PDA

View Full Version : What alternative to the iphone?

Sgt Beavis
10-04-2008, 08:01 PM
On the last day of September, my contract with Sprint expired. I'm now looking to move on with a new phone. I'm seriously considering an iPhone.

Right now I have an iPod Touch (1st gen) with the 2.1 software. I'm pretty aware of the iphone capabilities and I totally dig all the available applications. If I get an iPhone 3G, I WILL jailbreak it to extend its functionality further.

So my question is? What other phones should I consider?

Requirements:
1. must be able to use AIM, Gtalk, MicrosoftIM,
2. would like Exchange access, but not required.
3. SMS not needed
4. GPS
5. lots of available apps (free or cheap)
6. usable overseas (for my trips to India and Japan)
7. Skype access over wifi.

I get a 27% discount on rate plans from ATT. I get a 25% discount on rate plans with Sprint. My company will pay the first $75 of my cell phone bill. If I have an iPhone with the 900 minute plan (unlimited data) I get charged about $69.00 (before taxes) which is covered by the company.

suggestions?
Memo
10-04-2008, 08:22 PM
If I have an iPhone with the 900 minute plan (unlimited data) I get charged about $69.00 (before taxes) which is covered by the company.


I think you just answered your question. Your company pays for it!
Sgt Beavis
10-04-2008, 08:30 PM
I think you just answered your question. Your company pays for it!

My company will pay for other phone services as well. I'm just looking for alternative hardware before I pull the trigger..
Trip McNeely
10-04-2008, 08:33 PM
I dont know about the Skype, but all of the others fit the Blackjack II well. Thats what I have. I DL the google maps + GPS application for free. Good feel, and external keypad instead of touch screen. The internet is quite fast too, except when its a site loaded with pictures. I mainly just check scores, traffic or weather on it anyways.
kangol
10-04-2008, 08:38 PM
The Samsung Omnia (http://www.samstores.com/details.asp?ProdID=11947) has most of the features you are requesting.

It's a bad mofo.
darkgaijin
10-05-2008, 12:42 AM
you can now access skype (or any voip service) thru the iphone app fring... not positive how good the service is cause i havent bothered with it yet.
Sgt Beavis
10-05-2008, 09:29 AM
you can now access skype (or any voip service) thru the iphone app fring... not positive how good the service is cause i havent bothered with it yet.

Yea, that's the reason I'm looking into getting an iPhone now. Fring only came out last week.

The ONLY real problem for me is that ATT service has been spotty for me "in the house" When I step outside, everything works great. I work from home so I need to be able to make calls. Fring/Skype solves that one problem. I use Skype for almost all of my conference calls (which can go on for over a hour)

I've already met a guy, several months ago, that used Fring on his jailbroken iPod Touch (he bought a mic for it). He swears by it. It all just depends on your internet connection.
Osiris
10-05-2008, 02:50 PM
As far as I know, the 3G isn't jailbroken yet.


I could be wrong.

ipodtouchfans.com
Sgt Beavis
10-05-2008, 05:58 PM
As far as I know, the 3G isn't jailbroken yet.


I could be wrong.

ipodtouchfans.com

Yes, you would be.. :p

The iphone Dev Team released the pwnage tool for it a long while back..

I THINK they haven't made it so you can use 3rd party SIM cards like T-Mobiles, but you can still install lots of apps that are not found on the iTunes app store. Such as a router app that lets you tether your laptop/pc to your iphone for internet connectivity.
The Big Matt
10-05-2008, 06:07 PM
As far as I know, the 3G isn't jailbroken yet.


I could be wrong.

ipodtouchfans.com

you are wrong...

I jailbroke mine the day after i got it last week.

The new G1 Google Android phone is going to be one of the most amazing phones/software ever released.

The open source availabilty of aftermarket apps will destroy the iphone unless Apple does the same. Just waiting to see if someone releases an exchange activesync app for it.

I plan go get an unlocked one in the next few months and put my iphone as a backup.
exlude
10-05-2008, 06:15 PM
I don't know if the aftermarket availability will really destroy the iPhone. Think about it, the people who would take advantage of it are already doing the same stuff with jailbroken iPhones.
danielhv
10-05-2008, 10:38 PM
I had an Iphone, and returned it. Sucked... Cool GUI, but such a nice phone that won't send a damn picture txt or record video... And yea, I know you can email them, but wtf... Nobody is going to take the time to email shit when everyone else is still sending mms.

I switched back to my flawless and unbreakable Razor V3xx.
90GT50
10-06-2008, 03:15 PM
Tilt, but I'm used to it, kinda slow response after the 6.1 "upgrade".
Osiris
10-06-2008, 05:48 PM
Ah. Hence my disclaimer that i *could* be wrong. http://dfwstangs.net/forums/images/smilies/redface.gif
Hunt4m3x
10-06-2008, 07:26 PM
Tilt, but I'm used to it, kinda slow response after the 6.1 "upgrade".


Did you use a custom build (cooked rom)? If not, thats your problem.
90GT50
10-06-2008, 07:31 PM
Did you use a custom build (cooked rom)? If not, thats your problem.
Nope, just the att 6.1, which rom do you recommend?
Hunt4m3x
10-06-2008, 07:43 PM
Nope, just the att 6.1, which rom do you recommend?


