Trying to Decide on Which PPC Phone

[Guest whoster69]

I'm getting ready to buy my first PPC phone and wanted some advice from people who have used these devices.

I've owned a cell phone for about 3 years now (a basic one). I'm a heavy computer user (mainly PCs with Windows or on rare occasions Linux). I love to tinker and build my own PCs.

What interests me the most about a PPC phone is making my life easier. I buy the computers for our school (I teach 5th grade). I'd like to get a phone that can keep my Google Calendar and Gmail on it plus browse the web from time to time. I'd also like to be able to do other stuff on it, like watch video clips, listen to MP3s, and take the occasional picture. Games might be fun too when I'm waiting around. I don't have much use for GPS at this point (though I admit it would be fun to play with sometimes). I like the idea of getting after-market applications and games to make the PPC phone more productive/enjoyable. Being able to have control over how it handles phone calls is another plus. Size isn't too important to me. I'm more interested in functionality and smart design. I like the idea of a big screen and a QWERTY keyboard.

I've thought about Palm OS. It seems very smartly designed, but I don't like that it can't multitask. I will use my device for a variety of tasks at the same time (like I'm doing with my PC at the moment. I don't know much about the other OSes beyond the Windows flavors.

Right now I'm leaning toward getting a Treo 750 when Cingular comes out with one or a Cingular 8525 (HTC Hermes). From what I've read (remember I have to experience with ANY smartphone) it appears that the Treo is one of the best designs (easier to use and more functional). The 8525 has better hardware specs and a bigger screen. So, I'm not sure which way to go.

Anyway, I'd love to hear some of people's opinions and advice. Thank you in advance for your input.

[Guest AlanJC]

Personally, I would go with the Hermes.

At the end of the day, both the Treo and the Hermes are made by HTC, but on a device like this, you will primarily be viewing information, not typing, so the bigger display and easy to use form factor make it an easy to use device with one hand. The form factor of the Treo leads people to it with two hands, even though they don't need to really (queue the people that will disagree because they use it single handed lol).

They both run the same OS, but the Hermes being a true HTC device will have more support from the community, such as www.xda-developers.com and you will have mush more fun tweaking your Hermes than a Treo.

You can add a bluetooth GPS and relevant software to either when you feel like it.

And when it comes down to typing out an email, the Hermes keyboard is better spaced, so you can type faster on that. I really don't understand the attitude of the Blackberry/Treo fans that can't spend 2 seconds sliding a keyboard out when they want to use it. The screen rotates automatically, you don't have to press anything to make it work, it's all instant.

I think the Hermes better meets your criteria. I have the Wizard which is the 2g version, and also a Blackberry for work, very similar keypad and form factor to the Treo, and I know which one is easier to type on, regardless of the OS on it.

[Guest richard_d]

I'm getting ready to buy my first PPC phone and wanted some advice from people who have used these devices.

I've owned a cell phone for about 3 years now (a basic one). I'm a heavy computer user (mainly PCs with Windows or on rare occasions Linux). I love to tinker and build my own PCs.

What interests me the most about a PPC phone is making my life easier. I buy the computers for our school (I teach 5th grade). I'd like to get a phone that can keep my Google Calendar and Gmail on it plus browse the web from time to time. I'd also like to be able to do other stuff on it, like watch video clips, listen to MP3s, and take the occasional picture. Games might be fun too when I'm waiting around. I don't have much use for GPS at this point (though I admit it would be fun to play with sometimes). I like the idea of getting after-market applications and games to make the PPC phone more productive/enjoyable. Being able to have control over how it handles phone calls is another plus. Size isn't too important to me. I'm more interested in functionality and smart design. I like the idea of a big screen and a QWERTY keyboard.

I've thought about Palm OS. It seems very smartly designed, but I don't like that it can't multitask. I will use my device for a variety of tasks at the same time (like I'm doing with my PC at the moment. I don't know much about the other OSes beyond the Windows flavors.

Right now I'm leaning toward getting a Treo 750 when Cingular comes out with one or a Cingular 8525 (HTC Hermes). From what I've read (remember I have to experience with ANY smartphone) it appears that the Treo is one of the best designs (easier to use and more functional). The 8525 has better hardware specs and a bigger screen. So, I'm not sure which way to go.

Anyway, I'd love to hear some of people's opinions and advice. Thank you in advance for your input.

Both options are good phones - I don't like the limiting small screen of the Treo, prefer the keyboard on the Hermes and like HSDPA. I'm very happy with my Hermes, but I'd recommend you visit stores and have a play with both.

[Guest toon9]

Another contender worthy of consideration should be the iPAQ HW6915.

Although you won't find it contracted by high street mobile network operators it is a class device.

There is a verson without the in-built GPS too.....just not sure of the model number.

Let us know what you decide on.

[Guest whoster69]

Another contender worthy of consideration should be the iPAQ HW6915.

Although you won't find it contracted by high street mobile network operators it is a class device.

There is a verson without the in-built GPS too.....just not sure of the model number.

Let us know what you decide on.

First, thank you all for the advice. It helps. As I do more research I'm leaning more and more toward the 8525 (Hermes). The ability to tinker with it really attracts me, plus the hardware specs.

Toon9, I'm not sure what you mean by "contracted by high street mobile network operators". Forgive me but I'm new at this and am probably missing the obvious. I'd appreciate it if someone could explain what this means.

The model with built in GPS is the iPAQ HW6945 (which is offered by our local carrier that I currently have, Edge Wireless). One question about the GPS, does it have some sort of monthly fee associated with it?

Thank you all for your help.

[Guest stevem999]

Toon9, I'm not sure what you mean by "contracted by high street mobile network operators". Forgive me but I'm new at this and am probably missing the obvious. I'd appreciate it if someone could explain what this means.

Think it's just 'across the pond' terminology that's confusing you. What he means is that the iPaq is unlikely to be available on contracts (i.e. discounted) from cellular operators (mobile phone operators over here!) who are the usual culprits you find in shopping centres, malls etc. We use the colloquial term 'high street' as a cover-all for the big players over here such as Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile etc whereas I guess you have Verizon, Cingular, Sprint etc.

[Guest whoster69]

Think it's just 'across the pond' terminology that's confusing you. What he means is that the iPaq is unlikely to be available on contracts (i.e. discounted) from cellular operators (mobile phone operators over here!) who are the usual culprits you find in shopping centres, malls etc. We use the colloquial term 'high street' as a cover-all for the big players over here such as Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile etc whereas I guess you have Verizon, Cingular, Sprint etc.

That's what I thought but I wasn't sure. Ironically, it is available locally whereas I have to get creative to get the 8525 with a plan (in other words, we have a small local carrier here that rents Cingulars service -towers and whatnot. Cingular is not allowed to sell to me where I live, but 30 miles away I can buy them. I actually called them up and explained the problem, and told the guy that if I give them an address 30 miles away they will sell to me and he even suggested giving a diffent address for my billing (a real one). He said it would work). Isn't it sad the things we have to do to get the phones we want?

Thanks again for clearing that up.

[Guest toon9]

Thanks Stevem for clearing that up - and apologies whoster for the misunderstanding.

Welcome to Modaco by the way - I'm sure this will be the first of many many visits

[Guest whoster69]

Thanks Stevem for clearing that up - and apologies whoster for the misunderstanding.

Welcome to Modaco by the way - I'm sure this will be the first of many many visits

No problem! Yes, I can already tell this is a great forum!

Thanks again. If there are any more opinions or advice, please post them. :)