A smartphone is a cross between a phone and a PDA, leaning towards the phone. Usually, without a full-size keyboard. And a communicator leans towards the PDA, and comes with that kind of keyboard.
I've been eyeing a device for a long time that would let me make calls, read books, and listen to music all at the same time. But until now, finding such devices, especially ones that actually meet my requirements, has been tough.
The requirements are as follows (apart from it working fine as a phone):
- mini-USB connection to a PC, ideally seeing the memory as a drive (UMS)
- Standard 3.5 mm audio jack (2.5 is okay, but not ideal) and tolerable sound quality (I'm no audiophile - the main thing is no static)
- convenient music playback controls, the ability to listen while reading, and the song not resetting after a call
- a decent book-reading app, or the ability to install one
- a decent, large-sized screen
- memory cards from the micro/mini SD or MMC family (Sony MS is undesirable)
- no need for a camera, but if it's 2-3 megapixels - then it's acceptable
Today I looked into the issue once again, aided by a pretty good site, https://gsmarena.com . It's the only place that lists the physical screen sizes of smartphones, which is important to me.
The conclusions are: devices that work for me are still very expensive right now, mostly because of their niche, aimed at enthusiasts. Because of this niche, they're crammed with extra features that drive up the price.
There are a couple of suitable ones, like the relatively old qtek 8010 smartphone (the screen is a bit small, though). Also, on a promo from my carrier LMT I could grab a Sony Ericsson K610i or a Nokia 6233. The price turns out to be tolerable, but their screens are even smaller, because they are even less of a PDA than the qtek.
But cool gadgets like the motorola a1000, the new N-series Nokias, new qteks, or Sony-Ericssons are out of my price range for now, sadly. So the wait will have to continue. I'd be better off buying two 400GB hard drives and setting up a "mirror", just so I don't lose my super-valuable stashes of music and movies.