Journal TheRaven64's Journal: What Phone? 6
My current phone is a Nokia N80. I've had it a few years and I'm reasonably happy with it, but it has a fault with the charging circuit and it's pretty bulky, so I'm thinking about replacing it. Unfortunately, there seem to be about 3,000 different options with no competent way of way of working out which one is sensible.
I mainly use my phone as... a phone. So, the most important feature for me is the ability to make and receive calls. Because I am a cheapskate, this includes SIP (and WiFi), since my SIP provider charges a lot less than my mobile provider when calling landlines. I really like WebOS in terms of UI, but that seems to rule the Pre out because the only WebOS SIP client is alpha quality and doesn't integrate with the address book. This is something that Nokia does really well - the SIP client is fully integrated, so I can just select someone from my address book and select Internet Call to make the call. No extra skill required.
Beyond that, the only thing I really need is to be able to sync contacts via bluetooth and to use it as a modem via bluetooth - both pretty standard features, I'd assume, since my last three phones have had them.
In terms of smartphone features, I'm not that bothered. A programming environment that supports native code so that I can port my ObjC runtime would be nice - I have no interest in VM-based crap - but aside from that I don't have any strong requirements.
I would, however, like decent battery life and a small size, and ideally a nice camera. The bulk and poor battery life of my N80 means that I quite often leave it at home.
So, any suggestions?
Yes. (Score:1)
I have a suggestion.
The Sony-Ericsson C905 is available very cheaply now, and supports all the characteristics you require : simple to use, excellent battery life, good in-call quality and usability, SIP integration, and a great camera.
It has an added bonus: It makes a great mobile broadband modem when tethered via USB or Bluetooth. I use it as my primary connection on unlimited data here in the UK and I can turn up at people's place and my connection is faster than their landline. Let me know what you thin
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
It's Sony's proprietory "A2" OS, which runs reliable and fast. For mapping, I recommend the Google Maps client which comes with the phone and is integrated with the GPS.
One annoying fact: DO NOT download Google's own client, it doesn't offer the GPS features. Use the built in client, it does directions, street view, road overlaid onto satellite maps, but unfortunately relies on being connected to the Internet (unless you pre-cache your map area and route).
Re: (Score:2)
Google maps around here are pretty crappy, which is why I prefer OSM, which is a lot more detailed. I also don't like giving Google location information, which is why Android isn't top of my list.
That said, it looks like A2 is SE's Symbian distribution, so some of the Symbian clients may work, or one of the J2ME ones.
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No, it is completely unrelated to Symbian. Sony experimented with Symbian using their own "UIQ" GUI on handsets such as the P990i.
A2 has been written to serve Sony's internal needs, without any "external developer cruft" like Symbian. The browser is Access Netfront; written specifically for A2.
Sony only went back to Symbian 2 years after the C905 with the U1i (Satio). This used Symbian^One or whatever it's referred to as these days