According to recent news, global shipments of smartphones are up 75% in Q3 2005, with PDA-only handheld shipments falling 18% and converged devices more than doubled in volume. So, what are the tech-inclined OSNews readers are opting for? Come in and vote.Cellphones today usually are categorized in 5 ways. Here are some sample configurations for these categories (configurations that could vary in many ways of course and are given here only as a guideline):
1. Low-end phones. Few LCD colors and very low resolutions (e.g. 96×64), only SMS support, no camera, no java, 500KB to 4 MB internal storage. Example: Sony Ericsson J210i, Nokia 1221.
2. Low-end feature phones. CIF/VGA camera (no flashlight), 128×128 STN LCD or similar, Java, 5-15 MB internal storage. Example: Sony Ericsson K300i, Nokia 6235i.
3. Mid-range feature phones. VGA to 1 MP camera with flashlight, 128×160 or 176×220 TFTs, Java, EMS, 15-35 MBs internal storage, Bluetooth. Example: Sony Ericsson K700i, Motorola ROKR.
4. High-end feature phones. 2MP cameras, QVGA or 176×220 TFTs, Bluetooth, flash storage slot and 35-50 MBs internal storage, high multimedia inclination. Examples: Sony Ericsson K750i and W800i, Nokia 7370.
5. Smartphones. Any Windows, PalmOS, Symbian or Linux powered devices.
Note: This poll requires javascript to view and vote for.
The O2 XDA phones/pdas look pretty nice. Been looking out on ebay for a cheap one.
Just the idea of having a device i can do it all on is neat.
The same as my current phone.
Trium Astral
I’ll have to get a used one since Mitsubishi stopped production in IIRC 2003, but it’s the only one which is well usable, despite lacking a clock.
Where is the poll option for *NO* colours, *NO* games, etc?
Why doesn’t the poll work in Lynx (can’t vote like this)?
>Where is the poll option for *NO* colours, *NO* games, etc?
The “LOW-END cellphone” is the option you need. This option IS for that phone you describe. It’s about the lowest-end a phone can get.
>Why doesn’t the poll work in Lynx (can’t vote like
this)?
Because as I say in the article, it requires javascript, as the poll’s code is actually outsourced. All our polls require that, it’s not the first time.
Why doesn’t the poll work in Lynx (can’t vote like
this)?
There is a version of Links with Java Support – Links2 available at http://links.twibright.com/features.php – If only it had SSL support! (elinks has SSL but no javascript)
Euh,none,i left the hype for what is whas and still do.
It is the easiest platform to customize for now. Especialy if you are a programmer like I am, but once there is a global platform for Linux Mobiles I will move there.
I’m still planning on buying the Nokia 8800- expensive as fcuk but probably the sturdiest, most elegant, and therefor (in my opinion) the best phone money can buy.
And as some here know too, I don’t think a smartphone’s a phone. It’s a PDA with phone capabilities. And, I still do not think that these smartphones will ‘replace’ most of the ordinary phones today. I explained it all here [ http://www.osnews.com/permalink.php?news_id=12350&comment_id=49418 ]:
Or, you are just way too positive about the future of these so-called “smartphones” (I’d much rather prefer the term “bloatphones”, but that’s just personal
).
But seriously now– you may say that PDAs are dead, and that phones are taking over the role of PDAs by incorporating PDA features.
Why not look at it the other way ’round? Aren’t these so-called “smart”phones (like those chubby SonyEricssons) just PDAs that happen to have cellphone technology?
The PDA never *really* got on in the way cellphones and computers have because PDAs try/tried to solve a problem that does/did not exist: 99% of the world is just fine with using normal paper diaries. Other than that, PDAs are complex, very hard to use, chubby, and too vulnerable (the larger a screen, the more likely it will break during carrying/using/etc– especially touch-screens).
Cellphones, on the other hand, got on because they *did* solve a problem: the problem of not being able to talk to your loved ones while not in the fecinity of a fixed phone/phonebooth. Cellphones played on one of the most defining needs that makes us human: the need to communicate, to convey messages.
