Phone upgrade?

Originally Posted by GailC

But how much are you all paying a month??

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$40 a month after tax. That includes phone insurance

Originally Posted by LDG

The link worked for me, and thanks, good info to have. Of course - I returned the Windows 7 phone already. Still doesn't solve the main problem I had - syncing with Outlook.

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Ah, I see. Yea, if you already have everything sorted out in Outlook, I can see how it would be frustrating to have to go around all these steps just to get things synced up to your phone.

Mike, if you're using an online email account of some type, any phone with internet access will work for you. Sounds like you might want something with a comfortable screen size.

Something else to consider is whether or not you wand a slide out keyboard or not. It's a trade-off with what's easier to use vs. weight/size of the phone.

I suggest you stop at an AT&T store and have a look around. If you're not worried about being able to hack your phone, sync with Outlook, or remove the preloaded crap, just go for what's comfortable to carry and use for you.

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Galaxy S II my suggestion!... ( runs Android too... ...)

Originally Posted by CoolCat

Galaxy S II my suggestion!...

( runs Android too...

...)

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Unless the OP is also not from the US, then it is not available to him yet. And may never be :[ http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/07...me-to-the-u-s/

Originally Posted by jcat

The only problem is that Apple has sued HTC for patent infringement, so he soon might not be able to get an HTC smartphone in the U.S.

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Ooops

Originally Posted by mbjerkness

I just upgraded to a HTC Android as well. I love it

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I'll definitely get another one when my contract is up for renewal next year

Originally Posted by jcat

The only problem is that Apple has sued HTC for patent infringement, so he soon might not be able to get an HTC smartphone in the U.S.

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Originally Posted by Minka

..Also, like I said, I wouldn't worry about HTC. Even if it DID go through, it wouldn't be for some months so you have plenty of time to pick out your phone, AND smartphones are also made by Samsung, Motorola, etc.

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HTC will work out a licensing deal if it comes to that. It'd be an issue of royalties - they won't need to give up the US market.

Originally Posted by Minka

But... so does Apple. You can't sync your iPhone or iPod with your computer outside of iTunes.

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Originally Posted by Minka

Ah, I see. Yea, if you already have everything sorted out in Outlook, I can see how it would be frustrating to have to go around all these steps just to get things synced up to your phone.

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Apple was designed for entertainment. What's surprising about Windows Phone 7 OS is that previously Windows Mobile was designed primarily to target the business user. Now the business user cannot use Windows-based phone systems unless they want to upload all of their information to the web - which many (like me) do not want to do for security reasons. There is a way to sync if you use a Microsoft Exchange server - but for the many who don't, it's just not possible to sync. It was announced in Feb last year and has been out since Oct or Nov, and there's still not even a 3rd party app available. http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...d-f0d9fb2861a2

I'm really appreciating all the help you guys (gals) are giving me. I've already seen things that will influence my decision.

I'm glad! You will let us know what you decided on, won't you?

One last thing you should consider: some phones are 4G/LTE capable. If you're planning on owning the phone for a few years, and where you live/travel has 4G, that's just something to consider. There's no 4G coverage where we are, and won't be for some time, so in upgrading phones, it's not a consideration for us.

Originally Posted by GailC

But how much are you all paying a month??

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€19.90 = $28 for a data & phone flat rate. Text messages are extra, but I don't use them anyway - email or FB/Google+ messages are actually more reliable here.

Originally Posted by LDG

I'm glad!

You will let us know what you decided on, won't you?

One last thing you should consider: some phones are 4G/LTE capable. If you're planning on owning the phone for a few years, and where you live/travel has 4G, that's just something to consider. There's no 4G coverage where we are, and won't be for some time, so in upgrading phones, it's not a consideration for us.

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When I bought my EVO, 4G wasn't a consideration because I figured living where I do, I wouldn't get any. Much to my surprise, the main part of town is just close enough to Dallas to get 4G, and now that I have it, I couldn't go without.

When I look at Android and 4G online, I mainly see the HTC Inspire and Motorola Atrix. I'm still checking; I don't HAVE to make any change at all, but my Karma is starting to get a little less dependable.

