[billcollins531]

The definition of a smart phone is more of opinion than anything as the device continues to evolve. A regular phone can make calls, has a few features like a touchscreen, maybe a few games, that's it. A smart phone has apps and perhaps a higher quality camera. Super smartphones are the big dogs like iPhone, Nexus, and Droid. Basically laptops in your pocket.

Mr. Phantomcat, my Dad is getting an iPad 2 next week, I'll let you know how we like it!! Have you decided to get a tablet yet? What did you go with?

[arby]

Cell phone providers call your phone a 'feature phone.' There are regular phones, then feature phones, then smart phones. Feature phones are essentially regular phones on steroids. They have cell phone Operating Systems and can do basic web browsing, email, and some basic apps that you can download through the phone.

Smart Phones have a more advanced Operating System such as what is on the iPhone, the Android OS, the Blackberry OS, and the Windows Mobile OS. (I didn't research what each OS was called ) They support more advanced apps are more powerful, etc. If your phone doesn't have one of the four OSes above right now, it's not considered a smart phone.

[PhantomCat]

Thanks guys.
No wonder the guy at Radio Shack said my Samsung Eternity was a poor man's iPhone. Now I get it. Now, two years later, I can go back and clobber that guy.

Mr. BillCollins
I'm still watching and waiting to see the other tablets to be released. I was just in Office Depot the other day to play with some. The only had 2 and their displays were not working properly. One of the workers said he kept fixing them but they keep going back out - blank screen. Geez! That didn't sound very encouraging. Nor did it make me want to buy that brand. That iPad 2 is supposed to be 3 times faster that the first. I like the idea of that because the first one is a bit sluggish. Yes, please let me know how it works out.

[arby]

I am still looking at the Dell Duo since a netbook would meet my needs more than a tablet. This way I could get the best of both worlds. You originally mentioned it, PhantomCat. I just got a notice from staples that they're offering it for $499. That's a good deal for a netbook with dual core, 2 GB of RAM and 350 GB hard drive. My wife said I can buy it, I just hate spending the $500 so I might wait to see if they get past the one biggest complaint - 2 hour battery life and the battery not being user serviceable. If they would make it removable, I'd just get a second battery and always keep one charged.

[PhantomCat]

Tax-Free Weekend Electronic Shopping Meet-Up
The first weekend in August (5th - 7th) is for buying anything that can be used for going back to school, tax free.
If you start saving now you'll be ready to buy your laptap, tablet, new cell phone, or anything else you want to buy that weekend.

Because this thread is about electronics, I'd like to get together with whoever wants to shop that weekend for their perfect electronic gadget. Who's with me?

Start doing your research now to find out what store will carry your gadget of choice so we'll have some direction that weekend as to where we will be shopping. This should be a fun outing and we could even go out to eat together once the shopping's done.

Too much information: - I usually only buy underwear that weekend. I will be changing that up this year! I have enough under-sexy to last for a while. If we happen to be in a store that sells other needs, no one will hate you if you need to pickup some under-sexy for yourself.

Saving Tip
Start saving at least $100 per month - $50 per check - for your spending power that weekend. Combine some cash from your income-tax return and you should be good to go!
Who's with me?

[coasterdave]

For the record I was not referring to any over hyped product made by a Fruit Company. I mean I saw people camping out here in my small town waiting on the IPoodle2 to come out. They wanted the right to say that they where the first one in my town to but one on TV. The local fools at the TV Station where on hand to show them get the First IPoodle2 and you would think they just won a million bucks yell and screaming. They had been there for a week without leaving. Only thing I though was these people need to get out more and maybe get LAID.

I bet there is an App that they might download that will help them.

[billcollins531]

One of the most successful technology corporations in the world is notorious for making high quality durable products that the consumer loves. This "fruit company" is burning out the competition and raking in 10s to 100s of billions of dollars every year, for a reason.

iPad 2 is continuing to draw crowds out to the stores, there are even still lines outside the building. Not because someone wants to scream in a camera, but because people want the best tablet currently available on the market, designed and created by the fruit company.

http://www.macrumors.com/2011/03/18/one ... ll-abound/

Like it or not, Apple is a leader; and it does make the industry leading technology.

[coasterdave]

I bet I now know who that was camping out infront of that Verizon Store now with that last reply above. Hope you enjoyed that Fruit Pad.

I mean really Bill? You mean to tell me you get that much in an uproar over what someone says about something on the internet? Man I would hate to see what you would say if I said your favorite ride sucked or something. You might hire a hitman to track me down or something. No need to get bent out of shape buddy! Stop and take a breath for it will be alright.

[PhantomCat]

How's that iPad 2 working out for you Mr. Collins?
I can see your dad having to pry it away from you, or having to look around the house for it because someone has taken it to their room again.

Is it really 3X faster than the original?

[billcollins531]

I bet I now know who that was camping out infront of that Verizon Store now with that last reply above. Hope you enjoyed that Fruit Pad.

I mean really Bill? You mean to tell me you get that much in an uproar over what someone says about something on the internet? Man I would hate to see what you would say if I said your favorite ride sucked or something. You might hire a hitman to track me down or something. No need to get bent out of shape buddy! Stop and take a breath for it will be alright.

Haha I suppose I did get a bit flustered, but that's just the way I am. When I see people dissing something I like for not much of a real reason, I do tend to react harshly. So yes, I do get angry when people dis my favorite ride.

Mr. Phantomcat, it's set to be delivered sometime next week - so I'll let you know when we get it!

[PhantomCat]

Mr. Collins I never saw you as angry at Cdave's remarks. I thought you were just clarifying and setting the record straight. You are a true Apple fan, young man. Maybe Mr. Jobs will allow you to head a new Apple theme park. Can you imagine all the technology that would be in that place? Techies everywhere would love you!

[PhantomCat]

Some iPad 2 parts are manufactured in Japan, and because of their present earthquake and aftermath, it is believed this situation will slow down pad 2's production.

[PhantomCat]

Hey gang,
Samsung has promised to unveil their next round of mobile electronics at http://www.ctiawireless.com on March 22 at 11 am. I will be front and center for this event.

Samsung's website www.samsung.com presently has an invitation to come back for live streams of the event. They released their ultra thin PCs last week and man those babies are sweet!

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/lapt ... 0X3A-A03US
&
http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/lapt ... 0X1A-A01US

[PhantomCat]

Looks like I'll have to wait and view Samsung's site when I get back home tonight. The live feed from the electronic show never did load. Oh, well, something else to look forward to.

Sometimes I love anticipation and sometimes I hate it.
I want it all, and I want it now! Like yesterday!!!

Patience grasshopper...

[arby]

I did decide on a Droid phone, by the way. I talked to my boss yesterday who has had an iPhone 3 and currently has an iPhone 4. She loved her iPhone 3 and would go back to it in a heartbeat if she could. She's had nothing but problems with her iPhone 4. She's on phone #3 right now and it's still not working right. It has all the problems people have complained about.

She did say that the iPhone 5 might be worth waiting for but to watch the reviews on it before getting it. I'll just remain non-trendy and go with the Droid.