Jonathan Oxer
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>> Hard phone choices
Fri, Sep 15th 9:14am 2006: Tech Toys
Dear Lazyweb,
I want to get a new phone and I thought the choice was obvious, but now I've found alternatives and I'm more confused than when I started.
My feature checklist is:
1) Calendar
2) Email (preferably standard IMAP)
3) Browser
4) Can sync with Linux
5) tri or quadband (so I don't have to switch phones when I travel)
6) WiFi
7) VoIP client
Until yesterday I was set on a Treo 650 because it does 1) to 5) perfectly, and I've heard great things about it from Pia and others. It can even run Linux.
But then I discovered the Nokia E61, which does most of the same stuff as the 650 but also has wifi and a VoIP client. We use Asterisk at IVT so basically an E61 could replace the VoIP phone on my desk. It would just travel everywhere with me and when I'm in the office or at home in WiFi range it would be my VoIP extension, but when I walk out the door it's a cellphone. And it's cheaper than a 650. Sweet!
But the problem is that it runs Symbian, and even after a lot of Googling I can't find out if it can sync with Linux. Definitely a deal-breaker.
And then I came across the ROAD S101, which looks like it was designed specifically for me but which unfortunately also seems to be still just a figment of someone's imagination.
So, lazyweb, what Linux-supported smartphone should I buy? The phone itself doesn't have to run Linux, but it definitely has to play nicely with it.
Dear Lazyweb,
I want to get a new phone and I thought the choice was obvious, but now I've found alternatives and I'm more confused than when I started.
My feature checklist is:
1) Calendar
2) Email (preferably standard IMAP)
3) Browser
4) Can sync with Linux
5) tri or quadband (so I don't have to switch phones when I travel)
6) WiFi
7) VoIP client
Until yesterday I was set on a Treo 650 because it does 1) to 5) perfectly, and I've heard great things about it from Pia and others. It can even run Linux.
But then I discovered the Nokia E61, which does most of the same stuff as the 650 but also has wifi and a VoIP client. We use Asterisk at IVT so basically an E61 could replace the VoIP phone on my desk. It would just travel everywhere with me and when I'm in the office or at home in WiFi range it would be my VoIP extension, but when I walk out the door it's a cellphone. And it's cheaper than a 650. Sweet!
But the problem is that it runs Symbian, and even after a lot of Googling I can't find out if it can sync with Linux. Definitely a deal-breaker.
And then I came across the ROAD S101, which looks like it was designed specifically for me but which unfortunately also seems to be still just a figment of someone's imagination.
So, lazyweb, what Linux-supported smartphone should I buy? The phone itself doesn't have to run Linux, but it definitely has to play nicely with it.
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