have the iboaters went for the smart phones

[yourkiddin]

wondering how many of you has gotten into the smartphones. im wanting one but have a problem paying for the data package. some say that verizon is dropping that fee. i dont see them doing it. if you have a family of three thats an additional 90 dollars on your bill. they have some great features. anyone that has it please tell me if its possible to drop the home internet and hook these phones up to your hd tv and use the internet this way. i know the droids can be hooked up to tv. but how good is the net. i played with a girls droid for a few min, it didnt seem to have all the intenet features as i have at home. anyway please give ne some advise/feedback.

 

[vandy21]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

I have a Blackberry, the internet works great, but not instead of a normal internet connection, just in addition to.

 

[eaglejim]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

Like you I am waiting but I really don't know if I need all that stuff, my daughter has the 10.00 xtra a month plan for data she says it work for her

 

[JupiterJoe]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

I have the I phone and my wife has the I 4 we love them their great once you get one youll never go back, I wouldnt drop the home internet becaus you will burn up all of your data plan to fast. make the switch youll be glad you did. At&t family pla is good But with T mobil you get a much better rate for all unlimited With no contract. do your shopping around for the best prices. Youll be glad you did

 

[redone4x4]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

I had one thru verizon but the $30/month just for the internet data package on top of the minutes plan was killing me. I just wasnt using it enough. If verizon would lower it or eliminate it i would get one again in a heartbeat. Checking the weather n stuff instantly was awesome. and now there are sooo many new apps i would love it.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

I was with Verizon when they were Air Touch cellular... Then the IPhone came along...

Been with AT&T with two Iphones one 32 gig and one with 16. My 32 has several great boating apps and internet connectivity. You can jail break them and use them as an internet connection. I run Netflix off my IPhone and can connect my Iphone to my laptop and watch Netflix or any internet site via that data connection. I have the original unlimited data plan. Not sure they have that available now.

My favorite boating apps:
Navionics BC Canada (covers BC and Pacific NW)
Boating Suite
SF Free (Ship Finder)
WindAlert
tideApp
Float Plan
BoatersRef
Navionics US West
Boat Ramps
Google Earth

 

[ezmobee]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

I'm also a tech geek. However, seeing that I AM a tech geek, that pretty much means I'm in front of or near a computer almost all the time. So as much as I'd love a smartphone (they are really cool gadgets and there are some amazing apps) I just can't justify the expense. My wife and I did just upgrade from standard phones to mid-range phones with full keyboards (got a great deal on them from AT&T) unfortunately what they want for unlimited messaging, let alone data, is completely unreasonable.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

My wife has the iphone-4 and she has been after me to have one. I can not see spending the extra monthly fee and can do all my business on a simple phone for a cost of $39.00 a month, do not need, "find me follow me anywhere," or immediately knowing that I have an email, no need for the GPS feature, "I'm never lost,"and I do not need it synced to my computer and the bottom line is, I like having a quiet cup of "JOE."

 

[angus63]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

Yup. This is from my phone.
Not just a phone, it is my camera, video, text, email, gps, web, calculator, chartplotter, yellowpages, compass, musicplayer, etc....
Having all that in my shirtpocket wherever I am is awesome.
If you utilize the versatility, I find I can justify the extra $25 per month.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

Got the EVO, on the Sprint everything plan, last land line I had was 98.

Great for the stuff I use...

Navigation/GPS
Web/iboats
Few utility apps
Rarely text but it's awesome for that

2 phones, $100/mo. (after my discount), not too shabby...

If you are in a 4G area it would be a no brainer to lose your internet connection and just your your phone to connect to the web. The 3G is really super fast, great for the phone.

 

[ziggy]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

i find staying on top of the new technologies to be most impossible. ya get something new and hip only to find out days later it's obsolete. so far am pretty far behind in technology. especially for my phone. no camera, no anything. but it does do text messaging. which i don't do. i only use it for a telephone. which is all i want it to do.

the day i can loose my cell phone is gonna be a great day. i look forward to it. when no one can track me. except for all the video cams that are spying on me from every direction... the end of privacy as we know it.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

Most companies are going to a tiered rate for the data plan.
I, like most have the unlimited for 30, but I really only use about .5GB of it a month. If I change the plan to a lower rate now, say the $15 for 2GB a month ill have to renew the contract. So its not a cost effective option at this point.
But my point is, all of the plans are not $30, and as far as I have seen, since the advent of 4G its the only one that is unlimited on a new plan and has no cheaper option.