Read over at...

http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=378

there are alot of bad ass roms. make sure you "unlock" first before you flash. Really easy,.

edit

posted the correct link. Kaiser
90GT50
10-06-2008, 07:48 PM
Read over at...

http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=378

there are alot of bad ass roms. make sure you "unlock" first before you flash. Really easy,.

edit

posted the correct link. Kaiser
Yeah, been on there a few months, I just dont really know what rom to go with.
evil jose
10-06-2008, 08:18 PM
The new G1 Google Android phone is going to be one of the most amazing phones/software ever released.

I'd just hate to be the guinea pig for a new product. Especially one that you are paying for and extending a contract on. Yes it looks promising but I'd want to make sure it's going to accomplish everything I need it for and not have any bugs. Even the iPhone has/had issues.
Hunt4m3x
10-06-2008, 08:22 PM
Yeah, been on there a few months, I just dont really know what rom to go with.


Just pick one. Use PMbackup or whatever its called. Just randomly pick one of your liking and then restore using pm. ITs quick. Maybe 30 mins of downtime? if that.
evil jose
10-06-2008, 08:49 PM
Just pick one. Use PMbackup or whatever its called. Just randomly pick one of your liking and then restore using pm. ITs quick. Maybe 30 mins of downtime? if that.

I really need to try flashing another ROM onto my phone as well :(
Hunt4m3x
10-06-2008, 08:55 PM
I really need to try flashing another ROM onto my phone as well :(


If you need some help one week, hit me up. Have yall looked at your radio versions?
90GT50
10-06-2008, 09:11 PM
If you need some help one week, hit me up. Have yall looked at your radio versions?
1.65.21.18
evil jose
10-07-2008, 12:46 PM
If you need some help one week, hit me up. Have yall looked at your radio versions?

I need to do that. I've read through the Wiki a few times but hate doing anything the first time by myself for fear of "bricking" my phone.

Radio Version
1.65.21.18
90GT50
10-07-2008, 01:13 PM
I need to do that. I've read through the Wiki a few times but hate doing anything the first time by myself for fear of "bricking" my phone.

Radio Version
1.65.21.18Same here, I don't feel like fucking anything up.
BlueStang2k
10-08-2008, 04:22 AM
I'd just hate to be the guinea pig for a new product. Especially one that you are paying for and extending a contract on. Yes it looks promising but I'd want to make sure it's going to accomplish everything I need it for and not have any bugs. Even the iPhone has/had issues.

So far I keep hearing nothing but great things from the people that already have them.
Sgt Beavis
10-08-2008, 07:59 AM
I was just reading about the Blackberry Storm. It looks very promising. You can tell that they had the iPhone on the brain when the were working on it...

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2008/10/blackberrystormiphone.jpg

Vodaphone has released the specs for the Storm.

http://blackberry.vodafone.co.uk/storm/

BestBuy accidentally released information showing the Storm will be available on Nov 16th

http://gizmodo.com/5060381/best-buy-presentation-leaks-cellphone-ship-dates

Gizmodo has a hands on with the Verizon version of this phone

http://gizmodo.com/5060378/blackberry-storm-first-hands-on

I'm not in any kind of rush and I like Verizon. I might have to wait for this to come out...



EDIT: Damn, it doesn't have wi-fi..
Blakeski
10-08-2008, 12:45 PM
Dude if you just jailbreak your itouch, you can turn that bitch into a phone! Jailbreak it, then just find a copy of skype. Thats it. No crazy phone bill....
90GT50
10-08-2008, 01:05 PM
Dude if you just jailbreak your itouch, you can turn that bitch into a phone! Jailbreak it, then just find a copy of skype. Thats it. No crazy phone bill....You can do the same thing with cooked roms on a windows mobile phone. Atleast I know you can on the tilt.
Lason
10-08-2008, 02:13 PM
Cant do skype on a ipod touch unless you got wifi though right? I like my ipod but never can find a free wifi connection unless Im at home.

I got the Tilt too and I hate it. Maybe I need a new ROM. Read over that site and my head hurts :o
Sgt Beavis
10-08-2008, 02:18 PM
Dude if you just jailbreak your itouch, you can turn that bitch into a phone! Jailbreak it, then just find a copy of skype. Thats it. No crazy phone bill....

Been there, done that. Still need a cell phone. WiFi doesn't always work when driving down I-20.
90GT50
10-08-2008, 03:07 PM
Cant do skype on a ipod touch unless you got wifi though right? I like my ipod but never can find a free wifi connection unless Im at home.

I got the Tilt too and I hate it. Maybe I need a new ROM. Read over that site and my head hurts :oLOL, same here. I need a new rom too, the att roms suck balls, too many extra programs and little shit you dont need.
Hunt4m3x
10-08-2008, 08:57 PM
If yall want to meet up somewhere, ill show y'all how to make a rom/flash.
90GT50
10-08-2008, 09:35 PM
If yall want to meet up somewhere, ill show y'all how to make a rom/flash.
Sounds like a GTG to me.

Migrant Worker, get to it!
evil jose
10-09-2008, 01:00 AM
Sounds like a GTG to me.

Migrant Worker, get to it!

I'm down as well. Off Friday through Sunday so whenever :)
90GT50
10-09-2008, 06:38 AM
I'm down as well. Off Friday through Sunday so whenever :)
Sunday should be good for me.
evil jose
10-09-2008, 10:09 AM
If yall want to meet up somewhere, ill show y'all how to make a rom/flash.

PM sent :D
Hunt4m3x
10-09-2008, 10:28 AM
I sent evil a pm, but I won't be in town this weekend but any other time, im up for it.
90GT50
10-09-2008, 10:38 AM
I sent evil a pm, but I won't be in town this weekend but any other time, im up for it.Alright.