First off, some background. I don't have much experience with mobile phones. I've owned a couple of ordinary ones, but I either found the deals ridiculously expensive for what you get or forget to charge them or take them with me. Never owned a smartphone, but I've played around with ones owned by other people and I'm pretty impressed in general.

The thing is I now need one and want to buy one for professional purposes. So I've been reading up a bit on them and the various offers and deals. The deals are better than the old days I have to say and if I can find the right solution for me I'm prepared to fork out a bit of dosh.

The thing is, I don't want to be tied to a company (I'm in France, but this probably applies everywhere)for a 12 month contract or something. So I figure I have to buy an unlocked smartphone, then choose a company that offers the best deal with no long term commitment. I'm not really interested in the smartphone being full of stuff and gimmicks I'll never use. A good quality camera and video camera would be useful. But most importantly, I'd like the phone to act basically just as a modem that I can hook up to my laptop (which is not a Mac) and use the laptop as usual to browse, download and send emails with docs attached using the laptop keyboard (I find these smartphone keyboards too small and fiddly).

Sounds simple enough, but I'm getting conflicting stories from people that this is not as easy as it sounds. For example, when you put in the SIM card, this possibility is somehow blocked by the provider as they don't like it for some reason; God knows why.

From what I can make of the situation by reading web sites on smartphones and talking to people that know a bit about them, the best solution would be a smartphone running on the Windows system that offers tethering.

Am I on the right track? I don't want to shell out good money on something that doesn't do what I want it to do.

Any suggestions and information would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds simple enough, but I'm getting conflicting stories from people that this is not as easy as it sounds. For example, when you put in the SIM card, this possibility is somehow blocked by the provider as they don't like it for some reason; God knows why.

I am God and I can tell you phones sold in a bundle are locked to the network provider in order to secure their business. However, you can unSIMlock any phones with some underground programs. You can easily find them on the internet, with tutorials, step by step how-to and for any phones.

Sorry but I can't help. You used the word "Smart"; that excluded me.

Cazeilles wrote:

Sounds simple enough, but I'm getting conflicting stories from people that this is not as easy as it sounds. For example, when you put in the SIM card, this possibility is somehow blocked by the provider as they don't like it for some reason; God knows why.

I am God and I can tell you phones sold in a bundle are locked to the network provider in order to secure their business. However, you can unSIMlock any phones with some underground programs. You can easily find them on the internet, with tutorials, step by step how-to and for any phones.

Thanks Caz. So are you suggesting that I take out a bundle without a long term commitment with say Orange or Bouygues and get the phone for a low price then jailbreak (I think that's the word one guy used) it?

Would that allow me to hook it up to the laptop? That's what I really want - that and no long term commitment to the operator.

mikgof wrote:

Sorry but I can't help. You used the word "Smart"; that excluded me.

Thanks anyway Mikgof. That's an interesting looking apparatus, what is it?

iciparis wrote:

most importantly, I'd like the phone to act basically just as a modem that I can hook up to my laptop (which is not a Mac) and use the laptop as usual

If that is your only need, don't buy a smartphone.

You have USB key modems that are more powerful modems than phones.

If you still want a phone as a dual use modem/photo camera, and are not a Mac user (poor you), then go for any android phone.

As of printing, Samsung could be a good choice.

.

You're obviously not smart enough for a smart phone, just forget about it

I'm in France...

And you go to a site called "Fuck FRANCE" to ask this ?

LMAO wrote:

I'm in France...

And you go to a site called "Fuck FRANCE" to ask this ?

Not so illogical. Some of the French geezers here know the score on this stuff as they live here (obviously I'm not talking about smartypant Arfur).

Thing is there are at least three operators here. Seems that depending on where you are the 3G is pretty good or is crap - depends on the operator. In big cities it's probably OK for them all - 10 miles out into the sticks and it's anyone's guess. I do my work in different places, not just in big cities, and would like to be able to go onto the net using a laptop and 3G. Seems to be impossible.

I'm not talking about Ch.16 VHF or 2182 Khz on a fishing boat LMAO. That's easy stuff, used to work with it, know its limits and could probably teach you a a thing or two about how it works.

For JeanV. The key wouldn't do it, I need the phone for simple calls as well.

To give you an example, I was in a medium size town the other day working with someone. He has his magic Iphone and works with Orange. I asked for a demonstration. Reception was intermittent most of the time, the 3G just came and went randomly. When it worked it was pretty fast, when it went, reception was slower than a 9.6k modem. I can only imagine that it would be like that all the time a couple of miles outside the town. So maybe the system I'm looking for is just not possible with the present technology and antenna distribution.

