xentek

I need your help, dear readers. I’m nearing the end of my contract with AT&T and I want to get a new phone. Not necessarily a new network, but I’m willing to consider a move on that too. My 8700c Black Berry is starting to show its age. I think I’m ready for something new, but have a specific set of things that my phone must do before I upgrade.

I love the push email of the Black Berry, and have gotten spoiled by it. But I can poll for my own mail, if its reliable and not too much of a battery hog. Email is a must have. And it must support multiple accounts. I have 2 accounts coming in through Google Apps for your Domain (which is similar to gmail, as far as servers/ports go). The last is my corporate account - one that has been giving me trouble lately - but I suspect its more their mail server (Merak Sucks) than my phone or RIM’s servers.

The other got-to-have is Mac Support. PocketMac’s synchronization software for Blackberry is pretty decent, and is getting better because RIM bought it out, and agreed to help develop it. Plus, it is free. But its still lacking in polish. For a company that makes Mac software (PocketMac) you’d think they’d actually try to make their software fit into the eco-system. To me, at least, it looks like they used to develop Windows Apps, and found a niche here (sync software for Macs), since I believe they were the first to allow Macs to sync to Pocket PC devices.
I’ve never liked the calendar on my current phone, and have never used it.  This  in turn curtailed my use of iCal. What’s the use of a calendar that you can’t rely on, especially when on the go? Much less one that has the effect of reducing my use of my desktop calendar! So this is the first thing I’d like to see in my new phone is a useable Calendar.

Other requirements include: Web Browser, Wi-Fi, and AOL Instant Messenger. This seems to be a hard combination of features to find in a phone.

I was eyeing the Blackberry Curve. AT&T has one coming out next week with Wi-Fi and integrated GPS Mapping. However, AT&T doesn’t support AIM (or any IM besides BBIM) in any way. T-Mobile’s Curve can do AIM, but doesn’t have integrated GPS (which isn’t a must-have for me anyway, but would keep me from spending money on that kind of device). However, T-Mobile is running on the dog slow EDGE network, which sucks. Verizon is right out - I couldn’t find any device there that did anything remotely like I liked, unless I was a business adding 5 or more lines. So where does that leave me?

Does anyone know of a device that has all of these features:

• Syncs Contacts, Tasks, and Calendars with a Mac
• Supports Email, SMS and AIM Messaging
• Has a decent web browser with Wi-FI support (so I can use it as a light weight computer when in a hot spot)
• Can run on one of the major US Carriers

Bonus Features (but not required):

• Camera
• GPS
• Bluetooth (for syncing or pairing as a Modem)

Did I just describe an iPhone? I don’t think so - as I don’t think it can run AIM. But I’m not ruling that device out just yet (but I did want to wait until they came out with a 2nd hardware revision before I bought one of those). Does anything like this even exist?

Post your comments, and help me find a new smart phone!

Also, post your comments about the T-Mobile network - as right now, its Curve, with AIM support is the closest thing I’ve found that I like.