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Featuring CNET Editor Bonnie Cha

Smart phones Session has ended.

Missed this live event? No worries! Each Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon PT, we'll give you the chance to chat live with a CNET editor. We'll cover a new topic each week, from cell phones to TVs. Get those burning tech questions ready! Click here for the Ask the Editors Live event calendar.

Latest questions and answers

Q: AT&T Smartphone

by landand - 8/9/07 11:54 AM

Hi. I am looking to upgrade to an AT&T smartphone. Ideally, I would like one that has built-in Wi-Fi and 3G, but smaller than the 8525. What are your recommendations, and do you know of anything coming out soon that I should be looking for (I am already anxiously awaiting any news on the Moto q9 h and the BB 8820). Thanks

A: Hmm ...

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:58 AM

Unfortunately, there really isn't a smart phone in AT&T's lineup right now that meets all your needs. The Samsung BlackJack (http://reviews.cnet.com/smart-phones/samsung-blackjack/4505-6452_7-32143267.html) is the closest thing, but it lacks Wi-Fi. However, with its 3G support, I think it's not a bad pick. Things to look out for are, like you said, the BlackBerry 8820 and the HTC Cavalier http://reviews.cnet.com/smart-phones/htc-cavalier-s630-unlocked/4505-6452_7-32555462.html, which meets your criteria.

Q: att 8925

by telekinises - 8/9/07 11:51 AM

do u know anything about it or about the new htc nike?

A: Only what I've read ...

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:55 AM

I haven't gotten any official confirmation from HTC, so I only know what's been said on the Web. It appears to be like the HTC Touch (http://reviews.cnet.com/smart-phones/htc-touch/4505-6452_7-32465595.html) but with a slider design that opens up to reveal an alphanumeric keypad. If true, I think it's a good move on HTC's part because I had a big problem with the limited input methods on the Touch.

Q: HTC Mogul vs 755p (both for Sprint)

by carlrubin23 - 8/9/07 11:28 AM

Pick one winner and why?

A: HTC Mogul

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:53 AM

Ooo, tough one but I'd go with the HTC Mogul. It offers more wireless options, a better camera, and good performance overall.

Q: NOKIA N93 VS SE P1

by avivzamir - 8/9/07 11:29 AM

Hey Bonnie
its time for me to get a new phone and im thinking on this to they have a very similar specification but cy the reviwes i read i can understand the nokia has beeter camra performance aspecialy in the video capture but video is not at the top of waht i need

my top priority are:
the movies and music plyer
picture shot
operating system
cool apps and feturs

im not frome the us. the price tag are this tow is the alomst the same

pleas help me chose :) thanks:)

A: Nokia N93

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:50 AM

I haven't had a chance to check out the Sony Ericsson P1 yet, but I can tell you that the Nokia N93 has some great imaging features and the picture and video quality were great. If you don't mind carrying around a rather bulky phone, the N93 will meet your needs.

Q: Samsung f700 status

by cjones2010 - 8/9/07 11:42 AM

What is the status of the potential iPhone killer- the Samsung f700? And any chance it will find it's way to the states?

A: Possibly ...

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:46 AM

You know, we were just at a Samsung event and I asked about the F700. Of course, they couldn't give me a definite answer though they did say they are exploring the possibility of bringing it to the States, especially now that the iPhone has opened up that door.

Q: A good one...

by antjefferson - 8/9/07 11:40 AM

Bonnie.. WHAT PHONE DO YOUR CURRENTLY OWN/ PRIMARILY USE? :)

-Tony

A: BlackBerry Curve

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:45 AM

Hi Tony. I'm currently using the BlackBerry Curve and firing away text messages like it's going out of style. (I'm not a big phone talker). But I'm very lucky to have this job since I get to test out all the cool new smart phones.

Q: GSM replacement for Moto MPx220? A1200 (MING)?

by pianoplayer88key - 8/9/07 11:36 AM

I hope you don't mind if I resubmit (and I'll snip some this time).

