SmartPhones

[Partial]

I was going to start a similar thread because I'll be changing phones in about six weeks and I have no idea what I want.

I'm not a Google or Apple fan. I don't use Facebook or Twitter but I do use Skype. I won't be watching movies but I will be watching some baseball. I will be doing a ton of texting and a decent camera would be nice (no, I am not related to Anthony Weiner).

So smart phone or tablet? Any suggestions?

I would wait the 10 weeks or so and get an iPhone 5. It'll have a much better camera than anything else out if they continue with tradition.

[Scott Campbell]

I would wait the 10 weeks or so and get an iPhone 5. It'll have a much better camera than anything else out if they continue with tradition.

I think that is true for the most part. I think HTC has built a couple of phones with decent cameras, but for the most phones they lag behind Apple. Either way there are plenty of image samples out there from any of the released phones to see for yourself before purchasing.

[retailguy]

What do you mean by pilot navigation? Which ones?

Sorry, I just saw this. I've been traveling this week.

I'm very impressed with foreflight - http://www.foreflight.com/ipad

Preflight Intelligence™

ForeFlight Mobile HD is the latest evolution of our critically acclaimed app for pilots, now optimized for the iPhone and the iPad. The app provides access to high quality weather, airport intelligence, A/FD, service providers, flight planning, and much more. ForeFlight customers are part of a passionate community of aviators that enjoy the benefits of real-time support, quick fixes, frequent updates, and personable service.

Map it all out

ForeFlight Mobile HD includes our new Slip Maps™ technology, capable of displaying your route on a huge selection of geo-referenced maps: radar, satellite, IFR enroute (high or low), VFR sectional, fuel prices, flight rules, winds, temperatures, dew point spreads, ceilings, sky coverage, lightning, and more.

Our ultra-clear, no-noise High-Definition NEXRAD Radar and Satellite slip maps display lightning, hail, mesocyclone activity in portrait and full-screen landscape mode.

Our touch planning feature, available on iPhone and iPad, let's you tap your way to build your flight plan - drag your route line around weather and quickly build up your trip!

Plates and Procedures

Need terminal procedures or plates for your flight? Download procedure volumes by state, by airport, or one at a time. ForeFlight Mobile HD provides download methods that suit your needs. Away from a fast WiFi connection? Just download a couple airports or one state's worth. Connected to a big pipe? Slurp down the whole U.S.

Create binders of your favorite plates for each trip you fly. Then access them with a single tap when it's time to brief the procedure!

Want to bring along your own custom procedures? Just use our new "Bring your own procedures" (BYOP) feature! Learn more here.

Want to see your aircraft on the plates? We offer that as an optional add-on. Learn more here. Geo-referencing information is provided through our license to Seattle Avionics' ChartData technology.

Also, if this gets off the ground, wow, it'd be almost priceless!

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/reviews/the-auto-pilot-ipad-app

Finally, you can read about a bunch of other stuff here:

http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/products/pilot-supplies/20-new-ipad-apps.html

There is one more app, that includes all charts and airport info, it's about $25 bucks a year, but I can't find it right now.


It opens up impressive possibilities for a GA private pilot, and I'll probably buy one soon only for this reason. I'd wait for the android tablets, but why? I'll just NEVER put any music on it.

[Brando19]

I'm so sick of my Blackberry. I went to US Cellular yesterday and I really like the HTC Desire. The reviews are good on this phone and I think I'm gonna get it this week. The camera is 5 mp.

[SkinBasket]

I always want to check out new phones, but all those black guys skulking around in durags in the cell phone stores make me uncomfortable. I mean, how am I supposed to focus on all those features if I'm just worried about who's got a gun and who doesn't?

[swede]

I'm concerned that Patler will get too smart of a phone. If the phone synchs with Patler's brain waves it could lead to the rise of the machines foretold by The Matrix, Terminator, I Robot, and Space Odyssey 2001.

Open the Pod Bay door, Patler.

[Partial]

I'm so sick of my Blackberry. I went to US Cellular yesterday and I really like the HTC Desire. The reviews are good on this phone and I think I'm gonna get it this week. The camera is 5 mp.

It's kind of outdated. I would wait. It's essentially a Nexus One, which came out last Januaryish, so it's 17 months old already.

