Rental Property Investor · Woodbridge, VA · Member since 2008 · 543 posts · 121 votes
I am getting all into this social networking stuff. I need a phone that can do more.
Here's what I'd like my phone to do:
-Access the internet so I can pull up listings for homes I see for sale while I'm out.
-I need GPS to find home's address
-Stay connected to emails, twitter, myspace etc. while I'm out of office.
-I need a good schedule keeper callender thing
-Not much related to this site, but I'd like to be able to keep track of my workouts.
I know a lot of you are far more into twitter and facebook than I. Many of you are big tech geeks. I just started dabbling. So, geek, help a brotha out.
What do you suggest? Blackberry, iphone, palm and why.
1 - Best internet surfing available
2 - Thousands of applications ready to download. There are incredible apps out there that'll do everything you need including twitter apps, facebook, myspace, skype, etc.
3 - Easily sync calendar to your computer
4 - GPS, directions, etc.
5 - Cool applications for tracking workouts, etc.
I do everything you mention on my iPhone and wouldn't even think about using another phone.
iPhone is the way to go
I agree with all the items Joshua mentioned, but to add,
if you have an apple computer - it syncs to contacts, web favorites, and there are applications that allow you to see files on your computers hard drive remotely from your phone...my husband is a trainer at Apple, so he has all the info...I have had my phone since it came out, and really I don't know what I was doing before that!
Another vote for the iPhone. Of the things you want, only the gps is weak. It has it, and it works, but a purpose built device will work much better. Battery life isn't great. I can easily run mine almost completely down during the day if I'm using it a lot.
But email is great, web browsing is good (safari crashed are much reduced now but the small screen is still small). Lots of apps. I use mine all the time, and have no regrets.
Used to have a blackberry. That keyboard is much easier to use. If you expect to to a lot of typing, a bb may be better. Bit fir everything else the iPhone wins hands down.
For business purposes, I'm a blackberry junkie. The battery life is by far better than the iPhone. One of my buddies with an iPhone can barely get through the day without having to recharge. Also, you can use the blackberry as a modem for your laptop. Plug it in through the USB and you have instant internet access. I'm guessing the iPhone can do this as well, but you'll drain the battery rather quickly.
For business purposes, I'm a blackberry junkie. The battery life is by far better than the iPhone. One of my buddies with an iPhone can barely get through the day without having to recharge. Also, you can use the blackberry as a modem for your laptop. Plug it in through the USB and you have instant internet access. I'm guessing the iPhone can do this as well, but you'll drain the battery rather quickly.
That's super cool. Is the connection like dialup, though?
It is as fast as your data connection is with your phone service provider. I think Sprint has 3G speed, so it would be pretty good. I use T-mobile and they have a lot slower data rate speed. I would compare it to a modem like speeds. I wish I had 3G.
Another amazing thing about the iPhone is that you can now Skype if you're in a WiFi area. I tested some Skype calls to Japan and England with my phone and the sound is great and best of all, its FREE! Can't beat that.
Originally posted by Ariane Randolph:
When is there going to be a BiggerPockets app?
Ahhh . . . one of the many things I'd love to get knocked out. I'm not sure how soon we'll see one, unfortunately.
I was far faster at typing on the bb keyboard than on this iPhone. However, neither are all that fast. I can do so much more with my iPhone than the bb that I chose to buy the iPhone myself. It's not a phone. It's a small computer.
I believe tethering (using phone as a modem) is possible with iPhone, but it's not official. Supposedly will be soon, with an extra charge.
It's AT&T only, unless you jailbreak it.
I've been at a trade show yesterday and today, and have only used the phone. I have my netbook with me, but rather than pay for wireless access, I've just used the iPhone.
Writing this on the iPhone setting in the vegas airport connected using their free wireless.
Aren't they selling unlocked iphones now? No contract? Im great at hearing things, and not being able to recall where, but you should look into it. Im 87.3% sure of it.
I just bought an iPhone today. The 3G internet surfing is far better than my Blackberry, but the keyboard seems like it will take some getting used to, and as mentioned I used up a full battery charge in half a day.
It is very easy to set up and manage multiple email accounts. There are thousands of apps, so likely there is one that you can use to track your workouts.
I also like that I can add audio files from iTunes very easily, so now I don't have to carry my iPod to listen to real estate pod casts in my car.
I used to have a Blackjack and it was actually a very good phone! I now use an iphone and it has so many functionalities it is almost endless. Sometimes I just sit in wonder at this marvelous piece of technology (blackberries too!) and can you imagine what kind of tech we will have in 5 years? imagine an iphone half the thickness and with the surface area of a small book. Incredible! my friend that works in the wifi biz mentioned that there is currently technology available for bendable monitors and computers.
I use ATT in chicago but when I have travel to places like Boston and Seattle, my reception has been less than stellar. I think a lot of this has to do with local networks and I bet searching on the internet will yield much discussion on where particular phone services are strong.
If you are not finished with your contract, however, I would just stick around. The costs of switching are quite severe.
And lots of general contractors here use the iphone so I wouldn't exactly call it "metrosexual." Especially this mason fellow I am working with right now... Tall (like 1.5 heads taller than me) and skinny, thick polish accent, pointy moustache... commands an army to get 7 weeks worth of work done in 3 (and I'm sure he's not just running my project right now).
can you imagine what kind of tech we will have in 5 years? imagine an iphone half the thickness and with the surface area of a small book. Incredible!
Indeed! Rumor has it apple has ordered a batch of 10" touch screens. They've resisted making a "netbook" category mini-laptop. But, I could see them and others coming out with something like a 10" iPhone. For 90% of what I do (I do computer hardware and software for my day job), that would work great. With a bluetooth headphone, you could just leave it in your briefacse. Sweet!
Whatever you do, don't get the Blackberry Storm. It SUCKS. I had it for 7 days, almost chucked it at the wall on numerous occasions, and ended up taking it back and getting the BB Pearl, which I love.
Next one I get is going to be an iphone, though. Haven't heard a bad thing about them.
I'd go with what fits your needs best. If you think you'll be needing to access the net, I've heard good reviews about the iPhone. For looking up listings, I've heard some people say the screen on the phones are too small and they have to do a lot of scrolling. Just the feedback that I've heard.
For me, I use a regular phone - Motorola Razr V3 - it works for what I need to do, which is talk, talk, talk :D In my line of business, I don't use the internet much. Most of the stuff I need to do is by phone and/or in person.
I love my G-1 ( T-mobile ) Does all of the above and has a slideout keyboard. Pretty sturdy too - I am brutal with my phones and that thing has never skipped a beat. I think the i-phone has better graphics ( if you like to watch videos, etc) and the music sound is clearer, but I dont use the phone for videos/music so that doesnt matter to me. I need Internet email phone - love it. Open source for apps too - so I'm sure theres a lot more I could have it do too...but I just never bothered to do the whole app thing.