I fly to San Fransisco for IDF in about 24 hrs and I’ve been trying to work out what computing devices to take. Netbook, check! UMPC, check! Smartphone…not so sure.
I have two problems that mean my new and expensive smartphone will stay at home during my trip.
1) The touchscreen and camera will get scratched if I put it in my pocket. I’ve already got a horrendous scratch on it from finger-scrolling. The chances are that if I keep it in my pocket next week it will get trashed. At the very least the camera lens will be covered in dust just as I go to take an important picture.
2) Roaming data costs mean I will have no mobile internet connection.
Twitter, web browser, active sync, email, RSS and podcast downloads will all stop working leaving me with a voice-enabled PIM and MP3 player. Quite frankly, I don’t need to be carrying over 400 Euro of large smartphone just for that. No, I’m afraid it’s time to choose the right man for the job. The Nokia N82 has no hinge, no touchscreen, a better camera (with real flash and lens cover) and smaller size will be a better choice. My UMPC will be with me all day so if I want to Web-it-up in a Wifi area, I’ll do it with that. Horses for courses as they say.
Kitlist for IDF:
- Gigabyte Touchnote T1028M with 3G and Runcore SSD, extended battery.
- Fujitsu Loox U/B50N with Runcore SSD, extended battery, docking station, VGA cable.
- Nokia N82
- Mifi (in case there’s a chance to get an AT&T 3G card)
- Canon S2IS for photos and video. (This baby needs an upgrade very soon)
September 19th, 2009 at 8:14 am
New article: What good is a smartphone without cellular data? http://cli.gs/nh6Rb
September 19th, 2009 at 11:34 am
well you see, some things won’t change easyly – even with new devices at hand. some winning teams shouldn’t (can’t) be changed.
September 19th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
You can still get the ATT go phone and call in to the center to add DATA, it is however no longer unlimited. You could have an unlimited plan STILL if you call in to AT&T every month *before* it voids out and insist you have that right. They will dodge the question/request but if you tell them you KNOW that you have the right they will give in. Sometimes I’ve called in and just frankly said right off the bat, let cut through the crap and…anyhow this is ONLY possible if you have had data EVERY MONTH CONSTANTLY on the same prepaid card since they changed this.
Still though get a GO PHONE and call in to add the DATA. You can’t get overcharged with a prepaid card…
September 19th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
N82 is still a smartphone though!
September 19th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I’m not sure how it is in the American market, but can’t you just buy a prepaid SIM over there and avoid paying roaming charges? Sure, 900/2100 UMTS is not compatible with AT&T and TMo-USA’s frequencies, but EDGE will work with either.
September 19th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
what good is an expensive phone you won’t carry with you because of the possibilty of damage-ridiculous!
10 Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 12:31 am
That’s exactly what I thought. It’s funny that you worry about scratching, dust, etc. I mean if you are afraid of all this wear, then buy and put in the box at all time.
chippy Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Yup. This phone is going to be a real problem for me, a heavy user. A cam with dust and greese on is especially useless to me. Its a simple case of taking the tool that fits the job. Im lucky I have a choice but based on my experience with sliders, exposed cams and plastic touchscreens, id advise other pro-mobile users to think about this too.
September 20th, 2009 at 12:52 am
What good is a smartphone without cellular data? | UMPCPortal …: I fly to San Fransisco for IDF in about 24 hr.. http://bit.ly/5y6kZ
September 20th, 2009 at 1:25 am
i dont think your mifi is 3g compatible in the usa. you can get the gophone data package but its only 100MB. there is really no good prepaid data option in the usa. but there are wifi hotspots everywhere. my favorties are at coffee bean since the coffee is better than starbucks and the wifi is free.
http://wapreview.com/blog/?p=4872
September 20th, 2009 at 1:44 am
What good is a smartphone without cellular data? | UMPCPortal … http://bit.ly/RgvD5
September 20th, 2009 at 1:57 am
You know, for the camera lense, just put a piece of tape over it when you’re not using it. Then peel off the tape when you do want to take a picture.
September 20th, 2009 at 5:09 am
What good is a smartphone without cellular data? | UMPCPortal …: 2) Roaming data costs mea.. http://bit.ly/5y6kZ
http://bit.ly/gqjOF
September 20th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Agree with the fly – you have a bad phone if the touchscreen gets scratched so easily; take a cloth to wipe the lense (you should do the same for a ‘proper’ camer), won’t you want to make phone calls!
Why bother with 2 UMPCs? Can’t one of them do the job? Of course if you had you Viliv S7 (which allows calls) then surely you don’t need the N82 or one of the UMPCs?
Vakeros Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 9:20 am
On and to answer the initial question – if you can’t get decent cellular data, then use Wifi – especially if you use the Mifi…
September 20th, 2009 at 11:51 am
If you really do use your viliv s7 for phone calls please make a video of it. I want to see when you are pulling it up to your ear!
Chippy, I think you should take the Omnia, too with a case it should be protected and you can test-drive it. You have been waiting for this device for so long. Can’t just leave it at home…
Vakeros Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I guess you don’t like BT headsets?
September 20th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Sorry if I ask, but what phone git scratches from simple finger scrolling? And if a phone is not suitable for carrying in your pocket, there is something wrong.
chippy Reply:
September 20th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I agree. Thats why im taking the n82. A slider smartphone with exposed lens is just not the right tool for the job.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:08 pm
The N82 is a very good phone except for the keys, they are too thin. Once you get used to it is easier to avoid mistakes. I always wondered what devices someone that gets all the great gadgets would take for a trip. That Fujitsu Loox is nice, can you buy them in Europe?