[Scott Campbell]

I'm going to keep my Hero as long as I can. It's almost 2 years old, but works great thanks to the user community and custom ROM development. Sprint now charges $10 extra per line ($50 per month for all 5 of mine) for their new smartphones, so it'll take something pretty good to get me to update. Here's what I'm looking for:

1) Decent camera. It doesn't have to be a point and shoot replacement, just good enough for shots you can keep. Most of the cameras out there now are junk - except for the iPhone.
2) 720P or better video. And it needs to look decent, not just meet the technical spec.
3) 2nd front facing camera for Skype like functionality.
4) Latest generation processor for lightning quick response.
5) Figure out the battery issues.
6) Screen sizes need to shrink back down to the size of my Hero. These things are supposed to be portable.

I'm content to just keep waiting.

[retailguy]

So, my contract is up with Sprint at the end of the summer (Sept, I believe).

We have been with Sprint since 2002, and never planned to leave until this last deal. When we moved, we got phones for the girls. It necessitated a plan change. Suffice it to say, it got all screwed up, took 45 days to know it was all screwed up, and Sprint basically told me to either pay more to get what I was promised, or shut up and endure the contract. This was with customer retention, who had always been good to me.

I honestly can't wait until this is up, as I will not sign another contract. I'm done with them (contracts).

Any suggestions as to what I can do? We've got 4 phones on a plan called "anytime messaging". We were promised one smart phone (for my wife), I have one through work, and three basic lines with unlimited messaging, and 1500 minutes shared. It was supposed to be the new sprint any mobile deal, but yeah, they misrepresented that too.

I have a 25% discount through them and pay a little less than 100 including taxes.

What would you do if you were me? The bill is nice, as is the discount, but secondary to the service. My wife needs the smartphone that we got elsewhere for the last year, and going without it isn't an option. I have a BB through work, so it isn't really important for me. I don't want the girls to even have internet access so their phones can be simple. Unlimited texts of course, but they only use a couple hundred minutes each.

Any advice appreciated.

[Scott Campbell]

Typical Sprint customer service. It's a test of endurance getting anything done with them. I think it's by design. Nobody can be that incompetent making a real effort. I think many people give up and end up paying more than they agreed to originally.

I'd like to say there are better carriers out there, but it's pretty bad everywhere. And you can lump the cable internet and satellite TV companies in there too. I think it's now the nature of that business model.

[Freak Out]

tmobile has some good no contract plans....but they are being bought by who..? ATT I think......that's fucked up.

BTW SC....there are great non apple smartphones out there with some pretty nice cameras. Depends on the carrier of course but they do exist.

[retailguy]

Typical Sprint customer service. It's a test of endurance getting anything done with them. I think it's by design. Nobody can be that incompetent making a real effort. I think many people give up and end up paying more than they agreed to originally.

I'd like to say there are better carriers out there, but it's pretty bad everywhere. And you can lump the cable internet and satellite TV companies in there too. I think it's now the nature of that business model.

I agree. I DID NOT pay more. I endured with what I had. I'm willing to listen to the sales pitch when I call to terminate service, but I will set one condition and that will be that I won't extend the contract. I'll shut it off first.

I agree, the options are pretty crummy. I found a pre-paid option at virgin mobile that might work well for the kids. It's $25 a month. Maybe I'll just let my wife get that damn iphone she wants.... and i'll stick with my work phone.

[Scott Campbell]

tmobile has some good no contract plans....but they are being bought by who..? ATT I think......that's fucked up.

BTW SC....there are great non apple smartphones out there with some pretty nice cameras. Depends on the carrier of course but they do exist.

Which ones? HTC has built a couple, but then they go right back to building crappy ones.

[MJZiggy]

I agree. I DID NOT pay more. I endured with what I had. I'm willing to listen to the sales pitch when I call to terminate service, but I will set one condition and that will be that I won't extend the contract. I'll shut it off first.

I agree, the options are pretty crummy. I found a pre-paid option at virgin mobile that might work well for the kids. It's $25 a month. Maybe I'll just let my wife get that damn iphone she wants.... and i'll stick with my work phone.

Have you looked into Cricket? I haven't so I'm just curious about it.

[Freak Out]

Both the HTC Sensation and the Samsung Galaxy S2 have good camera/video options. Sony has an Xperia model that had a nice camera with a Zeiss lens. You can get some cool photo apps that make all the cameras better as well.