PDAs added nothing to that, neither do smartphones. That is why I believe that the smartphone (or PDA with cellphone capabilities) will never take off and take over the’ normal’ cellphone: they do not solve a clear problem, nor do they work on basic human needs.
We are not all geeks.
PDAs added nothing to that, neither do smartphones.
Before this August, I’d never owned a cell phone or PDA (or any kind of combined device), then work got me a Treo 650. After using it for a few months, I can’t imagine using a cellphone that didn’t include at least basic PIM functionality (address book, datebook/reminder).
I’ve read posts you made in the thread on the Linux smartphone review, where you argued that adding PDA functions to a phone distracts from it’s actual telephony features and makes it less useful as a phone. In general, I would agree that “Jack-of-all-trades” devices are bad, but I think that the core PDA functions are related enough to phone functions that one doesn’t have to distract/detract from the other.
And as some here know too, I don’t think a smartphone’s a phone. It’s a PDA with phone capabilities. And, I still do not think that these smartphones will ‘replace’ most of the ordinary phones today. I explained it all here [ http://www.osnews.com/permalink.php?news_id=12350&comment_id=49… ]:
Thom, while I appreciate your opintion, I find that you’re a bit stubborn in accepting new forms of technology. There is certainly a market for devices that converge. So long that these new smart phones can make a call by entering in a number and pressing ‘go’ there’s no distraction from their core functionality. PDAs have largely failed because people don’t like to carry multiple devices with them. I have a PDA which I’ve hardly used becaused it’s one device too many to carry around. I’d be glad to have the benefits of a PDA in my handphone, since it will always be with me. For a simple example, a PIM in a PDA is useless if you don’t carry the PDA with you, but a PIM in a mobile is of value due to it always being with you.
Convenience often outweighs having perfection spread amongst multiple devices.
For the record, the Nokia E70 appeals to me. It benefits over other recent Nokias with wireless support (free Internet usage at home or the office), higher resolution display, 2MP camera (fitting the common 300 dpi when printing 4×6″ photos at labs) and a qwerty keyboard.
Edited 2005-10-31 18:12
I think the problem isn’t so much “seeing how many features one can put in a phone”, but the fact that the implimentation and interface is poor. There’s always going to be tradeoffs for “all-in-one” devices for technological and economic reasons (let alone the fact that the human body isn’t going to change anytime soon).
I’ve voted for symbian phone cause that’s what I just got.
I would have voted for linux but it seems it’s reserved to asian markets for some reasons. Maybe next year it will be different.
that is simple and acts like a phone.
Why there’s no an option “I like my current cellphone”? Or an option like “The cheapest one with the features I need/want”. Like I did: one year and half ago I bought a T630 because it was the cheapest Bluetooth phone I could find. I didn’t care about everything else this phone has, the camera, Java, EMS, e-mail, I just wanted Bluetooth.
But, given the options, I choose Symbian, because the next time I’ll want MP3s and GPS, and Symbian is the most viable option for now.
I have a mid-low end cell phone right now….I use phone book and of course the phone capabilities….and nothing else. Smartphone’s aren’t for me. I hate PDAs as it is, I wouldn’t want one crammed into my cell phone. They’re neat and can be useful….just not for me, thats all.
I’d consider a PDA/phone combination if
1) it has a reasonable-sized display
2) it is reasonably priced
3) I can customize/debug the software myself
The last one is important to me. I’m not going to spend my good money anymore on stuff that turns out to have quirks that don’t get fixed.
I opted for high end feature phone. I am currently waiting at home for my new mobile phone to be delivered…. the Walkman branded Sony Ericsson W800i.
I was also tempted by the Nokia N70, but went with the W800i for money reasons. However, I graduate in May 2006, and once (if) I get a job, I should be able to afford something a little more high tech!
In fact I would really like a phone which would have no colour, no mms, no camera no other flashy stuff, BUT it would have quite big grayscale display, bluetooth connectivity, PIM-features, long-lasting battery.
Like a natural continuation of nokia 6310i.
A phone with a
– big screen and virtual dialpad (at the risk of gettig dirty maybe).
The big screen would be to read PDFs, which I am already doing on the puny nokia 3650.
