Okay Geek Farm
Editorial - Before You Choose a Phone...
Darryl Cobb
Everyone right now is chatting up the EVO, iPhone, Incredible or the next latest and greatest contract bait that our lovely big four are dropping on us - but let’s stop and think; getting one of these new sexy devices may mean you’re going to be signing yourself into a 2 year contract. Now this could be an abusive relationship or a healthy, mutually beneficial relationship, but you first have to go in knowing what you’re getting yourself into. And that’s where I come in.
Let’s just fast forward to the fact you already have decided you want to get a cellphone because it’s necessary. Before you walk into a store, if you have an internet connection, check the coverage maps for the carriers where you plan to use the phone the most. Do you plan to use your cell mostly at home? Do you travel often? If so, where? Is it out of the country? If you find that you’re coverage is spotty where you are at most of the time, then I would cross that carrier off of the list immediately. No need to have a great phone and not be able to use it most of the time.
Another thing to consider is what do you want to do with your phone? Is it something you just plan to only break out in emergencies? Are you a talker, texter, or both? Do you plan to use the web a lot? Who do you call, or better yet, how many people do you call on a daily basis? Are you doing a family plan or is it just going to be you? Is this phone for business or play? There are a lot of questions but answering them all honestly will help you decide on what kind of plan you need from the carriers left on your list. Choosing the right plan for you will save you money in overage charges and bill shock in the long run.
One more important thing that people don’t think about is your technical ecosystem - the software, support, and user interface of your mobile device. If you’re planning on getting a smartphone then this is a must to consider. The major players in this category are Blackberry, iOS 4 (Apple), Android, WinMo 6.5 and later Windows Phone 7 and Symbian. A lot of these operating systems have similarities but also have drastic differences. Some are more supported with the latest apps than others, and some are more customizable than the rest. In the case of Blackberry and Windows Mobile, they’re much more enterprise and business focused while Apple and Android are more socially based. Knowing what you want to use or how to use your phone will make choosing an operating system or technical ecosystem a lot easier. Also, depending on what is running on the phone your ultimately choose can extend your phone’s capabilities to work with your computer, game system, or even your tv.
To summarize, before getting yourself locked into a 2 year contract with a carrier consider the following: Know your coverage, why you’re getting the phone, how you’re going to use it and what you want it to be able to do. Don’t get caught paying for something you A.) don’t need, B.) didn’t know you didn’t want, and worse yet, C.) you can’t really use.
Photo by Engadget