I'm looking to get a GSM smartphone to replace a Motorola MPx220. (before, I had a V300 and a V188.)
I want at least a 1.3mp camera, Linux (preferred) or Windows, clamshell, mini or micro SD slot. I'm willing to get something a few years old (I hope I can save $ compared to buying a new one.) I don't want to pay more than $150. I plan to buy it on ebay in the next couple weeks or so.

I'm considering Motorola A1200 (Linux, 2mp cam, touch screen), Cingular 3125 (also known as Qtek 8500 or HTC StarTrek), Motorola MPx (MPx300 - qwerty keyboard & dual-flip), or another MPx220.
I think I like the A1200 best, but I haven't really seen a CNet review on that phone, or any of the others I'm considering, except the MPx220.

A: Ahh, the elusive Ming ...

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:42 AM

We're just as anxious as you to check out the Motorola Ming but unfortunately, we haven't had much luck securing one since it's not available in the United States. We're still trying though! There are rumors that it will get here, but that they'll be replacing Linux with Windows Mobile. As for other GSM smart phones with clamshell designs, the Cingular 3125 is pretty much your only choice. Flip design smart phones are pretty hard to come by.

Q: Nokia N95 or Helios

by EL_Shaman - 8/9/07 11:33 AM

hi, Miss Cha both are great phones, but which is easier to use and have a better overall performance?

A: Depends ...

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:38 AM

On paper, the Nokia N95 seems like the ultimate phone, but I have to admit I was little disappointed with its performance. I found it sluggish, and for $700, I want better. I know I get a bit of flack for that because a lot of people do love it. And with good reason: 5-megapixel camera, GPS, etc. I haven't spent much time with the Helio although I got a chance to play with the Helio Ocean. Feature-packed and pretty good performance but I'm not keen on the design. Helio is also targeted more for the younger audience so that's something to think about when deciding between the two. And not to make things any more confusing, but word is that Nokia is working on a 3G N95, so you might want to keep an eye out for that.

Q: The Mensa Phone

by C_64 - 8/9/07 11:22 AM

Hi Bonnie! Really enjoy your reviews and am interested to hear how today's phones can still get smarter.

What would your mensa phone look like? Keyboard or touch? Maybe full voice-recognition instead?

Is there anything coming down the pike that looks like "The Thing According To Bonnie"?

Thanks a lot and stay smart!

D.

A: Ha!

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:34 AM

The Thing According to Bonnie--nice. The thing is, I don't need my smart phone to be my one and ultimate gadget. Not yet anyway. I'm not ready to part with my standalone MP3 player to use a smart phone in its place. My dream smart phone would be compact, full QWERTY, touch screen, great e-mail capabilities, and fast Web browsing. Is there anything coming up? Heck yeah! Sounds like HTC's coming up with some exciting stuff and I'm looking forward to checking out the new Moto Q. I'm really interested to see if Palm is going to do anything new and exciting though. They're lagging, in my opinion.

Q: Dash vs ATT 8525

by antjefferson - 8/9/07 11:21 AM

Bonnie, another question. I am torn between the ATT 8525 and the DASH. Which would YOU purchase, and why? FYI, I am considering both phones because I need to be able to access info (edit docs, email, etc) on the go. The only real difference I can see is the touch screen... can you think of another reason why I would want one over the other? PS - I know the dash doesnt currently edit office docs, but it will with the WM6 upgrade, though I am sure you are already aware of that :) ) Thanks!

-Tony

A: T-Mobile Dash

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:28 AM

Hey Tony. Personally, I would choose the T-Mobile Dash because of its design. I'm always running around and like to keep my gadgets small and compact, so the Dash is perfect for that and still lets me check my e-mail, work on documents, etc. The touch screen is nice to have, but I can get by without it. The only downfall of the Dash, I would say, is the lack of 3G, so Web browsing is a tad sluggish.

Q: Palm vs. Windows

by carlrubin23 - 8/9/07 11:20 AM

Bonnie please help,

I really like the design of the Treo 755p, but I am not too sure about Palm software. Why would somebody choose a Palm based phone instead of a Windows based phone? Also any word on the new Windows based Treo for Sprint?

