I use AT&T and have good service all around the Bragg area.. all except Vass, only place I have little to none. Out of all the options out right now the Iphone 3g-s is far above and beyond the rest.

+1. If you keep your firmware at 3.1.2 you can still unlock it and will be able to use it in the box.

CDMA iPhone
 

Other sites are speculating a CDMA iPhone in the fall of 2010. I was thinking of moving to the Droid but I may hold out just a little longer.

From the WSJ:

Apple Inc. plans to begin producing this year a new iPhone that could allow U.S. phone carriers other than AT&T Inc. to sell the iconic gadget, said people briefed by the company.

...

One person familiar with the situation said Pegatron is scheduled to start mass producing CDMA iPhones in September. Other people said, however, that the schedule could change and the phone may not be available to consumers immediately after production begins.

iPhone Drawbacks
 

If you have "artillery ears' like I do, you'll have difficulty hearing on an iPhone. The earbuds don't help much, either. There is an outer limit to which the volume can be turned.
I lost most of my hearing shooting 44 mag as a police officer and the Field Artillery did the rest.

If you use GSM. I would also recommend a Nokia N97, also the Sony Ericsson Satio is aweome as well. Both are Unlocked, and have an Awesome camera built-in.

Motorola MOTOROKR S9 Bluetooth headphones
 

If you pair them with a headset like the Motorola MOTOROKR S9 Bluetooth headphones, you can essentially double the volume cap. In addition to being wireless and compatible with anything Bluetooth 2.0, they can be used as a wireless headset for the gym/listening to music or as a hands-free solution for the phone. I find this very handy, as I bring the headset and iPhone everywhere and don't have to worry about carrying a separate MP3 player/iTouch and wired headphones to the gym (that ultimately get tangled as I try to work out :mad:).

Features:
- Volume controls on each side of the headphones allow you to change volume, switch between music and phone, etc.
- VERY lightweight (you won't really notice that you have them strapped to your head), and they don't move around while running.
- You can usually find a set for around $50 + S&H (don't buy direct from Motorola, they charge twice as much).
- Seamless exchange policy if you are an excessive sweater like me and your headset gets funky. They've made better seals on the newer version to prevent any water-related issues, but even then they'll replace them no questions asked (or so I was told) via their website. I got a new pair in less than five days. The S9s also have removable/adjustable rubber ear covers for easy sizing/cleaning.

Pitfalls:
- The headset isn't adjustable, but unless you have a melon larger than a basketball, this shouldn't be an issue. I have had friends with head sizes from a 6 3/8 all the way up to 7 5/8 use these and they stay on the ears fine.
- They look a little different, as they aren't as discreet as single-ear Bluetooth headsets designed for phones.

I've had an iphone for the better part of a year now. It was my little gift to myself after returning home from the sandbox. It's fun, sometimes useful tool to have.

That being said, I will not renew my contract with AT&T. I cannot speak for anywhere but central/eastern Virginia, but the service is crap compared to Verizon. I'm 26, have great hearing, and still sometimes have issues with the blasted iPhone.

There are apps for everything, but the vast majority of them are crap and/or games. It's easy to fall into a pitfall of buying "just a $1.99" app, until at the end of the month you realize you bought 15 of them and have extra charges on your bill. (Almost a year into it, I've only purchased one .99 app).

ATT&T also sends out bills electronically: great, unless your spam filter blocks the emails. I had issues trying to get a paper copy of my bill for the first 3 months.

I havent broken mind, because I'm extra careful, but I know friends that have broken numerous screens either by pressing too hard or light falls.

Maybe I'm just not reaching my iPhones potential, but I don't think it's worth the bill. 90% of my iPhone use is to access Pandora radio (free internet radio) when I'm at the gym, checking my email, or texting/calling. Aside from that, the few times I've been able to lookup information on my phone hasn't justified the cost.

I think it's a neat toy, but that's all I think it is, a toy. I'm not impressed.

Sorry I missed this question.

I've had no problems with apps crashing at all and 99 percent of the apps I have on my phone are free. I do have 2 that I paid $1.99 for.

The battery life is terrible but when Verizon comes out with Droid version 2.0 it's supposed to give the Droid 30% more battery life. (We'll see).

All in all I LOVE the Droid.

TEHO, but I haven't had the same issues with the iPhone 3Gs, which I've had since it came out. Which iPhone are you using? I am in PA, and have had no major service issues traveling up and down the east coast. In particular I frequent Richmond and have had no service issues in the area. Maybe I'm lucky (and now cursed because I mentioned it ... *knocks on wood*)

As for apps, I simply stick with the free ones unless I have a desperate need for a specified app. The pool of free apps is becoming better in quality in the categories I frequent (media, music, travel), in that I haven't needed to purchase too many paid apps. And a lot of the better paid apps will offer a "lite" version to try before you buy.

The billing issue can be taken care of online. Sadly, sometimes it's better to spend 5 minutes using your search-fu than trying to deal with an AT&T rep as they're rarely helpful IMO. You had to opt to go completely paperless (although they nag you every time you sign on to make it happen). Sign in and go to Billing & Payments (top bar) >> Paperless Billing (left menu) and scroll to the bottom. There is a checkbox there to re-activate snail mail billing. Or just know that your billing cycle ends the same time every month and remember to log in and pay.