I've got an old mobile phone so I guess I'll just get it unblocked and use it as a phone, save the money and forget about this 3G internet stuff for the time being. It would have been useful but is not essential for what I do.

But thanks for all your input all the same.

ici

iciparis wrote:

mikgof wrote:

Sorry but I can't help. You used the word "Smart"; that excluded me.

Thanks anyway Mikgof. That's an interesting looking apparatus, what is it?

A steam-punk mobile phone. Quite the thing for someone as elderly as me.

Ch.16 VHF or 2182 Kh = Old School

Sat Phone, GPS underwater mapping, 31 inch diagnal flat screen monitor, Furuno 1100L 28/50/200, Airmar 3K 28/50/200 khz transducer, Intergrated with GP-32 interpilator = New School



Call me

Your two choices are iPhone or Android. Since smart phones are all about the "apps", these two have the most apps. (Forget Windows phones or Blackberry, not popular enough and much fewer apps.) If you're tech savvy, go with Android. If you just want something that just works, go with iPhone. Check the coverage maps of the phone provider to make sure it has data coverage wherever you work.

Since it's all about the apps, I suggest iPhone. The apps you can buy or get for free will work with the latest model iPhone. But Android's fragmentation means that not all apps work on every model phone. Also, I like the iPhone's user interface more. It's simple, and it works. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Android, but how can you go wrong with iPhone's single button?

Oh, saw that you want to use it as a fancy modem for your laptop. This is called tethering. Both can do this, but iPhone can only do 3G whereas some Android devices can do 4G. You'll also have to pay more for this feature unless you jailbreak your iPhone.

mikgof wrote:

iciparis wrote:

mikgof wrote:

Sorry but I can't help. You used the word "Smart"; that excluded me.

Thanks anyway Mikgof. That's an interesting looking apparatus, what is it?

A steam-punk mobile phone. Quite the thing for someone as elderly as me.

Ah, I see. I was wondering what these two tubes sticking out the side were. Do you need to go around with a little steam generator or something strapped on your back for it to work? I suppose that little slot in the bottom is where you put in the penny - pay as you go? .

Samsung Galaxy sii g. For business consider the galaxy note or wait a few months for the S iii g

Samsung Galaxy sii g. For business consider the galaxy note or wait a few months for the S iii g

The new HTC One S and X strike me as being impressive phones.

shon wrote:

Your two choices are iPhone or Android. Since smart phones are all about the "apps", these two have the most apps. (Forget Windows phones or Blackberry, not popular enough and much fewer apps.) If you're tech savvy, go with Android. If you just want something that just works, go with iPhone. Check the coverage maps of the phone provider to make sure it has data coverage wherever you work.

Since it's all about the apps, I suggest iPhone. The apps you can buy or get for free will work with the latest model iPhone. But Android's fragmentation means that not all apps work on every model phone. Also, I like the iPhone's user interface more. It's simple, and it works. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Android, but how can you go wrong with iPhone's single button?

Oh, saw that you want to use it as a fancy modem for your laptop. This is called tethering. Both can do this, but iPhone can only do 3G whereas some Android devices can do 4G. You'll also have to pay more for this feature unless you jailbreak your iPhone.

Cheers for that Shon. Yes, I'm tempted by the Iphone, a nice piece of kit, no doubt about it. It's the tethering that interests me most. I use Word, Excel and PowerPoint for my work and the idea of fannying around with some daft little keyboard is of no use to me whatsoever, except in an emergency. That's why I thought a Windows compatible system was right for me. Then came Blackberry as it has the best daft little keyboard. Then Nozzle comes along and confuses me with the Galaxy. Most impressive spec. The apps, well I run a couple of blogs so that means typing hence an easy interface between keyboard and modem, but that's about it. If I want to find out about the latest weather forecast, EU or global warming scam, that can wait till I get home. Haven't checked out Geebart's recommendation yet, but I will. What I don't want is this:





In short, still as clear as mud

Go with the Iphone 4G. All the techies in my office have them after giving up on the HTC and Samsungs.

Forget about BB's. My company offered me one and I declined.

Nokia and BB are pretty much for 3rd worlders now. In the advanced world nobody has them anymore.

You get used to the keyboard on an Iphone after awhile.

