Cingular 8525 / HTC TyTN

OK, I've decided I really need a Pocket PC with a phone rather than the
other way around. I'm with Cingular and the 8525 looks like the ticket for
connectivity (US and traveling elsewhere), email with attachments and
overall productivity.

I've read lots of reviews and it's the usual mix -- mostly kudos and a few
people who think it's the worst phone ever made. I ignore the latter. But
I'm interested in any real warnings anyone might have regarding functions
that may not work as promised re: traveling connectivity, etc. For
example, I read one review that said it doesn't work as a tethered modem
for a laptop but I've read another that said it's great for that.

What about the Cingular 8525 version versus the HTC version? I'm going to
need an unlocked phone one way or the other. I don't mind having someone
unlock the 8525; it's cheaper than buying it unlocked. The Cingular
salesman (not likely an unbiased source) said there are sometimes problems
with third-party phones working properly with data. That makes no sense to
me and he couldn't be more specific but I want to be sure buying a
non-Cingular phone won't be any sort of problem when I'm on the Cingular
network.

I'm fine with the keyboard, including the soft keys that some people
complain about being too close to the screen. But I found the keys on the
front to be kind of crowded. The TyTN's layout seems to spread them out.
What's the experience with this layout?

Bottom line -- does the TyTN have advantages over the 8525 (other than the
video cam on the front; useless to me)? Do users prefer the TyTN key
layout? Any problems getting the unlocked TyTN, or unlocking the 8525? I
know there's a price difference but I may be buying this without an upgrade
discount so that won't amount to much.

Thanks!

Mike Simmons

On Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:00:33 -0800, SMS wrote:

> Mike Simmons wrote:
>
>> Bottom line -- does the TyTN have advantages over the 8525 (other than the
>> video cam on the front; useless to me)? Do users prefer the TyTN key
>> layout? Any problems getting the unlocked TyTN, or unlocking the 8525? I
>> know there's a price difference but I may be buying this without an upgrade
>> discount so that won't amount to much.
>
> I think that it's cheaper to buy it on Amazon for $225 with a new
> service plan, then cancel within 30 days to avoid Cingular's $175
> termination fee, and let Amazon take back the $250 equipment discount.
>
> This would end up costing you $475. The unlocked TyTN is around $700.
> Without a contract, it's $550 from Cingular, so it might not be worth
> the hassle to save $75.
>
> "http://www.amazon.com/Cingular-8525-PDA-Phone/dp/B000KFWUMG"

Interesting idea! I never would have found that by myself. Thanks.

Mike Simmons

Mike Simmons wrote:
> On Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:00:33 -0800, SMS wrote:
>
>> Mike Simmons wrote:
>>
>>> Bottom line -- does the TyTN have advantages over the 8525 (other than the
>>> video cam on the front; useless to me)? Do users prefer the TyTN key
>>> layout? Any problems getting the unlocked TyTN, or unlocking the 8525? I
>>> know there's a price difference but I may be buying this without an upgrade
>>> discount so that won't amount to much.
>> I think that it's cheaper to buy it on Amazon for $225 with a new
>> service plan, then cancel within 30 days to avoid Cingular's $175
>> termination fee, and let Amazon take back the $250 equipment discount.
>>
>> This would end up costing you $475. The unlocked TyTN is around $700.
>> Without a contract, it's $550 from Cingular, so it might not be worth
>> the hassle to save $75.
>>
>> "http://www.amazon.com/Cingular-8525-PDA-Phone/dp/B000KFWUMG"
>
> Interesting idea! I never would have found that by myself. Thanks.

Well I forgot about the $36 activation fee. Does Cingular give that back
if you cancel? Some carriers do, some don't.

On Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:16:42 -0800, SMS wrote:

> Well I forgot about the $36 activation fee. Does Cingular give that back
> if you cancel? Some carriers do, some don't.

I don't know. One more thing I'll keep in mind when adding it all up,
though.

Mike Simmons