| Author |
Do I want a G900 or an iPhone? |
MattGB
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 17
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I'm really stuck as to whether to go for the G900 or get an iPhone.
I currently have a W810i, which is quite old now, as I have been waiting for the next great thing from SE, which hasn't really happened yet (not even the K850i, which was horrible) and the G900 looks pretty much perfect... except for the lack of GPS. If they'd put that on too, I'd definitely get it.
The iPhone of course has that, but is maybe a bit over the top, generally, in what I want, and comes on an expensive tarrif on o2, here in UK.
Also, I don't see how you can carry the iPhone around safely without putting in in a pocket and breaking it!
I know you can get a bluetooth GPS receiver, and software for phones like the G900, but despite asking several times, I'm still unsure whether the software can work without streaming over the net, or whether you can pre-load maps and use the GPS navigation off-line.
I've been a SE man for many many years but am wondering if it's time to change now.
Any thoughts? |
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MattGB
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 17
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I've managed to get this as a separate thread now, so any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks! |
JANE4U2
Joined: Aug 18, 2007
Posts: 66
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I too had the same case . now i have decided to give up my w810 with g900. iphone has no autofocus and 5 mp cam , no video recording (i think),comes on A expensive contract and many other features lacking.
[ This Message was edited by: JANE4U2 on 2008-07-13 18:51 ] |
Nitro Fan
Joined: Jun 11, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: London
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Personally I fail to see why so many people have been seduced into buying a device which is technically inferior to theG900 in every way. The one single thing the IPHONE has that theG900 does not is a built in GPS reciever! it is a no brainer, if it is just looks you are after buy the IPHONE if you want a tool that will make your day easier by the G900 or a P1.
On phone GPS systems tend to fall into two categories:
Those where you Pre Load the maps onto your device, TomTom Navigator 6 is a good example, and it works well with the UIQ3 UI. (This works fine with most bluetooth GPS units but it will NOT work with the SE GPS headset) but you will need to buy new maps every couple of years. I use this daily in my car without any problems on my P1 (I bought the speed camera and traffic info packs making this an inexpensive yet really comprehensive navigation system)
And those known as offboard systems such as Wayfinder where you download a small program , Then when you connect to a GPS unit you will be presented with a map showing your current position, you can then plan any route you wish you will then download your chosen route maps using your phones data connection. This is not very expensive when in your own country, BUT as no one seems to be putting any pressure on the mobile operators over data roaming charges, can become pricey when abroad! I use this on my W960 in combination with my SE GPS headset in pedestrian mode when I am working abroad.
Having said that the latest version of Wayfinder will allow you to pre download maps BUT no longer allows you to buy a lifetime subscription making it less of a bargain than it once was. But it does allow you to log into a website where you can pre select destinations and store them as favourites this makes things much more simple than trying to do it all on a small device.
But There are plenty of threads on ESATO that explain the whole GPS issue far better than I can.
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I am getting fed up with Sony Ericsson's cheap and nasty build quality
[ This Message was edited by: Nitro Fan on 2008-07-13 18:51 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Nitro Fan on 2008-07-13 18:54 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Nitro Fan on 2008-07-13 18:59 ] |
MattGB
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 17
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All I want to do it have a map of London saved in my phone and use that to navigate with.
I don't understand why the phone needs to use its data connection if the map is in the phone and the signal is coming from the GPS satellites.
I keep asking people about this, and they mention software which they say does this, but then I check it out, they all seem to requite streaming data from your network provider!
If I was sure I could get a GPS thing working on the G900 that used an internal map and didn't require streaming data, then I'd probably go for that instead of the iphone, but no one seems to know if that's possible!! |
Nitro Fan
Joined: Jun 11, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: London
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OK really simple answer, you can have exactly what you want, a map on the phone you do not have to use data streaming to use.(I assume this is what you want?)
Buy TomTom Navigator 6 on DVD and load it to your phone you can choose which maps to load. buy a Hollox GPS reciever and you will never ever have to stream a map again.
