Hello all, I just registered today, and this is my first post.

***Relevant Background Info and Key Features***

I am locked into verizon and refuse to get a data plan from them. The only thing I want to do through the verizon network is make calls and send texts. I want to do everything else through wifi.

I have never had a pda phone before and am a PDAnoob, however I consider myself somewhat of a tech guy as I'm currently studying CSI, so I'm not afraid to do hacks/tweaks as long as you can also provide/link to detailed instructions in advance.

Here are the things I'm looking for:

- make calls and send texts.

- sync with my outlook folders on my laptop for work/personal email and calendars.

- browse internet through wifi. (I'm around wi-fi pretty much 24-7).

- listen to some of my mp3's

- I really like qwerty keyboards, especially the ones that slide out landscape style. Touch screens are fine also, especially if there's some sort of haptic feedback.

- A price tag of $200-ish. I'm willing to spring for more if there's features that would make it worth it (nothing crazy, keep in mind I'm a student).


***Official thread q's and a's***
1. What PDA and/or mobile phone do you use today?

I don't have a pda, just a normal cell phone.

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)

Yes, I'm locked into Verizon and I don't/won't have their data plan.

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?

I'm based in Dallas and travel around most of the state, but seldom out of it.

4. Do have a preference of Palm, Pocket PC, Symbian, Smartphone OS, Blackberry, etc.?

I really want to be able to sync to my laptop and copy over my outlook calendars and emails (hopefully through wifi), so I'm guessing a windows based platform would be easiest. However, I have no preference and do not mind tweaking/hacking, as long as I can get some detailed instructions.

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?

The only thing I really need is outlook. I would also like the ability to browse the internet through wifi, not a data plan and an mp3 player would be nice as well.

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)?

Wifi is a must for me, and I would use it primarily for outlook calendars and email and browsing.

7. Will you need to view Microsoft Office documents on the PDAPhone? Will you need to edit them?

It would be nice to do both.

8. Will you need access to an email system?
a)Is it corporate (Exchange, Groupwise,Lotus, Other?) What Version? Do you want email wirelessly or do you want to do it in the office with a sync cable/cradle? Can you get your Corporate email configured for mobile access or do you need to run a desktop redirector?
b)Is it Pop3/Imap? Who is the service provider?

Yes, I need outlook. I have both an exchange (version 2007??) account and an pop3/imap (gmail) account.

9. Do you do SMS messaging a lot (telephone to telephone messaging)?

Yes, and I really love the qwerty keyboards that slide out landscape style, however I wouldn't mind one that was touchscreen preferably with some sort of haptic feedback.

10. Do you want to use a GPS with the PDAPhone for mapping and navigation?

No, I would never use it.

11. What is your size preference.. very close to the smallest cellphone, or you don’t care.. function over size?

Function over size, as long as it fits in my pocket.

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

I'll carry it in my pocket.

13. Do you prefer a particular form factor… flip-phone, candy bar, etc?

I hate flip-phones, I think the slide phones or the touch screens are both neat.

14. Do you prefer a QWERTY keyboard, numeric dial-pad, or stylus?

I prefer qwerty.

15. Do you want to play a lot of video games on the PDAPhone? What kinds - puzzles, strategy, action adventure, etc.?

Games would be a plus, but that's not why I'm getting a pda. Although, a game that uses an accelerometer would be pretty cool to show off

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

I would like to use the mp3 player with some sort of ear buds.

17. Do you want a camera on the PDAPhone?

Yes, a camera for pictures that I could transfer to my PC would be awesome. I don't really care about a camcorder.

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?

I'd like to use a usb cable to hook it up to my laptop and get files.

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'd like the battery to last through at least one day. I can charge it at night. I never spend more than 2 hours making calls in a day. I send 5-20 text messages a day. I will not be getting a data plan.

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)?

I'm looking for a phone thats about $200-ish.




THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP AND ADVICE!!!!