Ipod/Iphone or similar. What to buy?

[FuiFui]

So you don't need/want a new phone? Cool. Here's what I use my phone for: talking! That's about all my phone does and that's what I pay for it to do. But, like me a year or so back, you seem to want a device that does other things. I bought an iPod Touch 4th gen. 64 gig. 99% of the time I have access to WiFi. So I have full internet access, plus the ability to use and update apps (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, SoundHound, email, online banking, brokerage, hotels, airlines, news, weather, etc.). There is no separate $ervice plan, like there is with a smart phone. And if you're so inclined, you can use it as a phone too. There are apps for Skype and several others - which I don't use... because that's what my phone is for!

The issue I have with Android phones has to do with them being open source - there seems to be an emerging problem with malware (hidden in apps) infecting that platform, because the apps aren't reviewed or tested very well, if at all. Plus I just read a report on Reuters (?) that Android phones have an incredibly high return rate (some brands approaching 50%) - the return rate for the iPhone is 1.7%. Many of the Android apps are apparently poorly developed, so they drain the battery and cause other issues. If I was hell bent on buying a smart phone I would go with #1) iPhone, #2) Windows Phone 7 (Mango is coming soon) or #3) Blackberry (poor old RIMM needs every $ it can get these days).

But like I said, it sounds like all you need is an iPod Touch (rumor is the next generation, 5th, might even have 3G built in). It's basically just an iPhone with the guts of the phone left out. It has dual cameras and shoots video, if that's of interest. I got the 64 gig model, but the 32 gig would have been more than enough for my needs. It has the same Retina display as the iPhone. It runs the very same apps as the iPhone. It's very well made and very functional. I have a dock that runs through my car stereo and another that runs through the sound system in my house. My girl has an iPhone and she's into Facetime chatting when we can't get together. The iPod Touch allows us to do that. It's a cute feature, but not something I'm in love with.

Anyway, that's what I would get. An iPhone (or any other smart phone) wouldn't do anything more for me personally, plus I'd be shelling out an extra $100 or so a month for service. This thing kicks ass! Easily the best tech device I've bought in years.

Thanks very much for that response, that was nice and in depth I'll have a look around, and yes, that does pretty much sound like what i want.

 

[Henrik Larsson]

Iphone 5. IOS5 is meant to be so much faster, plus it will use the new cloud computing.

Here are some links about it:
http://www.techradar.com/news/phone...iphone-5-rumours-what-you-need-to-know-721534

http://www.techradar.com/news/phone...iphone-5-rumours-what-you-need-to-know-721534.

Plus Iphone to me seems better than other smartphones, although Apple may not be the best smartphone brand, it is the idea of an Iphone that gets me, i would rather have an Iphone than an HTC or blackberry etc even though they may have better phones.

I also prefer the fact that you don't need an ipod and a phone, they are combined, again even though other brands may have better systems, i love apple's ipods and they really were the pioneers of the music player in that particular form

 

[STDiva]

it is the idea of an Iphone that gets me, i would rather have an Iphone than an HTC or blackberry etc even though they may have better phones.

So you admit you'd rather have a crap phone because it's an iPhone? :1orglaugh ok then.

 

[STDiva]

Did anybody read those iPhone 5 links? The "new" iPhone will feature a bunch of stuff most phones already have. Aha. That's the problem with iPhones. Always behind the industry standard, but somehow they're revolutionary.

 

[mrtrebus]

The Cult of Apple! Who cares if its the best quality product I MUST HAVE ONE TO BE LIKE OTHERS!!!! I AM NOTHING WITHOUT Apple PRODUCT!!!! CONSUME! CONSUME! CONSUME!

 

[Jagger69]

More crap from those that have iPhone envy:stir::thumbsup::hatsoff:

I just got my iPhone 4 to replace my iPhone 3Gs and now that its actually on a network where I can get a signal, thank you Verizon. Its awesome awesome:jump:

Well....I happen to have both an iPhone and a Droid X (I know....geeky as hell but work forces me to have a company phone and I'm still roped into a contract with AT&T) and there's no comparison between the two. The Droid X blows the iPhone away in almost every respect except the calendar and voice mail. The voice-activated features on the Droid X are incredible and the Google platform works seamlessly with almost any application. Great for web, maps/navigation (you can throw away your old GPS....won't need it anymore with this phone), email....you name it. Bigger screen than the iPhone. Fast too. If the calendar and VM features were better it would be close to perfect.

 

[lurkingdirk]

Well....I happen to have both an iPhone and a Droid X (I know....geeky as hell but work forces me to have a company phone and I'm still roped into a contract with AT&T) and there's no comparison between the two. The Droid X blows the iPhone away in almost every respect except the calendar and voice mail. The voice-activated features on the Droid X are incredible and the Google platform works seamlessly with almost any application. Great for web, maps/navigation (you can throw away your old GPS....won't need it anymore with this phone), email....you name it. Bigger screen than the iPhone. Fast too. If the calendar and VM features were better it would be close to perfect.

Careful, Bra... You obviously have iPhone envy.

Or so the disciples would say.

You're entirely right in your post. And I do wish they would fix the damned calendar features.