Thank you

A: Mac compatibility and ease of use

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:25 AM

A lot of people choose Palm over Windows Mobile for its ease of use. The Windows Mobile operating system has a tendency to be a little kludegy. It requires a number of steps to do simple things like exiting out programs, but they're getting better. However, Palm is pretty intuitive and easy to use right off the bat. Also, Palm devices are compatible with Macs right out of the box, so that's appealing to all the Mac users. You can check out a more detailed description of the two in our quick guide to handheld operating systems. http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11309_7-6624304-1.html. And unfortunately, I haven't heard of any Windows-based Treos coming to Sprint any time soon.

Q: use of bus apps on mobile devices

by bh29 - 8/9/07 11:17 AM

Do you have any idea what % of business users of smartphones use just the basics, e.g. phone, email, calendar. And what % of them actually go out and purchase additional productivity applications?

A: Not sure ...

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:21 AM

To be honest, I'm not sure what the percentage breakdown is for the different apps. I'd say e-mail is one of the biggest uses for smart phones, as well as the actual phone. I've found that a lot of people add third-party apps to their mobiles because the included programs aren't sufficient for their needs, especially in more specialized industries like medicine. You can check out Download.com for some great smart phone apps.

Q: When do you call it a smartphone?

by SXR - 8/9/07 11:13 AM

Hey there Bonnie!
I love your video's on CNET. Here's my question;

When is a smartphone a smartphone? Does it have to have a QWERTY keyboard? I have a Sony Ericsson W810i ( T-Mobile contract ) . It will do Email, pretty nice webbrowsing and alot of more stuff. Can you call this a ipod?

Thanks and keep up the good work.

SXR

A: Our definition ...

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:18 AM

Good question. I know it can get confusing sometimes because when you think about it, a lot of today's cell phones are pretty darn smart. However, here at CNET, we define smart phones as anything running a third-party operating system, like Windows Mobile, Palm, or Symbian.

Q: best verizon smart phone

by kaylan511 - 8/9/07 11:11 AM

what would you say is the best all around verizon smart phone with 3g, mobil email, text editing, and media functions (dont care about a camera)???

A: BlackBerry 8830

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:17 AM

Hi Kaylan511. Of the current Verizon smart phones, I'd probably with the RIM BlackBerry 8830. It offers great e-mail capabilities, world roaming, and EV-DO. The Verizon Wireless XV6700 is also great, but it's showing its age. Hopefully, Verizon will release its successor soon though!

Q: Decisions - Decisions

by jwiegratz - 8/9/07 11:07 AM

Hey Bonnie,

I'm in the market for a smartphone... I've had my Razr V3 for about 2 years now.

I want to stay away from the Blackberries... as I dislike their GUI.

That leaves the above 4 phones as my interest.
Apple iPhone
LG Prada KE850
Samsung F700
Nokia E90

As you can see, a crowded field.Each, of course, has pros / cons...

I'd like Wi-Fi, Full web browsing, and a decent sized screen, sylish package, and something that doesn't feel like I'm holding a brick.

Perhaps you could point me in the right direction? Thanks much!

~Jonnie~

A: Perhaps the iPhone

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 11:12 AM

Hi there. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get my hands on an Nokia E90 or the Samsung F700 yet so I can't really speak to the Web browsing on those devices. The Apple iPhone has the benefit of a large, sharp screen and integrated Safari browser is pretty amazing, so perhaps that would be the best choice. I know CNET editors Kent German and Donald Bell were impressed. Check out their review: http://reviews.cnet.com/smart-phones/apple-iphone-8gb-at/4505-6452_7-32309245.html

A: I'm here!

by bonnie.cha - 8/9/07 10:54 AM

Hey everyone. I'm here and ready for your questions about smart phones!

Incoming questions

Favorite
Heya Bonnie!

What's your favorite thing about the blackberry curve?

Thanks!

