Swimming In Thought

I’m a gadget geek.  More of a power-user who’s only interest in a device is the utilitarian value it provides me in my day to day life. This means I need a device that works well, is easy to use, and can survive the day-to-day rigors of a road warrior.

I’d like to point out that I **never** “baby” my phones.  They should be built tough and if they break, I normally couldn’t be bothered to get them fixed.  I just throw them out and get new ones.  With that being said, One can be assured that if a device survives me, then it’s a good device. (hah).

The three devices I’ve looked at are the Nexus One (ATT edition), the iPhone 3GS, The Blackberry Bold 9000, and the Motorola Backflip.  Why do I own all these phones?  I just can’t seem to find the one “ideal” device for all my use.  In other words, it doesn’t exist… yet.

The requirements I’m looking for in a phone are simple.

1. Ease of Use (If it has a crappy User Interface, it’s useless)

2. Access to Email (as it comes in)

3. Keyboard… Qwerty please.

4. Battery life.

5. A plus would be a browser that works well.

So let’s talk phones.

Nexus One

Google and HTC  have outdone themselves with the phone.  It’s just an amazing little device.  Downside?  Battery life.  I love the fact that I can just sync it with my gmail account and get all my contacts in one place.  Browser?  As far as phone browsers go, it’s the best i’ve ever used.  I love the app functionality of having access to the marketplace.  My only other quirk is that it’s a bit on the silent side and it crashes, although, i would be more than happy to put up with it.  This is the quintessential Geek Phone.

iPhone 3GS

As far as phones go, it works.  Apple did a good job, although, the limitations of the phone that bring it down are all Apple centric.  What do i mean?  They censor what I can do with the phone.  I mean, c’mon!  If I want another browser on the phone, I shouldn’t be limited to what Jobs deems as appropriate.  If they only lifted the limitations on the phone, I would consider it as a primary phone.  It currently sits in my bag as a backup unit and nothing more.

Blackberry Bold 9000 and 9700 (yup.. I own one)

Blackberry knows business and these phones serve as my primary phones.  The only problem?  RIM needs to get their SDK working.  Email, text,  etc.  It serves as my primary phone, although, the headset jacks break all too easily.

Backflip

Motorola just completely missed the boat on this one.  Great OS (Android), but Moto just needs to get their shit in order and make the phone more “open”.  Good hardware, good battery life, good phone overall.  Just missed the boat for reasons stated above.

So the final conclusion.

I’ll continue to buy phones in search of the perfect device.  I run around with an iPad for movies while traveling, but my primary phone will continue to be a blackberry until they get it right.  It’s a shame though.. I love the Nexus One.  If it only had a louder ringer and better battery life.. it would be my phone of choice.

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