Need advice choosing a new smartphone

[Bones Justice]

I used my 8100 for years and it did everything well but my needs grew this past year. I needed better support for Word/Excel/PDF (especially viewing tracked changes which eOffice doesn't support). I have wanted YouTube and Slingbox ever since I tried them out last year. I recently got an 8900 which I thought would solve my problems using Docs2Go and Wi-Fi but so far, it's a complete fail. Docs2Go also does not support viewing tracked changes in documents unless you pay extra. Wi-Fi does not work reliably at all where I need it even though Edge works nearly full strength. Wi-Fi works great at my house but I don't really need it there. I've checked the coverage maps and 3G is definitely available where I need it.

So now I'm looking for a new smartphone. These are my must haves:

* T-Mobile
* 3G
* Slingbox compatible
* Freedom Universal Keyboard compatible (since I already own one)
* Ability to view/edit Word and Excel files (including tracked changes) and at least view PDF files
* able to connect to Windows XP
* camera / video camera

These are my preferences (not a must):

* not a touch-screen
* large keys (prefer 8100 size keys better than 8900)
* flip-phone with dual screens (had a Samsung "dumb" phone like this before the 8100)
* calendar comparable to a Blackberry with multiple alarms and lots of flexibility in programming schedules into it

---

If the 8220 had 3G, I'd pay the extra for Docs2Go Premium as I think it would be nearly perfect. I love the design, the flip and large keys, and am very comfortable with SureType. I wish you could just add a card with 3G!

The 9700 seems like a really nice phone but it's an expensive option. The upgrade would cost me $130 plus another $50 for Docs2Go Premium. I'm unsure about my Freedom Keyboard working with it since they haven't made drivers for 5.0 yet, as far as I know. I can live with the form-factor though I still prefer larger keys.

I think I would prefer a Blackberry since it's what I'm used to but a T-Mobile Dash 3G seems like a pretty good fit. I saw one in a T-Mobile store and hands-on, it was all right. I've heard a lot of negatives about Windows Mobile but in the short time that I tried it, it worked well. Office Mobile seemed superior to Docs2Go, though I didn't use it long enough to totally compare them. The screen seemed smaller than the 8900 but I'm still more used to an 8100 screen anyways. There is support for Windows Mobile 6.1 for both the Freedom keyboards and Slingbox. The price can't be beat as I could get a new one for free on upgrade. Anyone have an opinion of the Dash 3G?

[Pi Guy 3.14]

So basically, you want a smartphone but $130 is too pricey for you?

All I know, if I was changing phones from a blackberry, I def wouldn't get a dash lol.

[grahamf]

I think for your needs a WinMo such as the HTC Snap would be the best, because only MS Office for mobile Gets closest to the desktop version. And whatever you do, do NOT get a touch winmo unless it is os 7 or has a custom theme, because they are a PITA to use long term.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Bones Justice]

Originally Posted by Pi Guy 3.14

So basically, you want a smartphone but $130 is too pricey for you?.

Yes. Besides, it's not $130, it would actually be $180; even then, it falls short of my needs. I would be a fool to pay that much for a 9700 knowing it wouldn't work in the first place.

There are lots of smartphones for under $50 and many are free.

Originally Posted by Pi Guy 3.14

All I know, if I was changing phones from a blackberry, I def wouldn't get a dash lol

Care to be more specific about what's wrong with the Dash? Or is that truly all you know?

Originally Posted by grahamf

I think for your needs a WinMo such as the HTC Snap would be the best, because only MS Office for mobile Gets closest to the desktop version. And whatever you do, do NOT get a touch winmo unless it is os 7 or has a custom theme, because they are a PITA to use long term.

Thanks for the advice. I think the Dash is the T-Mobile version of the HTC Snap. I thought Blackberrys were the preferred business phones but I have really been struggling with Office documents recently on mine.

[hooliginz]

Bb bold 9000 mate

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[grahamf]

Yeah Blackberrys are the preferred, but whenever you really need Office the version made by Microsoft is always better.

