Lucky me, I won both a G1 and a Curve 8900 at work. When I first found out about winning the 8900, I was excited to upgrade from my 8320. When I next found out about winning the G1, I thought "eBay".
But after receiving the G1, I wanted to give it a try. I sell them everyday and people ask about them everyday, so I figured I should find out more about the phone.
Since I use Gmail as my primary email account, both the Curve and G1 were setup with my Gmail accounts. As soon as I logged into my G1, my Gmail contacts and calendar showed up on my phone. That was nice, to know that I wouldn't have to take ANY extra steps to synchronize all my affairs. The Curve 8900 can also sync with Gmail (email / contacts / calendars), but I had to first install Google Sync. Not a huge deal, but anytime I want to sync my calendar and contacts, I'll have to open up Google Sync and hit "Sync Now." The G1 does it automatically.
Then again, how many people out there have Gmail? From my experience in retail, not the majority. So it could be a pain to setup an entirely new email account, especially if you're not sure if you'll keep the G1 and you're just trying it out.
The Curve 8900 improves many things over the old 8320. And for just a difference of $50 between the old Curve and the new, the 8320 hasn't been selling much. The 8900 has twice the processor speed (512 mhz versus 256), a lot more free space for apps, emails and texts, a higher resolution screen, GPS, and a nicer trackball. The only downsides I can think of (which don't even bother me), no 3G and no touchscreen.
If you do end up getting a Curve 8900, you must download Google Maps, Slacker Radio, Shazam and Facebook. And another bonus? I only charge this thing every 3rd day. The battery life is great.
If you're getting a G1, just know that with GPS, wi-fi, 3G internet, and Bluetooth all turned on, the battery life is poor. Well, poor by cell phone standards. It's great by laptop, GPS, and MP3 standards. But you'll probably have to charge your phone daily. And if you talk a lot and use it for business, I would definitely get a car charger.
But I downloaded an app called Toggle Settings that lets you turn off certain features when you're not using them (for example, I leave 3G internet, GPS, wi-fi and Bluetooth off most of the time). It lets my battery last a day and a half.
The bottom line... if you're mostly texting and emailing, the Curve is a better phone. If you want to go on the internet and play with cool apps, the G1 is hands down more fun. It's funny to note, that even with both phones setup with my Gmail account, the Blackberry gets my Gmail emails first, then I get the notification about 5 seconds later on my G1.
That just reaffirms what they say, nobody does email better than a Blackberry.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wireless Industry Musings
After being in many, many various industries, I have to say that the cell phone industry is the strangest. People get $250 discounts on phones, then complain about having to pay a $175-$200 termination fee. People sign 2-year agreements to get phones with only a 1-year warranty. Then complain about it a year and a half later. Well past their 1-year warranty.
Some people sign 2-year agreements on $50 phones, just to get them for free. Doesn't make much sense, does it?
Why would anyone pay $200 for an MP3 player, and then complain about having to pay $50 for a cell phone, which plays MP3s AND makes phone calls?
I would never go to Comcast (to whom I've been a customer for over 10 years) and tell them, "I've been with you guys for 10 years, can you give me a free high definition TV?" Yet, things like this happen everyday in wireless.
I don't know where the wireless industry is heading. Thankfully, we get choices in wireless. If coverage at my house sucks, I can try at least 3 other carriers to see if they offer better coverage, customer service and cell phones. And it's far from being a monopoly. With that said, it's a brutal industry that makes margins razor thin, and customers are suing about this and that... how phones are causing people to lose their hearing, how termination fees are unlawful, and so on.
If we do away with contracts in wireless (which is what it's looking like), then people will be paying $200 to $600 for phones without contracts, and will be complaining about how much they have to spend on the phones.
It's a lose-lose for cell phone companies.
Some people sign 2-year agreements on $50 phones, just to get them for free. Doesn't make much sense, does it?
Why would anyone pay $200 for an MP3 player, and then complain about having to pay $50 for a cell phone, which plays MP3s AND makes phone calls?
I would never go to Comcast (to whom I've been a customer for over 10 years) and tell them, "I've been with you guys for 10 years, can you give me a free high definition TV?" Yet, things like this happen everyday in wireless.
I don't know where the wireless industry is heading. Thankfully, we get choices in wireless. If coverage at my house sucks, I can try at least 3 other carriers to see if they offer better coverage, customer service and cell phones. And it's far from being a monopoly. With that said, it's a brutal industry that makes margins razor thin, and customers are suing about this and that... how phones are causing people to lose their hearing, how termination fees are unlawful, and so on.
If we do away with contracts in wireless (which is what it's looking like), then people will be paying $200 to $600 for phones without contracts, and will be complaining about how much they have to spend on the phones.
It's a lose-lose for cell phone companies.
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