Do you remember when you switched mobile phones about every two years? And every three or four years bought a new computer or other electronic gadget?
For many mobile geeks, like me, that’s all changed. Not only do we swap out gear like changing socks, we call our electronic gadgets “mobile devices,” “smartphones,” “tablet computers,” “netbooks” and “ebook readers.”
With Christmas and 2011 soon upon us, I thought you’d enjoy a list of my best mobile phones and other electronic gadgets I owned in 2010. (Feel free in the comments section below to list your top gear for 2010.)
Brian’s Mobile Phones in 2010
Since I’m with Sprint, all of my phones operate on Sprint/Nextel, a company that everyone thought was dying two years ago but now ranks higher than AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. Dan Hesse, its CEO, resurrected the company, as it continued building a 4G network with Clearwire.
BlackBerry 8530 Curve
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with BlackBerry’s. Superb email and messaging but late-to-market with HTML browsers, cameras and entertainment software. The 8530 BlackBerry Curve, however, is one of the best BB smartphones but got clobbered this year when the iPhone 4 and Android phones hit the market.
BlackBerry 8530 Curve Smartphone
HTC Hero Android Smartphone
Next up, the HTC Hero, one of the first Android phones released by the company this year. The Hero sports a high-resolution camera, easy
HTC Hero Smartphone from Sprint
navigation and I acclaimed it as MobileBeyond’s best Android phone of the year.
Despite an Android 2.2 (Froyo) update late in the game, newer Android phones with 1Ghz processors reached the market later in the year.
Samsung 4G Epic Smartphone
The Samsung Epic, the second 4G phone from Sprint after the EVO, is now my ideal smartphone. Lightweight, yet sturdy, the 1Ghz processor makes this baby fly. Sporting one of the first QWERTY keyboards worth its salt, the Epic’s gorgeous OLED display makes your eyeballs tingle. If Samsung and other Android mobile phone manufacturers can extend the battery life on these high-end devices, they’ll have the best smartphones on the market. Go get one and install JuiceDefender, available free in the Android Market, to optimize battery use.
Samsung Epic 4G Android Smartphone
Sanyo Pro-200 Flip Phone
Sanyo Pro 200
Sometime during 2010–probably between the BlackBerry Curve and the Hero–I used Sanyo’s solidly-built flip phone for Sprint/Nextel. (Believe it or not, I bought it used on eBay for $7 plus shipping!). But I was looking for a solid phone for making phone calls with a loud speakerphone.
(No one says much about smartphone voice quality these days except disgruntled AT&T iPhone customers. My sister has the same Sanyo and loves it.)
If you’re looking for rugged phone with long battery life and works after dropping it on cement, try the Sanyo. And if you buy it used on eBay, get a deal like I did.
Sanyo Pro 200
Impevo SO-20 Wi-Fi Phone for Skype
If you’re looking for a Skype phone to make low-cost calls worldwide without a personal computer, try the Impevo model SO-20.
Impevo SO-20 Wi-Fi Skype Phone
Although the voice quality is not as good as a bluetooth mic/headet connected to a computer, which I use for my MobileBeyond and IM-Mobile podcasts, this small, compact Skype phone is easy-to-set up on your wireless router, connecting you to any phone in the world for 2 to 3 cents a minute. VoIP perfecto!
24″ iMac for Business
24" iMac Computer
Here’s my business workhorse running at 2.4Ghz with 2 gigs of RAM. Once you’ve acclimated to a 24″ iMac, you’ll never return to a 20″.
The large, bright screen real estate lets you keep multiple windows open as you switch programs.
During my podcast recordings, for example, I have several Skype windows running, Word and a Firefox browser in case I need to look up something fast–something impossible with a smaller screen display.
15″ MacBook Pro for Personal and Business Use
MacBook Pro 15" 2.0Ghz
Ah, but life in the portable lane requires a MacBook Pro as well, eh? This 2007 vintage machine is still humming along with one battery replacement. I frequently write blog posts and other business docs, compose music with Finale SongWriter and use it on-the-go as well. Best personal computer ever designed.
Finally: the Kindle and the iPad
Kindle E-Reader
I bought the Kindle late 2008 (early 2009?) and have loved it except for the poor graphics and photos. Reading most books is a delight.
But then the iPad temptation came just a week ago and I purchased the 16 gig Wi-Fi version. Without a doubt, the iPad is one of the most remarkable mobile devices I’ve ever used.
Apple iPad 17 Gig Wi-Fi
While it doesn’t replace the MacBook Pro for lengthier typing, accessing files on my home network and such, most other functions (calendar, addresses, online reading and apps) are absolutely delightful. And the 10+ hour battery life is incredible.
I can easily see using the device for business and pleasure. While it’s a bit weighty to hold in one hand comfortably, propping it up with the Apple case positions the device at a 45 degree angle, just the right position for reading and some light typing.
The iPad may end up as a replacement for netbooks and, quite possibly with an RF chipset, a smartphone as well.
