I'm in the midst of choosing a new cell phone platform. I have a Blackberry that's supplied to me by the firm I work for, it's used for company business. My personal cell phone as well as the Blackberry are both on the Verizon network. I'm looking for a smart phone and may consider and iPhone, any comments on the iPhone are appreciated.

Meanwhile, I have on a trial basis one of the new Google G1 phones using the Android OS. It is a phenomenal device I love it, it's very cool I picked it up on the recommendation and a demo that Mikey Maestro gave. My only reservation is that it's on the T Mobile network. Coverage is just OK, nothing really terrific. Case in point,I played a gig this afternoon in the resort area of the state, I had no signal at all at the venue, my wife tried calling me with an important message and all she got was voice mail. So the coverage issue is enough to put a damper on the great features of the G1.

OH Boy!!!

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God Bless,
Mikey

www.mikeymaestro.com
www.myspace.com/kidconcert
www.balloonanimal.com
www.1000colorcards.com

Steve wait a few months new stuff is coming out big time!
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gA6Xf3-1p-FlfKRNafmLvnV1dsVQD95IFFGG0

Donny I was watching activity at CES this week Palm does look like it has an interesting entry with it's new "Pre" The big question is who will be carrier be? I think someone said it would be Sprint, but I'm not sure about that.

Steve yea I saw that also......let's face it whatever you buy today will be old hat in a few weeks.... I still love my Razr VE20.

Nokia N85 Swiss Army knife of phones.

My son just got the new Blackberry Storm for Christmas. He loves it. We red a few negative things about it but when he got it, it had the newest software installed and after going on line to one of the good chatrooms, he discovered so many cool features he programmed into the phone. The best part is that it is on the Verizon network and we have had such great reception with this company.


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George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

Hello Steven:

I had the Iphone, is wonderful BUT, the wireless "locked" AT&T. well, at least in the Phoenix AZ area...SUCKS !!! BIG TIME.
I had more drop calls in 3 weeks than in the last 5 years with Verizon and Sprint.
In the Apple store, management had to install a "buster" signal for the wireless, other wise, could NOT be possible to either make calls or get them.
I wrote several mails to Apple, but is evident that they have a "deal" with AT&T.
Like I said, the phone is GREAT, the service NOT. If you can get a "jailbroken" Iphone, you may use it with T-movil.
I am waiting for other choices, my contract expires at the end of April.

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mdorantes

I have the Iphone 3G-16Gb too:


Is simple AMAZING!
really simple and fast to open any web pages, with the touch display you can zoom pages really easy, just look at the picture.

3G network in Italy is really good and fast, BUT what is interesting is when you walk in the City.
When you will connect in Internet, the Iphone first try to find one available WIFI point, normally when you are close to some builds, the Iphone can find a lot of WIFI access point and always some are OPEN!

Install the Free Nimbuzz and you can chat online with the all messenger and also make really good FREE calls with the Skype contacts.

Download from Applestore the Mobile Studio application and the Iphone is able to open the all type of documents: PDF, Doc, powerpoint...and shre it by WIFI, like a normally USB Pen stick.
I try also the Blackbarry touch too, slow like crazy and not able for this all features.

I use only Linux, but with Apple..think different!

I have an iPhone also.
It's by no means the most advanced phone and it will take a little getting used to as the Apple way of doing things is by no means the right way.

No SMS forwarding, no MMS at all, no copy & paste, no file transfer, no standard way of accessing the contents on the phone through a USB cable or all the simple things you get with every other phone on the market.

That said, it's still the best phone I've ever had because all the technology in it is 100% usable and the MultiTouch screen is by far the best screen I've ever used.

The screen and the tilt sensors make viewing images or the web so simple that it easily puts any other phone I've used to shame.

Apple App store is pretty cool too and can you can get pretty much anything you want for the phone on the phone.

Regards.
James

Thanks for your comments. I had the chance not only to watch the online demos of the iPhone and Blackberry Storm, but to visit my local dealers and demo of the iPhone and Storm.

imho, the iPhone is the better of the two. Hands on, the form factor is great, and the touch screen is very responsive. Dom, that photo you posted is terrific.

James since it's non business use and personal I could live with it's shortcomings. As you and Dom have said there are plenty of down loadable applications. I watched the guided tour and it's a convincer:
http://www.apple.com/iphone/guidedtour/

Manuel, I'm looking at a coverage map of the Phoenix area I see ATT coverage is a bit spotty. When looking at the coverage map of the North East it looks better at least on the map. I once had Cingular before it became ATT and I had no issues especially at home the signal was always strong.

George I tried the Storm the first day it was released, I didn't care for it, but with the software update it's performance has improved. There's very little lag time and it's speed has increased with the update.

I almost bought the iPhone, but........I'm in a family plan with Verizon, I could take my phone out of the plan with a small penalty. The bigger issue becomes when I consider the number of minutes and text messaging I use. I'd have to spend about $125 per month with taxes for the iPhone. If I add the Storm to my family plan with 1400 shared minutes and unlimited texting it's only $20 more per month to my Verizon plan with what's probably the best cell phone coverage in the North East by any carrier. So........I may try the Storm for 30 days, either that or reactivate my recently retired LG Env and wait a couple of months to see what's released.



Mikey, the G1 went back to T-Mobile today, too bad the signal wasn't strong enough where I needed it to be. This is like trying to find that perfect arranger. Looks like "Android" could be a real contender especially if the big providers release a phone with that OS.



[This message has been edited by Stephenm52 (edited 01-11-2009).]

I'd use that Storm with your current plan as the price (and coverage) seem to be right for you.

Can I just say this though:

I used a second gen Ipod Touch (not phone) for the first time a few weeks ago (my Niece has one) and have found it to be extraordinary.

I believe the better buying strategy might be - get whatever phone you want for Price/Coverage, and buy an Ipod touch for all it's amazing Apps, Wi-fi, Touch screen UI, and ease of use and flexibility.

I have a pre-paid POS phone I use for business, and will get the touch as soon as I am able.

(I hope this slightly different take on things helps, though I'm well aware it might not! LOL)

Hellboy got the ipod touch, I was going to give that to my wife if I got the iPhone. What happened today is great, Verizon was so happy that I'm coming back as a customer, that they rewarded me with cash credits against my phone plan. Bottom line is I pretty much get the Storm for free. What a country!!

George thanks for your input, your comments were enough for me to take a second look at the Storm.


[This message has been edited by Stephenm52 (edited 01-12-2009).]

My daughter has a pair of iphones...and has had nothing but trouble with them..They act up and one unit is completely useless...The manufacturer does not back up any warranty..They claim (falsely) that the unit was damaged by water...It has never ever been exposed to any element...

I think I am going for the LG Dare or maybe take a look at the Storm..