R> New phone advice por favor.

See, I'm tired of my current phone. Earlier today I walked into a nearby T-Mobile store and asked about an upgrade.

After talking with her I came to three phones I liked at first glance, and I'd like SP's input.

 This is my current phone

The three phones I saw that I liked are:

 Nokia E73 Mode

Which would be "Free" pending a 50.00 mail-in rebate, and a data plan would be required.

 T-Mobile Comet

There is no mail-in rebate, but it'd cost 19.99 for it. once again, data plan is required.

and

 The Garminfone

I already have a GPS, so this phone really served no purpose for me, but I mention it as I always forget my GPS when I need it.

I've read reviews for the first two phones on engadget's website (or blog? iuno. I googled for reviews and that was the first result for both), and so far the E73 Mode seems the better phone and the one I like the most. I know that it'd cost more than ~$50 when I choose to get it, and that the rebate for the phone is only the 50 for the phone itself, but I'd like to know if anyone has any experience themselves, or knows anyone who has any experience with this phone.

I enjoy android. The comet, and the garminfone look like it runs android (I didnt read anything, the haptic buttons on the front look like android buttons... and the comet has an android screen.)

The Garminfone does indeed run android.

I enjoy android. The comet, and the garminfone look like it runs android (I didnt read anything, the haptic buttons on the front look like android buttons... and the comet has an android screen.)

I enjoy android. The comet, and the garminfone look like it runs android (I didnt read anything, the haptic buttons on the front look like android buttons... and the comet has an android screen.)

The Garminfone does indeed run android.

Can you guys give me some info on the whole 'droid thing? I've never had a smartphone, and pending my getting one of these it'll be my first one.

Can you guys give me some info on the whole 'droid thing? I've never had a smartphone, and pending my getting one of these it'll be my first one.

The thing about a phone running the android OS is that it is customizable.

You want your phone to be able to act as a graphing calculator? You got it!
You want your phone to be able to take notes for you? You got it!
You want your phone to act as a modem for your laptop? You got it!

The list goes on and on, those are just some minor points that I personally use.
The reason why Android is useful is because you dont really have a limit on what your phone can do. You have a "limit" but...im sure you understand what I mean.

The thing about a phone running the android OS is that it is customizable.

You want your phone to be able to act as a graphing calculator? You got it!
You want your phone to be able to take notes for you? You got it!
You want your phone to act as a modem for your laptop? You got it!

The list goes on and on, those are just some minor points that I personally use.
The reason why Android is useful is because you dont really have a limit on what your phone can do. You have a "limit" but...im sure you understand what I mean.

Yes, I get what you mean with the limit thing.
But.. how does/can a phone act as a modem for a/my laptop?

Yes, I get what you mean with the limit thing.
But.. how does/can a phone act as a modem for a/my laptop?

Tethering.

I personally use easy tether. Its a free app in the app store that allows you to access any site that isnt a https. If you want https you have to buy the app for 10 bucks.
You literally install a program on your computer, install the app on your phone, plug your phone into the comp, and say "connect". Thats it.

Tethering.

I personally use easy tether. Its a free app in the app store that allows you to access any site that isnt a https. If you want https you have to buy the app for 10 bucks.
You literally install a program on your computer, install the app on your phone, plug your phone into the comp, and say "connect". Thats it.

That sounds pretty wicked. =o

That sounds pretty wicked. =o

I play maple with it sometimes...

I play maple with it sometimes...

Wouldn't tethering cost a fortune on your phone bill, however?

Wouldn't tethering cost a fortune on your phone bill, however?

I have a 5gb per month data cap. I have yet to hit 4gbs yet. I stream pandora every day for 3-5 hours and sometimes play maple. Maple REALLY doesnt use alot of bandwidth.

I have a 5gb per month data cap. I have yet to hit 4gbs yet. I stream pandora every day for 3-5 hours and sometimes play maple. Maple REALLY doesnt use alot of bandwidth.

Ahh, I see.
I'll have to look online then to get more info before I decide on anything.
But keep any input coming if you have it guys, I appreciate it.

if you're not stable financially, I wouldn't get a dataplan or any type of plan. Just prepaid. I use less than $10 a month in cellphone costs.

get an iphone for easy use, HTC android phones for a 'true' smartphone experience, or a nokia for anything that doesnt include 'smartphone' or 'easy'.

get an iphone for easy use, HTC android phones for a 'true' smartphone experience, or a nokia for anything that doesnt include 'smartphone' or 'easy'.

I adamantly refuse to get anything apple-related.

Right now, you should be able to get a G2 from T Mobile for free with a 2 year contract. If you want the most out of Android, I would go with the G2, since its the sequel to the first android phone.

Well, my advise: Never go with 2-year contracts. Always 1 year.

If you can't afford a phone with a 1-year contract, just don't get it.

2 years is long... VERY long...