Not sure how your friends are dropping and breaking the screens, unless they don't have a case. In which case I have no sympathy ... spend $300+ for a phone but not $15 for some rubber/plastic to keep it safe. Make sure to get one that has a rubber outside (shock-absorber) and a plastic frame/corners (stability and keeps it from landing on the screen). I can see the fat-finger thing, but as long as you have a conscious awareness that you don't have to beat it to work, you should be fine.

As for battery life, I was told at the store that since it's a PITA to change the battery (and voids the warranty), the AppleCare Protection Plan would extend my warranty by a year (on top of the standard one year) and give me a new phone when my battery life decreased by 50% (in about a year, the store rep said). Right around a year my battery started depleting much faster (it's like they engineer them to do that so you purchase they extra plan), and I'm about to submit a claim for a new one after work today.

My major complaint is that AT&T forces you into the "iPhone" data plan because it's special, which jacks up the monthly bill. That, and AT&T has no customer loyalty. I've been with them for 10+ years, and the only discount I get is from my employers. I was told by a customer rep that it doesn't matter if you've been with them for a day or a decade, a customer is a customer. :mad: I don't think she's working there anymore.

Smartphones
 

Gentlemen all,

For what it is worth, the Blackberry Bold is standard issue within my team (non-US, recce troop). Good reception even under heavy cover, sending pictures is simple and effective, and as many others have said, BBM is a wonderful tool to get info shared between teammates and with the higher echelons fast. For me, the killer app is the Google Maps/Latitude feature, which is free to download, gives you a GPS function accurate to 3 metres, and best of all provides info relative to location, speed and distance of movement for all members. (It is nice not to have to wonder where everyone is...).

Whatever your decision, TR, don't leave home without Google Maps/Latitude on your phone. It is well worth it.

Thanks for the info. Please download the "fill out your profile" app...wait, there isn't one. I guess you'll just have to it the old fashioned way, preferably before your next post. ;)

My experience with iPhone
 

Since there is debate about the iPhone, I thought I would allow my .02 cents to fall where they may.

I worked for Apple as an iPhone Product Pro and I worked specifically with the iPhone during it's initial release in AT&T Stores in the Kentucky area.

My job duties initially required training in all major brand carriers' plans and smart phones. Since I was the only Apple employee, albeit a contract one, in the AT&T store I was mainly in charge of the iPhone, but as the craze and rush for the iPhone died away about 3/4 through the summer I found myself driving into neighboring counties to help with all smartphone problems.

I also helped out as a retail consultant, though I wasn't getting the nice commissions they were. It sure beat the hell out of playing on the iPhone beside my little kiosk for 10 hours a day.

Advantages to iPhone
1. You always have a charger. Whether it is that annoying kid playing his iPod too loudly in the subway station or the professional tapping away on his Macbook, you can easily find a place to stop and plug in your iPhone.
2. Piggybacking off number 1, since the plug is universal for Apple's you will find a wide range of docking stations.
3. Constantly evolving. No single phone can react to the iPhone. In fact, the only dissent on this forum about the iPhone recognizes that their phone is a 'response' to the iPhone.
4. Syncing- number one problem and number one cause for return of the iPhone--won't do as many 'techy' things as their smartphone. Number one reason why someone needed help with their non iPhone 'smartphone'--they arent smart enough to figure out how to read a manual and use all of its 'techy' contraptions. Result-Use the iPhone if you want a wide range of applications and programs, but dont expect it to be as functional (in the tech sense of the word) as a Blackberry. I dont need to type a paper or hold a 50 page powerpoint on my iPhone, but the CEO might. I didnt make commission (hourly) so I would have no problem telling a small business owner that a Blackberry was perfect for them while standing in my fancy Apple button down.
5. The iPhone isn't a brick. There are plenty of iPhone stress tests out there (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...AKb0JghbPvymLg) . I have seen them dropped down stairs and survive and fall out of someones very *cough* clumsy girlfriends lap onto the concrete, 3 feet below at a gas station and crack the screen.
6. You'll look like a stud. I can't tell you how much tail I get by whipping out my iPhone. Ok thats not true.

In regards to the Plans:
1. All AT&T smartphones have to purchase the data and internet plan now. So that fancy 'iPhone plan' that was mentioned is across the board.
2. Verizon, in my knowledge, won't be getting the iPhone anytime soon. In fact, I carried a Sprint phone in my right pocket during Apple Training because we all heard rumors that another company would pick up the iPhone. Thats been a 3 year rumor.

In short--Figure out what you are going to use the iPhone for, Sir. If it is to have a versatile, evolving, dependable, and across the board-functional phone that can specialize--I would say iPhone.

-NoTime

Deepest apologies, Sir. Permission to start my remedial push-ups and sit-ups? Or should I just put aside a bottle of fine rum for you if you're ever down my way?

You did what was asked; that's sufficient.

Sir,

Just curious if you ended up going with the Droid or are you holding out too? Word on the street is asking price should be $199 but I could get two Droids (that roam on international) for that.

Lindy