RealTown's RealTownTalk

Hi Everyone:

I am in the process looking for a SmarPhone device, which one is most economic but do the job. Blackberry or iPhone, which carrier has a better reception, Should I go for AT&T or Verizon (Voyage)? Open to suggestion.

I believe that the blackberry is going to be cheaper because its been around alot longer than the I-phone.   Both AT&T and Verizon are generally excellant. Your decision should strongly consider the reception where you will be using the phone. The I-phone is only with AT&T and is what everyone wants but it will be more expensive.  Do you need all the features?

Marshall Hand

Hi,

I have a Blackberry Curve and I love it. It does everything I need and then some. The only downfall I believe is the camera. It is hard to take decent picture. If you want an I Phone you must go thru AT&T so that would make your options limited in that respect. I know several people with The I-Phone and they rave about it. Makes there I-Pod redundant though. Another thing to keep in mind is, new technology tends to have some bugs making the second or third generation of the I-Phone more stable. Over all I think as long as it performs to your specifications and you have no need for the latest and greatest, the Blackberry is a little cheaper. I go thru AT&T and am pleased with the service I get.

Cameron Larsen

cameron@larsen-homes.com

If you are buying new then the Blackberry will be less expensive.  However, I just found out that Apple is selling refurbed IPhones for about $100 less than the new phone price.  I heard that Apple ended up buying back a lot of their IPhones after their price bungle last year.  In many cases these "used" phones were practically unused.  So there is an opportunity to get a reliable, like new IPhone for a really good price.  This is at least something to consider.

I have carried an AT & T mobile phone and a Verizon mobile phone for over a year now and comparing the two, I would have to say that AT & T has better network coverage. With my Verizon, I noticed that they sometimes will put calls directly into my voicemail and my phone won't ring. This is their way of forcing an upgrade, but as soon as my contract runs out, they will be history.

My AT & T phone and network has been more reliable and dependable - especially when Verizon does not seem to have coverage in the same areas. For me - it was worth the extra expense to carry both phones for the year to find out who was the better carrier. I have also found that AT & T has better customer service. Although they are not "smartphones" I believe the coverage results would be the same.

I am happy to have come across this thread as I am on the horns of a smartphone dilemna myself. I am weighing the pros and cons of the TREO 755 vs. Verizon's XV6800. I've used my TREO 650 for years with pretty good experience. But New Jersey just outlawed using anything but hands-free cell phones while driving. So I am looking for a phone that will dial as well as answer hands-free. I have a bluetooth "Jawbone" for a head set.  I understand the TREO will not quite dial handsfree even with the 3rd party software. But,  with Windows Voice Command 1.6, the 6800 will work totally handsfree. Does anyone have any experinece with the 6800??

I am a long time Verizon user moved from New Jersey to now beuatiful Hawaii and haven't looked back.  I tried the Treo and thought it was too complicated.  I have a Palm T/X and the combination was just more than I needed.  I now have the Blackberry 8830 and asbsolutely love it.  My past brokerage had an exchange server set up and it was simple and seemless.  I am with a new company that doesn't have exchange.  I spoke with the tech support people at Verizon and now have it configured for my company pop email account.  It also saved me $10 a month.

I like the ease and robustness of the Blackberry. I have thousands of contacts at my disposal and it is fast.  The voice dialing feature is quirky since I have thousands of contacts.  Say aloha to my mom in New Jersey ;) 

I purchased the Verizon XV6800 and returned it the same day.  It is a "slider" type phone, which I liked, but this model doesn't lock closed very well so it kept opening in my pocket or purse. I would go with the Treo.  For SoCal MLS members, the Treo can be used to open lockboxes and retrieve showing info from your listing lockboxes. 

I have just purchase a LG Voyager through Verizon Wireless.  It took me about two weeks to get used to it and to be honest, at first I was contemplating returning it.  Now that I 'm used to it, I absolutely love it.  It has an external touch screen, one touch speakerphone and opens up to a QWERTY Keyboard with large, widely space keys.  Finally, I can text message without taking an hour to type out my message.  I have internet service and can send and get my e mails for l5.00 a month which is a lot cheaper than the Blackberry.  You get 30 days free on Internet access and unlimited e mail from Verizon to Verizon.    You can get VZ Navigator, Chaperone Parent, V Cast Mobile TV, music and video as extra services.  It also has a camera and connects easily to your Bluetooth Headset. 

Karen Gallini, ABR, SRES, Broker/Associate  Mail to:KarenGallini@Weichert.com

Hello Everyone,

I have gone through 6 Treo phones. Like the gentleman above, I carrry two services, AtT&T and Verizon. I purchased my first Treo 650 unlocked and online because AT&T did not carry them at the time. That phone is still working although a couple of keys stick. I only use this for contact info and as a back up phone.

I traded my Treo 700, 750, 750W for the 6800 Verizon and I like it much better. It is quicker if you like Windows, which I do. The only draw back that I have found is the battery. I have my Blue Tooth on most of the day and my emails coming in 24/7. This drains the battery pretty quickly. This phone opens lockboxes, takes great pictures and is easy to use.

However, I am considering getting the new IPhone when it comes out and go back to a separate key for my lockbox. :):) It would be great if the IPhones would open lockboxes. Don't you think? Why can't we have it all?

Maria Elena