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Wireless Handheld Recommendations?
JLyle asks: "I am trying to determine my options for a simple wireless internet device that my wife and I could use for instant messaging and/or e-mail. Due to some medical problems she's unable to speak right now and some of her upcoming treatments will require her to be in isolation, so it would be nice for us to have this way to communicate. I'm looking at things like Motorola's Talkabout T900 (around $99 with current rebate deals) or the Palm VIIx (ditto). We don't really need the added features of a full PDA like the Palm Pilot, but it's a nice bonus if that device works well. This is an area where I'm very unaware of the state of the art, etc. Are there any wireless gurus out there who can clue me in as to the most appropriate solution for this situation?"
Although I'm still a fan of the T900 and have been for some time, I've had reliability problems. I purchased mine from Metrocall, and while the service was great, I went through 3 replacements before I just gave up on it. They always broke the same way - one day they ust stopped powering up when I flipped open the screen. And I treated these things gingerly too! If you choose it, I hope you'll have better luck than I.
The RIM Blackberry is another popular option in the pager department.
The option I'm with now is Wireless internet from At&t -- for 15/mo on top of any plan you have unlimited WAP, etc, and the R289LX Phone has an optional clip-on keyboard too (though I chose the T250 myself)
Another cheaper cell-phone option is Voicestream who offers 5mb of WAP data across any of their iStream Phones for $5/month.
And Depending on range, you could even go with some wireless toy like the Cybiko, too.
Hilary Rosen's speech was about her love of money and her desire to roll around naked in a pile of money.