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

I have never before used a SmartPhone. Right now I use an LG ENV from Verizon. I am pretty satisfied with the phone, but I am looking for something more as I move into college for next year.

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)

I am pretty much locked in with Verizon. Not much more to say on that.

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 am based in Columbus, Ohio. I don't travel much, and coverage from Verizon has not been a problem at all for me ever. And I already checked to verify that I do have 3g coverage in my area.

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

I would prefer SmartPhone OS, like the iPhone has. I would have bought an iPhone already, but they do not have Verizon coverage.

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 a computer/techy geek person so I definitely plan to put a ton of apps on my phone. I really like with Google has done with the G1, with the whole community development type thing, but once again no Verizon coverage.

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)?

Web browsing and Instant messaging are two very important things for me. I would use them to keep in touch with people, my email, and to browse random sites on the internet. I use the internet a lot but don't have a Laptop PC, so anything that can give me (decently efficient) portable internet access is a major major plus.

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

I wouldn't think that I would need to ever view or edit document on the phone. However, I would very likely be transferring data from various computer networks via the phone (if that is possible? I don't even really know honestly. What I basically mean is that I would be using it like a Flash Drive).

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?

I use Gmail for my email, and I would like to be able to access that, either with an application or just using the web browser on the phone.

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

Yes, I shoot off about 20-30 texts per day. For me, it is often a more efficient way of communication than having to call someone right in the middle of an important task.

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

This isn't a critical factor for me, as I don't really have any major use for GPS. I usually just print stuff off from MapQuest at home

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

I don't care at all about the size. I carry huge things in my pockets almost constantly.

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

Pocket.

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

Once again, I really like what Apple has done with the iPhone. The capacitive touchscreen is great (I have an iPod touch, unfortunately the Wifi broke on it) and I have no problem using it at all.

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

I prefer the QWERTY keyboard. I can pop out my ENV and get the keyboard out and shoot off a text in about 10 seconds, which is great.

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

I don't really care about the videogames much. I love games, but not on a phone. I'll play them on the 360.

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

Yes, I am a music person and I would like space for about 4 gigs of music on the phone. Whether this space comes from MicroSD or a built in hard drive doesn't matter.

17. Do you want a camera on the PDAPhone?

I would really enjoy having an easy-to-use camera on the phone that has features like Auto-Focus and Macro. I hate having blurry photos that have no detail (like i get from my enV), why have a camera if you can't even tell what is going on in the pictures it takes?

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'm not really sure about this. Probably not...


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)

Having a battery that lasts 1 to 1.5 days would be optimal. I don't really have a problem charging every night, but I hate it when my phone runs out of battery on a long day when I really need it (like today >=( ). So I guess the longer the better.

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)?

$100-$200.


A recap of what I am looking for:

-RUNS ON VERIZON NETWORK
-Fast/functional internet access.
-Access to Gmail, YouTube.
-Easy use camera for pictures and video.
-Can play music efficiently/easily.
-Computer connectivity.