I also have the iphone.
Right at this time the Samsung Epic is the best one, but that will change soon.
EVO and iphone 4 are second.
That is not my opinion, it is per PC World and some other reviews.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

I'm on my second crackberry now. If you have a wireless router at home or get one if you don't already own one then you can get a wi-fi capable phone, get line2 (a VoIP phone app similiar to skype, magicjack, etc.) and get a lower data plan and minute. You would connect to your home internet service and use it to make phone call and browse the internet. Anywhere with wi-fi you can connect to it, airport, work, school, starbucks, etc...You won't be using any of your data or minute using the wi-fi feature. Oh yeah, drop your land line too. Google mobile is the schitz. It searches by voice command. Open up the map app while you're on the road and say hotel, it will display on the map the nearest hotels based on your current position. Say holiday inn express and it displays the nearest one to you. Those are just a few cool and useful things you can do with a smartphone.

 

[aspeck]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

i find staying on top of the new technologies to be most impossible. ya get something new and hip only to find out days later it's obsolete. so far am pretty far behind in technology. especially for my phone. no camera, no anything. but it does do text messaging. which i don't do. i only use it for a telephone. which is all i want it to do.

the day i can loose my cell phone is gonna be a great day. i look forward to it. when no one can track me. except for all the video cams that are spying on me from every direction... the end of privacy as we know it.

+1 I hate texting, don't need a phone to take pictures ... I get a phone to talk. Period. And many days I "forget" to take my phone with me. Peace and quite is nice.

I also hate it when people are tethered to their phone and can't talk to me in person because they are busy with a text or an app, or ...

 

[scipper77]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

Just trying to understand how people justify the never ending monthly costs for a gee whiz gadget.

(Then again, I am the guy with On Star and XM radio in my car but see no reason to pay a monthly fee for either.)

This reminds me of the line in my sig. People are going to do whatever they want.

I really want a smart-phone as well but I just can't justify the expense. I really don't think I'll use it that much. If I'm home I have internet, at work I have internet. If I am anywhere else I am probably already busy.

As soon as I can find a way to justify getting one I will probably get one too.

 

[642mx]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

My wife and I have Motorola Droids. I don't think either one of us could live without them... I've had mine a year and I'm still learning about everything it can do. They fit our busy lifestyle perfectly.

The data packages cost about what one soft drink out of the coke machine costs per day... instead of buying a Mountain Dew everyday, bring a cup to work and drink water, its better for you anyways...lol.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

I was the guy that said I don't need a smart phone until I was on one of my century bike rides and just used my last tube and my patch kit was dried up. Someone came along with his iphone and did a search for the closest bike shop which showed on a map where it was. I was hooked and the rest is history.

I can check on my flight status instantly. I use it for golf as a GPS to see how far I am away from the hole. If I am in a location I haven't been before and I want to find a restaurant, I can see where the closest one is with ratings! I can look at a moving weather map radar to see if I might get rained on in the next 20 minutes. I can program my DVR if I get stuck in traffic so I don't miss the beginning of the football game...this just lists a few!

As soon as I can find a way to justify getting one I will probably get one too.

Similar to your other thread about the nail guns. Of course you can get by with just the hammer and the nail set but you don't know what your missing until you get that air nailer.

 

[fire831]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

IPhone 3GS user here. Love being able to see the radar while out on the local Reservoirs. Nice to post pics on my FB wall while out and about also. Never thought I would have a phone like this but I do and glad I finally did it.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

I never thought I would be a fancy schmancy phone guy either but mine has helped me work smarter/faster.

One example...

The other day I had a washing machine explode at one of my apartments. (After handling the mess) I had a bead on a new one on craigslist, phoned the guy, used the GPS/Google Maps/Navigation deal to find his place, picked it up and installed it in a jif. All the important stuff was handled right from the front seat of my truck, no computer, no phone book, no TomTom, no map, no internet connection, no time wasted, happy renter washing clothes within just a couple of hours.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: have the iboaters went for the smart phones

In another thread I posted regarding remote control thermostats for my rental home in the mountains. One of the great features of it is that it will send me a text message if the temp drops too much. From my iPhone I will be able to login to the thermostat to see what the temp is in the house and call repair if needed. I can also turn the heat up an hour before I go up there so my house will be all nice and toasty when I get there all from the front seat of my car.