cellphones

Samsung Impression a877 Phone, Blue (AT&T)
$299.99
I got this phone this week. Overall, this is a nice phone, works well, looks nice, nice graphics, easy to download music, one of the lowest frequency phones (cancer causing waves.)

The issues so far:
Speakerphone doesn't go loud enough: the options are 1-7 and on 7, this is still too quiet, esp. when there is any background noise. I called customer service and they had no way to adjust this. I believe there is probably a way to hack this, but I can't figure it out yet. Which brings me to my second complaint:

Customer service - calling customer service for Samsung, I immediately reached a foreign speaking person, probably in India. It is extremely frustrating trying to get a problem solved with someone that is struggling with English and hopefully companies will figure this out.

Applications - I specifically got this phone because I didn't want a data plan, but wanted a touch screen phone with a QWERTY keyboard. However, there are a number of applications on the main menu, that you can easily use, and cannot easily remove from the main menu because they are locked. You have to call AT&T customer service to disable these links so you don't inadvertently use these applications (Yellow pages, GPS, AT&T Music, Media Mall, CV) and rack up charges for a service you never wanted. Even after these are disabled, they still appear on the menu and clutter up my screen unnecessarily. Again, probably a hack out there for this, but it's annoying. They could just unlock these items to allow me to remove them from the menu.

A couple other minor issues - I cannot make outgoing or answer incoming calls on speakerphone. You have to answer or place the call first and then put them on speakerphone. Also, the edge of the touchscreen is not accessible. Like I said, a minor issue, but when trying to touch a phone number to change it, it won't let you place your cursor at the far edge of the screen to edit it from the beginning. Another minor issue is that the top of the slide out keyboard doesn't slide out quite far enough. The top row of keys are at the very edge of the phone and it makes accessing those keys a little tougher than it needs to be. One other minor issue is that there is no "back" button on the touchscreen, so everytime you want to go back to the prior screen, you have to push the back button, rather than having a back button on the touchscreen. I also wish there was a way to organize my contacts other than alphabetically. I don't like having their preset numbers like, "check bill balance" and "*now" amongst my commonly used phone numbers.

BlackBerry Bold 9700 Phone (T-Mobile)
$449.99
The Blackberry Bold 9700 is a great new Blackberry with speed that I have yet to see on any model out there. Before this model my favorite was the Blackberry 8900 which lacked 3g capabilities and thus was a little tedious at times. The 9700 truly has everything that you will ever want out of a Blackberry:

* 480x360 High Resolution Screen
* Touch Sensitive Track PAD Which is FANTASTIC (the track ball on previous models was always a problem)
* A new upgraded CPU which makes this device SCREAM with speed.
* 3G and EDGE Cellular Service
* Wi-Fi (Which can be used for UMA on T-MOBILE - allowing you to use your internet connection to make/receive calls and email, etc).
* 3.2 MP Camera with Auto Focus, Image Stabilization and a LED Flash.
* A new operating system - Version 5.0.x to be specific.
* Includes a 2gb Micro SD Card for storage of Music, Images, Videos, and Applications.
* Super clear speaker both in the handset and as a speakerphone. Loud and Clear... (Note, the previous bold had stereo speakers, this one does not)
* Micro USB Charging (Industry standard - previous bold had mini-usb)
* Elegant design with leather embossed battery cover

If you are looking to find a negative here then you will not...I have used these devices ever since the first one was introduced in the mid/late nineties and I can say will full confidence that it is the BEST BLACKBERRY I have ever used.

All of that being said...my only gripe is with T-Mobiles lack of 3G coverage, at the moment. I sincerely hope that with a superb device like this that they will invest in their network and improve it quickly....

Please ask me any and all questions via the comments system and I will answer them as best as I can.

PS: Quick Note: I have a leather holster for my 8900 - the 9700 fits in it perfectly.

