Pseudo-techie query on Smart Phones

[eek]

Is there any news about the next iphone coming out in the next few months?

A friend of mine told me to wait as Apple would probably be releasing a new phone June/July time.

Apple follow a 12 month product cycle so sometime this June a new iphone will appear.

[gingerjedi]

If it was £100 or so fair enough, but for £300+ I expected something better. Admittedly the one in the shop had been handled a bit and was a bit worse for wear. The Desire was one I'd been Amazoning as a possibility at a previous juncture, so that perhaps was another reason for my expectations being higher. It looked like tat, as did the rest in the shop. Owning a virgin model might be an altogether more rewarding experience, assuming it didn't fall apart.

I think you must have had a mock up phone as the real thing is very well made, also how do you judge the worth of something as technically marvelous as a smartphone just by looking at it?

I’ve heard people say the Samsung is a bit plasticy but still very good, the HTC by comparison has an aluminium body, a glass screen and a rubberised back i.e no plastic.

[SueEllen]

I think you must have had a mock up phone as the real thing is very well made, also how do you judge the worth of something as technically marvelous as a smartphone just by looking at it?

I’ve heard people say the Samsung is a bit plasticy but still very good, the HTC by comparison has an aluminium body, a glass screen and a rubberised back i.e no plastic.

Samsung is lighter than HTC Desire - 118 grams to 135 grams hence is plastic.

The Nexus S is 129 grams.

Model phones particlarly smartphones aren't aimed at the clumsy person. I have seen people drop blackberrys and iPhones and destroy them.

[Spacecadet]

HTC Desire HD

HTC Desire HD review -- Engadget

[Weltchy]

Some questions to ask
2) Do you want a physical keyboard? If so you can't get an iphone

Guy sat next to me kept complaining that the iPhone didnt come with a physical keyboard. A quick google yielded this.

Keyboard Buddy iPhone 4 Case - A sleek iPhone 4 case with an integrated Bluetooth keyboard, the best of both worlds is at your fingertips.

Also, for frustrated women in the office, how about one of these

http://www.boxwave.com/products/penbrator/index.htm

[doodab]

I was looking at some in the shops the other day and I was surprised how tacky "the competition" looks. I think HTC Desire in particular looked flimsy, plasticy and shoddy. Expensive too.

I think you must have been looking at the Samsung. The HTC Desire is a grey metal thing that feels like a big flat pebble in your hand. The Desire Z is a bit less solid feeling because of the keyboard / flip mechanism but still pretty solid. The Legend is quite stylish all metal one if you're on a budget.

I've got an iPod Touch, which does more or less what the iPhone does for a fraction of the price. Usually I can find an internet connection if I desperately need internet on a phone, and if I want a phone I've got a £20 Nokia that works amazingly well for £eck all. Apps are great.

Kind of missing the point of a smartphone there.

If it was £100 or so fair enough, but for £300+ I expected something better. Admittedly the one in the shop had been handled a bit and was a bit worse for wear. The Desire was one I'd been Amazoning as a possibility at a previous juncture, so that perhaps was another reason for my expectations being higher. It looked like tat, as did the rest in the shop. Owning a virgin model might be an altogether more rewarding experience, assuming it didn't fall apart.

So essentially, you would like a smartphone but you are too tight to pay for one. I seem to remember you get your shoes from primark and refuse to pay for a hotel when you go on holiday as well. I think you might have an unrealistic perception of the value of money....

FWIW, the HTC Desire currently costs nothing on a £25/month contract from VF. That probably isn't the best deal you can get but it's not bad.

[TimberWolf]

I think you must have had a mock up phone as the real thing is very well made, also how do you judge the worth of something as technically marvelous as a smartphone just by looking at it?

I’ve heard people say the Samsung is a bit plasticy but still very good, the HTC by comparison has an aluminium body, a glass screen and a rubberised back i.e no plastic.

I wasn't judging the 'technically marvelous'ity of the phone, just that it looked like tat for the money.

I think you must have had a mock up phone

Possible, and would allow my revaluation, but I have no idea whether that's done in shops.

[TimberWolf]

FWIW, the HTC Desire currently costs nothing on a £25/month contract from VF. That probably isn't the best deal you can get but it's not bad.

£300/year is still a lot of money.

[doodab]

£300/year is still a lot of money.

You would have a point, if we were talking about spending that sort of money on shoelaces.

It is about the least you are going to pay for a smartphone, and pretty good value for what you get, although perhaps not if your perception of value starts from the presumption that anything more expensive than breathing is a rip off.

[Ignis Fatuus]

I was thinking about buying a smartphone but had similar dilemmas. So I did a careful analysis of the requirements. I discovered that there weren't any requirements, so didn't get one.