Cingular cell phone service - best audio/rf phone for Cingular now?

Author

best audio/rf phone for Cingular now?

Todd H.

2007-04-02, 12:33 pm

Greets,

I'm elgible for another phone finally and would like a recommendation.
Audio quality is my top concern. Features wise, I do want bluetooth
headset capability. A usable speakerphone would be a great plus.
Flip would be handy, but not essential. Camera I can take or leave.

Recent phones I've used:

Nokia 3120b
-----------
Really like this one--it still works great, but I just wish it had
Bluetooth. Its speakerphone is very clear and usable, and call
fade/dropping is less of a problem with this phone than with any
others I've used recently. If there's a reasonbly direct descendant
of this phone that adds bluetooth and perhaps a flip, I'm in!

Nokia 6061
----------
It's ok, but not nearly as good RF/audio wise as the 3120b. This bums
me a bit since I would prefer a flip form factor, but I'm not willing
to sacrifice much call quality to get there. A family member on my
plan has this basic Nokia flip-phone followon to the 3120b but doesn't
seem to be as strong RF wise -- from the same location, its signal and
audio quality are noticeably inferior to the 3120b and even dare I say
the Razr v3. When I call the family member when they're at that
location, it's bad enough that I use their landline. Their 6061 is
too annoyingly ratty there unless they're standing outside.

Moto Razr v3 (the original)
---------------------------
Disappointing. I've been using this for the past few months inherited
from a friend. Pros: bluetooth capability, and the tiny form factor.
Cons for me: battery life with bluetooth is abysmal, software is
annoyingly slow to respond to key presses, and I can't stand the
jump-to-first-letter-only addressbook having to scroll through a bunch
of M's to get "Munson" for instance (or having to outthink it and
scroll to N and go back). Dropped calls worse than any other phone
I've personally had, I hear an audible buzz from the LCD lately while
using the phone alone (fine with bluetooth though), and its
speakerphone is god awful distorted to the point I don't ever want to
use it. The only good things about this phone are the Bluetooth
capability and the form factor/build feel which is solid. My Nokia
3120b is the same age but has none of these issues. finally I had to
abandon it when the red call end/power button failed weeks ago, and
the phone rebooted itself yesterday. Without the power button
functioning, there's no way to power it on. Heh... Ah well.

Have the Razr's gotten better on any of these realms? The Razr was
quite a radical new phone in the original v3, and one would hope that
a lot of these bugs were resolved in current models? Or is it
hopeless?

Motorola v400
-------------
Meh. I tried a used Motorola v400 for a bit. It was just okay as
well. It was pretty old and beat up though and finally quit working,
but I wasn't thrilled with it while it lasted either. It wasn't as
good as my 3120b, and its addressbook was just as annoying as the
Razr. Its battery life was so so but better than the Razr as well.
But, it died and stopped accepting battery charges.

I'd welcome any suggestions of current models that have impressed
folks!

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://toddh.net/

Bob Walker

2007-04-02, 12:33 pm

"Todd H." <t@toddh.net> wrote in message news:84lkhan528.fsf@ripco.com...
>
> Greets,
>
> I'm elgible for another phone finally and would like a recommendation.
> Audio quality is my top concern. Features wise, I do want bluetooth
> headset capability. A usable speakerphone would be a great plus.
> Flip would be handy, but not essential. Camera I can take or leave.
>
> Recent phones I've used:
>
> Nokia 3120b
> -----------
> Really like this one--it still works great, but I just wish it had
> Bluetooth. Its speakerphone is very clear and usable, and call
> fade/dropping is less of a problem with this phone than with any
> others I've used recently. If there's a reasonbly direct descendant
> of this phone that adds bluetooth and perhaps a flip, I'm in!
>
> Nokia 6061
> ----------
> It's ok, but not nearly as good RF/audio wise as the 3120b. This bums
> me a bit since I would prefer a flip form factor, but I'm not willing
> to sacrifice much call quality to get there. A family member on my
> plan has this basic Nokia flip-phone followon to the 3120b but doesn't
> seem to be as strong RF wise -- from the same location, its signal and
> audio quality are noticeably inferior to the 3120b and even dare I say
> the Razr v3. When I call the family member when they're at that
> location, it's bad enough that I use their landline. Their 6061 is
> too annoyingly ratty there unless they're standing outside.
>
> Moto Razr v3 (the original)
> ---------------------------
> Disappointing. I've been using this for the past few months inherited
> from a friend. Pros: bluetooth capability, and the tiny form factor.
> Cons for me: battery life with bluetooth is abysmal, software is
> annoyingly slow to respond to key presses, and I can't stand the
> jump-to-first-letter-only addressbook having to scroll through a bunch
> of M's to get "Munson" for instance (or having to outthink it and
> scroll to N and go back). Dropped calls worse than any other phone
> I've personally had, I hear an audible buzz from the LCD lately while
> using the phone alone (fine with bluetooth though), and its
> speakerphone is god awful distorted to the point I don't ever want to
> use it. The only good things about this phone are the Bluetooth
> capability and the form factor/build feel which is solid. My Nokia
> 3120b is the same age but has none of these issues. finally I had to
> abandon it when the red call end/power button failed weeks ago, and
> the phone rebooted itself yesterday. Without the power button
> functioning, there's no way to power it on. Heh... Ah well.
>
> Have the Razr's gotten better on any of these realms? The Razr was
> quite a radical new phone in the original v3, and one would hope that
> a lot of these bugs were resolved in current models? Or is it
> hopeless?
>
> Motorola v400
> -------------
> Meh. I tried a used Motorola v400 for a bit. It was just okay as
> well. It was pretty old and beat up though and finally quit working,
> but I wasn't thrilled with it while it lasted either. It wasn't as
> good as my 3120b, and its addressbook was just as annoying as the
> Razr. Its battery life was so so but better than the Razr as well.
> But, it died and stopped accepting battery charges.
>
>
> I'd welcome any suggestions of current models that have impressed
> folks!
>
> Best Regards,
> --
> Todd H.
> http://toddh.net/