– ability to stream music from the network with good stereo quality over GPRS or 3G
– bluetooth/infrared with the big screen acting as virtual remote
– calendar, messaging
the Nokia communicator does it (or could do it) but is too bulky. For example, it cannot fit in a shirt pocket.
What I really need is unlimited data access at reasonable bitrates. Then the phone can shrink in weight but expand in function as it becomes a dumb terminal, as sophisticated applications reside on servers.
Same as my current mobile phone: None.
I recently got a Philips Xenium 9@9c. It’s a clamshell cell phone, not really small but exactly what I needed: No built-in camera (but delivered as add-on) and everything tuned to save energy. Philips says it runs up to 4 weeks without recharging. My first impression is: 2-3 weeks at low to medium usage is realistic. This is exactly what I wanted.
It would be interesting to see how north americans, europeans and asians differ in their cell phone shoppings. I suspect that north americans tend to buy cheapest phones, europeans mid range and asians the most expensive ones. But what do I know, so spreading the statistics would help.
the blackberry 8700 as soon as spring gets off their ass and starts carrying it.
I voted for “plain and cheap” but I really have no plans to own a cell phone. Every time I’m cut off in traffic by some moron talking on one, I see it anew for what it is: the living symbol of a world view/lifestyle I don’t like. We do have one for emergencies (the prepaid kind, cheaper when one goes for weeks without making a call) but it stays in my wife’s car most of the time.
Incidentally, I don’t have or want satellite TV (and I bother with for cable mostly to get broadband) or any sort of PDA; I do have the cheapest boom box-style “stereo” there is and a 1st generation iPod (for recorded books.) But if you shop any of the office supply stores (or WalMart for that matter) you’ve seen and/or used software I’ve written, some on my basement full of computers.
The key to living with modern technology is to constantly ask what you need. Living for the sake of amassing toys is even less satisfying than amassing money (since gold is a lot more durable than toys, and at least has resale value.)
Amen to that. Half the people on the road already can’t drive and now they want to talk on the phone while they do it. And that doesn’t even take into account people’s phones going off in movie theaters, libraries, etc. all the places a cellphone shouldn’t be brought. All this so people can stay up to date on the latest gossip.
“And that doesn’t even take into account people’s phones going off in movie theaters, libraries, etc. all the places a cellphone shouldn’t be brought.”
Those places usually have signs telling you to turn them off (or at least vibrate). Guess what I hear? Cellphones turn some into inconsiderate boobs.
Anyway how about:
A) A nice job were I can afford these toys?
After having one with camera, Java, games, calendar, mp3, bluetooth, laser… Ahm, no, not laser. But after having one with most of the stupid stuff they can cram inside a handheld device, I went and got myself a really low end one.
It’s got a color screen but that’s about it. No games, no camera, no JVM, no custom ringtones… just plain and simple phonecalls and sms. So far I ain’t missing much from the previous one.
When it comes to cell phones, I’ve always opted for ones that are considered, ‘close’ to low-end or right on the bottom.
When you price the plans for some of these gadgetty phones, some of the options are quite pricey. And that’s where the companies get you – the options in the plans.
As it stands, my cell phone is a Nokia 6010 – color screen & works like a champ. I considered getting a combined cell-phone & Palm-based PDA but I’d much rather carry two small items than have the thing break down and lose BOTH functions.
As for the ‘everything-but-the-kitchen-sink,’ models, I’ll leave them to someone who can make use of all the functions. I know I never will.
I have a cell phone that works, it’s sturdy and the price plan I have can’t be beat.
My favorite is 8910i but I don’t know if they still make it. If I can’t get a 8910i , I will move higher : Motorola RazR.
It’d be really nice to see options for “Medium” with few features. E.g. “Medium NON-feature phone”.
I want readable, high resolution displays and easy navigation. I honestly couldn’t care what other features were on the phone as long as they didn’t get in the way of taking and placing calls and reading incoming text messages. Heck, my little Verizon/Motorola T730c has a 4-way rocker in the middle that each direction can be assigned to do a different task. I ran out of tasks. Open messages, open contacts. Umm. That’s it.
