Buying a phone for WiFi, need an expert

NiftyDigits

JethroUK wrote: »

I would

All blackerrys need a seperate bblackberry data plan (£5 month ish) on top of any other contract charges and faik. This is ness even to use Wi-Fi

In fact of all the phones suitable for the poster I would totally rule out black Berry

You simply don't know what you are on about. I would simply rule out your opinion. I've seen some of your previous posts. Missing the point appears to be your raison d'être.

Bingolingo

AFAIK

Blackberrys need a Blackberry services add on (has to be arranged through a network) otherwise you're left using 3rd party browsers, checking your email through said 3rd party browser and without BBM.

I'm pretty sure this applies even when using the phone on wifi as all browsing through the Blackberry browser, push email and BBM goes through the Blackberry servers which your phone has to be subscribed to.

If the OP's not interested in the push email and BBM then simply ignore Blackberry.

I think the OP would be best with an ipod touch or one of the galaxy wifi media players.

NiftyDigits

fortinternet wrote: »

That's also tempting, but daunting. Is the £20 for 6 months only for the first 6? I'm alien to phone contracts and phones, basically. Is it unlimited usage?

I don't ever use the phone, I'm pretty much friendless spare from a couple of online people, but can imagine a phone might also come in handy one day when I least expect it. I keep thinking I'm gonna be around someone who's had an accident and I won't be able to call an ambulance.

Those iPod Touchs' look great and I also like the Blackberry (8900s seem to be common and a good price on Gumtree) but can that Blackberry do what I want? I emailed someone on Gumtree about his 8900 and he said there would be a charge to use WiFi, but his more expensive model would work right off the bat.. I'm not sure if he was just trying to sell me that one.

Officially it is £20 every six months for unlimited usage, but in reality it is cheaper. Explained succinctly here

Blackberry phones always default to using WiFi first if a connection is available. Of course there is no charge to use your WiFi allowance.
The BlackBerry 8900 uses GPRS/EDGE only, together with WiFi . So will be slow for browsing when there is no WiFi available.
In this instance I would be looking for a cheap Curve 9300. But Blackberry phones aren't that cheap second hand. Especially when you can buy new for not a lot more.

The benefit with the data plan I have suggested is that you will be able to browse 24 hours a day anywhere you go....and it's cheap.
There are free applications for you to use FaceBook, Gmail etc

Of course you can go the other way and get something with no phone capability at all, but a bigger screen and just depend on WiFi for connecting.

Dr_B_2

fortinternet wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Hmm, I didn't even know the iPod Touch could go online... So that one seems interesting. I've looked up a few things. Are you sure it doesn't need a contract of any kind? And why do you think the 3rd gen is best value, is it because it's the oldest one to feature a microphone (for Skype)?

I'm not sure how suitable it would be for your needs, or if you'd find it convenient in practice, but a company called magicsim are selling a device that not aonly allows you to have two active sims linked to the same phone, but turns an ipod touch into an iphone.

http://www.magic-sim.com/product/id/5/GMATE_+_%28PLUS%29_DUAL_SIM_DEVICE_%3Cbr%3E_2_SIMS_ACTIVE_AT_THE_SAME_TIME!.html

I'm also not sure how well it works, but you could always look into it. Bear in mind that if they're a reasonably reputable company (and since they're mentioned on various Android forums that would seem to be the case) you get 14 days approval.

23six

fortinternet wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Hmm, I didn't even know the iPod Touch could go online... So that one seems interesting. I've looked up a few things. Are you sure it doesn't need a contract of any kind? And why do you think the 3rd gen is best value, is it because it's the oldest one to feature a microphone (for Skype)?

iPod Touch 3G is upgradable to Apple's iOS v5 which is not too far off iOS6. However, it doesn't feature a camera nor a built in microphone like the 4G model.

Both have the same screen size, and as you would expect the 4G has a better screen resoultion - 960x640 - compared to the 3Gs 480x320, meaninh crispier images.

There's not too much between the two, however if you decide you are an app intensive user the 4G with suit you 512MB RAM vs 256MB RAM.

For web browsing, email on the 3G, its satisfactory and superior to the experience on your average Blackberry IMO.

BhargainHunter

The orange San Francisco is good and very easy to unlock!

the-mango

I don't think you're the right candidate for a blackberry, just because of your low usage and the need for adding on blackberry services.

There are other smart phones with keyboards if you want that, otherwise it might be better for you to buy a cheap smartphone and put something like an Ovivo SIM (http://ovivomobile.com/our-offer/) in, which would be more than enouhg for your needs it seems, aside from a one off £10 you wouldn't have to pay for it if you didn't go over your allowance.

As long as the smartphone had a wifi option you'd still be able to use your BT wifi as well.

JethroUK

grumbler wrote: »

Data plan to use WiFi?
I am no expert, but I think you are wrong.

Dont think a berry can even access the internet at all without a data plan - but i stand to be corected as the man said in the orthopedic shoes

JethroUK

NiftyDigits wrote: »

You simply don't know what you are on about. I would simply rule out your opinion. I've seen some of your previous posts. Missing the point appears to be your raison d'être.

Suggest you ignore any more of my inane posts and I'll return the favour

Plonk!

the-mango

NiftyDigits wrote: »

You simply don't know what you are on about. I would simply rule out your opinion. I've seen some of your previous posts. Missing the point appears to be your raison d'être.

Don't you think this was a little rude? They were on the right track, in that if you don't have a bb plan you can't use some of the features as mentioned after, things such as push email, bbm and so on. Not everyone knows everything surely and offering your opinion might help things on the right track?