[gernica]

After your contract has expired, you can just call O2 up to unlock it. It was one of the first things I asked O2 before the iPhone3G was released! O2 know full well that after the contract has ended, that the phone is then yours and you have the right (by law) to have it unlocked.

Some O2 reps may try to persuade you otherwise, but legally they are obliged to do it.

[markphata]

Got my Omnia 2 weeks ago. Hated it at first, then I actually took time to learn how it works and what it can do.
Now I am absolutely in love with it!!

[PristisoliTer]

Currently own the HTC Touch Diamond and I love it so small yet so powerful, will be replacing it for the Touch HD, mainly wanted the HD was for the bigger 3.8" screen for TomTom 7, will have that Friday

Everyone who has seen the Touch HD says the screen looks incredible, can't wait to play with it.

My vote for best alternative to the iPhone would be the Touch HD and Touch Diamond if you want a smaller phone.

[serius_06]

After your contract has expired, you can just call O2 up to unlock it. It was one of the first things I asked O2 before the iPhone3G was released! O2 know full well that after the contract has ended, that the phone is then yours and you have the right (by law) to have it unlocked.

Some O2 reps may try to persuade you otherwise, but legally they are obliged to do it.

What about if I buy a PAYG iPhone? What's the best way of getting it unlocked? I've seen people offering unlocking packages on eBay.

TBH I'm still concerned about it all going wrong. Someone said they unlocked their phone and when they upgraded it it turned in to a brick! This was on the Q&A of an eBay listing for an unlocking service; the seller offered to help the person so I don't know the outcome.

[gernica]

I'd recommend going contract if I were you, especially if you're planning to use it a lot for data transfers (Internet etc) due to prices.

Regarding jailbreaking - I personally havent done it as I havent seen a need to, but I know a couple of people that have done it to their phone and havent got a brick.

[JoZertekAdv]

Palm Pre if you can wait



http://www.palm.com/us/products/phones/pre/

http://i.gizmodo.com/5126702/palm-pr...simply-amazing

Very impressive phone

[serius_06]

I'd recommend going contract if I were you, especially if you're planning to use it a lot for data transfers (Internet etc) due to prices.

Regarding jailbreaking - I personally havent done it as I havent seen a need to, but I know a couple of people that have done it to their phone and havent got a brick.

On PAYG you still get 12 months unlimited browsing and wi-fi. After that it's only £10 per month.

Edit: And if I got a PAYG couldn't I unlock it and use on another network straight away?

[JohnfAclambrJA]

I'd recommend going contract if I were you, especially if you're planning to use it a lot for data transfers (Internet etc) due to prices.

Regarding jailbreaking - I personally havent done it as I havent seen a need to, but I know a couple of people that have done it to their phone and havent got a brick.

Jailbreaking the phone does not brick the phone unless you try to restore a previous non jailbroken backup.
You can always restore with a fresh non jailbroken firmware but not a backup from what I understand. It's trying to unlock the phone that has high probability of bricking.

[serius_06]

It's trying to unlock the phone that has high probability of bricking.

That kind of puts me off getting one and attempting to unlock it.

[Barryrich]

Nobody mentioned the SE X1? (xperia)

[JohnfAclambrJA]

It is a sexy phone no doubt but I would rather spend that money towards an HTC Touch HD...
The ultimate phone!

[ManHolDenPoker]

It is a sexy phone no doubt but I would rather spend that money towards an HTC Touch HD...
The ultimate phone!

Have you ever used an HTC phone?

And now thinking about it, did you not say that the WinMo platform was open (Edit: I meant "open" as in less restrictive, not as in open-source)??? I think the ultimate open mobile platform is/will be Android. I can assure you it is NOT WinMo.

Also, jailbreaking the iPhone does allow for some open development and customization. Here are some of my own customizations:

[JohnfAclambrJA]

Yes I've had HTC Mogul, Tytn II/Tilt, and Fuze Pro/Diamond Pro. Loved every phone. My current phone is the iPhone since I have given my HTC phones to my friends but I'm getting my Diamond Pro/Fuze Pro back since I can not stand the iPhone anymore. My friend wants the iPhone anyway.
I see great things coming with android but its new and the support is growing. WinMo has been around longer and for now it has the most support and very large community.
www.xda-developers.com is the best place to look up Cooked ROMS, tweaks, and software for most HTC phones and some non htc WinMo Phones.
The iPhone has been terrible to me and so has apple support. They refuse to replace my phone when it is CLEARLY a faulty battery. This battery has inconsistent battery life even after constant restarts to close any app that was running the background.
Like with the camera if I take a picture then go straight to the album and then to home screen... it will KEEP the camera rolling even though I have gone to the home screen. I know this because the phone becomes VERY hot in my pocket (also quickly draining the batt) and when I click the camera it automatically shows what the lens sees instead of doing its silly animation where the eye opens. A restart is the only way to fix this.
Both the iPhone OS and winmo have stupid bugs but at least I am free to customize on my WinMo phone and have far better programs IMO.
More than 80% of the programs in the apps store are worthless. Talking abuot tools/utility apps... worthless
I must admit the shoutcast and Pandora apps are awesome... But it's not like WinMo cant do that.
IMO what ever the iPhone does... the WinMo does better. The only thing the iPhone has is it's friendly user interface. For someone who wants a phone with entertainment features included then the iPhone wins thanks to a good browser, itunes, ipod, and stupid apps for people to burn money on. For a user who wants a phone with lots of features for work/entertainment/fun/freedom then go WinMo.

[ManHolDenPoker]

A restart is the only way to fix this. Have you tried opening the camera then holding down the home button for 10 seconds (until the program closes)? That will literally unload it from memory.

Anyway, those are good points, but it seems like you have lemon. I have no complaints about mine other than MMS and the lousy GPS.

My experience with HTC has led me to... well... this

[pipitous]

Got my Omnia 2 weeks ago. Hated it at first, then I actually took time to learn how it works and what it can do.
Now I am absolutely in love with it!!

I've got one too, on contract from vodafone and its a pretty good phone.

Very easy to navigate and even posting to the FM forum is easy if you use the stylus.

Got quite a few good apps for mine.
Games are a bit thin on the ground, but I've got a few good ones.

[nobodyhere]

Google G1 - better than the iPhone in practically every way imo (except music/media I guess)

- Full qwerty keyboard for precise typing
- Trackball for precise movements during browser
- Open source platform
- Multiple desktops
- Gmail integration

Elite!

[ManHolDenPoker]

Google G1 - better than the iPhone in practically every way imo (except music/media I guess)

- Full qwerty keyboard for precise typing
- Trackball for precise movements during browser
- Open source platform
- Multiple desktops
- Gmail integration

Elite!

I agree, except, in my area, T-Mobile carries the G1 and their service is AWFUL!