Zach
by warpedtour050 - 8/9/07 12:11 PM
PALM TREO 650 vs. Blackberry curve
Bonnie,

In your opinion, what do you think I will miss if I go with my company's smartphone solution (Curve). My Treo is used primarily to sync with outlook (calendar) and of course as a phone- I also use my treo as a portable library (ereader) and for a few games.
by kdj916 - 8/9/07 12:00 PM
Asus P535
Hi Bonnie,
i looking to buy a new PDA phone with skypee calling feature over WIFI Connection and i was looking at the Asus P535, what do you think about it and would you recommend some thing else. Thanks
by fitts77 - 8/9/07 11:59 AM
Sprint BlackBerry World edition
Hi Bonnie, I want to ask your opinion on this phone. I 've been a user of the treo 600 for 4 years but i travel quite a bit and hence i have to carry other phones. I am looking to add my own sim card and be done with that. The plans thought are a bit expensive, but it maybe worth it.

i am also considering the treo 755 but the world capability sounds compelling.

Your thoughts and recommendations


thank you.
by andreslete - 8/9/07 11:57 AM
AT&T Smartphone
Hi. I am looking to upgrade to an AT&T smartphone. Ideally, I would like one that has built-in Wi-Fi and 3G, but smaller than the 8525. What are your recommendations, and do you know of anything coming out soon that I should be looking for (I am already anxiously awaiting any news on the Moto q9 h and the BB 8820). Thanks
by landand - 8/9/07 11:54 AM
att 8925
do u know anything about it or about the new htc nike?
by telekinises - 8/9/07 11:51 AM
BB8830
You said that you liked the 8830 the best. I got one right away, the day that they were available to business customers, and I love it! The only thing I DON'T like (and it's a big thing, to me), is that VZ disabled the GPS. Any word on when this will be re-enabled (if ever) for 3rd party applications (BBMaps and Google Maps)?
by mrosenecker - 8/9/07 11:43 AM
Samsung f700 status
What is the status of the potential iPhone killer- the Samsung f700? And any chance it will find it's way to the states?
by cjones2010 - 8/9/07 11:42 AM
A good one...
Bonnie.. WHAT PHONE DO YOUR CURRENTLY OWN/ PRIMARILY USE? :)

-Tony
by antjefferson - 8/9/07 11:40 AM
GSM replacement for Moto MPx220? A1200 (MING)?
I hope you don't mind if I resubmit (and I'll snip some this time).

I'm looking to get a GSM smartphone to replace a Motorola MPx220. (before, I had a V300 and a V188.)
I want at least a 1.3mp camera, Linux (preferred) or Windows, clamshell, mini or micro SD slot. I'm willing to get something a few years old (I hope I can save $ compared to buying a new one.) I don't want to pay more than $150. I plan to buy it on ebay in the next couple weeks or so.

I'm considering Motorola A1200 (Linux, 2mp cam, touch screen), Cingular 3125 (also known as Qtek 8500 or HTC StarTrek), Motorola MPx (MPx300 - qwerty keyboard & dual-flip), or another MPx220.
I think I like the A1200 best, but I haven't really seen a CNet review on that phone, or any of the others I'm considering, except the MPx220.
by pianoplayer88key - 8/9/07 11:36 AM
Helio Ocean or iPhone or Sidekick
I'm only 14 and I've been saving up my money for awhile. I've come down to either the iPhone, Helio Ocean, or the old Sidekick (iD). They're all really different, but I need something with a cheap monthly plan and I'm already with AT&T. Helio's lowest price is $65, where do I come with that every month? I'm really not sure which to go for... Ocean, iPhone, Sidekick?!
by V1B3 - 8/9/07 11:33 AM
Nokia N95 or Helios
hi, Miss Cha both are great phones, but which is easier to use and have a better overall performance?
by EL_Shaman - 8/9/07 11:33 AM
NOKIA N93 VS SE P1
Hey Bonnie
its time for me to get a new phone and im thinking on this to they have a very similar specification but cy the reviwes i read i can understand the nokia has beeter camra performance aspecialy in the video capture but video is not at the top of waht i need

my top priority are:
the movies and music plyer
picture shot
operating system
cool apps and feturs

im not frome the us. the price tag are this tow is the alomst the same

pleas help me chose :) thanks:)
by avivzamir - 8/9/07 11:29 AM
HTC Mogul vs 755p (both for Sprint)
Pick one winner and why?
by carlrubin23 - 8/9/07 11:28 AM
Pearl vs Rizr
Hi Bonnie,

