitely wanted.
Two is tethering. I have an iPad and anything 'heavy' I defer to that. As long as my phone can handle it, I'm happy. Not for long periods mind you.
Lastly is ruggedization. I'm going into seccurity work so don't want a phone that I can't make significantly more durable while being easy to use.

I really like the Curve for this, it seems to be a good balance of features without being unnecessarily overpowered for my needs. I've been suggested the bold and while I loved my 9700, my smartphone uses have changed since then. I feel that for the extra hundred bucks I'm not really gaining anything worthwhile

[johnny316]

I have a 9380 which is not that good for lots of heavy texting. Using a keyboard is better. I think you may to go with the 9900 or perhaps 9360. Older kid uses 9900 and high schooler uses 9300. Thousands of text and BBM per month. I think the 9360 can also create a hot spot as well as the 9900 (Os 7.1) can create wifi hot spot.

[Saidear]

Was looking more at the 9360 than the 9380, kinda done with all touch screens. They're battery hogs, fragile, and slow to type on.