what smart phone should I get?

[crimsonblue]

For my birthday, my parents are buying me a new phone and 1 yr of service. I want an iphone, but they aren't in stock anywhere in KS or KCMO, and I'm getting impatient. I've researched a lot of others, but what would you recommend? (the whole spying thing doesn't bother me in respect to phone carrier... Not because att and verizon do it, but bc I have a colored past that basically ensures the govt is keeping tabs on me.. yippee.)

[Greyskye]

1. I like the Tilt

from AT&T. It's actually made by a company called HTC. http://tinyurl.com/ypsrmq

YMMV though. Although I've been very happy with mine (it is currently running Windows Mobile with a very cool wrapper program from SPB (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/mobileshell/?en) a friend of mine at work got his at the same time, and his kept locking up (he went through 5 different Tilts) before he got a Blackberry instead.

Built in GPS, photos and video, QWERTY keyboard, touch screen, takes mini-SD cards. The last half-dozen books I've read have been on the Tilt - always having a book with you really rocks. :)

[SacredCow]

2. I just got the LG Dare this past weekend....

It's basically LG's iPhone knockoff. So far, it seems pretty slick (but not as eye-popping as the iPhone). I do wonder how durable the thing is going to be, but my previous phone was an LG Chocolate which proved to be durable enough for my needs.

I guess the biggest consideration is the carriers' service in your area. My work phone is through AT&T, and have no problem saying that the service sucks big-time. I literally can not talk for more than 5 minutes without being dropped. My verizon account is my "home" phone and I rarely get dropped.

[jobycom]

3. I have an unlocked Nokia N95 sitting in a UPS truck to be delivered today.

http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/nokia-n95-brown-silver/4505-6452_7-32581338.html?tag=prod.txt.3

You could use it with AT&T or T-Mobile. It doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard, though. It does everything else. GPS, music and video playback, works with Audible books, 5 Mega camera, WiFi, VoIP calling, Symbian OS, even makes phone calls. Lots of Youtube videos on what all it can do.

CompUSA and a couple of other places have it at $399. Very pricey, but you don't have to sign a carrier contract, and since you are looking at a one year contract, you're going to pay a lot for a phone.