My T-Mobile contract is about to expire. I am comparing the BB Peal vs Rizr Z3. I don't really need a phone with web/e-mail but wanted to have a phone that can keep track of my contacts/address and appointments. I tried the Pearl and the reception is not good at all. The Rizr, on the other hand, had good reception but the performance is slow. Voice dialing paused for 5 ~ 10 seconds before it response. What is your suggestion?
by wing2299 - 8/9/07 11:26 AM
Blackberry Curve
Heya Bonnie!

I just recently switched from a gunky old Razr to a Blackberry Curve. So far I love it, but recently I've been having problems with it. When I'm in the middle of a call my phone will emit a "warbling" noise! The signal quality will be excellent and I'll still be connected through EDGE but the noise will come through about every 5 minutes or so. I was wondering if my phone may be experiencing technical problems or if it might be the software.

Thanks!

Zach
by warpedtour050 - 8/9/07 11:25 AM
Blackberry curve
I'm looking to get a Blackberry curve unlocked for T-mobile of the T-mobile dash. i wanted to know does the blackberry curve have programs to open and edit word doc as well as excel.
by firestarter - 8/9/07 11:23 AM
The Mensa Phone
Hi Bonnie! Really enjoy your reviews and am interested to hear how today's phones can still get smarter.

What would your mensa phone look like? Keyboard or touch? Maybe full voice-recognition instead?

Is there anything coming down the pike that looks like "The Thing According To Bonnie"?

Thanks a lot and stay smart!

D.
by C_64 - 8/9/07 11:22 AM
Dash vs ATT 8525
Bonnie, another question. I am torn between the ATT 8525 and the DASH. Which would YOU purchase, and why? FYI, I am considering both phones because I need to be able to access info (edit docs, email, etc) on the go. The only real difference I can see is the touch screen... can you think of another reason why I would want one over the other? PS - I know the dash doesnt currently edit office docs, but it will with the WM6 upgrade, though I am sure you are already aware of that :) ) Thanks!

-Tony
by antjefferson - 8/9/07 11:21 AM
Palm vs. Windows
Bonnie please help,

I really like the design of the Treo 755p, but I am not too sure about Palm software. Why would somebody choose a Palm based phone instead of a Windows based phone? Also any word on the new Windows based Treo for Sprint?

Thank you
by carlrubin23 - 8/9/07 11:20 AM
Blackberry level 1
I have a Blackberry 8800 and I can not get level 1 messages to activity a special profile.
by paul.chastain - 8/9/07 11:19 AM
Question about ATT 8525
Hi, I know that the 8525 is speced to handle a 2gb microSD... but will it support one of the new 4gb microSD cards? If so, does it support the MicroSDHC cards? thanks! Love your reviews!

-Tony
by antjefferson - 8/9/07 11:18 AM
use of bus apps on mobile devices
Do you have any idea what % of business users of smartphones use just the basics, e.g. phone, email, calendar. And what % of them actually go out and purchase additional productivity applications?
by bh29 - 8/9/07 11:17 AM
The high cost of access on smartphones
One the more irritating issues with buying a smartphone is the expensive data packages that go along with it. Many carriers require you to purchase the most expensive package out there. Will prices ever come down? Or better yet do you think wireless access through your phone ever replace internet access in the home?
by sachal - 8/9/07 11:14 AM
When do you call it a smartphone?
Hey there Bonnie!
I love your video's on CNET. Here's my question;

When is a smartphone a smartphone? Does it have to have a QWERTY keyboard? I have a Sony Ericsson W810i ( T-Mobile contract ) . It will do Email, pretty nice webbrowsing and alot of more stuff. Can you call this a ipod?

