Looking for input on a new smartphone or tablet/cell combo

FamousDavis wrote:Looking for some input on what model smartphone to get as well as the service.

Presently I have an iPhone 4s and my AT&T agreement has now run the full two years. As a result, I will owe nothing to AT&T if I pick a smartphone and go with Verizon or some other service. In regard to my feelings about the iPhone, well, it's the most reliable and useful electronic device I have ever owned. Nothing has ever gone wrong with it and it works flawlessly. My only issue is the size of the screen when web browsing.

I use my iPhone 4s to sync with my work e-mail, private e-mail and as a phone although I rarely ever use it to make calls. My total minutes last month was something like 120. I will occasionally browse Ebay or some other website but not that often, mainly due to screen size.

I guess it would be better to describe what I want: I want a larger screen so that I can see websites better. The newest Samsung has a screen that is significantly larger than that of the iPhone 4s. Also, I've been told Verizon has better coverage in my area.

Here's another possibility: Get an iPhone Mini and simply get the 3g or 4g service with it (when it's available) and then simply get a cheap pre-paid cell phone for those few times when I make or receive calls. To me this appears to be a perfect solution. This way I can browse the web much easier than before, continue to get my synced e-mail and play games and watch movies as well.

Thoughts?

Lorenzzo wrote:Yeah, that's what he meant, there's no I-Phone mini. I want an I-Pad too but I can't justify it when I have an I-Phone and Mac book.

There's nothing I can't do with my Mac book that I could do with a Pad other than use a touch screen and get a faster start up. The real reason you need an I-Phone is Siri. It already has reached a point where it's a powerful, time saving mobile tool and smart phones integration into cars will make them even more useful. I-Pads may someday get a type of Siri support but not in the foreseeable future. Same as to their integration into cars.

FamousDavis wrote:

Lorenzzo wrote:Yeah, that's what he meant, there's no I-Phone mini. I want an I-Pad too but I can't justify it when I have an I-Phone and Mac book.

There's nothing I can't do with my Mac book that I could do with a Pad other than use a touch screen and get a faster start up. The real reason you need an I-Phone is Siri. It already has reached a point where it's a powerful, time saving mobile tool and smart phones integration into cars will make them even more useful. I-Pads may someday get a type of Siri support but not in the foreseeable future. Same as to their integration into cars.

That's kind of the whole point, isn't it? That's why people purchase iPads in addition to having a home computer or laptop. They want instant access, a touch screen and mobility. Sure, you can be mobile with a Macbook but not in the same fashion as you can with an Ipad or iPad Mini. If I'm traveling, I hate booting up my laptop just to check a few things. I'd much rather whip out my iPad and get right to work.

The perfect scenario for me would be an iPad Mini 3g that has cell phone capability via some kind of device that connects to it. I have heard that the iPhone 5's screen is a tad larger so I'll have to check it out. I doubt it's large enough to suit my needs.

Lorenzzo wrote:

FamousDavis wrote:

Lorenzzo wrote:Yeah, that's what he meant, there's no I-Phone mini. I want an I-Pad too but I can't justify it when I have an I-Phone and Mac book.

There's nothing I can't do with my Mac book that I could do with a Pad other than use a touch screen and get a faster start up. The real reason you need an I-Phone is Siri. It already has reached a point where it's a powerful, time saving mobile tool and smart phones integration into cars will make them even more useful. I-Pads may someday get a type of Siri support but not in the foreseeable future. Same as to their integration into cars.

That's kind of the whole point, isn't it? That's why people purchase iPads in addition to having a home computer or laptop. They want instant access, a touch screen and mobility. Sure, you can be mobile with a Macbook but not in the same fashion as you can with an Ipad or iPad Mini. If I'm traveling, I hate booting up my laptop just to check a few things. I'd much rather whip out my iPad and get right to work.

The perfect scenario for me would be an iPad Mini 3g that has cell phone capability via some kind of device that connects to it. I have heard that the iPhone 5's screen is a tad larger so I'll have to check it out. I doubt it's large enough to suit my needs.

How much value can one place on that when they can just pause their Macbook? If it's more than you'd place on integraton then you'd be one of very few who did. And those who did would generally just be trying to look cool (posing) or don't understand integration now and as Siri evolves.

Lorenzzo wrote:

FamousDavis wrote:

Lorenzzo wrote:Yeah, that's what he meant, there's no I-Phone mini. I want an I-Pad too but I can't justify it when I have an I-Phone and Mac book.

There's nothing I can't do with my Mac book that I could do with a Pad other than use a touch screen and get a faster start up. The real reason you need an I-Phone is Siri. It already has reached a point where it's a powerful, time saving mobile tool and smart phones integration into cars will make them even more useful. I-Pads may someday get a type of Siri support but not in the foreseeable future. Same as to their integration into cars.

That's kind of the whole point, isn't it? That's why people purchase iPads in addition to having a home computer or laptop. They want instant access, a touch screen and mobility. Sure, you can be mobile with a Macbook but not in the same fashion as you can with an Ipad or iPad Mini. If I'm traveling, I hate booting up my laptop just to check a few things. I'd much rather whip out my iPad and get right to work.

The perfect scenario for me would be an iPad Mini 3g that has cell phone capability via some kind of device that connects to it. I have heard that the iPhone 5's screen is a tad larger so I'll have to check it out. I doubt it's large enough to suit my needs.

How much value can one place on that when they can just pause their Macbook? If it's more than you'd place on integraton then you'd be one of very few who did. And those who did would generally just be trying to look cool (posing).

Poe4soul wrote:

Lorenzzo wrote:

FamousDavis wrote:

Lorenzzo wrote:Yeah, that's what he meant, there's no I-Phone mini. I want an I-Pad too but I can't justify it when I have an I-Phone and Mac book.

There's nothing I can't do with my Mac book that I could do with a Pad other than use a touch screen and get a faster start up. The real reason you need an I-Phone is Siri. It already has reached a point where it's a powerful, time saving mobile tool and smart phones integration into cars will make them even more useful. I-Pads may someday get a type of Siri support but not in the foreseeable future. Same as to their integration into cars.

That's kind of the whole point, isn't it? That's why people purchase iPads in addition to having a home computer or laptop. They want instant access, a touch screen and mobility. Sure, you can be mobile with a Macbook but not in the same fashion as you can with an Ipad or iPad Mini. If I'm traveling, I hate booting up my laptop just to check a few things. I'd much rather whip out my iPad and get right to work.

The perfect scenario for me would be an iPad Mini 3g that has cell phone capability via some kind of device that connects to it. I have heard that the iPhone 5's screen is a tad larger so I'll have to check it out. I doubt it's large enough to suit my needs.

I think you're right. The iPad mini would be a pain in the arse to carry around. I'd be better off switching to an Android phone like the Samsung that has a much bigger screen than iphone. Then again, I don't actually do that much web surfing on my phone so my choice shouldn't be driven by that. Sometimes the best decision is to do nothing.

How much value can one place on that when they can just pause their Macbook? If it's more than you'd place on integraton then you'd be one of very few who did. And those who did would generally just be trying to look cool (posing).

I agree, to a point. I bought a tablet just to surf the web, read, answer email, watch netflix etc at the house. It didn't get a cell plan so I'm tied to a hot spot or wireless. There is some convenience in the size and convenience of a tablet because it's design is for those specific actions.

I wouldn't do the ipad mini because it would be a pain the arse. It would be like carrying a purse. I'd end up either loosing it or breaking it if I took it everywhere with me. Most likely I would just leave it in behind in the car or at the house.

I would look for the largest smart phone you can put in your pocket if surfing was your main use on a phone.