I'm currently considering changing cell-phone se

[dochogan]

I'm currently considering changing cell-phone service rpoviders and updating my phone, so I'm looking for input from TPCers...I'd like my phone to complement my TabletPC as much a possible.

(note: I don't have a TPC yet...this is just part of the whole process for me. I'd like to end up with a Motion platform, but maybe not)

What I know I want in a phone:
Bluetooth - not sure of all the different BT implementations out there. Some seem to be headset-only, etc. Would like as full featured as possible, including relatively high-speed modem for TPC

Camera - the CCD resolution isn't important (higher MP is nice, but is not one of the crucial specs for me). What *is* important to me is that transfer-to-computer is supported. From what I can see, *most* camera phone seem to require that images are transferred via MMS or a premium cellular service.

What is EVDO? What are it's advantages? Is this something I need to strongly consider when looking for a phone to pair with a TPC?

What other features should I be looking for?

Thanks for any help. I'd really like to make a smart investment on my next phone, making sure that it compliments TPC usage, and hopefully a decent service provider and contract

[LoTekK]

I've been rather happy with my Treo 650, both in general as well as for complementing my TPC. I'm currently trial-ing GoBinder, which syncs to the Palm OS, which is fantastic, so I manage to keep everything up to date on both machines. The CCD on the 650 isn't remarkably high res (640x480), but it suits my purposes just fine, and it has pretty decent exposure response. File transfer from the 650 is simple, since it uses an SD card for storage (my TPC has a built in SD/MMC reader), and for quick transfers of not more than a couple files, I can also send via Bluetooth or FIR, both of which are built into my TPC.

As for service plans, I'm not sure how the various providers are like in Florida, but when I was living in DC, most of my friends with Treos were quite happy with T-Mobile's service, especially since they had a relatively cheap data plan. I had a friend on Sprint, though, who was more than pleased with their high-speed wireless data protocol.

[AlexC]

It looks like Verizon prohibits using the cell phone for connection of a computer
and they prohibit using EVDO for downloading mp3s, movies, online gaming

[liquidblaze]

dochogan:

I'd suggest having a good look at Pocket PC Phone Edition devices like the iMate JasJar or iMate 2k and normal smartphones like iMate SP5 and SP5m

[us024077]

try the motorola mpx220. uses smartphone, and also has a mini-sd card for transferring photos and other files. it works on cingular, i don't know what other services if any. but then, cingular sucks....

[willem]

Consider an IPAQ,
the choice for me would be the one with the largest screen as I am used to a Motion 1400 ( I won a 6515 on internet which has a tiny keyboard below the screen, given horse .....)
think about the 2 slots before buying sd cards.
to use the ipaq in home on the wireless network you need an extra wifi card, 11 mps from spectec, those are the smallest.
the ipaq has a mini slot and a normal sd slot and spectec has them for both, the cheapest is the normal slot.
I have these cards on order now but saw on internet pics that the mini wifi cards sticks out and in such a way that you need to remove it to replace the ipaq in its craddle. that means that the normal sd wifi card is preferred as it sticks out less and does not contact the craddle, which is ok.
you then need a mini sd card for memory, preferably 1 gig or more( i think the 2 gig are not yet there in mini sd) which is also usable in the normal slot through an adapter (several brands but sandisk seems to be the most abundant, available through internet for better prices)
consider screen protectors from the start !!!!
good luck

[liquidblaze]

I'd suggest staying away from ipaqs - go with any iMate or Qtek device - my vote would be the HTC Blueangel which is a little bit old but still works very nicely. Don't go for the K-Jam, it's not worth it :-)

[AlexC]

i just got Sprint PPC-6700 - I am happy so far - looks like a PDA, phone,not too big, has 1.3 MB camera, can be used as an MP3 player - just ordered 2 GB SD 150x speed card.