iPhone? Blackberry? Other?

Most cell phones these days have such capability, all integrated, phone, web, camera.... Not really sure why you'd want a separate device... I have a Sanyo Katana from Sprint that fits your bill. I can go to websites, check my hotmail, reply, etc.

IMO, I ultimately found it wasn't worth it. Screen is a bit TOO small, and it's not exactly the speediest in the world. Tried it for a month, then ditched it. YMMV....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Apr 23 2007, 10:18 PM) [snapback]428779[/snapback]</div>

Check out the Nokia N800. It's basically an iPhone without the phone. WiFi, Bluetooth, a proper web browser, touch screen, handwriting recognition, and so on.

 

Most PocketPCs can browse the web over WiFi these days. Opera makes a decent on-the-go browser.

I don't carry my pocketpc unless I travel. For every day use I currently I use a Motorola A1200 with opera mini:



Of course both of these will be replaced by the iPhone the day it becomes available.

 

Treo 700p on Sprint is only $15 a month for unlimited high speed internet .Its nice not to have to hunt for wifi locations.
Browsing and short emails are easy .Lets you do browsing with 1 hand most of the time.Touch screen is convenient and resolution is excellent .It also has a decent camera ,video recorder ,mp3 player,alarm clock, and will run a zillion Palm programs.
As a phone its just so so.
Google maps is a free ap which is indispensable while traveling (and at home).Almost as good as a gps.Its great for finding just about anything.I found all the free city pools on Oahu with it.

 

the solution for "most phones" that Squid was referring to is, IMO, completely inadequate. the screen is too small, the browser too crappy, and you have to hit too many buttons to get anything done.

Since you don't really want it as a phone, i would stay away from the whole "smart phone" genre - They look good on the surface, until you realize that the $299 pricetag on the phone is only if you buy a service plan with it... without such a plan, you can expect to add on as much as $200 to the cost of the unit.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Apr 24 2007, 08:16 AM) [snapback]428936[/snapback]</div>

Try opera mini.

 

Wi-Fi is the wrong starting point I think.

A 5 - 10 KB/sec connection is fine for light email and text based web browsing, and when it is through a wireless telephone provider, access is much more widespread.

Start here instead:
How small a screen will you be happy with, and what sort of keyboard will not drive you batty ?

If cost was not a strong factor, I would think about the iPhone if I could tolerate the input method, or more likely a micro PC portable that weighs under 2 pounds, along with a PC card for carrier access.

As an example of micro notebooks, look at this one from Sony:
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/sony_ux180...Vaio-UX180P.htm
Or a 2.7 pound offering from Panasonic:
http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/store...000000000005702

As you probably know, I am virulently anti-windows, but Apple does not have entries in this hardware niche. A working Linux distro on a micro notebook would be great, but homework is required: these devices often have proprietary chips that may or may not be supported in Linux.

 

When I go out of the U.S., in most cities there's usually an Internet cafe every couple of blocks, and even most small towns seem to have one or two.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Apr 24 2007, 12:14 PM) [snapback]429034[/snapback]</div>

No problem.. I think you'll like it, most of the people I personally know that own it love it. I'm a little jealous tho, I've been kicking around the idea of getting one myself but can't find any practical reason.. and the Wii ate most of my 'no good reason' money.

There's a huge support community around the Nokia tablets, and lots of extra software readily available. I have to admit, looking at the description on Amazon I found a lot of features that I had forgotten it had, such as the integrated webcam and speakers. It also has a FM radio, if that's of any use.

Am I trying to talk myself into buying one now... maybe.

 

Away from the hot-spot, home, or the base station Daniel is going to in July, Wi-Fi is useless, so there is no reason to lug a Wi-Fi only device like the N800 around. If the device is kept near the access, why worry about the weight ? People who hike from one coffee shop to another will come to different conclusions.

I seem to remember that a couple of phones are around that have Wi-Fi also. That is another option.

Logging on to sensitive accounts through public Wi-Fi is a very bad idea, regardless whether the computer is public or personal. David Pogue of the NYTimes wrote a layperson's column that should be required reading for all outside the computer security field (who presumably know this already).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EricGo @ Apr 24 2007, 02:25 PM) [snapback]429141[/snapback]</div>

The N800 isn't WI-FI only... it can go online via a bluetooth phone.

 

I would go with something from HTC or Nokia. I have a T-Mobile Dash (aka HTC S620/Excalibur) and it is great. I wouldn't mind having a Nokia E62 either though. It just depends on if you would rather use Windows Mobile or Symbian...

 

I have had the blackberry and the treo. Blackberry have dull e-mail features and are known for an echo when you use the phone. However bluetooth is excellent. Treo (palm version) has good sound as a phone, excellent e-mail, excellent palm features but the bluetooth suchs the big one. You would think they would make one that did all well considering that you have to carry a little brick on your hip!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Apr 24 2007, 05:47 PM) [snapback]429339[/snapback]</div>

You know. It seems that for very little additional money you could get the iPhone and all its additional features. For me iPod functionality and perfect Mac syncing would do it for me.

Report back on the N800!

Cheers!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Apr 24 2007, 06:47 PM) [snapback]429339[/snapback]</div>

Cheers with the Nokia. I also am curious how well it works, particularly since it is an embedded Linux.

I didn't misunderstand at all. I am pointing out that a device tethered to a base station for utility is best considered for it's functions, and not its weight. After all, other than the trip from the car to the baggage check-in, and baggage claim to hotel room, it just sits around. I gather you put high priority on those 100 metres and two pounds or so, but a somewhat healthy person would not; or at least I don't.