Am I a Dinosaur

[55Kevy]

I still use unconverged (is that even a useful term anymore?) devices: an iPAQ 210 PDA and a Nokia somethingorother phone. The 210 is about 18 months old now, and is the third PPC/WM device I've owned. Is it time to move on and get a smartphone?

I actually don't use my phone that much, maybe a few calls a week and a few SMSs a week. My PDA is used every day for reading ebooks (eReader), checking email, a little light internet surfing, and playing games. I also sync it with my work computer and keep my personal email up to date also. Would I be able to use eReader on, for example, and HD2? Would that screen be comparable to the 210?

I live in Indonesia and travel to the US frequently (I have a home there) so I'd need a phone that can handle that. In the past I've bought unlocked quadband or GSM phones and had no problem swapping my Indo SIM for my T-Mobile SIM.

I guess what I'm looking for is other's experiences making the shift to a smartphone - people who read ebooks extensively in particular.

Thanks!

Kevy

[Sven Johannsen]

Yea, you are on the verge of extinction, but I understand your position. Can't really advise, but have a couple of points to make. IMHO, the reason for converged devices is so carriers can make money off of data plans. You need to check out the rules/normal operation in Indonesia, but in the US, if you have a data capable phone (smartphone) you are going to pay for a data plan. Those typically start at $60/month. T-Mobile and AT&T have started 'providing' that service to those that have managed to pick up a smartphone and slide their old basic SIM into it. Honestly don't know what they would, or could, do to someone who slides a Pay-as-you-go SIM into a Converged device, but you aren't going to get data with it. At least I don't think so. There is no indication in the rate structure about how much is deducted per byte if you were getting data. Maybe someone can help here. Currently I have a PAYG T-Mobile SIM, but only AT&T locked phones, so can't test.

So, while I think you can probably do everything you do now with the two devices, and probably just as well (an HD2 would make a great e-reader if you are used to a 210), the big difference I think will be recurring cost. I expect that the 210 isn't costing anything to run, (connect via WiFi?) and the phone is a phone.

[55Kevy]

Thanks for the response, Sven. I hadn't thought about data charges, as I have no experience with data on a phone. You are correct: all my surfing is via wi fi, so there are no recurring costs for my 210. But a device such as the HD2 has wifi too, so the same could apply, correct? I could use it as a phone and use it to connect to the internet via wifi (tho not simultaneously)?

I guess one additional question is in order - should I wait for WM7 or proceed with WM6.5 (assuming I decide to pull the trigger on this change)?

Kevy

[Sven Johannsen]

"But a device such as the HD2 has wifi too, so the same could apply, correct? I could use it as a phone and use it to connect to the internet via wifi (tho not simultaneously)?"

You could do that simultaneously even. Sometimes easier than talking and surfing over the cell network. The catch is that even if you never, ever, intend on using the cellular data network, and even turn off the data modem on your device, US carriers are going to require you to pay for a data plan. I don't know what your carriers do in Indonesia. This has been a fairly recent development here, as you technically could go buy a phone off the internet, and slap a SIM in there. The carriers are getting more agressive about forcing data plans on what they see as Smartphones.

You mention you have a TMo SIM. If it isn't a PAYG, I would bet if you hung around the US for a while with it in an HD2, you would get a txt from T-Mobile indicating that they have upgraded you to a servive more in line with your device so you can get the full experience.

I'd make some inquiries before jumping headlong into a converged device. As far as WP7, tough call. You would be very comfortable and happy with an HD2 I think, coming off an HP 210. It'll do everything you have been used to doing, pretty much the way you have been doing it....but better ;) WP7 is a totally different paradigm. If you haven't really looked at it much, head over to www.engadget.com (http://www.engadget.com) and search for Windows Phone 7. There is a ton of info.

[55Kevy]

Thanks again, Sven. Interesting that the US carriers are forcing data plans. I'll have to look at the terms of my contract with TMo (it is a pay-go plan) to see if they have the rights to do this.

I'm encouraged that you say I'd be able to do all that I am currently doing with my 210 on an HD2. Here's another question: I'm contemplating finally joining the 21st century on the digital music front and migrating from CDs in a multi CD changer to a digital device to store the music and a docking station to connect to the stereo. My thoughts at this point would be to get an iPod Classic to store the 200+ CDs we have. Could the HD2 serve this function too?

Kevy

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

HD2 only accepts microSDHC, which currently goes up to 32GB, but that was just launched. Easier to find 8GB and 16GB cards.

Indonesia shouldn't be like the US, I think. I'm pretty confident most of SEA have less... sucidal sales tactics.

sven: What, you mean you don't have a choice in the upgrade? That's terrible.

[Russ Smith]

I was unconverged for many, many years for one simple reason: The phone screens were much too small to do any decent work. As the products matured, and especially with the advent of the HD2, I have a converged device I can also use to see what I need to see in a text size that I can actually read :)

I do miss having 64GB of storage space (32GB SDHC + 32GB CF), but I do like the Internet and GPS without having to resort to switching devices on or pairing up via Bluetooth.

[Sven Johannsen]

Couple of points. If you go with an iPod, you will need to manage it with iTunes (which I personally think sucks). On the other hand you actually can find a car radio with iSupport. You will likely be using a line/headphone/aux in jack if you go with something else, be it a WM phone or a Zune, or whatever. There are radios that will accept BT A2DP from an A2DP capable media player though, which the HD2 is. So that would be an option. Many such support hBT handsfree at the same time.

Don't let memory size be a big deterent. As was mentioned you can get a 16G (or bigger for $) microSDHC card and that will store more music than you can imagine wanting to listen to. At least you will certainly have less repeats than any radio station or multiCD deck.

I honestly don't know how they would enforce data policies with a PAYG plan. You pay up front and they deduct per minute of call. Not like they bill you or have an auto deduction set up. To me it would make sense if they set up billing for data the same. Just deduct a certain amount for some # Kb or Mb used, but they don't seem to be set up for that.

Those sorts of data policies started with the iPhone. You couldn't get one without a data plan. Sort of makes sense. An iPhone experience would be somewhat lacking without ubiquitous internet access. After a while it moved to other phones when you bought or upgraded. Now if you show up on the network with a 'smartphone' you will be moved to a smartphone plan....for your benefit.