iPhones & Netbooks

[MatryoshkaMan]

Hey all!
Let me say it straight out - I plan to buy a nice present for my #1 that I am going to be meeting in Moscow on October 1. This is a 100% WOVO with no back-up plan. Yes I am crazy, just accept it

I want to buy her a "communication device" so that when I get back home it is easier to chat with her. Right now we can only on-line chat at her job. Outside work we are limited to sms text messaging and of course phone calls. She has a computer at home but says that due to some technical problems either in the building or the internet provider to the building that she can't get internet at home. She just checked a week ago and sadly reported back to me that it was not possible. Again I don't really know what the problem is but when we are together and have lots of time to chat I will try to understand it better.

Anyways....

I am going to buy her either a netbook or an unlocked iPhone 3G. I have heard that you can run Skype chat on an iPhone. Anyone know if this is true? That said, I am thinking a netbook is a better solution as she could certainly chat with me at an internet cafe or anywhere else they have wi-fi.


Anyone have any tips for me?

[JR]

She has a computer at home but says that due to some technical problems either in the building or the internet provider to the building that she can't get internet at home. She just checked a week ago and sadly reported back to me that it was not possible. Again I don't really know what the problem is but when we are together and have lots of time to chat I will try to understand it better.

Anyone have any tips for me?

Looks at MM very slyly and says "It's because her boyfriend won't let her scam...er chat to you from home." Hehehheehheheeeeeeee

Ok, I just couldn't help myself and for those who don't understand "IT'S JUST A JOKE!!!"

You're supposed to be able to use Skype on the Blackberry but I haven't found the download for the Storm yet

I think the netbook would be the better route as she already has a phone and the wifi should be a cheaper way to go. I have to pay $30/mo for internet access on my Blackberry. If she has to pay for internet access too then you should pay that cost also if you choose to go the iPhone route.

[I/O]

Skype runs perfectly (full function) on Iphone. (I have a 16G running version 3.01). The big plus for Iphone is full web browsing functions and a range of short versions together with the much larger and expandable screen. I’ve been down the BB road and much as I like Nokia and dislike Apple products, I admit there is nothing in the market place right now to touch Iphone. Recently in Russia it was a “God Send”. For the first time I didn’t take my notebook and didn’t really miss it. It is better now with version 3.01 loaded as it gives landscape keyboard, C&P between SMS and email etc etc.

All in all IMO the best of the smart phones out there by quite a distance. The question I have is does she have Wifi access because I suspect running Skype over a Telco will cost…………..Some Telcos don’t allow it. The other thing to consider is Skype seems fairly thirsty and if Wifi signal is scant it becomes annoying. Cost wise, they are about $900 odd Au (maybe $750 USD) and in Russia they were much the same (a few weeks ago), around 21000 RUR for the 8G and 24000 RUR for 16G.  

[MatryoshkaMan]

So....maybe an iPod touch then? Could she use it for wi-fi chats? She already has a pretty new cell phone. But it looks like I can buy a iPod 3G (not the 3GS) for not much more than the Touch...

Decisions, decisions...perfume, chocolates and roses are so much easier!

[I/O]

Dunno. The only Ipod I have is as old as the ark. 1G Ipod Nano LOL. Mrs uses it (connected to $10 speakers) for playing music to keep her clients at work quiet whilst they are waiting. I know nothing about the newer stuff. The IT geek in the company I work for talked me into the Iphone and for once he gave good advice.

You’ll find it’ll work fine with low Wifi signal for chats and browsing but VoIP (Skype voice) might be a bit frustrating. It tends to come and go a bit if the signal is thin. Mine is a 3G not 3GS. If you have reasonable Wifi signal, you’ll find Skype voice to Skype or Skype voice to cell or landline better than landline to landline. I generally hate gadgets but this thing has changed my thinking. It is as close as I think you can get to a PC in your pocket with a very good phone integrated.

[BC]

Netbook..

If she has a land line at home she can at least chat but video probably not via modem.  Internet cards are not that expensive.

Kinda hard to hook up a 56k modem to an iphone, not to mention more difficult typing etc.

In Moscow there were internet cables everywhere..  Could also go wireless if a neighboring building has access.

[janic]

I would suggest a netbook (or small laptop) and to buy THERE a 3G modem.
An Iphone is IMO not really a good idea: Both functionality and ergonomics are limited.

[Aloe]

what modem are you talking about? in Russia they dont use modems much, unless its for old type dial-up connection, but that type of connection is nearly extinct by now (at least in Moscow). What the internet providers do is lay a cable from their equipment up in the attic of your building direct to your apartment and plug it into your computer, without any modems

[janic]

what modem are you talking about?

Dunno if you refer to my post or BC's. I was talking about a 3G modem: A wireless UMTS or CDMA modem. In UA there's even a provider who specialized in data services and offers voice only as an option.

What the internet providers do is lay a cable from their equipment up in the attic of your building direct to your apartment and plug it into your computer, without any modems

Apparently the MM's RW lives in some place where neither DSL nor CableTV-Internet are available, so 3G would be the way to go if she doesn't wants to be stuck with a 56k modem. The 3G-modem would additionally give her the freedom to access the Internet from a park or other nice place.