iPhone/Smartphone stuff

[Drew Van Zandt]

Regarding T-Mobile and coverage: They have a pair of phones that will switch
between cell network and 802.11b; the 802.11 server-end support is a small
additional fee.  I have the lower-end of the two phones that support this,
the high-end one is one of the fancy smartphones.  This gets me coverage
anywhere I can connect to 802.11b, in particular anywhere there's a T-Mobile
hotspot.  Also, of course, work (even though cell reception in the building
sucks) and the in-laws' house.

--DTVZ

On 8/4/08, Labitt, Bruce <labittb1 at tycoelectronics.com> wrote:
>
> If you are considering gsm networks, look at t-mobile.  Cheaper than
> at&t (at least for what I need).  As Ben stated - only you can tell if
> the coverage is good for you.  I have had t-mobile for a few years now.
> Suits my needs - including having to make calls from China and Europe.
> Their smart phones leave something to be desired though...  So far I
> think none of the carriers have phones & plans that make sense together.
>
>
> -Bruce
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gnhlug-discuss-bounces at mail.gnhlug.org
> [mailto:gnhlug-discuss-bounces at mail.gnhlug.org] On Behalf Of Ben Scott
> Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 3:10 PM
> To: Greater NH Linux User Group
> Subject: Re: iPhone/Smartphone stuff
>
> On Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 12:32 PM, Warren Luebkeman <warren at resara.com>
> wrote:
> > I am also curious to know if you have any recommendations
> > on other smartphones worth considering, and why.
>
>   What are your requirements?  Just a phone that plays MP3's?  Casual
> web browsing?  Wireless sync of mail, contacts, and calendar to MSFT
> Exchange, plus compatibility with existing business applications?
> Something else?  The answer will be hugely different depending on what
> you need.
>
> > What do people think about their cell phone coverage area?
>
>   Mobile phone coverage is a hugely personal thing.  I can't emphasize
> this enough.  Your neighbor may have great coverage while you have
> nothing.  Or vice versa.  And nobody really cares what their neighbor
> has for coverage; all anyone cares about is if they have coverage.
>
>   What I recommend doing is obtaining a phone for testing.  Bring it
> to all the areas you usually frequently.  If you've got coverage
> there, you'll be happy most of the time.  You can still factor in
> overall coverage reports to your decision, but the biggest factor
> should be coverage where you routinely are.
>
>   And ignore carrier coverage maps; they routinely lie.
>
> >  We have Sprint now and it seems to be alright, but AT&T
> > seems to have better coverage, as well as Verizon, especially
> > for roaming.
>
>   Avoid anything Nextel (iDEN) like the plague.  It's a dead-end
> technology.  Sprint is the only US iDEN carrier, and they're trying to
> get rid of it.
>
>   Both Sprint and VZW are CDMA networks.  In theory, their phones
> should be compatible with each other's towers.  In practice, they
> don't always have roaming agreements everywhere.
>
>   VZW prolly has the best coverage inside North America.  Leave the
> continent and you're in rough shape.
>
>   AT&T is a GSM carrier.  Outside of the US, it's basically GSM
> everywhere (with a few notable exceptions (such as Japan, where they
> have their own standard incompatible with everybody)).  So if world
> travel is something you do a lot of, AT&T is probably the best choice.
>
>   As Bill McGonigle can attest, get far enough away from major
> population centers, and you'll have crap for coverage no matter who
> you have.  Most carriers regard the northern half of NH as a foreign
> country.  Actually, worse; if it was another country, GSM would
> probably work.  I hear Iridium is still in operation.... ;-)
>
> -- Ben
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