But with respect if you had read my first post you would already know that! or had tried the search function 
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I am getting fed up with Sony Ericsson's cheap and nasty build quality
[ This Message was edited by: Nitro Fan on 2008-07-13 19:06 ] |
AD
Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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I think that if GPS is the only sticking point then maybe you should look into the various packages available for symbian, and also investigate the cost of an unlimited data bolt-on to your existing tarrif. Compare the cost's, including the expense of an external GPS reciever, factor in your personal preference as to style, practicality etc. then base your decision on these facts. I'm sure you could answer your dilema with a half-hour googling session 
My personal preference in your position would be for the G900 option, or even a P1, concidering the fact that the G900 is nothing more than a repackaged P1, albeit with a better camera. I also think the iphone would ultimately be something of a disapointment due to all the hype, and the fact that it seems to me to be way too proprietry in terms of software and network choice. Add to that the fact of the improvements being brought to the symbian platform via the hacking/modding community.
There, I think I've conviced myself I'd get a P1, GPS reciever, and find some software that's not data intensive/unlimitted data plan. I've not done the maths, but would be amazed if it's not cheeper than than the iphone with it's pricey tarrif in the long run.
[ This Message was edited by: AD on 2008-07-13 19:08 ] |
MattGB
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 17
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On 2008-07-13 20:02:18, Nitro Fan wrote:
OK really simple answer, you can have exactly what you want, a map on the phone you do not have to use data streaming to use.(I assume this is what you want?)
Buy TomTom Navigator 6 on DVD and load it to your phone you can choose which maps to load. buy a Hollox GPS reciever and you will never ever have to stream a map again.
But with respect if you had read my first post you would already know that! or had tried the search function
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I am getting fed up with Sony Ericsson's cheap and nasty build quality
[ This Message was edited by: Nitro Fan on 2008-07-13 19:06 ]
Yes, thankyou....
I am aware of the TomTom software but it's very expensive, so am looking for alternatives.
The search function on this site is quite cumbersome and I just wanted some answers specific to my query. |
MattGB
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 17
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The TomTom site says that Navigator 6 is only compatible with the W950i Of SE phones), so if this works with other SE, why doesn't it say so?
Also, it's £87!!
http://www.tomtom.com/product[....]es.php?ID=260&Category=2&Lid=1 |
Del
Joined: Jan 11, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Kent, UK
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Tomtom 6 runs well on my G900, do a google search and your find quite a few sites with all the info you need 
Brought to you straight from the event horizon of a quantum singularity.   |
MattGB
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 17
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On 2008-07-13 21:09:40, Del wrote:
Tomtom 6 runs well on my G900, do a google search and your find quite a few sites with all the info you need
Right, well that's good to know then.
Did you get it cheaper than the £87 on the TomTom website? If so, can you give me some pointers of how to get it cheaper?
I've done a bit of a search but there seems to be a lot of versions and none of them says they might work with the G900! |
Del
Joined: Jan 11, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Kent, UK
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If you buy it you need the DVD version which comes with the UIQ 3 installer sis file.
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[ This Message was edited by: masseur on 2008-07-14 09:37 ] |
nicv27
Joined: Oct 15, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: kent
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Samsung Galaxy S3 White iPad 2 32gb 3G +16/-0 Twitter.nicv27 |
Ranjith
Joined: Dec 07, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Saudi Arabia/India,Cochin
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avoid iphone at all costs!
g900 is what you will be satisfied with(frankly speaking you will be satisfied with even t68 over iphone ).
or maybe look into iphone 2. |
apolloa
Joined: Jul 27, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Dorset, UK
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I too use Tom Tom 6 quite happily on my G900 fine. And IMO the G900 is much better then my P1i is, I hate the keyboard and the screen on the G900 is way better, this means it's easier read when driving in sunlight.
So I too recommend the G900. IMO the iPhone is crap, the interface is stunning but that's it, it lacks features. You can't even stream via bluetooth to headphones using a2dp or even buy tunes of iTunes over the 3g network. But if you worried about cost then forget GPS on a phone to be honest. Tom Tom 6 costs in initial outlay and then you buy a gps unit, the iPhone currently has NO gps software available, Tom Tom are the only ones rumoured to be launching a product for the iPhone. This leaves you with Google Maps, great if your on foot but forget it if your driving.
Do you want to use GPS whilst driving around London or walking? |
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Posted: 2008-07-13 18:15
