Smartphones and such

I have used just about every type of smartphone on the market. From Symbian (SE P850) to Palm (Treo 600, 650) to Windows Mobile (ATT 8595, Moto Q9h, HTC 620 and 630), Apple iPhone and currently a Blackberry Curve.

You would think that with all that experience I would have a solid idea of what I liked and disliked. Alas you would be incorrect.

I am still in search of the perfect device to magically transport me into the future. And by future I mean the day when I can walk around and all of my everything is on a device about the size of an iPhone.

When I was in line last year on launch day I though that I was there- but it was not to be- I was un done by a lack of basic features like cut and paste and searching of mail messages. And while I really loved the interface and the media player the some of the basic phone features left me wanting.

So I first returned to Windows mobile- only to be let down by form factor issues. The Moto Q9h had a lot going for it but size was not one of them. IT is/was too wide. There where a few nice things about it like the 3G and the mobile office editing, and the ability to customize the today screen. The downsides were the width of the device (The blackjack II is better) , and the need for a proprietary audio jack connector. On the advise of my wife I tried a Blackberry Curve.

And I must admit before actually using one I had my doubts. Being someone who is enamored with elegant graphics and user interfaces the business basic fonts and screens of the Blackberry were not all that appealing- but what the hell- I should at least give it a shot.

9 months later I have come to appreciate the power of the integrated messaging software and the powerful phone features. But there is trouble in paradise. I still have to use an ipod- due to the weakness of the media player and there is now editing of office docs. In addition the web browser is worthless and you cannot view html email messages.

The upcoming Blackberry Bold is supposed to remedy all of my issues and supply more juice and 3g, wifi and gps. But Att is slow to release it and the price may be steep.

My other gripe with the Blackberry is that it requires a BES in addition to your mail server to be fully functional and although I have access to one at work it is still a pain.

The 3G iPhone was released last month and although they fixed a few things- some holes remain cut and paste for example. But one thing they added was active sync for contact and calendar synchronizing. That added with the strength of the music player and the web experience has me thinking about going back. Luckily I have to wait until October to qualify for the discount price and by then I hope the Bold will be out so I can compare them side by side.


So where am I going with this. I really would like to get to that place that I spoke of earlier- all of my everything in one device. Will it happen in my lifetime who knows- but I will keep trying devices until I get there.