Todd,

They don't get much discussion here but I have been very happy with my LG
CU500. The audio is very good and I don't have any problem with dropped
calls. The display is excellent and easy to read outdoors, where I spend a
lot of my time. It's also 3G.

The only downside for me is that it is not terribley email friendly. I use
Opera Mini to access OWA for my company mail, and Yahoo for POP3 mail as
workarounds.

I've had the phone about 6 months and continue to be very pleased with it.

Bob

John Navas

2007-04-02, 3:33 pm

On 02 Apr 2007 10:56:15 -0500, t@toddh.net (Todd H.) wrote in
<84lkhan528.fsf@ripco.com>:

>I'm elgible for another phone finally and would like a recommendation.
>Audio quality is my top concern. Features wise, I do want bluetooth
>headset capability. A usable speakerphone would be a great plus.
>Flip would be handy, but not essential. Camera I can take or leave.

V3xx: Excellent radio and audio. Great full duplex speakerphone.

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>

Todd H.

2007-04-02, 3:33 pm

"Bob Walker" <rowalker@dontspamme.sbcglobal.net> writes:

> Todd,
>
> They don't get much discussion here but I have been very happy with my LG
> CU500. The audio is very good and I don't have any problem with dropped
> calls. The display is excellent and easy to read outdoors, where I spend a
> lot of my time. It's also 3G.
>
> The only downside for me is that it is not terribley email friendly. I use
> Opera Mini to access OWA for my company mail, and Yahoo for POP3 mail as
> workarounds.
>
> I've had the phone about 6 months and continue to be very pleased
> with it.

Bob, thanks for this datapoint. I had an LG phone once for a few
days and had a bad experience, but I'm willing to try again! Email
isn't something I do on the phone so it may e a good fit. I'll keep
my ear to the ground here and let you know what I figure out. Thanks
for the datapoint!

--
Todd H.
http://toddh.net/

Todd H.

2007-04-02, 3:33 pm

John Navas < spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> writes:

> On 02 Apr 2007 10:56:15 -0500, t@toddh.net (Todd H.) wrote in
> <84lkhan528.fsf@ripco.com>:
>
>
> V3xx: Excellent radio and audio. Great full duplex speakerphone.

John, thanks for this. Curious did you ever have the original V3?

I'm hesitant to dip back into the water because the original V3 sucked
so badly for me here. Your experience seems to suggest they've worked
out those early bugs.

--
Todd H.
http://toddh.net/

John Navas

2007-04-02, 3:33 pm

On 02 Apr 2007 14:17:47 -0500, t@toddh.net (Todd H.) wrote in
<841wj21t7o.fsf@ripco.com>:

>John Navas < spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> writes:
>
>
>John, thanks for this. Curious did you ever have the original V3?

Yes. There were a number of issues that kept it from living up to its
potential.

>I'm hesitant to dip back into the water because the original V3 sucked
>so badly for me here. Your experience seems to suggest they've worked
>out those early bugs.

I think Motorola has pretty much addressed all of the V3 issues in the
new V3xx.

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>

karlkrandall@sbcglobal.net

2007-04-02, 3:33 pm

On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 19:42:56 GMT, John Navas
< spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> wrote:

>On 02 Apr 2007 14:17:47 -0500, t@toddh.net (Todd H.) wrote in
><841wj21t7o.fsf@ripco.com>:
>
>
>Yes. There were a number of issues that kept it from living up to its
>potential.
>
>
>I think Motorola has pretty much addressed all of the V3 issues in the
>new V3xx.

