Best mobile internet 'device'?

Just been to the shops to check out the various offerings - only able to see a live iPhone though (and I already know what that will be like).

G1 looks interesting but need to see one live to see how the internet interaction works - it seems quite similar to the iPhone in that you can do all the zoom in/out, multiple windows stuff (v. important I think) but it doesn't use touch, it uses a little trackball. I like the feel of the trackball, doesn't feel too loose (like my BB Pearl) but has a bit of resistance so I think it would feel nice for moving about the screen.
The reason I need to see one live is just to see how easy it is to do all the above - with the iPhone touch screen it's a pretty damn easy thing to do and this needs to be close at the very least.

I also have a dilemma in that I feel like an iPhone is worth more than a G1, lol. And both contracts are £35/month with free phone (£25 for first 3 months with G1) although iPhone is a 24 month contract and G1 only 18 months.
So the dilemma is do I get the higher value 'item' for the same price, even though I already have an 8gig iPod Touch (it would be the 8gig iPhone)?

p.s. I think the Nokia 5800 is out cos it seems like it's basically an iPhone and I'd rather have the iPhone in that case.

I have to take a look at this though, although again if it's too similar to the iPhone I may as well get the iPhone:

Originally Posted by El Saxo

HTC Touch Diamond 2 FTW!

Just got it a few days ago and it's great so far. It uses Opera for t'internet browsing, I've used it to browse loads of stuff including this very site and everything is laid out correctly just like a full size browser. The TouchFlo software actually works now too and hides WinMo quite well unless you really start poking aroung the interface. Should be even better when the WinMo 6.5 update is released.

Originally Posted by muffles

Just been to the shops to check out the various offerings - only able to see a live iPhone though (and I already know what that will be like).

G1 looks interesting but need to see one live to see how the internet interaction works - it seems quite similar to the iPhone in that you can do all the zoom in/out, multiple windows stuff (v. important I think) but it doesn't use touch, it uses a little trackball. I like the feel of the trackball, doesn't feel too loose (like my BB Pearl) but has a bit of resistance so I think it would feel nice for moving about the screen.
The reason I need to see one live is just to see how easy it is to do all the above - with the iPhone touch screen it's a pretty damn easy thing to do and this needs to be close at the very least.

I also have a dilemma in that I feel like an iPhone is worth more than a G1, lol. And both contracts are £35/month with free phone (£25 for first 3 months with G1) although iPhone is a 24 month contract and G1 only 18 months.
So the dilemma is do I get the higher value 'item' for the same price, even though I already have an 8gig iPod Touch (it would be the 8gig iPhone)?

p.s. I think the Nokia 5800 is out cos it seems like it's basically an iPhone and I'd rather have the iPhone in that case.

I have to take a look at this though, although again if it's too similar to the iPhone I may as well get the iPhone:

I've just found out the G1 has a touch screen as well as the track ball, so that's a big plus as I expect it will be able to work in the same way as the iPhone.

The last thing I need to check, actually, is email - and how I can access it through the phone, cos I don't want to log in to a browser to get my hotmail, I want an application...

Originally Posted by muffles

I've just found out the G1 has a touch screen as well as the track ball, so that's a big plus as I expect it will be able to work in the same way as the iPhone.

The last thing I need to check, actually, is email - and how I can access it through the phone, cos I don't want to log in to a browser to get my hotmail, I want an application...

Oh AND - what are the IM capabilities of the various phones mentioned? MSN Messenger would be good if it was available!

I'm replying from my iPhone,absolutely love it!! can't get better for opening the web on a mobile device (in my humble opinion!)

only problem u will find is u can only access hotmail in a web browser. I don't think microsoft really want to make things easy to run on an apple device. but the new windows mobile browser is good and works well on the iphone.

I cannot praise it enough, the phone the texting, the web, the apps,music playing photo storing......

it's no suprise any new smart phone that is released is compared to the iPhone!

The Touch Diamond 2 runs on Windows Mobile so you can pretty much install whatever apps you need to run. It also has everything you would expect of windows e.g a proper mail client, mobile version of the MS Office apps etc and a mobile version of MSN messenger.

The G1 is a HTC device too but it runs on the Android platform which IIRC is an open-source (think Linux) platform developed in conjunction with Google. As Soulkiss mentioned, it is very geared towards Google e.g Gmail which has its issues. Not sure on availability of apps etc for it though, haven't used one myself.

If the internet browsing is your main priority, you can't beat the browsing experience on the iPhone IMO, but the other apps and the rest of the platform are very restricted compared to WinMo. I went with the TD2 as I've had WinMo devices for years and use lots of 3rd party stuff on them such as TomTom. You can 'jailbreak' the iPhone to allow 3rd party apps but it invalidates your warranty.

More info on all HTC devices including the G1 here: http://www.xda-developers.com

Also http://www.coolsmartphone.com for lots of device reviews and info, including iPhone / Windows phone comparisons.

to be honest if you are going for touch screen smart phone you should get the i phone - i have the 5800 and whilst its good the touch screen and interfaces cant match the i phone - serves me right for trying to be different lol

Cheers Mr Saxo will take a look at those later. I did do a bit of googling and it appears messenger is not available by default but you can fudge it on...lol. Although I'm still not 100% on it.

I have an iPod Touch and have used it for internet browsing so am pretty familiar with the interface, this is really why I need to see a live G1 phone. Looking at it, it seems like it will be as good, but I'll try it before going with that!

leesh00, can you give any more details about why the touch screen interface isn't as good?

the main problems are that sometimes the touch screen doesent respond at times when you are using your fingers, its fine when using the stylus but thats not great when you only have one hand to use. The zoom and scroll functions are not on par with i phone and the horizontal/vertical screen switch can be very sticky. Its good pionts are speedyinternet connections and you can use any web mail provider, also ecxellent for music with very good in built speakers.

It's got to the be iPhone 3G - Although wait a couple of months if you can

I've had Windows Mobile phones and they are ok, but end up dropping calls and being a bit of a pain - I know they are better now - but wouldn't trust them with my only phone - last one dropped 10 calls in one day (Soooo glad I'm not self employed!).

Does it need to be a Touchscreen? Nokia E63 or E71 are decent enough, but once you have gone iPhone it's hard to go back - just be aware that whilst it is brilliant for email, sms, internet and apps, as a phone it's only so-so. And I am a self admitted Apple Fan having had one from launch - but then you make the choice and go with it.

I think the next generation of Android Google phones will be brilliant - just need to iron out the wrinkles.

I guess it comes down to money - £35 per month is still a lot, but you will need the unlimited data on any of the phones discuss. - I guess if you have an iTouch you know what they are like.

Buy iPhone on pay & go and get the £19.58 simplicity sim.
Cost over 12 Months = £576
Compared to on 24 month contract = £822.24
You also get unlimited texts on simplicity and much more minutes (+unlimited web bolt on)

You can also get the rolling monthly contract like I have so can cancel at any time. Much better way of doing it.