questions on smartphones from a dumbass :)

I am not the most tech savvy guy - except when it comes to stuff that I use for work. Anyway, I have a hobby phone that is just a flip phone and is good for texting, etc. I was thinking of moving up to a Smartphone -no contract deal from T-Mobile. I see that they have plans for talk, text and web for as little as $30/month. Here is my question - I realize that the Android Smartphones are NOT a replacement for a laptop with WiFi, but will they allow me to check e-mail and look at websites at a reasonable speed?

Thanks for the help.

Charlie

P.S. I actually thought about getting a tablet, but I wanted to have something that I could easily tuck away out of sight because this would be a replacement for my current hobby phone.

Yah but the itty bitty keyboards are a PITA.

The on screen keyboards are pretty good. I don't like the slide out keyboards much either, but they are functional once you get used to them.

As far as web surfing, I have left my laptop behind on a couple pf short trips and didn't miss it much. Just used android's dolphin browser for everything.

The on screen keyboards are pretty good. I don't like the slide out keyboards much either, but they are functional once you get used to them.

As far as web surfing, I have left my laptop behind on a couple pf short trips and didn't miss it much. Just used android's dolphin browser for everything. Originally Posted by royamcr

I'm just the opposite. The onscreen keyboards take up half the visual space and are still to damn small for my fingers. I use an HTC now but really liked my LG until I dropped it onto a hard metal object that shattered the screen. My new HTC can also work as a mobile hotspot through a 3G or 4G network which is handy for a laptop when in a car. The LG could tether through BT but the hotspot is easier.

The HTC and LG both have keys you can feel with your fingers. The Droids are a smooth keyboard and hard for me to use.

To each his/her own.

I, too, have gone on short trips and left the laptop at home and while sometimes a PITA the smart phones do the job.

Jack

Thanks for the info. I just wanted a hobby phone that I could use to also browse the web - mainly to check e-mail. I wasn't looking to replace the laptop, but I don't always have it with me. I also don't log onto hobby e-mail accounts from my office computer.

You might consider just buying a smartphone as your main phone and utilizing Google Voice for your hobbying purposes.

P.S. I actually thought about getting a tablet, but I wanted to have something that I could easily tuck away out of sight because this would be a replacement for my current hobby phone. Originally Posted by nycalcharlie2003

If you really want it for surfing the Web, check out the 7" Samsung Galaxy Tab. You can get it with T-Mobile as well as other service providers. It is small enough to slip in your pocket and is fine for surfing the Web and checking e-mail.

If you want to make calls, you will need to use something like Skype, or another "VoIP" app like Line2

Thanks KCQuestor - I will look into that.

As far as buying a Smartphone for my main phone and using Google Voice - I am already tied in with my wife on a family plan. That might be tough to explain!