SevenSeventeen wrote:

Go with the Iphone 4G. All the techies in my office have them after giving up on the HTC and Samsungs.

Forget about BB's. My company offered me one and I declined.

Nokia and BB are pretty much for 3rd worlders now. In the advanced world nobody has them anymore.

You get used to the keyboard on an Iphone after awhile.

You'll love the Samsung Galaxy SII keyboard if you have thick fingers.

Men that run businesses carry the Samsung Galaxy SII, limp wristed sissies with skinny fingers good for shoving in their boyfriend's rectum carry the iphone because its small enough to fit in their girlish hands and not be you know Cumberthome.

the Samsung Galaxy SII is a man's phone, their next model is going to be even bigger.

If you decide on the steampunk phone, you should also go with the steampunk computer.

STFU NOOB.

Simple's account has been hijacked.

NOZZLE wrote:

SevenSeventeen wrote:

Go with the Iphone 4G. All the techies in my office have them after giving up on the HTC and Samsungs.

Forget about BB's. My company offered me one and I declined.

Nokia and BB are pretty much for 3rd worlders now. In the advanced world nobody has them anymore.

You get used to the keyboard on an Iphone after awhile.

You'll love the Samsung Galaxy SII keyboard if you have thick fingers.

Men that run businesses carry the Samsung Galaxy SII, limp wristed sissies with skinny fingers good for shoving in their boyfriend's rectum carry the iphone because its small enough to fit in their girlish hands and not be you know Cumberthome.

the Samsung Galaxy SII is a man's phone, their next model is going to be even bigger.

How droll. If I Google Queers and Samsung Galaxy I get this:






Description: Scruffing



SCRUFF is a social gay app for gay, bi, or curious scruff guys to meet.
What is a SCRUFF guy? SCRUFF guys are servicemen, gamers, firefighters, students, DJs, baristas, tattoo artists, scientists, designers, and rugby players--just to name a few. Some SCRUFF guys are bears, some are jocks, and some SCRUFF guys are just guys.

A unique and growing global gay community, hundreds of thousands of gay guys are SCRUFFing in over 180 countries on 6 continents (and we're pretty optimistic about Antarctica).


Apparently rugged hairy guys with fat fingers

SevenSeventeen wrote:

Apparently rugged hairy guys with fat fingers

My fingers are crooked from years of hard work unlike some metrosexual types who cant seem to get enough iphone, what is this version 5.0 you guys are on at this point because the first four were crap.

More i-phone idolatry, dance around the golden phone why don't you and join the legions who line up to purchase this overhyped junk.



Its got a tiny screen and tiny little keys and you know it.

Your first problem is you are in france.So service providers are more important than which phone.
Which phone type well iphones are junk, androids are about to be rendered useless with the soon to launching of W8.
T-Mobile is the only carrier who offers no charge tethering while all other US providers charge a monthly fee to tether T-Mobile doesn't. T-Mobile here in the States(and I would assume same for europe) has more 4G service allowing for faster internet speeds.
While Microsoft phones are not in the top 2 phone types all that is about to change. Microsoft phones are superior in every way but one. The don't have a million useless apps!
While Microsoft phones have all the same useful app's that you can get on other phones, with Win 8 for PC, Microsoft is leaving everyone else in the dust. In 2 years Windows phone will not only be the #1 selling phone type and in the end millions of useless apps the others offer now.

Personal experience added. I have had every Iphone but the last, it locked up a lot, constant rebooting, quality components yes useful? only if I care to be limited and unreliable.
Android in my opinion is a step up from iphones but again lots of crashing and almost always had to reboot lap top and phone to get on the shared WiFI.

My very first smart phone was 5 years ago a Win 6 Phone paid through the nose for it but it was far better then what was on the market to include the first iphones, only real problem with it was it didn't work on every type of tower so if I traveled to parts of the country running on old towers I had to use a cheap phone to make calls.

Today I have a Radar Windows phone, by far the best phone I have ever owned recharges quickly it's never ever crashed, handles all my email accounts from google mail, yahoo. and my 4 Outlook express accounts. I run win 8 beta one of my PC and love how everything I do on my phone is instantly updated on my pc and the same from my pc to my phone. No set up no configuration if I want to play a movie from my pc to my phone no matter where on earth I might be with just a couple clicks it's right there.

So my advice choose your carrier well and as for a phone by one that has the power and storage abilities to fit your needs and make sure it's a windows phone! This post was made by a Radar Windows phone