I love my Sony/Ericsson w600i; soon to be replaced by an iPhone

John Navas

2007-04-02, 10:33 pm

On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 20:28:44 GMT, karlkrandall@sbcglob
al.net wrote in
< tqp21319fomupchtosm2
29fpcc8hltqs7e@4ax.com>:

>I love my Sony/Ericsson w600i; soon to be replaced by an iPhone

Still vaporware.

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>

karlkrandall@sbcglobal.net

2007-04-02, 10:33 pm

On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 20:48:33 GMT, John Navas
< spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> wrote:

>On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 20:28:44 GMT, karlkrandall@sbcglob
al.net wrote in
>< tqp21319fomupchtosm2
29fpcc8hltqs7e@4ax.com>:
>
>
>Still vaporware.

Your expertise is vaporware.

Todd H.

2007-04-02, 10:33 pm

karlkrandall@sbcglob
al.net writes:

> On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 20:48:33 GMT, John Navas
> < spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Your expertise is vaporware.

Ad hominem aside, I'm not sure why one would argue against the fact
that the iPhone could suck spectacularly, be horribly unreliable, or
any number of gotchas.

Anyone getting one expecting it to be the greatest most reliable thing
ever I suspect is in for a rude awakening. It's Apple's first entry
into the market, it's very different, and by definition, such things
generally have more than a few bugs to iron out.

But, there are folks who have to have the latest such gadgets and are
willing to deal with the problems that come with being on the bleeding
edge. To y'all, hell, I thank you and encourage everyone to get out
there and get the latest and greatest. Just makes more affordable and
reliable second generation offerings for the rest of us, and keeps the
economy pumping along. :-)

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://toddh.net/

karlkrandall@sbcglobal.net

2007-04-02, 10:33 pm

On 02 Apr 2007 16:09:55 -0500, t@toddh.net (Todd H.) wrote:

> karlkrandall@sbcglob
al.net writes:
>
>
>Ad hominem aside, I'm not sure why one would argue against the fact
>that the iPhone could suck spectacularly, be horribly unreliable, or
>any number of gotchas.
>

28 years of Apple History ?

John Navas

2007-04-02, 10:33 pm

On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 20:59:57 GMT, karlkrandall@sbcglob
al.net wrote in
< 3mr2135purte62h5bpcn
igv99ro21c344q@4ax.com>:

>On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 20:48:33 GMT, John Navas
>< spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> wrote:
>
>
>Your expertise is vaporware.

In other words, you have nothing to offer in rebuttal, and so stoop to
ad hominem, thus conceding the debate. Thanks.

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>

John Navas

2007-04-02, 10:33 pm

On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 16:27:14 -0500, karlkrandall@sbcglob
al.net wrote in
< 19t21313ouihtd28e0ut
m05amkj1dssvsn@4ax.com>:

>On 02 Apr 2007 16:09:55 -0500, t@toddh.net (Todd H.) wrote:
>
>
>28 years of Apple History ?

You mean:
* Apple III
* Lisa
* Taligent
* eWorld
* Pippin
* Opendoc
* Cyberdog
* Macintosh TV
* Macintosh Portable
* Puck mouse
* Newton
* Motorola ROKR
* G4 cube
* Copland
Did I miss any? ;)

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>

Todd H.

2007-04-02, 10:33 pm

karlkrandall@sbcglob
al.net writes:

> On 02 Apr 2007 16:09:55 -0500, t@toddh.net (Todd H.) wrote:
>
>
> 28 years of Apple History ?

Are you referring to the 28 years of history that includes the Apple
/// and Lisa computers? They've done well, but even they've screwed
the pooch a few times, and their iPod's while pervasive and popular
aren't exactly known for being the most reliable music players
available.

But I trust I've just called your baby 'possibly ugly' and will get
more heat than light in passionate responses.

My only point really was that your attack against John for his
pointing out a fact was pretty silly.

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://toddh.net/

SMS

2007-04-02, 10:33 pm

karlkrandall@sbcglob
al.net wrote:

> 28 years of Apple History ?

Still, it seems a certainty that the 2nd generation iPhone will add many
of the missing features that have been pointed out by many reviewers.
Most glaring is the lack of HSDPA, the lack of tethering, and the lack
of a memory card slot. It seems as if they are rushing the first
generation out to get a jump on the similar products coming from other
manufacturers such as Samsung. It'd be best to wait for the second
generation.

Verizon passed on the iPhone, and Apple ended up with their second
choice which was Cingular. Was it because of the technical issues that
Verizon passed, or did they just not think that they could make money
with the terms Apple was asking for?

Don Udel \(ETC\)

2007-04-02, 10:33 pm

< karlkrandall@sbcglob
al.net> wrote in message
news:19t21313ouihtd2
8e0utm05amkj1dssvsn@
4ax.com...
> On 02 Apr 2007 16:09:55 -0500, t@toddh.net (Todd H.) wrote:
>
>
>
> 28 years of Apple History ?
Ah, like the Lisa and the Newton to name two?

Don

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