So, it’s time for a new cell phone. My Treo 700w has been pissing me off for some time, and it’s time for an upgrade. That, and Verizon’s ‘new every two’ program is due for me as well.

First decision: Which carrier?

To me, this is a no brainer. I’m staying with Verizon. Yes, they’re evil. The problem is: who isn’t? And all of my family are on Verizon, so the ‘in calling’ thing helps me a lot. Verizon does have several downsides though: they’re somewhat expensive, their data plans are very expensive, and they have a poor selection of phones.

Second Decision: To data plan, or no data plan?

I’m torn on this one. On one hand, having the internet on the phone would rock. It gets us one step closer to ubiquitous computing (meaning: ubiquitous networking… quoting Rands ‘The Cave‘ article: “The fact that a computer without an Internet connection is essentially a very expensive DVD player is a recent development”). On the other hand, it’s still pretty expensive. T-Mobile gets serious props for it’s $10 unlimited internet on your phone deals. Verizon has some serious problems with it’s ‘unlimited’ plan really meaning ‘unlimited except for P2P apps, movies, and so long as you don’t go over 5 GB/month transfered’. I think I’m going to end up with a data plan though. We’ll see.

Third decision: Qwerty or no qwerty?

I realized last night that I really don’t want to go back to a non-qwerty keyboard… I do enough text messaging that typing with just a number pad would suck. That, and I don’t like reading messages like “Will C 2 B there 2nite”, so sending messages like that would be ugly. So I’m limiting myself to phones which have a qwerty or qwerty like keyboard.

Fourth decision: Since I’m in Qwerty land, do I do Windows Mobile?

This one is one I don’t have a clear answer for. I’ve been screwed by Windows Mobile (v5) on the treo, which by all accounts is just a bad implementation, hobbled by only 32mb of onboard ram. The treo 700wx (which I don’t own) theoretically fixes this with 64mb, but still. I’m TOLD that other implementations of Windows mobile are lots better, and that mobile v6 is even better (which has been released).

As of this moment, I’m not planning on staying with Windows Mobile. I have a few other options with Verizon, but price limits me to the Motorola Q if I were to stay.

Fifth decision: Which phone?

So, I’m basically down to a few phones: 1) Blackberry Pearl, 2) Motorola Q, 3) LG enV 4) LG Voyager. The Q tends to be fairly poorly rated, so it’s out. The LG enV has a good price, but lacks what I see as an essential feature: a free text editor[1]. However, the LG enV is a strong contender that’s very highly rated. The LG Voyager is LG/Verizon’s attempt to dethrone the iPhone. It’s really cool, and inherits a strong bit of engineering from the enV (released last year). However, it’s a $300 phone. I don’t think I can let myself spend that much on a phone.

So, we’re left with the Pearl. It has some really solid first user reviews, it has a text editor, it has a reasonable price ($199, with a $50 rebate if I choose a data plan)… well, I can’t call that REASONABLE, but it’s budget-able, which is almost the same thing. It has strong outlook sync capabilities, which is a bonus, and it has a proven record with a dataplan. So, as of this instant, it’s my choice. Granted, I haven’t slapped down cash for it yet, but that’s the current decision.

–Jason

[1] All I’m looking for is something where I can write quick (or long) notes to myself. Like directions, or just some thoughts, or what have you. I realize I could pay for one and/or use a java one, but geez.