Well, my job is to write software for Symbian based phones, but I actually voted for a Microsoft based phone. It’s not that Symbian phones are not good, but I have a bunch of them from my employers for testing purposes and I just use one of them for myself.
I have seen some interesting models of PDA/Microsoft phones at HP and Qtek. However, I would like to have also GPS and WiFi on the same device, but I could not find one that has them all (yet).
If not a Microsoft phone, then I will get a Nokia, not a smartphone though (because I don’t want to spend my own money on a Symbian phone when I can have one for free). After using Nokia for almost all my life (since cell phones exist :-)), I cannot get used to something else. I tend to lose patience quickly, so I am too lazy to just learn new UI’s.
Sony/Ericson S710A…not sure if that falls into the “mid” or “high end” category.
pros:
1) tri-band(should work in Europe)
2) bluetooth(setting the phone up to remote control my mac was easier than pairing with a bluetooth headset, who knew?!)
3) has every feature I ever wanted from a phone.
4) uses memory stick for storage…capacity up to 128MB
cons:
1) worst camera ever…seriously, why did they even put this in the phone?
I figure by the time this phone has outlived its usefulness or broken, there will be much better phones/appliances out there
Where’s my Apple PDA with a cellular modem? And I don’t need a phone. Web and email is just enough.
I own a K750i and it’s a nice phone. A next step in the evolution I would like to see built-in GPS and WiFi, maybe a 3MP camera with built-in flash would be nice. I have a 1GB memory stick in the phone and can carry a few dozen songs, several hundreds photos and 3-4 fulltime movies (Star Wars and Kill Bill 1&2 at the moment) with me. A very good all-in-one gadget indeed.
Features I care about / are a “must”:
* EDGE
* bluetooth
* clam-shell (I like how it protects the display)
* price
* WAP browser (I use it to check trains/buses)
Features that are nice, but not a “must”:
* color display
* DIY ringtones (not buying them from someone)
* camera (usually make nice “lomo” photos
Features I don’t care about – would rather pay less than have them:
* PIM tools
* games
* mp3/video playback
And I want a phone, not a phone-pda combo.
Most Nokia offerings, cover majority of the above. However, last time I checked, it was (clamshell XOR edge + bluetooth). Motorola’s RAZR would be good, but it does not have EDGE. Motorola’s V52something seems to have all the features, but while my employer is providing me with a phone and tolerates private use, there’s little incentive for me to buy a new phone right now.
I voted none, because I recently turned off my cell phone for good. (It was a basic model, by the way.)
After reading accounts of US cell phone carriers being denied liability insurance in the wake of health concerns around cell usage, I opted not to expose myself to a risk that the insurance companies consider “uninsurable.”
If the insurance companies don’t want part of the action, that’s enough to scare me — it’s like rats jumping off the ship.
I opted not to expose myself to a risk that the insurance companies consider “uninsurable.”
did you ever think that they find it uninsurable because there is no corolation between cell phone usage and health problems. in other words, maybe they fear that offering the insurance would cause claims to be made. even when the insurance company denies a claim it costs them money especialy when the courts get involved.
I have a Motorola v510.
I like the following features
Bluetooth, size, phone book.
I could live without.
java, Camera, The unstable OS with unstable drivers, short battery life.
Someone should make a Linux binary compatible Microkernel that allows the OS to kill and restart drivers when they crash. It’s really annoying losing my bluetooth headset about once a month. Requiring me to turn off then on the phone, and then resync the two.
v525 or v600 aren’t anything better in that department.
Had the same problem with headset as you. I got rid of the headset after my need for having phone constantly connected to my laptop passed need for hands free calling. (damn phone bluetooth can connect to only one device at the time)
Second problem I have is when I use GPRS from Windows (very rarely), drivers just lock up my phone and after one or two connections phone needs to be turned off and on. Funny thing is that it never happens in Linux, and I connect my laptop as soon as it boots, that would be every day for a few hours at least.
I could live without.
java, Camera, The unstable OS with unstable drivers, short battery life.
