Help with smartphone research

[05MM08MM]

I am currently in the process of either upgrading to a new phone and extending my contract or moving to another carrier. Either way a new smartphone is a must have for me. Looking to purchase before my upcoming trip.

First of all carrier aside just looking at the right phone for me, here is what I am looking for.

•Be able to synch MS Outlook (w/out Exchange) email, calendar, and task directly (not over the "cloud")
•Have micro SD card slot (for more storage)
•Web browsing & email
•3.2-4” screen
•Sync MS Office (word & excel) files for viewing (Docs to Go app ok)
•5 MP camera (front facing not needed), flash nice but not mandatory
•Flash Player (certain web sites, especially Disney ones require it for viewing) or able to get it w/update
•Touch screen
•Ability to zoom in when viewing web pages for easier reading of text

Basically I would like to be able to leave my laptop at home and have less stuff to print out and keep track of (MS Office sycning). Looking to combine my phone and PDA in one device.

I will NOT be using my phone to play games, download & listen to music or videos.

I've pretty much figured Blackberry, Android, or WP7 (coming 11/8). I'm not interested in iPhone, I already own an iPod Touch. I'm leaning toward the Blackberry for my needs but do like the larger 3.7-4" screens on the android & WP7 devices. I know I am going to have to sacrifice something.

Any advice/help would be appreciated as I am about ready to pull my hair out at this point with all the info I have found.

TIA

 

[crazelion]

If was me I would go andriod. What hering about Windows 7 on howardfourms which is not good. Driod has plenty of free apps to.

 

[05MM08MM]

If was me I would go andriod. What hering about Windows 7 on howardfourms which is not good. Driod has plenty of free apps to.

Thanks for your response. Yeah, when hearing about WP7 only syncing with Outlook w/Exchange and the SD card stuff it has gotten lowere on my list.

 

[golfgal]

I would go with a Droid X. Blackberry is NOT going to give you most of that. Yes, the sync is pretty easy to set up but the current Blackberry "touch" screen really isn't a touch screen-I know they are introducing a new on or have just introduced one but the screen on those is 1/2 the size of a Droid. I have had both the Droid X and a couple different Blackberries and the Droid is FAR superior to the Blackberry.

 

[05MM08MM]

I would go with a Droid X. Blackberry is NOT going to give you most of that. Yes, the sync is pretty easy to set up but the current Blackberry "touch" screen really isn't a touch screen-I know they are introducing a new on or have just introduced one but the screen on those is 1/2 the size of a Droid. I have had both the Droid X and a couple different Blackberries and the Droid is FAR superior to the Blackberry.

The X has a 4.3" screen I believe, although very nice actually a little too big. There are a couple new phones that are supposed to be coming out this month from all major carriers.

What do you recommend to sync Outlook on android device with? CompanionLink I just don't want to go through the "cloud" and having to create a whole nother account (gmail) just to access stuff. Or is there a seperate calendar (not google that you can use)?

I know Docs 2 Go is available for both BB & Android phones, free to just view Word & Excel docs but you pay to edit, etc.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[golfgal]

The X has a 4.3" screen I believe, although very nice actually a little too big. There are a couple new phones that are supposed to be coming out this month from all major carriers.

What do you recommend to sync Outlook on android device with? CompanionLink I just don't want to go through the "cloud" and having to create a whole nother account (gmail) just to access stuff. Or is there a seperate calendar (not google that you can use)?

I know Docs 2 Go is available for both BB & Android phones, free to just view Word & Excel docs but you pay to edit, etc.

Thanks for your reply.

The Droid 2 has a smaller screen and a real keyboard but after having the X I have found that I MUCH prefer the virtual keyboard-it is SO much easier to use. I just used the google sync for my phone. My calendar is through Gmail, which I sync with Outlook too-I can add a meeting or whatever on either my outlook, gmail or phone calendar and it updates all three instantly. Our interent provider has wireless sync so I just typed in our home email address and set up the account just like I did on my computer so nothing extra to download for that. It works FAR better then my Blackberry ever did. The 2.2 came with Quick office, free. I haven't really used it other then to open thing so I can't really tell you if it is good or not-just that it works a LOT better then my Blackberry. .