As if choosing a phone weren't confusing enough,.....

[LandSurveyor]

T-Mobile: myTouch 4G is averaging 5 Mbps download speeds - FierceWireless

I just read this article. Basically, it's about how one carrier, T-Mobile in this case, is upgrading its network. So, at this moment, Tmo has a large selection of smartphones. From which, we may choose between Android and now WM7 devices. No Iphone yet but I assume some day.

I already know that Tmo has only one or two machines that can take advantage of its HSPA+ system. NOW they say that's HSPA+21mbps and they will soon add HSPA+42mbps. THEN they go on to talk about LTE "eventually."

I guess LTE can be ignored from Tmo for now but still, what's a customer to do? Technology never stops moving and it's hard to tell when to jump on.

From postings read here, it's hard enough to choose between different devices based on their merits alone. It adds another layer of difficulty altogether when one has to assess the current state of carrier networks. It would suck to buy a bright, shiny new toy only to realize later that it can't access the carrier's fastest data network IF it's present in your locality at all.

Or maybe ignorance is bliss after all.

[RickAgresta]

my 2¢? if the hardware currently available that accesses their current high-speed connection meets *your* requirements for a smartphone, go for it. meeting your requirements really needs to include the OS it runs, too, not just how large is the screen, or do you like the text-entry options, etc., as that'll also determine the non-included applications for the phone.

As you said, the tech keeps moving (always has, always will {at least in our lifetimes } ); you can wait and wait and wait for the "perfect storm of hardware/software/carrier/DL speed", but in the meantime you're left with what you have now. *if* what you have now meets your needs (or even 'close enough' -- remember, my 2¢) then waiting might be the way to go; if what you've got now ticks you off every time you do x, y or z, then I'd jump. Again, my 2¢.

I find myself edging closer to using a smartphone (I currently own 2, which are not activated -- they're PDAs with keyboards.....), but I'm not there yet. I'm watching, though

[LandSurveyor]

Truth be told, I'm not ready to re-enter the pond yet, anyway. I just keep up with the devices (and the carriers - hard experience talking here) as best as I can so I can make an informed decision when I am able to plunk down.

I do think I have finally given up the idea of keeping a separate phone and PDA as I did formerly. It's just not practical any more. Why not just have one device to charge and carry?

I even find myself drifting closer to the Android camp. WP7 has some good ideas but reviewers have generated some complaints that resonate with me.

So, for now, Android, maybe Nokia (hardware-based decision) for devices.
Stick w/T-Mobile for its economy plus an adequate, if not perfect, network.
Reserve a switch to Verizon if forced to move to an area with sketchy Tmo coverage.

That's my thinking for now, anyway.

On the plus side, it's good to have choices!

[RickAgresta]

yes, generally, choices are good to have, even if, as in this case (yours and mine) they make the decision harder -- remember, back in the day, when the phone company was Ma Bell, and that was it? For you, it's too bad that your 2 carriers are not both either GSM or (currently) CDMA; can't just move the device you do buy from one network to the other, if that necessity came to pass. When I get out of here (work) I'll take a look at the links you've provided -- they look interesting.

[Varjak]

I was an early proponent of HSPA+ (even if some here were skeptical), especially when it was reported that Verizon was going to offer it. I believe they tested it out, right about the time that Rogers in Canada started to also. But for some reason, the effort petered out, I guess in favor of investing in a jump straight to LTE.

I think that, if you are likely to stick with contract phones and such, you should probably think short-term, because you are likely to turn over your phone fairly often and are unlikely to be 'abandoned' by one transmission technology or another. Choose the combination of carrier, plan, and hardware that suits you; although you might want to weight the OS's, as one might expect to invest a fair amount in individual apps.

[LandSurveyor]

I was an early proponent of HSPA+ (even if some here were skeptical), especially when it was reported that Verizon was going to offer it. I believe they tested it out, right about the time that Rogers in Canada started to also. But for some reason, the effort petered out, I guess in favor of investing in a jump straight to LTE.

I think that, if you are likely to stick with contract phones and such, you should probably think short-term, because you are likely to turn over your phone fairly often and are unlikely to be 'abandoned' by one transmission technology or another. Choose the combination of carrier, plan, and hardware that suits you; although you might want to weight the OS's, as one might expect to invest a fair amount in individual apps.

I guess I really don't care what sort of system it is, as long as it's as fast as practicable and is reliable. I think HSPA+ was chosen because it just meant equipment upgrades rather than a whole new system. That article gives some good detail as to why they were able to even jump their still-new HSPA+ system with an even faster one.

Rick, I think that even if I went from Tmo to AT&T, I'd still be out of luck because I would be able to use the voice network but don't know if phones from different carriers would work on their high-speed data networks. I think EDGE would be all that's common between Tmo & AT&T. Of course, that wouldn't be a problem for the Nokia because it's able to work on either network's frequencies.

For the reasons you name above, my desire to buy my phone outright (since Tmo doesn't sell the Nokia N8) might not be the best idea. The whatever-smartphone-we-have-for-$200 plan begins to make more sense. Still would hate to have to abandon my GSM phones, though.

Apps. Here's a question. Say one has an Android phone. One migrates to a new carrier. Gets another Android phone. I know you will still have your personal data but what about the apps you already paid for with your other phone & carrier? Do you have to buy them all over again?

[questionfear]

Can't help with anything carrier related, but with respect to Android, your apps are linked to your Google account so they should transfer across phones and carriers.

[LandSurveyor]

Thanks, that's good to know. Another point in favor of Team Android.