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I need some suggestions.
I am crash-landing in Seattle in June and I will be staying there for a long while. I am thinking of getting a smart phone. I will probably get 3G and tethering is probably also needed. I have never owned a smart phone before.
The issue, of course, is what to get. I know there is a blog not too long ago about this, but that turned out to be more of a debate of Android vs iPhone. I, however, have already decided to not get an iPhone. The primary reason is that I already own a 4th-gen iTouch (I don't like it that much); the iPhone is very similar to it and I honestly don't want to get the same thing. Another issue is that I mostly use Linux and I can't get iTunes work on Linux for the sake of my life.
I am pretty sure I will be getting an Android at this point, unless someone presents a really convincing argument that Windows/BB/MeeGo/etc. is better. I am also pretty sure that I will sign a 3-years contract to subsidize the cost of it. Here are my concerns:
1) Which company's product to go for. Cost is not a big issue here as long as it is reasonable, so I am hoping to get the latest gadget. I heard Samsung is great, but I am not 100% sure if I want to get Samsung because of their lackluster SPL performance, but there are other makers as well and I would like to know my options.
2) A slightly related issue is whether or not I should shoot for Android 3.0 or 2.3. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S II seems to have fantastic reviews, but it's using Android 2.3. I wonder if that's really important.
3) Another important thing is which phone company. I heard AT&T is evil, but probably the same can be said about most companies. Who has cheaper monthly fee?
4) Like I said I would like to get something that is "new". If there is something that is coming out a little bit after June (but fantastic in specs), I am willing to wait.
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Sony Ericsson Xperia Play.
cause even though you might use it for SMS/calling/random programs/music etc. you'll still spend most of the time playing games on it.
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Android 3.0 is for tablets as of now. I don't think Google is planning on releasing it for smartphones without making a few changes, and that won't happen any time soon I think.
Samsung Galaxy S2 is definitely the way to go, in my opinion. It's got everything you could ask for. The screen is awesome and much larger than iphone, 4.3" vs 3.5" I think. Idk, the big screen might be a negative for you, though.
I don't think the Galaxy S2 is out yet in NA yet though. But I think it's coming out in May, so a couple weeks wait.
I'm not too sure about carriers. I use Verizon. It's ok I guess. I think it's like 70-100 dollars a month.
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If I'm not mistaken, Verizon's cheapest data plan is $30, while I think AT&T and possibly some other carriers may have a price tier, with $15 data plans. But you should double check on that.
And yay for smartphones! Having one really makes you so much more connected and organized imo. I have a bb, so I'm afraid I can't help with the whole android debate.
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if you are going to buy a code-s smartphone and money is no prob for you then theres NO WAY around the Samsung Galaxy S II . its the best smartphone on the market (dual core cpu and super amoled plus display FTW).
a little bit cheaper are the Nexus S or the Desire S. get those if the galaxy II is too expensive.
i dont know anything about cellphone companies and contract plans in the USA/CAN tho.
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i've been looking at them recently and am apparently promised a samsung galaxy s2 when they come out on my network. i don't know that much about them but it looks like they're about the best coming out round now, theres also htc desire hd (or is it desire s) and nexus s that are probably almost as good but apparently a new htc is coming out soon as well which i guess would probably be in the same kinda league as the galaxy s2. problem with that is phone companies always delay and stuff so you probs can't really be sure when that'll come out.
isn't gingerbread the latest android for phones now? haven't heard of 3.0
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HTC is pretty good aswell, imo. I don't think too good about Samsung in general, heard from too many people that the stuff broke pretty quickly and didn't work properly.
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You might want to check that, but I'm pretty sure Samsung promised that the Galaxy S 2 will get android 3.0
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iphone is the mainstream shit if you want that
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I have a galaxy S2 (bought from the uk) and while its a nice phone you have to turn off so much stuff with 3rd party apps for the battery to be able last longer than a day sitting idle. 
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On April 30 2011 02:09 getty wrote:I have a galaxy S2 (bought from the uk) and while its a nice phone you have to turn off so much stuff with 3rd party apps for the battery to last longer than a day.
There is an issue with all smart phones really not just the galaxy phones. The only one with good battery life are the blackberry phones and maybe Nokia smartphones.
And I've played with the play its pretty slick phone but I only suggest it to people who really want psp so they don't have to carry a phone and psp at the same time.
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Generally a good idea when you are shopping carriers is to go to each store (or look online... google ftw) to find out their plan prices.
However, this shouldn't be your final decision point. Please keep in mind that AT&T and Verizon hateeeeee each other and want each other's customers. :D This gives you bargaining leverage. Go in to either company's store, ask to talk to the manager (they can give you all sorts of deals). Tell them you see that the plans are about the same cost for bother carriers, so you are choosing the company willing to give you an actual good deal, and ask for them to take off your activation fee, pay the first two months, etcetc. Depends on how good you are at negotiating, but the results can be quite nice.
Keep in mind other smaller carriers are considerably cheaper than either of these two networks, but do not have the same kind of national coverage. If you will not be leaving Seattle (for sure), and feel comfortable with one of these carriers, MetroPCS, Cricket, etc often give you bundles like unlimited data, text, and calling for $45 a month (roughly equivalent to cheapest talk plan you can get with a bigger company).
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On April 30 2011 03:24 RedJustice wrote:
Generally a good idea when you are shopping carriers is to go to each store (or look online... google ftw) to find out their plan prices.
However, this shouldn't be your final decision point. Please keep in mind that AT&T and Verizon hateeeeee each other and want each other's customers. :D This gives you bargaining leverage. Go in to either company's store, ask to talk to the manager (they can give you all sorts of deals). Tell them you see that the plans are about the same cost for bother carriers, so you are choosing the company willing to give you an actual good deal, and ask for them to take off your activation fee, pay the first two months, etcetc. Depends on how good you are at negotiating, but the results can be quite nice.
Keep in mind other smaller carriers are considerably cheaper than either of these two networks, but do not have the same kind of national coverage. If you will not be leaving Seattle (for sure), and feel comfortable with one of these carriers, MetroPCS, Cricket, etc often give you bundles like unlimited data, text, and calling for $45 a month (roughly equivalent to cheapest talk plan you can get with a bigger company).
Thank you so much! Very informative.
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EPT
