Which PDAphone to buy from a complete newbie
I'm currently considering which pda-phone to buy, so here's my best shot at answering the questions;
1. What PDA and/or mobile phone do you use today?
Nokia 3310
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)
Not locked into any carrier, but current phone is a vodaphone contract.
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?
Travel a heck of a lot with my work, I want to use it while I travel in the UK. I don't travel abroad
4. Do have a preference of Palm, Pocket PC, Symbian, Smartphone OS, Blackberry, etc.?
No preference, as long as it's fast and has a good battery life
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?
Dunno, I would like to put some navigational software on it
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)?
Very important. I'd want to use it for Remote Terminal access
7. Will you need to view Microsoft Office documents on the pdaPhone? Will you need to edit them?
Yes and yes
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?
Oh Yes, I'd like to access my Exchange server at home
9. Do you do SMS messaging a lot (telephone to telephone messaging)?
Only a little, but I do use it
10. Do you want to use a GPS with the pdaPhone for mapping and navigation?
Oh Yes....
11. What is your size preference.. very close to the smallest cellphone, or you don’t care.. function over size?
Don't care about size. Definitely function and performance over size
12. How will you carry it... pocket, belt, purse, etc.?
In a bag with a laptop
13. Do you prefer a particular form factor… flip-phone, candy bar, etc?
Not bothered
14. Do you prefer a QWERTY keyboard, numeric dial-pad, or stylus?
Would prefer Qwerty and stylus if thats poss.
15. Do you want to play a lot of video games on the pdaPhone? What kinds - puzzles, strategy, action adventure, etc.?
No, I might play a bit till the fad wears off
16. Do you want to listen to music on the pdaPhone? What kind... mp3, streamed, etc.?
Not bothered, might do, but not a must-have
17. Do you want a camera on the pdaPhone?
Not really, I already have a decent digital camera if I want to take pictures, but if the one you recommend has one, I'm not bothered
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?
Yes, I'd like some way to talk while driving. This is a must.
19. 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'd better say £500 because the missus might see this, but functionality and reliability is more of an issue than price.
One subsiduary consideration is that I would like to keep my current mobile phone number which is a vodaphone contract.
I await your deliberations with interest.
Best wishes,
Al
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