[Bones Justice]

Originally Posted by hooliginz

Bb bold 9000 mate

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

Thanks for the reply but that model isn't offered by T-Mobile. I don't think it ever was. But at least it's closer to what I had in mind.

Originally Posted by grahamf

Yeah Blackberrys are the preferred, but whenever you really need Office the version made by Microsoft is always better.

I'm beginning to think so. And thanks for the reply!

Is there really no Blackberry that fits my criteria? I confirmed that the 9700 won't work with my keyboard, too, so if I decide to go that route, it'll cost me another $125 on top for a new keyboard. Only T-Mobile's Dash 3G seems to fit my criteria and it's even cheaper now (free) than when I started looking.

[MisterObvious]

I agree that the Dash is probably the way to go. That said, I think a Pearl 3G is out or coming out soon.

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[pkcable]

I'm surprised they won't give you a 9700, they are giving them to new customers right now. If price is the main sticking point try arguing a bit harder and perhaps retentions will offer it to you free.

EDIT: Since you have specified TMo lets move this thread to their forum.

[Bones Justice]

I would be interested in the new Pearl but how long do I wait? I've already been sitting on this decision for a couple of months. And most likely, the new Pearl will have OS5.0 which won't work with my keyboard, either. So like the 9700, if a new Pearl ever comes out for T-Mobile, would cost me up to $300 ($100 or so for the new phone, $125 for a new keyboard that works with OS5.0, and $50 for Docs2Go).

I wish T-Mobile would give me a 9700 for free. I finished my last agreement with them almost a year ago but they still consider me an "upgrade" rather than a new customer. If they are giving 9700's away to new customer then I guess people like me would be subsidizing since I still have to pay over $100 for one with a new contract.

I never owned any smartphone except Blackberry (8100 then 8900) so I don't know if I would like the Dash 3G or not. Seemed okay in the store but it's hard to judge in detail during such a short period. I would have expected longer support from Blackberry than Windows Mobile but maybe I just struck out during the technology cycle this time.

[K Bear]

You're better off with and HTC HD2.

[Artemis68]

I wouldn't go with a Dash 3G.

It's pure speculation but I imagine you won't have to wait TOO much longer for a 3G Pearl. I say this because I know that it has come out already on some carriers (Bell, Rogers, and telus according the BB website). Shouldn't be too long before we see a US release.

If you can't wait, the Bold 9700 is a good way to go. I'd see if they would give you a deep discounted price or even for free.

[Bones Justice]

Originally Posted by K Bear

You're better off with and HTC HD2.

Originally Posted by Artemis68

...a 3G Pearl...
...the Bold 9700 is a good way to go. I'd see if they would give you a deep discounted price or even for free.

I'm sure all three of those are nice phones but they won't work with my Freedom Universal keyboard. No way I can work without that.

And the HD2 is $200! I have asked for a better deal on the 9700 but they said no.

Originally Posted by Artemis68

I wouldn't go with a Dash 3G.

So I've heard but why is that? If there is something really wrong with it, I'd rather hear about it before I get one than after.

Thanks for replying!

[Pi Guy 3.14]

Actually the hd2 is $99.99 and has been for a couple days....

[Bones Justice]

Originally Posted by Pi Guy 3.14

Actually the hd2 is $99.99 and has been for a couple days....

Maybe, but apparently not for me. When I log in to the T-Mobile website and choose "upgrade", the price for the HD2 is $199.99 with a two-year contract. I don't really understand it but the HD2 also has notes about "$62.50 Equipment Installment down payment plus 3 Equipment Installment monthly payments of $62.50". I tried going in to the store today and the price was $199.99 there, too, even said so on the tag. I asked and was told the $99.99 price was only for new customers. Besides all that, I'm not even sure there's support for Windows Mobile 6.5 with my equipment.

The Dash 3G is free when I chose "upgrade". It doesn't even mention installment payments.