Arghh..smartphones/handhelds/etc/blahblah

[eek]

Im a net junkie,needing regular fixes throught the day. About 6 months ago bought an Acer eee pc and love it, but its too bulky for everyday carrying. Been looking around lately for something handheld. Would really appreciate any feedback on the phones and questions below, or for any better/other suggestions.

(I did do a search on the forum first, as well as reviews online, but would like my own thread on this as im asking specific questions I couldnt find answers to.)

Priority for me is fast net browsing and would like to have outlook express (or similar) over and above other features.

Phones that ive noticed look quite interesting and seem to have good reviews are:

Iphone 3G, Blackberry 3G, and HTC Touch Elfin. (Although there seems to be some issue about the Iphone 3G not being unlockable and that the phone needs to be activated at the shop before itunes can be downloaded. This correct? An article about the Iphone 3G in Thailand: http://absolutelybangkok.com/the-truth-abo...ne-in-thailand/ )

My main concern (as i have never owned a smartphone and am clueless) is whether i can just insert my 1-2-call sim card ..which is a pay as you go type..or do i need to get a contract? I prefer the pay-as-you-go sims.

Sorry, its a ton of questions, i know, but opefully will help others too, as I think these questions havent been asked. At least not recently.

Thanks.

[mezzoninny]

In theory you could buy an unlocked iPhone 3G on Apple's Hong Kong site, and have them mail it to your hotel on a quick visit. (A friend in HK would also work)

[eek]

Not an option for me. Dont fancy going all the way to Hong Kong for a phone (and dont know anyone there). tnx anyway.

[bangkokrick]

I would recommend any mobile phone that has WIFI capability so then you can pick up your mail and surf the web in any WIFI area. Many bars and restaurants have free WIFI connections available. I travel a lot so need to get my mail on the move and my Nokia N95 allows me to do just that. Because you would be using WIFI instead of GPRS it does not really matter about the SIM card whether its on contract or pay as you go.

I hope this helps,

Cheers, Rick

[monty]

Yes you can just pop in a simcard.

One2call charges 1 Baht/minute for access, but it's easy to subscribe to a package which suits your needs.

I have 50 hours for 250 Baht/month (actually a tad more as they add 7% vat).

You just need to have enough credit on your card when you subscribe and everytime the 30 day renewal comes up.

999 Baht/month buys you 24/7 unlimited access.

Call 1175 for customer service, they'll have you up and running in no time. Just ask for a monthly GPRS package and they'll tell what they offer.

Edge is perfectly OK for browsing PDA targeted websites. With a bit of searching you'd be amazed how many websites have PDA optimized pages.

Any windows mobile based PDA does regular POP based e-mails and synchronizes with outlook on your PC as well.

Prices range between 7900 Baht (the HTC P3400i, no wifi) and 20+K Baht for the iphones/Samsung Omnia and some other high end stuff.

They basically do all pretty much the same, main differences are in the user interface (the newer ones use touch interface, mostly negating the need of the stylus) and some specifications such as camera, internal memory etc.

[nikster]

Enterprising dealers all over Thailand have done the hard work for you and are selling unlocked iPhone 3G... I think you'd get it in any larger shopping mall, in those mobile phone shops. Last time I checked it was BHT 30,000 though. Which seems high. You might be able to get a 1G iPhone used for cheap - and it would be just as good as the 3G since there is no 3G network in Thailand anyway.

In any case, for web browsing, the iPhone is unbeaten. As they say its not what you do, its how you do it.

[eek]

Great info. Thanks so much to all of you.

Bangkokrick, yes, im looking to use wifi mainly, so thanks for that. I just googled your phone, and it looks pretty nice. Are you happy with the signal/connection, and do you find the net access/scrolling etc, to be quite fast?

monty, thanks, but I like the freedom of pay-as-you-go. As for the other info, great, thank you. I didnt even realise that some may not have wifi, i took it as a given!

nikster, 30k baht, yowz! I didnt do my homework on price. A bit shocked. I suppose its worth the money, for those who wish to spend that much. It does look like a fantastic phone, but I think ill lower my expectations. Also, in that link i posted, it is suggested that with the 3G you have to have it store activate or you cannot use some functions such as itunes. So might not be such a good choice after all. As for the 1G, i will take a look around, thanks. Anyone have positive experience with this phone?

[bangkokrick]

Great info. Thanks so much to all of you.

Bangkokrick, yes, im looking to use wifi mainly, so thanks for that. I just googled your phone, and it looks pretty nice. Are you happy with the signal/connection, and do you find the net access/scrolling etc, to be quite fast?

monty, thanks, but I like the freedom of pay-as-you-go. As for the other info, great, thank you. I didnt even realise that some may not have wifi, i took it as a given!

nikster, 30k baht, yowz! I didnt do my homework on price. A bit shocked. I suppose its worth the money, for those who wish to spend that much. It does look like a fantastic phone, but I think ill lower my expectations. Also, in that link i posted, it is suggested that with the 3G you have to have it store activate or you cannot use some functions such as itunes. So might not be such a good choice after all. As for the 1G, i will take a look around, thanks. Anyone have positive experience with this phone?

Hi eek,

Yes i am very happy with the phone and i have has it for almost a year now. The connection speeds, net access and scrolling are fine and its also quite easy to set up multiple mail boxes for your e mail accounts.

Cheers, Rick

[stumonster]

have a look on pdadb.net for all the handheld gadgets out there

and you might be more comfortable with a win mobile device

HTC T8290 ... mmmm

[anotheruser]

Sounds like your needs are pretty simple the iPhone would work well for you. Not sure what is available for it to match outlook express as I never use that though. If your main use is browsing the iPhone can't be beat. While the iPhone isn't cheap certainly Winmo, symbian and other phones that do the same thing (arguably not as good) aren't any cheaper. For example I just bought an HTC touch HD for 500 pounds unlocked. The iPhone doesn't have great signal strength but if you are in a big city it works ok.