Most Useful WI-Fi Only Smartphone?

[Mr. B]

I'll try and keep this short. I've never really had a phone with a data plan which I'm fine with because I have easy access to the internet between home, school and work. There's wi-fi everywhere. Recently I bought an unlocked Blackberry Curve 8900 with wi-fi thinking I could use IM/Facebook apps, etc while connected to an access point.

...turns out even with a wi-fi connection I can't do any of those things, you need a data plan.

I just can't justify paying extra for the internet on some tiny screen when I'm already paying to get it at my house and my office. Can anyone make suggestions on what smartphones or family of phones offers the most functionality via Wi-Fi?

I'm currently on AT&T if that makes any difference. I'm open to buying a used phone. I got the 8900 on eBay.

 

[STR]

Yeah, Blackberries aren't meant for people without data plans. Scratch that, Blackberries aren't meant for people at all. They're meant for corporations and large enterprises, people are a secondary concern. At this point in time, I'd recommend an Android phone for just about everyone. I'm using the HTC/Google Nexus One myself. It's a very slick piece of kit. I don't think you need something that high end. An unlocked HTC Hero would probably work out great for you. You can even go into the settings and permanently disable the data APN so it will only work on wifi.

I've bought lots of items through newegg myself. They're good. If you want used, I'd check ebay, though make sure you get the unlocked GSM version, not the Sprint CDMA version. AT&T uses a GSM network, so the sprint phone is incompatible with it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ctiveSearchResult=True&SrchInDesc=Hero&Page=1

You may or may not have heard of HTC before, they've only been selling phones under their own name (as opposed to other companies brands) for 2 years. They're a solid company with a reliable product. 3 of my last 4 phones (I get a new one each 9-12 months, I'm actually expecting to keep my current phone more than a year, I love it that much) have been HTC's.

 

[Red Ranger]

I was actually going to post a topic similar to this one. I currently have a Motorola Renew through T-Mobile. I just use my phone to call and text message people and don't think I want to get any kind of smart phone, as I don't think I could get used to using such a small screen to email and browse the web. Plus, I have a wi-fi laptop I use when I travel, and connect to the 'net at home via Verizon, so I don't see why I should pay another fee to surf on a phone.

However, I'm debating whether to get a phone on one of those so-called "unlimited" plans -- unlimited calls and texts, originally touted by Sprint. Anyone have suggestions which way to go there? Which carrier is better? I'm a bit of a laggard when it comes to adopting new technology, which is why I'm resistant to buying a fancy smart-phone -- and forget about the iPhone.

 

[STR]

Most unlimited plans are gimmicks. Most people don't use 2,000 minutes a month and are better suited with one of the finite minute plans offered by their carrier. Sprint doesn't cost any more/less than T-Mobile, so stick with them unless their coverage started sucking or Sprint has a phone you must have. Get a nice texting phone with a QWERTY keyboard if that's all you do.

Also, smartphones aren't necessarily just for the email types. They are often easier to use than the basic OS on dumbphones. Don't rule them out based on that alone.

 

[Mr. B]

I listed the Blackberry on Craigslist and got an HTC Touch Pro 2 on ebay. As far as I can tell, Wi-Fi works fine on Win-Mo. Last night I added "family unlimited data" to my AT&T phone plan... basically data for dumbphones for $10 /month... the 'cheat' didn't get much working on my blackberry but it might do some good on a windows mobile phone... guess I'll find out soon.

 

[Marc]

I'll try and keep this short. I've never really had a phone with a data plan which I'm fine with because I have easy access to the internet between home, school and work. There's wi-fi everywhere. Recently I bought an unlocked Blackberry Curve 8900 with wi-fi thinking I could use IM/Facebook apps, etc while connected to an access point.

...turns out even with a wi-fi connection I can't do any of those things, you need a data plan.

I just can't justify paying extra for the internet on some tiny screen when I'm already paying to get it at my house and my office. Can anyone make suggestions on what smartphones or family of phones offers the most functionality via Wi-Fi?

I'm currently on AT&T if that makes any difference. I'm open to buying a used phone. I got the 8900 on eBay.

I think you're a tad confused - if the Blackberry has 802.11g wireless (aka wifi) then you don't need a data plan - you just need to connect to a wireless access point whether you're at home or at Starbucks.

That's connectivity independant of the phone carrier's plan. I suspect that you haven't latched on to an access point so it's tried to make use of the 3G connection for the internet access.

What you actually need is a PDA like a HP Ipaq.

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/sm/WF05a/215348-215348-64929-215384-215384-3544251.html

The only phone that will do wifi only are for use with a VOIP service and they won't do the rest of what you want.

 

[Mr. B]

Many internet-enabled apps for blackberry require BIS access which wifi does not provide. Facebook, AIM/Yahoo/MSN, BB App World and many more do not work over wi-fi.

 

[Marc]

Many internet-enabled apps for blackberry require BIS access which wifi does not provide. Facebook, AIM/Yahoo/MSN, BB App World and many more do not work over wi-fi.

Should of got an iPhone or an Android based phone then

BIS ties you to too much carrier based shit.

 

[Red Ranger]

Most unlimited plans are gimmicks. Most people don't use 2,000 minutes a month and are better suited with one of the finite minute plans offered by their carrier. Sprint doesn't cost any more/less than T-Mobile, so stick with them unless their coverage started sucking or Sprint has a phone you must have. Get a nice texting phone with a QWERTY keyboard if that's all you do.

Also, smartphones aren't necessarily just for the email types. They are often easier to use than the basic OS on dumbphones. Don't rule them out based on that alone.

Thanks for the tips. I suspected the unlimited plan was a bit gimmicky. Still trying to decide!

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I was all ready to mention the iPad but then I remembered you wanted a phone.

 

[STR]

I listed the Blackberry on Craigslist and got an HTC Touch Pro 2 on ebay. As far as I can tell, Wi-Fi works fine on Win-Mo. Last night I added "family unlimited data" to my AT&T phone plan... basically data for dumbphones for $10 /month... the 'cheat' didn't get much working on my blackberry but it might do some good on a windows mobile phone... guess I'll find out soon.

You'll be fine. As a former Cingular/AT&T employee I know ALL the ins and outs. The $10 Family data provisions the exact same service as the $30-45 Smartphone plans.

Blackberries are a whole different animal, because a lot of stuff is routed through the Blackberry APN.

 

[Hermiod]

I was all ready to mention the iPad but then I remembered you wanted a phone.

Or, failing that, an iPod Touch.