BootsnAll Travel Community

I am scrambling to purchase needed items for first solo RTW trip- departing in less than 4 wks! I have done exhaustive research re: laptop vs no laptop vs ultra micropc vs smartphone. I have decided to go the smartphone route.

My head is spinning from reading the specs on numerous phones and poring through forum posts on slashdot.com and phonescoop.com. Basically I want something that I can make calls in both US and abroad that has a good internet browser(ideally symbian/opera) with rapid data speeds and decent battery life.

I received a Nokia 810 tablet last month for my birthday, but returned it in favor of perhaps purchasing the Nokia N95 8G instead.

Does anyone know if you can make Skype calls with the N95 using its WiFi connection? Also- how do I transfer photos/music/data to and from the phone without a laptop since the N95 8G doesn't have a SD slot? I don't want the non-8G version based on numerous reviews listing the significant improvements on 8G model (i.e faster data speeds/bigger screen). Would a USB media storage device like Archos/WolverineMVP80G/Epson3000 be the most effective option for media transfer & back-up- for both my phone and camera?

Also- I would love to hear about anyone's experience using a portable B/T keyboard with smartphone during their travels. I planned on getting one for blog updates, e-mails and the like since N95 lacks qwerty keyboard. Or should I scrap the N95 altogether and consider another smartphone with qwerty that can compete with N95 in data speeds, internet browser,and flexibility with 3rd party software?

Sorry for the long post, but I could really use the input before pulling the trigger on such costly purchase(s).

Ok, I don't know about the hi-tech aspects of downloading, but i HAVE used phones overseas and in this country, and this is mu experience. Buy a phone in the USA and you might be able to use it in half the countries you visit, if you're lucky. Unlocked does not mean Sim chip ready if the company isn't compatible. Ok, you might be able to buy a gimmicked I-phone overseas, but thats not my game. 400 dollars for any kind of phone seems crazy to the technophobe in me.

My solution? Leave your USA phone at home, and buy an unlocked phone overseas, simple and loseable. It'll work in pretty much any country BUT the USA.

Ok, bring your USA phone, but don't expect to use it effectively. Save it for when you get back home again, if you want to pay the contract price.

Yes, phones bought in Europe or Turkey are definitely unlocked, and work as far as Amsterdam and India.

Well, I own an unlocked Siemens SX66 (HTC Blueangel) and love it. It's a quad band with wifi, bluetooth, usb sync, a slide-out qwerty keyboard, an SDIO slot for extra storage or a GPS add-on, and a nice big screen. Came preloaded with the PocketPC OS, IE, Adobe, Excel & Word, MediaPlayer for your MP3s or movies, lots of other stuff. Plus there's tons of software available for download. The battery lasts a solid week on standby. It was certainly pricey, but I freakin love that phone.

Unfortunately I do not know anything about the particular phone models you mentioned, and it's been a while since I've researched the topic, but if you want something that will work just about anywhere with a cell phone tower, look around on eBay for an unlocked quad band GSM phone. The search tool on phonescoop can provide you with a list of good candidates.

You can buy inexpensive pre-paid SIM cards locally if you don't mind switching your phone number every time you move countries, or you can buy a more expensive global SIM that lets you keep the same phone number no matter where you are. Some phones can support dual SIM cards with a little manipulation. There are also callback plans that you can use, and they can be comparable in price to Skype. This very handy article will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about cell phone bands and international phone plans.

It's unlikely you will find your perfect dream phone so try to prioritize your list of desired features and think about how you can fulfill some of your needs in other ways. The cheaper and more basic the phone is, the less you have to worry about losing or breaking it. The nicer and more expensive the phone is, the closer you will come to almost replacing a laptop. Even the smartest of phones will not totally replace a laptop or the occasional stop in an internet cafe.

Good luck with your quest, I will be interested in what you decide on.

iPhone!!

I've used it all over Europe and the US. Amazing.

you can spend $25 a month for a international data plan, that covers enough to do most emailing, using google maps and normal internet. The only down side is you have to check your data usage to make sure you don't go over the set amount.

However, it is wifi enabled so if you can find a free wifi cafe, or shop then you can go online/email/text for free!! I've found free wifi in the most interesting places....

It is a bit of a investment but SO worth it. You can store/take your pictures, listen to music, a few movies or t.v shows to combat boredom (I have 1500 songs & 40 episodes of the office), calculator, weather for all major cities, google maps....notes etc. I do everything that i would do with a laptop and it's itzy bitzy!
-

Thanks for the article link, Liforce. I'm off to read it.

I'm in the same conundrum--mother dearest wanted me to get a sattelite phone (good god, dear!) so I'm compromising and getting something...

Looking for something that will work in eastern Africa, India (nothing for Nepal, I know, but mom's satellite...) Thailand, Indo and most of Latin America.

Any of you love your phone and want to share?