I could live much more content without java, slow interface and camera on my phone. I couldn’t live without bluetooth.
I may be old hat in this belief, but cell phones really deomstrate something that I think is completely unneccessary…. goodies.
I love geeky things, and heck, I really want a linux-based smartphone, just so I can add it to the myriad of things I own already running Linux (Laptops, Desktops, Servers, Routers, PVR’s, iPod’s), but the thing that I keep running into is quality.
As consumers keep purchasing cellphones with all the goodies that can play music and games, and take pictures all while chatting on IM and surfing the net, that slows down the development of good cellphones that can find and keep a quality signal without eating so much battery life. Granted, some of that is due to the cellphone tower placement, but combining these poor devices into one thing just seems… verbose!
If I want a camera, I will bring along a 4.5MP camera I own to take quality pictures at 1280×786 instead of a cheeky 1.2MP 640×480. If I want a game, I’ll bring along a PSP, DS, (insert other portable gaming device). I also don’t want to be bugged on IM when I’m out with my family…
I think my point is I really want devices that work better, rather than consolidating. If I had a fantastic cell phone, with a little 72x72px screen (B&W) that *always* had a quality cell phone signal with more than 4+hrs talking time…. I’d be a happy guy.
The geek in me screams as I write this, but the common sense kicks in and begs for better devices to be built.
Interesting construction, it keeps hurting my eyes when I read it.
What Cellphone Will Be Your Next?
What Will Be Your Next Cellphone?
What Will Your Next Cellphone Be?
Be What Your Next Cellphone Will!
CellPhone, Be What Will, Your Next?
how come blackberry was left off? i doubt if i could live without mine. i will definitely buy another one in the future.
You CAN live without your blackberry.
I promise. Not only will you survive, you will likely be happier and healthier without it.
(Not to pick on you at all – I just see people who are overly dramatic about simple things. Kick the addiction!)
I vote for this as the most worthless poll of the year, for leaving out any mention of the features that really matter in a cell phone. How about quad-band gsm, good reception, good sound, good speakerphone characteristics, easy-to-navigate menus, flip-phone, and a long battery life?
You can pry my Nokia 6310i from my cold, dead hands.
But the reality is that I’m hoping my Treo 650 is the last phone I’ll ever buy. From my cold, dead hands!
Make/receive calls and SMS. Waterproof and able to survive being bashed around. That’s all I need, and that’s exactly what I have. I don’t use any additional functionality, nor am I likely to.
I’ve canceled my cell phone. My new phone is a wifi phone and my calls are free. I live in the city and have better wifi than cell phone coverage. It’s awesome.
I recently got one of LGs phones. Includes Java, Games, MMS – the lot. It looks great; Very nice colour screen, sharp image. Very nice ringtones. Very nice browser function. Java is slow but functional. Voice recording functions well. But this phone is not really functional as a phone. How come? Well, first of all the coverage is bad, the sound quality when actually calling someone is sub-par with one of my 1990 cell phones. I get MMS adverts and the only way to turn it off is to call the help-center (for a huge cost) and ask them to opt-out me. And the worst thing, it does not warn me in time or loud enough when the battery is running low (no sound, only a slowly blinking led that does not show in a well lit room). I had my phone without power for days before noticing since it is one of these fold-up phones that you need to open to get its status. useless. My next phone will be with only CALL, SMS, ALARM and BATTERY LOW WARNING!!!
is a nokia 9500, i have wanted a communicator ever since i first saw the saint. i just cant justify spending $730 on a cell phone when i can buy a laptop or build a nice computer for about the same amount.
http://www.nokiausa.com/phones/9500
Sony Ericsson P990 or whatever the latest one is called.
So far, my 2 tin cans and a string works just fine for me, although I have trouble with SMS (who know Morse code anymore) and long-distance calls can be tricky…
I have Nokia 6310, and I have no plans of getting new one. It is perfect size, looks nice, has all phone features without useless un-phone stuff (MP3, camera,FM radio…), battery lasts a long, long time, bluetooth and ir so I can use my old iPaq with it.
I used to change my mobile phones every month, but I am planing to stick to my 6310 for a long time.
