1. What PDA and/or mobile phone do you use today?
Samsung a890
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)
No. My contract has been up for months..
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?
Raleigh, NC. I travel around NC (mainly the coast) and some Virginia.
4. Do have a preference of Palm,
Pocket PC, Symbian, Smartphone OS, Blackberry, etc.?
Hopefully, you can tell me! 
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 would like a navigating program.
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. My main must-haves include email and web surfing through my phone and laptop, especially on the road.
7. Will you need to view Microsoft Office documents on the
PDAPhone? Will you need to edit them?
It would be nice, but not needed - especially if I can do that via my laptop.
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?
Wow. See? This is why I need you! ;O) I currently use bellsouth.net email and would want to be able to access it via my phone. Above and beyond that, I would love to get rid of Bellsouth and use my cell service for my laptop both at home and on the road - ***IF*** the speeds and reliability are comparible to DSL. Which brings another question? If I go exclusively with a cellular connection, would it be me@altell (etc).net?
b)Is it Pop3/Imap? Who is the service provider?
Currently, Bellsouth.net
9. Do you do SMS messaging a lot (telephone to telephone messaging)?
somewhat.
10. Do you want to use a GPS with the
PDAPhone for mapping and navigation?
That would be great, but again, if my laptop is linked - I could always google a map! (umm...right? 
)
11. What is your size preference.. very close to the smallest cellphone, or you don’t care.. function over size?
Function over size.
12. How will you carry it... pocket, belt, purse, etc.?
I would prefer it fit in a small purse.
13. Do you prefer a particular form factor… flip-phone, candy bar, etc?
I love the design of the Cingular 8525.
14. Do you prefer a QWERTY keyboard, numeric dial-pad, or stylus?
I don't know. I am brand new at this! )
15. Do you want to play a lot of video games on the
PDAPhone? What kinds - puzzles, strategy, action adventure, etc.?
I would love to have some simple games, but nothing complicated. Just keep me busy when waiting....
16. Do you want to listen to music on the
PDAPhone? What kind... mp3, streamed, etc.?
I would think MP3.
17. Do you want a camera on the
PDAPhone?
I am sure I want a camera! Video a plus, but not a must have.
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 intend to use a bluetooth headset. I also would like advice on tethering to my laptop via...whatever. I understand bluetooth is slow. Does this mean I need a wifi phone? I want the fastest connection I can get.
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 would prefer a good battery life, especially if I do replace my dsl connection for my laptop at home.
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)?
Again, that depends on whether I can replace my home DSL connection. If I can (with similar speeds and reliability) I would pay quite a bit, as I feel I will save in the long run. Even if I can't get rid of the DSL, I am willing to pay a couple hundred dollars or so for the right phone for me.
Thanks so much for being here! I have been pulling my hair out for two weeks and visiting multiple carriers. I can't say I am any closer to know what to do. The more I learn, the more I want to learn, as I want to use my service and dollars to the max!
To summarize here is what I want: I want to have consistently reliable coverage at home and in my regional area. Good coverage in Virginia would be a plus. I would LOVE to get rid of local DSL and use my cellular service to connect on my laptop both at home and while traveling - IF the speed and reliability are there. I would prefer a way that I could both talk on the phone and connect on my laptop at the same time. I want a bluetooth headset, a camera, speaker phone, and organizational tools. If I can not replace my DSL - I have to be able to access my bellsouth email. I'd like the phone to be wifi. If the 6800 (or another phone) is on the horizon that is a better match for me, I am willing to wait.
As far as service providers, I have had Verizon for about 5 years. I have always had good service coverage, but they cost too much and their pda/smartphones are very disappointing. I am IN LOVE with the cingular/att 8525, but they are notoriously bad in my area for coverage. So, I am open to Alltell, Sprint and even - yes - Verizon.
Thank you all SO MUCH for being here!!.
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