What Qwerty phone do you recommend?

[sequoias]

I have hard time deciding which Qwerty mobile phone I should get to replace my old sidekick 2. I have looked at the Nokia E62, Samsung Blackjack, Blackberry 8800 and many more. I can't decide which is the best. I want the best phone that has full web browsing @ broadband speeds, unlimited e-mail and instant messaging. I would like to limit monthly service plan to $49 a month. I have checked Sprint's plan but it's too expensive. Cingular and T-mobile have the similar plans but Cingular have better line of Qwerty phones but T-mobile doesn't, odd eh? Someone told me the T-mobile MDA is a great one, but I don't know since I haven't tried it out. I would like a suggestion on one, yes I know that I like the Apple iphone but too bad it's way too expensive. I'd rather get one under maybe $250 with a contract. No, I don't want a Sidekick 3, thanks!

P.S. blame it to my Libra sign which are famous on trouble making decisions. :P

 

[Brian]

Cingular/AT&T is ways better than T-Mobile (of course, this is my opinion...)

I have Cingular 8525 and love it. Nokia E62 and Samsung BlackJack are pretty good, but I have not personally played with Blackberry 8800.

I also have T-Mobile Sidekick 3 that I use for personal use. I find myself using my 8525 more than I use my Sidekick 3.

If you haven't gone to one of the authorised Cingular/AT&T stores, you should do so to play with the devices and see which one you like best.

I believe Cingular has a special program for the deaf/hard-of-hearing to get special rates and possibly by-pass credit-checks. I may be wrong, but check DeafClimber's recent threads for further information. He works at the Cingular corporate headquarters in Atlanta.

I advise to stay far, far away from VerizonWireless, Sprint/Nextel and MetroPCS.

 

[sequoias]

Cingular/AT&T is ways better than T-Mobile (of course, this is my opinion...)

I have Cingular 8525 and love it. Nokia E62 and Samsung BlackJack are pretty good, but I have not personally played with Blackberry 8800.

I also have T-Mobile Sidekick 3 that I use for personal use. I find myself using my 8525 more than I use my Sidekick 3.

If you haven't gone to one of the authorised Cingular/AT&T stores, you should do so to play with the devices and see which one you like best.

I believe Cingular has a special program for the deaf/hard-of-hearing to get special rates and possibly by-pass credit-checks. I may be wrong, but check DeafClimber's recent threads for further information. He works at the Cingular corporate headquarters in Atlanta.

I advise to stay far, far away from VerizonWireless, Sprint/Nextel and MetroPCS.

Thanks for some of the advice, but keep some more coming and I'll check in the morning. I saw the reviews on the Nokia E62 and it looks good but too bad the IM, text isn't unlimited. I might have to go to the Cingular store to ask them if they know anything about the deaf/hard hearing data plan, also to try out the Nokia E62 and maybe other Cingular devices, too.

 

[TechBill]

Thanks for some of the advice, but keep some more coming and I'll check in the morning. I saw the reviews on the Nokia E62 and it looks good but too bad the IM, text isn't unlimited. I might have to go to the Cingular store to ask them if they know anything about the deaf/hard hearing data plan, also to try out the Nokia E62 and maybe other Cingular devices, too.

I use 8525 with Cingular (AT&T now) with TAP plan and I like it very much.
I only use about 200 texts a month that all and rest commuiction ie relay service or email etc is done on unlmited data.
There are IM software that can use unlimited data and not use text and I am using IM+. I only use text just to send message to my hearing family and friend phone.


Cingular have a program called TAP "Text Accessibility Plan" includes unlimited data and 5,000 texts for 30 dollar plus tax a month.


Sprint have a program called Wireless Data Relay Plan includes only unlimited data for 30 dollar plus tax a month. Texts plan are seperated unless they changed it but if still seperated then it .15 cent a text.


Both plans are only avaiable by calling or contacting the right dept to get set up. You cannot get those plans at Cingular or Sprint store but you can go to the store to check out pda and phone.