Unfortunately, all new Nokia models just don’t have look&feel I liked so much in 5110, 3210, 7110, 6210 and 6310.
“Guess what I hear? Cellphones turn some into inconsiderate boobs.”
Nah, the people were already inconsiderate boobs before they got the cellphones. Problem is we’ve got an awful lot of inconsiderate boobs walking the planet and the rest of us have to put up with their B.S. All you with cellphones, I’d love to tell you where to stick’em.
I get to play with all of the phones due to the nature of my employment:)
I plan on playing with our new Linux based phone once it gets in for sure.
…is a small phone (very important to me), with good battery life, SMS and preferably WAP. Essentially it could be a low end phone, but most (all?) low-end phones are not small enough for me, so it doesn’t specifically fit into any of the catagories given.
I currently have an 8310 and it has what I need, and I wouldn’t want any new phone to be bigger than this.
will be either a high end smartphone, or the cheapest thing they’ll sell me, depending upon whether or not verizon stops being the source of all cellphone evil.
If they’ll sell me a smartphone that i can customize and program myself, without having to pay verizon every time i fart, i’ll buy one. But if all they’re offering when my (stupid, evil) contract is up are still crippled phones that have all the useful cool stuff turned off because verizon can’t bill per-use for it, then screw em. I’ll either get the lowest end phone they have or not buy another one at all and tell them where they can shove it.
Verizon – offering the nation’s “best” network, where buying a phone does *not* entitle you to using it.
I’d like a high quality low-end phone, in other words just a phone that works well with a phonebook, working a “blue collar” job like mine and keeping my life fairly simple means I don’t really need a PIM or other extra’s in my phone
Does anyone just make a plain of phone? Something that just makes phone calls; no: cameral, inet access, mp3, coffee maker and what not.
Small enough to carry easily, yet a large enough display that I can read without my reading glasses.
Simple, with NO BUTTONS that protrude along the sides that get pushed accidently when I grab it, causing me no end of frustration trying to restore it to the previous state it was in before the button push.
Rugged enough to drop from belt height, with some protection of the LCD area, so that when you accidently bump against something with it hanging on your belt, you don’t break the LCD display, and have to tape it up with duct tape so you don’t cut your fingers on the jagged edges while you’re fumbling around trying not to push the buttons on the side.
Looking to get the new 8700 when it’s released in the new month or so….
For my money you can’t go past the Mio A701.
Fast, small (ish), GPS, 520Mhz processor, 192Mb RAM, BT. Awesome.
The numbers were higher on both Linux and Symbian smart phones, yet in the US only Palm OS and Windows exist. I say this as I did alot of research into getting both a new cell phone and service, and my choices were strictly the Treo, and a couple choices of Windows Mobile Smart phones. So where does Symbian and Linux come in? I got the Treo since it will work with all the OS I use, but seriously, is either Symbian or Linux a possibility on phones, or is this poll more a wish list of possible OS on smart phones? Lets see what is available before asking what someone will buy.
You can buy many Symbian-based nokia phones. Anything that’s either Series 60, 80 and 90 from Nokia, they are Symbian. If your carrier does not carry those, you can always buy them from a store.
As for Linux phones, only 2 models exist in US and they are hard to find. Linux smartphones are mostly meant for Asia. Most of the people who voted for the linux option on this poll, they are obviously linux desktop users or advocates, they are not even have plans to buy such a phone. So, I would personally discard most of the votes the linux options got here on osnews, as the site is known to attract mostly linux users.
What would a Linux phone buy someone over say a Symbian phone? Are Linux phones more hackable for example?
I like the feature set of my T630 and i don’t need these bloated smartphones. If only i really need extra functionality i’ll take my PDA (or MP3 player).
My needs are simple. I want a phone that can take the occasional drop and continue to work that’s on a network that doesn’t drop calls in the center of town.
I have yet to find a phone and carrier that accomplished both tasks.
I would like a phone with a built-in light saber, but I doubt I will ever get one 😉
Who can resist retro-geek-chic? It’s a rotary, and it works!
http://www.sparkfun.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&itemid=416