Here ya go...

http://www.phonedog.com/videos/motor...dogfight-pt-2/
http://www.wirefly.com/learn/resourc...s-htc-inspire/
http://www.smartphoneenvy.com/featur...tc-inspire-4g/

Apparently battery life is an issue with the HTC Inspire. All of the smartphones chew up battery, and if you've been using a basic phone, any of them will disappoint when it comes to battery life - they don't last for days with a lot of calls and surfing. Most of them don't "close" apps, so they can leave a lot of things running in the background. But with the 1230mAh battery on the Inspire... you'll need a car charger and probably an extra battery (at a minimum). We usually get both for the smartphones anyway. But honestly, I think the minimum battery I've seen (until the Inspire) was a 1350mAh.

Love my iPhone 4! It has a great camera, and my 16G has hundreds of pictures with no fear of running out. It syncs beautifully with an Apple computer too! Has mapping gps, instant weather reports, stocks and wonderful features like a calculator, clock for alarms & stop watch, compass and will play lots of games.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

When I look at Android and 4G online, I mainly see the HTC Inspire and Motorola Atrix. I'm still checking; I don't HAVE to make any change at all, but my Karma is starting to get a little less dependable.

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The other two phones are the HP Veer and the Samsung Infuse. I don't recommend the Atrix.

Originally Posted by LDG

Apparently battery life is an issue with the HTC Inspire. All of the smartphones chew up battery, and if you've been using a basic phone, any of them will disappoint when it comes to battery life - they don't last for days with a lot of calls and surfing. Most of them don't "close" apps, so they can leave a lot of things running in the background. But with the 1230mAh battery on the Inspire... you'll need a car charger and probably an extra battery (at a minimum). We usually get both for the smartphones anyway. But honestly, I think the minimum battery I've seen (until the Inspire) was a 1350mAh.

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For some reason, HTC gets a bad rap when it come to battery life (as complaints about the Evo are the same), but as long as you know what you are doing, your phone should be able to make it all day. (Mine lasts even longer at 24+ hours.)
Close apps when you are done with them, don't leave 4G, Bluetooth or GPS running, don't let your battery die, and calibrate your battery at least once and you should be a happy camper.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

When I look at Android and 4G online, I mainly see the HTC Inspire and Motorola Atrix. I'm still checking; I don't HAVE to make any change at all, but my Karma is starting to get a little less dependable.

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I have the Inspire and I love it. Yeah, the battery life could be better, but I've only had problems on the days when I text or play scrabble all day or when I talk on it a lot. I just keep a car charger in my car and if I need to, I can plug it into my laptop whenever I want to charge it that way.
You can change settings to make it a little better, but very very few smart phones have a decent battery life.

I have downloaded the manuals for the Motorola Atrix and HTC Inspire, and I have to say the Motorola manual is much easier to understand. In addition, since my e-mail server is Yahoo, I've seen a number of people saying they've had trouble getting their e-mail properly set up.

Any comments?

Originally Posted by mrblanche

I have downloaded the manuals for the Motorola Atrix and HTC Inspire, and I have to say the Motorola manual is much easier to understand. In addition, since my e-mail server is Yahoo, I've seen a number of people saying they've had trouble getting their e-mail properly set up.

Any comments?

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Hmm I never even looked at the manual lol. I just kind of glanced over that "quick intro" thing that came with the phone... I honestly dont even know where thats at... oh well!

As for the yahoo mail, I mostly use gmail and my work uses a gmail app. But I decided to try out the yahoo even though I very rarely ever use my yahoo account. I didnt get it to work on the mail setting on the phone, but I only tried for a couple of minutes lol!

BUUUUTTT: the yahoo mail app works great! No problems there what so ever! And actually I just use the gmail app on the phone most of the time anyways instead of the mail option!

I have the HTC Android Thunderbolt. It's an awesome phone, but my daughter took my Motorola Droid 2 when I upgraded, and I think I preferred that phone.

I had a Blackberry Tour, I had a Blackberry Storm, I had an Iphone 3gs. the Android blows them all away.

I have to say I am madly in love with my blackberry and will never own any other type of phone. I am a blackberry addict for life

While I would like a smartphone it would cost me with my current phone provider over $75/month. That is just for one phone no family plan and 600 minutes/month not unlimited. Verizon would be much more. No AT & T service that is remotely dependable at my house.
I cannot justify paying that my electric bill isn't even that much! :-)

A current comparison: Worthy Rivals for the Crown in Smartphones

Just read this, too: The pitfalls of buying an iPhone 3GS