Ok...my dad has a Blackberry (I'm not sure what model number, I think 5810) from GoAmerica and it gets the most awful reception in the world (probably because it runs off of T-Mobile). My dad still wants a machine similar to a Blackberry, possibly the Treo...but I'm wondering which carrier offers the best data solution for these products? If you can, you can possibly add in a calling plan if you wish. I was looking at AT&T and Sprint's Plans, and I've admired some of their rates and gadgets. Could you tell me which carrier and which device would be good for his use? His usage for these machines goes as follows... 1. So far, he's received 565 e-mails on his Blackberry since...about December. If he wanted to get a plan, how much MB of memory do you think 141 e-mails are? (141 is about the average amount of emails he receives a month). 2. I'm not specifically sure if he likes web browsing on it, but if it's possible, could you add that in too? 3. Please...lean away from the Verizon Pocket PC. I hate the Thera. 4. He wants a keyboard at the bottom just like his old blackberry. I hope you can figure out something from this...after all...it is a lot of info... Thanks in advance
I really think a Treo would be a good option, considering that most people think it is the best mix of a PDA and cell phone they've seen so far. 141 e-mails probably only equal 500K-1MB depending on length. E-mail is pure text unless it has fancy formatting or attachments, so it isn't a big draw on data. The new Palm Tungsten got low marks as a phone but solid ones for data usage, BTW. You have to use the headset for the phone. With Sprint, Treos can be used on regular calling plans (I believe) where you pay for the minutes and add $10 for Vision access. I heard a couple rumors that this couldn't be done, and that Treos would have to have separate data plans similar to those for connection cards, but I really don't believe this is true. Treos have a solid e-mail program and a top-notch browser for PDAs. The only other Treos work on T-Mobile, which you indicated you wanted to stay away from. On a side note, the older BlackBerries worked off of Cingular's Mobitex data-only network. I didn't realize newer ones worked on T-Mobile.
RIM has come out with a CDMA version of the Blackberry that will run on Verizon Wireless. If he likes the blackberry he might want to wait for this. It should be out in the next few months. And since its on the VZW network - coverage will be alot better.
What about the Tungsten W for AT&T? I like that Palm...and AT&T GSM coverage is great in our area (obviously, or why would I have an AT&T GSM phone? :confused. Also, that's where he'll be primarily using. Has anyone heard anything good or bad about this product? If so...please do share.
As I alluded to in my first post, the Tungsten got high marks from a Wall Street Journal reviewer for data, but low marks for voice usage, especially because you have to use a headset for it to be a phone.
Well, that wouldn't be a problem for my dad, seeing that he always uses a headset (since he's on his phone in the car a lot).