BTW Cingular is now rebranded as AT&T so the store might be renamed from Cingular Store to AT&T store now but still the same products.

 

[deafclimber]

Thanks for some of the advice, but keep some more coming and I'll check in the morning. I saw the reviews on the Nokia E62 and it looks good but too bad the IM, text isn't unlimited. I might have to go to the Cingular store to ask them if they know anything about the deaf/hard hearing data plan, also to try out the Nokia E62 and maybe other Cingular devices, too.

hi tree hugger,

i had posted somewhere about TAP( text accessibility plan) in alldeaf.com that att/cingular does provide to deaf users, but i can give you a better link - Hearing Aid Compatibility and phones | Cingular Wireless

if u want to see a saleperson at att/cingular's retail store, be cautious i am not sure if the salepersons may know about TAP or not.

personally i have 8125. i am very happy with it however i am tempted to get 8525 because it has better processor and of course 3G network.

my understanding is that you live in seattle. att/cingular does have 3g network in seattle - check on Cingular Wireless

i have several friends that have Blackjack and 8525s.

blackjack, 8125 and 8525 can be laptops' modem. i use 8125 tethering with laptop sometimes when i need to work on my laptop on roads.

blackjack has its own IM program for aim, yahoo im, and msn im. 8525 and 8125 do not include IM programs when you buy one of them however you can buy IM software online and load it to your pda. that is what i have Agile Messenger which i enjoy very much. the price for IM program doesnt bother me. some people prefer IM+.

PM me if you feel free to have qq for me.

 

[TechBill]

hi tree hugger,


blackjack has its own IM program for aim, yahoo im, and msn im. 8525 and 8125 do not include IM programs when you buy one of them however you can buy IM software online and load it to your pda. that is what i have Agile Messenger which i enjoy very much. the price for IM program doesnt bother me. some people prefer IM+.

PM me if you feel free to have qq for me.

Yes correct blackjack have a built in IM but it uses SMS text.

I still would suggest buying IM software if you get a blackjack so that it will use umlimited data.

Agile and IM+ are 2 top IM software out there now.

 

[deafclimber]

Yes correct blackjack have a built in IM but it uses SMS text.

rats ! thanks.

 

[PowerON]

I suggest you to get BlackBerry 8703e for $99.99 under Sprint on unlimited EVDO data for $29.99 and add $15 for unlimited SMS (that would be $45+).

Have to contact Ken Arcia - kenneth.arcia@sprint.com
Do not go to Sprint store.

 

[sequoias]

Too many different recommendations.... No one mentioned about the Nokia E62 or something like that.

I don't know why one poster in this thread said stay far, far away from Sprint and Verizon Wireless.

 

[deafclimber]

Too many different recommendations.... No one mentioned about the Nokia E62 or something like that.

I don't know why one poster in this thread said stay far, far away from Sprint and Verizon Wireless.

i do not have a deaf friend that has nokia e62, yet it is good, according to CNET. it may limits you to get freewares or softwares.

if you dont mind EDGE(2.5g) connectivity then, it would suits ya !

if u want HSDPA(3g) connectivity, i suggest ya to get blackjack, 8525 or treo 750. high speed could burn your hands.

 

[PowerON]

i do not have a deaf friend that has nokia e62, yet it is good, according to CNET. it may limits you to get freewares or softwares.

if you dont mind EDGE(2.5g) connectivity then, it would suits ya !

if u want HSDPA(3g) connectivity, i suggest ya to get blackjack, 8525 or treo 750. high speed could burn your hands.

when i learn that E61 release but that upset me they don't release in North America, only in Europe, since it got wi-fi and camera. grr

 

[webexplorer]

I am really surprised that there are many different QWERTY mobiles. I cannot believe that it is not simple to find the right one.

My opinion is that it is more imporant to have a symbol that says "email" right on the button once so that you wouldn't want to go step by step to receive emails.

