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All-in-one smart phones

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Burrito
Posts: 1864 - Karma: 930
I'm an Industrial design student at the University of Cincinnati.  Our current project is some type of computer, and I've decided on a smart phone.

As a part of my research, I would like to get your guys' opinions on smart phones.
Do you want/have one?
Why or why not?
What do you like/dislike about them?
What parts suck to use (e.g. keyboard, talking on the phone, interface, etc.)?

Any and all feedback is appreciated.  Thanks
Oct 21 2007 7:11PM
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M+M
Posts: 7935 - Karma: 25
apple
Oct 21 2007 7:17PM
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BeerGoggles
Posts: 712 - Karma: 11
I had the HTC S720
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Reason why I got rid of it? Basicly I prefered to carry something smaller(and this is phone is extremely small for smart-phone standards) and I didnt really use other functions than calls and mp3s. The qwerty keyboard is by far what I miss the most, but hey whatever. That and I quit working at the carrier so lost unlimited data(which you cant get on a plan in Canada). So really, not being able to surf made the phone rather useless.

Pretty much the main function you should include to your phone is WIFI. As for other things, they are pretty well standard in all smart phones (mp3, videos, browser). Are you making it touch screen? I personaly preferred the tactile buttons, but smearing your screen with greasy fingers is apparently so hot right now.

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I really like how this phone was built. Outter screen is touch, wheres as you have another screen to go with the keyboard when you open it.

Also, something like this is just bad ass.

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Oct 21 2007 7:27PM
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Itsbackfliptime
Posts: 18901 - Karma: 75
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Thats the phone I have. Its awesome, except for the fact that windows mobile is pretty crappy.

Things I like:
Wifi
Bluetooth
Huge amount of windows mobile software
Slingplayer (watch my home cable from my phone)
Big qwerty keyboard
Touchscreen makes navigating work well

Things I don't like:
Windows Mobile is awful.
Its kinda slow
The volume on the speaker is terrible. I almost always use the headphones if I'm talking for a long time.
Data plan is expensive (I don't have one, I just use the wifi)
Not very good mac integration.

The reason I bought it is because I am on the internet ALL the time. If this can replace my laptop for random in between class browsing then thats one less time I have to bring my laptop around. I also thought the Bubble Breaker game in the verizon store was awesome.
Oct 21 2007 7:39PM
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Burrito
Posts: 1864 - Karma: 930
This is awesome.  Thanks guys.
So far the plan is to have a touch screen that can sink a little bit into the device, revealing a qwerty keyboard (so it doesn't need two halves.)  When it's up, however, the entire front screen will be flush and act just like a regular touch screen.  I also might try to incorporate a flexible lcd for tablet style writing, but I need to do some research on the logistics of that type of technology.

This is a big project that won't be finished until December, but I'll try to put up drawings and stuff as I go.

Keep posting feedback.  Thanks again.
Oct 21 2007 10:31PM
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timmi
Posts: 12874 - Karma: 3,460
i use the treo 650. i love the qwerty keyboard and touch screen. it also seems to revolve just as much around "fun" stuff as it does around business. im a fan.
what i dont like is the fact that the headphone jack isnt made for normal headphones. the only way you can hold music on it is with an external sd card, and the reception sucks, but i mainly text.
Oct 21 2007 10:37PM
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Burrito
Posts: 1864 - Karma: 930
What kind of headphones is it made for
Oct 21 2007 10:43PM
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BeerGoggles
Posts: 712 - Karma: 11
Oh that's a great point. On most phones, the jack is 2.5mm, where as most ordinary headphones come with a 3.5mm jack. It's really a pain that you have to use the crappy headset that comes with the phone or buy an adapter.
Oct 22 2007 7:48AM
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leckett1
Posts: 6476 - Karma: 294
I want a cell phone that I can make phone calls on. I don't need all that extra bullshit thats just there to intrigue people into buying it because it does more.
Oct 22 2007 10:48AM
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Burrito
Posts: 1864 - Karma: 930
That's a big part of the interface I'm designing.  If you only want to listen to music and don't feel like taking calls, fine.  If you only want to talk with getting emails, fine.  If you want everything all at once, fine.  You can choose whatever, whenever.  It's actually a really simple system that will save battery life because your WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. doesn't have to be on all of the time.
Oct 22 2007 10:57AM
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JGP.
Posts: 2785 - Karma: 474
i love my iphone.
Oct 22 2007 11:01AM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
thats how my blackberry 8800 is. I have the interwebs, email, music, movies, pics, and a phone, i can turn each item on or off, to save battery, plus i love the track ball.
Oct 22 2007 11:09AM
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salamander
Posts: 815 - Karma: 16
fuck yea cincy
Oct 22 2007 11:12AM
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user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
i think I'm picking up one of these this weekend:

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So stoked, they look really nice.
Oct 22 2007 11:32AM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
ewwww, if you wanna get a solid BB, go 8800.
Oct 22 2007 11:42AM
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leckett1
Posts: 6476 - Karma: 294
Just curious, what do you guys think of the Sidekick?
Oct 22 2007 12:05PM
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Valind
Posts: 4358 - Karma: 17
Lame.
Oct 22 2007 12:08PM
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user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
Eh, I like the pearls alot. The regular BB's are nice but I really don't like the looks/size among other tings. Pearl does what I need it to do and more, looks good and it's a good price.
Oct 22 2007 1:25PM
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PhaedeD
Posts: 11498 - Karma: 327
i have a palm treo 700wx with windows mobile and ya is a little big but i fuckin love it.
Oct 22 2007 1:37PM
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pbandj
Posts: 5610 - Karma: 28
itd be sick if they had one with a touch screen
Oct 22 2007 2:07PM
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