+1 for Nokia phones (the higher end ones that plays media)
Nokias all share the same connection such as charging/computer attachment/headset/adapters/etc. their really basic. just get a SD card and drop mp3s into the phone and listen to them. also cool to just bump music on your phone whenever your bored.

 

I recently switched from VW to Cingular...

Service is WAY better than VW. it has been a month and I've only gotten 1 drop call. I have yet to find a place where I don't get signal. With VW, I get no signal at work, Tahoe, my gf's place, Eureka, and bunch of other places. So far Eureka is the only place I haven't been back to and check.

Phone, I have the SLVR L7. It's slow when trying to operate fast, but it's not too bad. I rather have the signal than a fast phone. iTune works just like iPod, but I hardly use it. I hate the phone book. I can't have multiple phone numbers under one name/entry. Video and camera features are cool. I don't play games or surf the web, so can't tell you much. I sync with my Outlook for calendar and contacts and it's very easy to use. I didn't have to buy additional hardware and my friend has the Motorola Phone Tools software. Even if you have to buy one it's only ~$20 or so. I've used the BT headset before and finds the headset within seconds and very clear. But I think that's mostly on the headset itself. It also comes with 512mb SD card, headset, home charger, headset adapter, and USB cable.

 

you'll love it

I have that phone and its sweet.

 

Cingular suxors all over the Sonoma coast/mountains where Verizon works with lots of bars.

Places like Annapolis Rd. where we had a little "incident", there was no Cingular service. We chatted quite easily with those who had Verizon phones, however.

 

I agree... Verizon is still king of signal, especially in the cuts (I switched from Cingular to Verizon, and been very happy). Make sure you get a tri-mode phone for analog backup and you'll be good to go when everyone else is stuck with no signal.

 

very interesting... because when a deer killed my car at the END of the a TSD rally up in Eureka, only Pete with Att/cingular had signal.

Then again, I've heard places in SF and NY VW is hands down the best. I guess it really depends on the location/phone combo. I just know, for ME, Cigular is better than VW for the places I go to. Heck, I was able to walk from my office to the lab to the conference room without any drop or noise. My VW wouldn't have been able to get signals at ANY of those spots.

 

nokias will offer the best RF but i'm looking at the blackjack too-- currently using an e62.

 

I have the BlackJack and I'm happy with it. I've been an ATT and Cingular customer for the past 8 years and I'm satisfied with them. Service has been uber great since the merging of the companies and I had reception in Tahoe where my friend (with Verizon) didn't.

 

cool. I just want cingular because VW has no signal at UCSC, and my house in the los gatos mtns. all other places i dont care too much for, maybe tahoe.

i used to have cingular about 4 years ago, but they had zero signal at my house, now they have better signal than VW.

 

So what phone you getting from cingular

 

i would like the Blackjack, but my friend has two SLVRs so i might get one of his.
if not, the Black Samsung a930 or i want the flip-brick 2nd gen from VW

 

I just bought my girl a white chocolate, not bad for the price.

 

man im split between the Samsung Blackjack and the Blackberry Pearl. They both look like hawt phone.

 

oh yeah, i graduated from UCSC and while I was there I didn't even bother to turn on the phone while I was on campus...

btw, I got my SLVR from Amazon for $0.01 each. Activated 2 lines and my corporate discount waived the activation fees as well!! One thing, if you do get it through Amazon, they activate your phone the day you order. And obviously you don't have your phone yet. But you can just call in and tell them to prorate you and start charging on the day you make your first phone call.

 

with any pda phone you can use their $19.99 plan with unlimited data but with the berry, you gotta get that PLUS a berry data plan.