I would never spend 49 dollars a month ...unless you have a good salary. I am disappointed that the companies are too greedy to charge you for more money especially deafies - simple things such as checking emails and surfing internet because some are included voice or other features in it that we don't need.

I hate contracts, and I would think that it is safe for one year instead of two years because the price would increase every year. Just in case you get a layoff or get fired from your job that would penalize you to pay a fee like 300 dollars for the cancellation service (fine print on the contract). That's what we need to think about.

Last year, I heard a small rumor that SSI agents would not accept SSI users if they have a mobile. I don't believe this rumor.

 

[sequoias]

I am really surprised that there are many different QWERTY mobiles. I cannot believe that it is not simple to find the right one.

My opinion is that it is more imporant to have a symbol that says "email" right on the button once so that you wouldn't want to go step by step to receive emails.

I would never spend 49 dollars a month ...unless you have a good salary. I am disappointed that the companies are too greedy to charge you for more money especially deafies - simple things such as checking emails and surfing internet because some are included voice or other features in it that we don't need.

I hate contracts, and I would think that it is safe for one year instead of two years because the price would increase every year. Just in case you get a layoff or get fired from your job that would penalize you to pay a fee like 300 dollars for the cancellation service (fine print on the contract). That's what we need to think about.

Last year, I heard a small rumor that SSI agents would not accept SSI users if they have a mobile. I don't believe this rumor.

Sprint do have mobile broadband plan aka EVDO for only $29 a month discount for deaf people not including the unlimited text which is $15 extra. They have much better coverage than T-mobile for the same price, except the unlimited text cost extra.

IT will switch to CDMA coverage when you're outside the metro area or a major area when u're in a rural coverage, it's faster than T-mobile's GPRS still. It's about the same speed as EDGE.

 

[PowerON]

I am really surprised that there are many different QWERTY mobiles. I cannot believe that it is not simple to find the right one.

My opinion is that it is more imporant to have a symbol that says "email" right on the button once so that you wouldn't want to go step by step to receive emails.

I would never spend 49 dollars a month ...unless you have a good salary. I am disappointed that the companies are too greedy to charge you for more money especially deafies - simple things such as checking emails and surfing internet because some are included voice or other features in it that we don't need.

I hate contracts, and I would think that it is safe for one year instead of two years because the price would increase every year. Just in case you get a layoff or get fired from your job that would penalize you to pay a fee like 300 dollars for the cancellation service (fine print on the contract). That's what we need to think about.

Last year, I heard a small rumor that SSI agents would not accept SSI users if they have a mobile. I don't believe this rumor.

hey.. in middle 90s, wireless service cost pretty expensive and no internet that offer but limited and way expensive. Today is much cheap. Stop whine.

 

[sequoias]

hey.. in middle 90s, wireless service cost pretty expensive and no internet that offer but limited and way expensive. Today is much cheap. Stop whine.

That's right, dude. It's lot cheaper than it used to be for data access and voice calling plans, too.

 

[webexplorer]

How much they used to charge you a couple of years ago? I have no idea.
I am not whiny. Good try. Smile.

 

[sequoias]

How much they used to charge you a couple of years ago? I have no idea.
I am not whiny. Good try. Smile.

The same as when I first got Sidekick 1, T-mobile hasn't raised the charges since sidekick 1 first came out.

 

[PowerON]

The same as when I first got Sidekick 1, T-mobile hasn't raised the charges since sidekick 1 first came out.

actually, on original sidekick plan, it come with voice plan.

then on color sidekick, the plan come without voice and increase more text-message from 999 to 9,999.

 

[sequoias]

actually, on original sidekick plan, it come with voice plan.

then on color sidekick, the plan come without voice and increase more text-message from 999 to 9,999.

I see, at least it's the same cost.

 

[Foxrac]

Check out about Treo 680 because they aren't related to MS or Windows.
It's from Cingular website...

FYI, MDA and Samsung Blackjack are related with MS and Windows but Samsung Blackjack aren't 100%, maybe around 50% or so.