Thanks and keep up the good work.

SXR
by SXR - 8/9/07 11:13 AM
ugh what's the deal with my submission....
somehow the BR tags were implemented wrong, but it looked fine when I pasted from notepad into the submission box...
by pianoplayer88key - 8/9/07 11:12 AM
best verizon smart phone
what would you say is the best all around verizon smart phone with 3g, mobil email, text editing, and media functions (dont care about a camera)???
by kaylan511 - 8/9/07 11:11 AM
smartphone (T-Mobile (SIM Card/GSM)) to replace MPx220?
I need to replace a Motorola MPx220 that I've using with T-Mobile. (It would be my 4th phone - I had a V188 (on which I broke the internal display), a V300 (which eventually died on me), and this MPx220 (which is having a charging related problem (I suspect the jack on the phone.))
(When I had to change phones the last couple times, I just took the SIM card out of the dead phone and put it in the functional one. I didn't have to go through my carrier. I expect to do the same in this case.)

I would like Windows or Linux OS (preferably Linux),
a flip phone form factor,
a 1.3mp or better camera (btw, the 0.3mp cam on the V300 was very good in indoor lighting, but the 1.3mp cam on the MPx220 was horrible),
and a mini or micro SD slot.
I also don't want to pay more than $160 or so.
Also I'm willing to buy a phone that's a few years old. (I don't need an iPhone yet, for example (although I like a lot of things about it), and I think I can save some $ by buying an older phone.)
I will be using it with T-Mobile ToGo (prepaid) service, so I require a GSM (at least tri-band preferably) phone (with, obviously, a SIM card slot.)

I'm considering the Motorola A1200 (Linux, 2mp cam, touch screen),
Motorola A780 (don't know all that much about it but it looks like a possibility),
Qtek 8500 (might be the HTC StarTrek or Cingular 3125 - someone recommended it on a thread I asked in the cell phones forum a few days ago),
or possibly just buying another MPx220.
I'm also considering the MPx (MPx300) - I like the dual-flip design and the qwerty keyboard. I just doubt I'll find one on ebay for as low as $150.

I plan to buy an unlocked phone on ebay, and hope I can get a good deal.
Of the phones I mentioned - I think I like the Motorola A1200 best. Should I go for that one, or is there another one you can recommend?
by pianoplayer88key - 8/9/07 11:11 AM
Decisions - Decisions - addendum
Oops, left out that I'd also like it to be able to load custom apps.. (bummer iPhone)
Cut-paste text in messages (bummer iPhone)
Under $600 (bummer Samsung and Nokia)
Full (virtual or pushbutton) keyboard (bummer Prada)

Do you know of any upcomming phones that would fill all of my desires?
by jwiegratz - 8/9/07 11:10 AM
Decisions - Decisions
Hey Bonnie,

I'm in the market for a smartphone... I've had my Razr V3 for about 2 years now.

I want to stay away from the Blackberries... as I dislike their GUI.

That leaves the above 4 phones as my interest.
Apple iPhone
LG Prada KE850
Samsung F700
Nokia E90

As you can see, a crowded field.Each, of course, has pros / cons...

I'd like Wi-Fi, Full web browsing, and a decent sized screen, sylish package, and something that doesn't feel like I'm holding a brick.

Perhaps you could point me in the right direction? Thanks much!

~Jonnie~
by jwiegratz - 8/9/07 11:07 AM
unlocked phones
why are mobile carrier so hesitant to help their customer setup an unlocked phone to their network.
by firestarter - 8/9/07 11:02 AM
Bonnie Cha, CNET mobile tech editor LIVE!
Smart phone live chat event with CNET senior editor Bonnie Cha starts Thursday August 9th at 11 a.m. to noon Pacific / 2 p.m to 3 p.m Eastern. Where Bonnie, will be answering your questions on the wonderful world of smart phones. Submit your questions on topics ranging from buying advice to post-purchase quandaries! See you at the event!

Click here for upcoming Ask the Editors Live events and past transcripts of events.
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 8/21/07 5:05 PM