| Choosing a smartphone is never an easy task. You | | | | difficult to use Palm Treo 680 in USA because it does't |
| cannot change your cell phone every month that's | | | | run on CDMA networks. |
| why you have to think in a long term perspective, | | | | Another popular choice is Symbian OS used by Nokia |
| being aware that a qwerty phone you buy will serve | | | | smartphones. Some people feel that Symbian is |
| you for at least a year or more. | | | | becoming old and outdated in comparison with |
| First step in finding the best qwerty phone for you | | | | Windows, especially when it comes to editing Office |
| would be to determine the budget and decide if you | | | | documents. However, Symbian is an open-source |
| would buy an unlocked phone or one tied up with a | | | | program, which means that any programmer can |
| contract. | | | | develop apps and features for the OS. If you are keen |
| Applying for an 18-month contract, there is a chance | | | | on upgrading you basic cell phone with new apps and |
| you will get a free qwerty cell phone and a monthly | | | | games, Symbian is the one to choose. With new |
| data package or a hefty rebate from the selling price. | | | | open-source OS solutions like Android (the first qwerty |
| It is the easiest option, however, nothing comes for | | | | cell phone using Android OS is Google G1 phone) |
| free - you're just getting your phone on split payments | | | | taking on strength, it is possible that Symbian may fade |
| over the next 18 months. In most cases you will find | | | | away in next couple of years. |
| that you pay less for minutes, texts and data if you | | | | Another popular OS is BlackBerry - it is a light-weight |
| are not on a subsidized contract, i.e. you buy an | | | | Java based OS exclusively used by BlackBerry |
| unlocked phone and pay the full price. | | | | qwerty cell phones. BlackBerry gadgets are a good |
| It all depends on your budget. If you have free money | | | | choice for business users but they are still to struggle |
| now, buy an unlocked phone and shop around for the | | | | in order to knock Windows Mobile from its pedestal of |
| best monthly price plan. If you decide to go for | | | | Number One smartphone software in the world. |
| unlocked qwerty cell phone models, you have to | | | | Features and Entertainment |
| allocate around $200. That starter sum of money can | | | | There are many different criteria for comparing |
| buy you an unlocked Palm Treo 680 or a Pantech | | | | qwerty cell phone models. You have to decide which |
| Duo. The top-end qwerty cell phones will cost over | | | | features are the most important for you. |
| $400 - an unlocked BlackBerry Bold World phone can | | | | If you are keen on music and streaming video, you |
| cost you around $650. If this doesn't sound like the right | | | | might find that Windows Media Player for Mobile suits |
| option, visit your wireless carrier for the free subsidized | | | | your needs best. A phone with Windows Media Player |
| phone offers. | | | | will replace your MP3 player and your video player. |
| Operational System | | | | It is also preferable that a qwerty phone has a digital |
| It is easy to sort qwerty cell phone models by the | | | | camera integrated. You need at least 1.3 or 2.0 |
| (OS) operational systems they use. OS is a software | | | | Megapixels for quality images. Be aware that Palm |
| environment that makes your cell phone run, managing | | | | Treo 680 has a 0.3 Megapixels camera and |
| calls, contacts, games, applications and all other | | | | BlackBerry 7 has no camera at all. |
| functions. | | | | A very important factor is the quality of the keyboard. I |
| The most obvious choice for majority of people would | | | | still think that the majority of people make their choice |
| be a Windows Mobile OS, as it gives you a familiar | | | | according to their thumb size. It is better to pop into a |
| interface similar to a PC, easy synchronization (data | | | | mobile shop and thest the keys of different qwerty cell |
| transfer between a mobile phone and a PC) and | | | | phone models. The most tactile buttons are on HTC |
| crash-free operation. The most popular qwerty cell | | | | 620 and Nokia N71 - that's why people with large |
| phone models using Windows Mobile OS are HTC | | | | hands usually pick these models or choose a slide-out |
| 620 (aka HTC Dash), HTC S740 and Palm Treo W | | | | qwerty cell phone (like HTC S740 or Google G1) |
| edition. | | | | where the keyboard is even bigger. |
| Those who enjoy using hand-helds like Palm Pilot and | | | | There is no such thing as the best qwerty phone in the |
| other pocket organizers running Palm OS will probably | | | | world. All the major qwerty phone makers have spent |
| want to follow their passion and stick with Palm. The | | | | restless months or even years and millions of dollars |
| most popular cell phones of this kind are Palm Treo | | | | developing smartphone models and you shouldn't really |
| models. There are different ones - check with your | | | | experience much trouble with any gadget. This is |
| provider if the Treo model you like can be supported | | | | probably the case when you need to let your heart (or |
| by your country network. For example, you will find it | | | | should I say thumbs) rule your head. |