BlackBerry Bold 9700 Phone (AT&T)
$499.99
Powerful and refined, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone for AT&T includes built-in support for both AT&T's fast 3G network as well as access to the nation's largest Wi-Fi network with more than 20,000 U.S. hotspots--including approximately 7,000 Starbucks locations. The Bold 9700 offers fast data delivery and an enhanced Web-browsing experience that lets you connect quickly to social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. And, of course, you'll enjoy all the communication and connectivity features you've come to expect from a BlackBerry phone--including email served up by the BlackBerry Internet Service and a full menu of messaging options (SMS, MMS, and IM).

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 runs on AT&T's fast 3G network, and it offers free Wi-Fi access to more than 20,000 U.S. hotspots.

Other features include access to BlackBerry App World, a 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera with video capture capabilities, and Bluetooth connectivity for stereo music streaming and PC tethering. This phone can quickly download video, music and more over AT&T's lightning quick HSPDA 3G network. Additionally, it offers support for HSDPA high-speed networks (2100 MHz) around the world--enabling you to enjoy voice and data access in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. This GPS-enabled phone can access the AT&T Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions. It also comes pre-loaded with AT&T Visual Voicemail at no extra cost. Offering top-of-the-line performance and functionality, the Bold 9700 features a sophisticated, high-gloss black finish, chrome highlights and leatherette back. It also includes a distinctive, highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard for fast and accurate typing, and an innovative touch-sensitive optical trackpad, which makes for a great navigation experience. And you get easy access to BlackBerry App World, the official app store for BlackBerry smartphones, enabling you to browse and download fun and functional mobile applications to their phone. A hot-swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot provides additional storage for multimedia files and archiving applications, with a 2 GB memory card included and support for optional 32 GB cards. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, and Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming. Staying Connected With BlackBerry's push email technology, your email will find you without having to initiate a connection. BlackBerry devices are designed to remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, notifying you as new email arrives. In addition to the text, you can also receive and view attachments in a wide range of popular file formats, including Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect, and Adobe PDF. Browse the web with the integrated, full-featured browser, which quickly and efficiently displays HTML pages as well as enables you to set up RSS feeds to stay connected to up-to-the-minute news and blog posts. And keep up with your contacts using a variety of instant message (IM) networks, including the integrated Blackberry Messenger as well as downloadable clients for Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, and Lotus Sametime. For corporate users, this BlackBerry device delivers all the enterprise email and messaging capabilities you've come to expect. It's supported on the BlackBerry Internet Service, giving you access to up to 8 work or personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts), as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, enabling advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments. Key Features Fast 3G connectivity via AT&T's HSDPA/UMTS network as well as compatibility with foreign 3G networks while roaming (850/1900/2100 MHz bands; 3.6/7.2 Mbps speeds with network availability). Quad-band GSM phone for good global voice connectivity (850/900/1800/1900 MHz bands) GPS navigation capabilities via AT&T Navigator service includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options. BlackBerry OS 5.0 Support for BlackBerry App World featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include travel, productivity, entertainment, games, social networking and sharing, news and weather, and more. 2.44-inch display with 480 x 360-pixel resolution and 65K color depth. 35-key backlit QWERTY keyboard 3.2-megapixel camera with auto-focus, image stabilization, 2x digital zoom, flash, and geotagging capabilities. Video capture capabilities with up to 480 x 352-pixel resolution for sharing (176 x 144 pixels for sending via MMS) Multi-format digital audio and video player with compatibility for MP3, WMA 9 Pro/WMA 10, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, MPEG4, H.263, H.264, and more. BlackBerry Media Sync is built right into your BlackBerry Desktop Software and lets you sync your desktop iTunes or Windows Media Player music files with your BlackBerry smartphone. If you're a Mac user, just choose the "media" option and you're ready to sync your iTunes music collection from your BlackBerry smartphone onto your Mac. Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity with stereo music streaming (A2DP) capabilities as well as hands-free headsets and car kits. Additionally, the Bold 9700 can also be used as a 3G modem for a laptop computer (i.e., tethering) with an additional data plan. Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB. A 2 GB card is included with the phone, and it also has an internal 256 MB memory. Full messaging capabilities including SMS text, MMS picture/video and IM instant messaging (via popular services including AOL, Yahoo!, and Windows Live Messenger) BlackBerry Browser for accessing full HTML Web sites. Organizer tools including calendar, task list, memo pad, and calculator Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off Integrated hands-free, full duplex speakerphone Voice-activated dialing capabilities Vital Statistics
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 weighs 4.3 ounces and measures 4.29 x 2.36 x 0.56 inches. Its 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6 hours of talk time, and up to 456 hours (19 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as AT&T's dual-band 3G network (850/1900 MHz; HSDPA/UMTS). This phone is also compatible with 2100 MHz 3G networks (HSDPA) in foreign territories. What's in the Box
BlackBerry Bold 9700 handset, rechargeable battery, travel charger, 2 GB microSD memory card, USB cable, wired 3.5mm stereo headset, swivel holster, quick start guide, User Tools CD AT&T Services High-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network: The dual-band 850/1900 MHz 3G network provides up to 3.6/7.2 Mbps of download speed, making it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services, and it gives you the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services. Additionally, this phone is also compatible with 2100 MHz 3G networks found in international territories. (For use outside the United States, an AT&T international data plan is recommended.) When traveling outside the U.S., you can enjoy wireless voice coverage in more than 215 countries and wireless data coverage in more than 185 countries--as well as access ultra-fast 3G mobile broadband services in more than 100 countries. In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it's fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. The full-featured, premium AT&T Navigator GPS navigation application includes audible turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates and re-routing options, and 3D moving maps (additional charges applicable). AT&T Navigator offers several other features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to Yellowpages.com. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search. AT&T Visual Voicemail provides an easier way to check voicemail. No more dialing into complicated voicemail menus. Visual Voicemail delivers messages directly to your handset, so you can review your voicemail messages anytime, anywhere, and in any order you choose. Getting to important messages is simpler than ever: Listen to important messages, in any order you choose View name or number of caller who left message Add contacts to your address book Delete messages Call back Reply via text message, email Forward voicemail audio via email or MMS Save voicemail audio to device memory or memory card (store up to 40 messages in the inbox) AT&T Mobile Music enables you to buy tracks while on the go, access the Napster and eMusic subscription music services, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal. Learn More Technical Specifications Video format support: DivX 4, DivX 5/6 partially supported, XviD partially supported, H.263, H.264, WMV3, MPEG4, Sorenson Spark & On2 VP6(Flash support) Audio format support: .3gp, MP3, WMA9 (.wma/.asf), WMA9 Pro / WMA 10, MIDI, AMR-NB, Professional AAC/AAC+/eAAC+ Email support: BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service (POP3/IMAP4) IM client: Yahoo, MSN Live, AIM, USB connectivity: USB port allows charging and data synchronization of the device with a USB "A" to micro-USB "B" cable Bluetooth support: Mono/Stereo Headset, Hands-free, Serial Port Profile, Bluetooth Stereo Audio (A2DP/AVCRP), Dial-up Networking (DUN) and Bluetooth SIM Access Profile (version 2.1)

LG Xenon GR500 Phone, Blue (AT&T)
$299.99
I bought this phone as a gift for my son in September for his birthday. A few days after he had it, the screen started having a bubble in the middle. We took it back and AT&T replaced it no problem. The second phone did the same thing but this time we had to call the 800 number instead of them replacing it in the store and as usual AT&T always blames you for the problem(s). We have been with AT&T for 12 years and if they cannot treat their loyal customers with more respect than that then we will be taking our business elsewhere. The phone has never been dropped and there are no scratches anywhere on it. We have to take the second phone to the AT&T warranty store so we will see what they do from there. I'll keep you updated.