I’m not a big cellphone user and only have it for emergencies or travel. However, with all the new smartphones like the Samsung Omnia on the market, and the amazing deals various phone companies are running for the holidays, I’m thinking of making the jump.
I’m traveling more and would love to take my email on the road without having to break out the laptop and find a wireless connection. Also, I’m looking for a device that would work with my current set up (Windows based PC) and eliminate the need for me to carry around a cellphone, an electronic planner, a camera, and a laptop. GPS and MP3 would be cool, too.
Windows Mobile Smartphones
If you’re PC/Windows based, Windows Mobile smartphones run on the same Windows system as PC computers enabling you to synch your computer, laptop and phone applications easily.
Send photos from your phone. Only Windows Mobile lets you shoot pictures, crop, post to your blog, and send images to loved ones directly on your smartphone.
The newest touch screen Windows phone, the Samsung Omnia (only $199 from Verizon Wireless with a two year contract) conveniently combines the features of a smartphone and a digital camera into one slim, compact device. The professional auto-focus camera features panorama capture, cropping capabilities and smile/face recognition. In fact, a National Geographic photographer took the 5.0 megapixel Omnia on photo shoots to Easter Island and Peru and found that his photographs rivaled those taken with a professional camera.
Track your text messages. When you text with a friend, the messages are threaded together, just like instant messaging—no more confusion about what you're talking about.
Set your style. Windows Mobile 6.1 runs on a growing variety of phones, including touch screen devices with slide-out keyboards, sleek full-keyboard smartphones, and compact flip phones. (Click here for a full list of phones and carriers.)
Find it fast. The new Home screen design lets you put what’s important to you where it’s instantly available—on your phone’s Home screen. Place a clock conveniently on your Sliding Panel Home screen. Track appointments and messages at a glance. Get to your favorite songs, videos, and pictures with just a click.
Protect your data and your identity. Sync your smartphone with your laptop so if you lose your phone, you don’t lose your data. You can even encrypt personal information to help keep it from falling into the wrong hands.
Connect to Wi-Fi. Connecting to a Wi-Fi network is now simpler. All it takes is a single click to your screen and you’re connected.
Have fun! The Samsung Omnia has a music player, FM radio, a GPS to help you get where you want to go, and a battery with five hours of talk time. (The iPhone only has three hours of battery time.)
