<p>I can replace my old phone. I am not sure what I want. I presently have a simple phone. I mainly make calls and occasionally text message. What I don’t like about my present phone is the keypad for texting. I definitely want a full keypad this time.
I could get an iphone. H got one on Sat. He is happy with it. I know it would be nice. I don’t mind paying the cost of the iphone but am hesitant about adding another $40 dollars a month to the cell phone bill. Would be 80 since H has the iphone now.
D2 has a Blackberry. I don’t think I want to deal with the rollerball. I live minutes from the beach and I am concerned about sand.
The sales rep recommended the Pantech Matrix. It has both a regular keypad and a full keypad and slides both up and down and to the side. I am also considering the ATT Quickfire. Is the Iphone worth the extra. I can afford the $40 but I am frugal by nature.
I also am hoping to find a phone that will pair with my 06 BMW X3.
Anyone have any imput.</p>
<p>The iphone is worth the extra if you will use some of the applications. The numberity and variety are truly amazing. I’m a new user and keep finding new ones and there’s a thread her you should check out that lists many more. You can use it as a GPS, an ebook reader, a restaurant finder and just about anything you can think of. The GPA capability alone makes it worth it to me as I travel so much.</p>
<p>And doesn’t a family plan bring the costs down?</p>
<p>I love my iPhone and would never go back to a regular phone after 2 years of constant use.</p>
<p>It is basically a sealed unit so very little opportunity for sand to get in the way (I suppose you could get some in the earphone jack or power plug.)</p>
<p>I would not get a slider unit - my daughter has one and I can see sand gumming up the works very easily.</p>
<p>As for the iPhone apps, I find that I use the google maps a great deal. OpenTable is also very handy for restaurant reviews and reservations. But most of all, I use it for the internet…</p>
<p>I love my iPhone…did not imagine how much…have had it since December. Coincidentally, I have a 2006 BMW X3, too, and from what I can tell from the BMW web site, the new iPhone will not work with this vehicle, but I have not talked to the service folks about it. I have to go there tomorrow to have a head light adjustment module replaced…I will ask. I too am reluctant to spend $40 a month I do not have to spend, but it is well worth it, saves me lots of hassles, enables me to monitor all kinds of things when I am away from home for a few hours. I have no paid applications, but lots of very helpful ones. Good luck.</p>
<p>lorelei-I have found that some phones will pair even if they are not on the “list”. My Nokia paired perfectly. Sadly that phone died. My LG phone pairs but it does not load the address book. So it rings and to see who is calling I have to look at the phone. Also the same for dialing. I rarely talk while driving but since Ca is now hands free I like having the option to pick up a call while driving.
I think I am going to try to pair my H’s Iphone and see if it works. I know my D’s Blackberry Curve pairs and it is also not on the “list”.</p>
<p>If you are concerned about sand, then you may want to consider how sand would affect slider phones (like the Pantech Matrix and Duo). If you are not going to use the additional features of the Iphone, then don’t bother paying for it. I don’t like the Blackberry because of its size.</p>
<p>If you can wait a bit Apple may come with a cheaper iPhone as well as higher end version. You would not like a slider phone in a sandy enviornment. If the rumors are true an iPhone with less features it might be perfect for you.</p>
<p>If I had the iphone I would use it. But do I need it?
Hadn’t thought about the slider and the sand. I just hate the idea of using my new phone every two years to get a plain flip phone.
Since I am still undecided I am just being patient and will wait.</p>
<p>Just back from the dealer and they set up my iPhone on my BMW X3. They did say they could do it because I had the Premium Package, whatever that means…I think it means the GPS, but I really do not know. I got them to synchronize everything, and I am all set. Thank you for mentioning this, or I would not have thought to ask and get it set up. I did not envision enjoying my iPhone as much as I do, not for games, but for functioning, satisfying curiosity, problem solving…it comes in handy many times a day. Good luck!</p>