1. What PDA and/or mobile phone do you use today?
XV6700

2. Are you locked into a mobile carrier (i.e. Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS, etc.), or do you prefer a particular carrier? Do you know if one carrier has better coverage in places that you need to be? (PLEASE SEE THE CARRIER NOTE BELOW)
Verizon Wireless

3. Where are you based? Do you stay in one place or travel a lot? Do you travel internationally... how much and where? Do you intend to use your PDAPhone there?
NYC, some travel

4. Do have a preference of Palm, Pocket PC, Symbian, Smartphone OS, Blackberry, etc.?
No OS preference, just features/applications preferences

5. Are you likely to run it the way it came out of the box, or do you intend to load a whole lot of extra applications and stuff on it? Do you know of anything now that you will need to run?
I'm likely to add software. My most-used applications on the 6700 are a time calculator, Excel, and Google Maps. I'd love a device that uses Google Maps' My Location function. (The 6700 does not.)

6. How important is wireless data access, and for what would you use it? (i.e. Web browsing, VPN, Remote termnial Access, Instant messaging, etc)?
It's important, for email and web browsing. And I currently use it on the road tethered to a Windows laptop.

7. Will you need to view Microsoft Office documents on the PDAPhone? Will you need to edit them?
Will absolutely need to be able to edit Excel documents. No others are essential.

8. Will you need access to an email system?
Yes, just pop3. Imap would be nice, but is non-essential.

9. Do you do SMS messaging a lot (telephone to telephone messaging)?
No, just email.

10. Do you want to use a GPS with the PDAPhone for mapping and navigation?
Yes. I have a bluetooth one, but built-in would be great!

11. What is your size preference.. very close to the smallest cellphone, or you don’t care.. function over size?
Function over size, within reason. Weight is a bigger issue than overall size.

12. How will you carry it... pocket, belt, purse, etc.?
Belt most often.

13. Do you prefer a particular form factor… flip-phone, candy bar, etc?
No.

14. Do you prefer a QWERTY keyboard, numeric dial-pad, or stylus?
Full QWERTY (hey, that's easy to spell!) foremost, stylus as runner-up.

15. Do you want to play a lot of video games on the PDAPhone? What kinds - puzzles, strategy, action adventure, etc.?
No. Any games will be incidental.

16. Do you want to listen to music on the PDAPhone? What kind... mp3, streamed, etc.?
Yes, mp3s.

17. Do you want a camera on the PDAPhone?
Not essential, but welcome.

18. Do you have any other hardware you intend to use with the PDAPhone? Do you intend to use any Bluetooth devices? What types of devices?
Bluetooth headset and bluetooth GPS, plus connecting to laptops using BT (for data transfer and dial-up networking).


19. What kind of battery life do you need?(Always near a charger, battery life is not an issue or Need the battery to last several days) How many hours do you expect to spend talking on the phone? How many hours of data?(Web browsing, push email, VPN, IM etc)
I need to be able to last at least 16 hours with average data use and minimal phone use. Swappping batteries is an option instead of using a heavier extended one.

20. What are your budget limits (PDAPhones range in price from below $100 for older used models to nearly $1000 for high end models without a carrier subisidy)?
Probably around $300 on top. Verizon offers me discounts with "New Every Two," ordering online, and a 2-year contract, so a $550 model may drop into my range.

Thanks so much for giving my needs your consideration. I look forward to your replies.

-Imp