My company uses Nextel phones. My i830 has performed well for two years, but, alas, it finally is on its last legs. Time to replace it. My needs are simple. I want bluetooth. My old one didn’t have it and in Chicago it is a law that when you are driving you must use a hands free device while on the phone. So I used a wired ear piece. I am certainly not going to wear a BT earpiece all over the place, but just in my car.

Obviously my next phone has to have the Direct Connect feature, that goes without saying, though it’s probably cheaper to dump that feature and just call each other when we need something. Then we’d have better reception as well. And a better choice of phones. Have you seen these Nextel phones? It’s like everyone else is making cutting edge phones with all the latest features, and they’re stuck in the 1980′s! But their prices are not even competitive. Only 4 of their phones offer BT. Only 2 are smartphones, and the screens are tiny.

Look at their top of the line i930. It’s a smartphone with wm2003, vibracall alert, recent calls list, pocket outlook, pocket ie, – stop me when you’re impressed – windows media player, secure digital slot, infrared port, NO BLUETOOTH, and speaker phone. All for $350 if you sign a contract.

Yesterday, I was all excited to get a new phone. I went to the store and walked out with…nothing. I still need a phone. None of their phones appeal to me. I want an xv6700, a Cingular 8525 or something from this century. I really don’t want a walkie talkie that was used in WWII, dressed up as a phone. I think I’m going to get their least expensive BT phone, the i580, and keep my Axim x50v.

[tags]cingular, sprint, nextel, bluetooth, jamm, just another mobile monday [/tags]