smartphone recommendations

Depending on your carrier, any Windows phone would be best for syncing seamlessly with Microsoft applications. You can do it with Android phones if you have the tenacity to fiddle with different apps and settings. Whichever OS you choose just make sure you get the best hardware specs available (dual core, high Ghz processor, plenty of ram, capacitive screen), because the requirements to run new OS releases keep jumping just like Windows requirements. It also helps to stay mainstream, because OS upgrades are more likely to be made available quicker with the more popular phones (LG is not a good brand for keeping software/firmware up to date).

Motorola Atrix 4G

Droid Operating system blows away I-Phone OS. Best part is no need to get apps from I-tunes account.

AS3

I've got a Motorola Droid X2 that I like. I don't use full-blown Outlook - we have Outlook Web Access through work that seems to be OK.

At&T is not the only choice for iphone - Verizon has it too (around here anyway)

Lovin' my HTC Impulse, although I only get 3G as our area is not set up through ATT for 4G yet.

If you find yourself in low or no coverage areas on a regular basis, one accessory I highly recommend is the Wilson signal booster cradle.

http://www.wilsonelectronics.com/Productlisting.aspx?Category=7

It is made in the USA, very rare for electronics these days, and in most areas will take you from no signal to at least a 3 bar, if not 5 bar 3G signal.

I use pocket Excel regularly, as well as Outlook for my email app, both work really well. The ability to use Adobe pdf documents is good enough I've considered purchasing the Acrobat app, although I don't often have the need to convert to pdf in the field.

The e reader app is great as well, can download books just like the various Kindle and Nook tablets for those times when I get unexpected downtime to kill. I have no clue about games, as I have never progressed beyond Solitaire.

My only complaint is the smartphones really do better with bluetooth ear piece, sometimes will drop calls if sweat hits the touchpad during a call.

My choice is Iphone with one of these added, if you happen to drive a stick shift the bluetooth is priceless. I tested quite a few and this is by far the most reliable and professional grade earpiece.

Plantronics Discovery 975

I'm not an AT&T fan either, Dane. That's why my iPhone is on Verizon.

I used to be an Apple Basher, too. I have been for over 30 years.

After experience with Droid phones and tablets and iPads and iPhones, I know which is superior. I'll keep my iPad and iPhone, thank you.

Android v. iOS is very much like a comparison of Windows v. Mac. There are a bazillion ways to do things in Windows (making it often confusing for n00bs) and it's good for people who like to tinker, often called "power users". Mac has many fewer ways to do the same functions, making it pretty straight-forward and easy for n00bs or those who don't want to tinker.

The same could be said for Android and iOS, respectively.

So if you want to root your phone, tinker, add a bunch of goodies and play in the backend stuff, get Android. If you just want it to work and can get used to whatever they throw at you, get an iPhone.

Personally, I can't NOT tinker, so Android is far superior, IMHO. But I can see how an iPhone would be viewed as superior simply because there's not much to do after opening the box.

Another droid x2 user and I will recommend it. Plus if you root it you can tether without paying ridiculous fees to the carrier!

I agree. I am one of those 'what would happen if I did this people', so I love to tinker with my droid 2, not the fastest around but I really like it especially with version 2.3 software.

I have it synched with the server at the office, so when i get an email there I get it out in the field as well on my phone.

I would wait for a few weeks and snatch up the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Nexus Prime)
It will be available on multiple carriers and runs the latest Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) Operating System.

Having really good luck with my Motorola Photon 4G Android on Sprint. I use Outlook and thought I'd have a really tough time getting things transferred from my old HTC Windows Mobile device. Found the SPB Migration utility which was able to convert, not only Outlook email and settings, but the Calendar, Tasks, Contacts, text messages and even call histories. Pretty simple to use, just have to make the transfer within four hours of uploading the data from your old phone to their "cloud" and then back to your new droid.

Syncing with Outlook calendar, contacts, and tasks has been pretty straight forward using the AndroidSync Manager. Auto-Syncs my data over the WiFi whenever I'm connected on both ends. Emails aren't an issue as they're downloaded independently to both the phone and the office PC, so they show up on both devices directly from the email server. I use gmail, an old at&t cloud server, and aol. No problem having all of the accounts on the Android. There are plenty of email readers for android that make browsing and replying to emails quite simple.

One of the best features that I like on my Photon is Motorola's proprietary ZumoCast software which gives me access to my computer files whenever I'm away from the office. I can easily view, browse, stream or download files directly from my computer to the Photon; and, it's amazingly fast. A few days ago, I needed to see a topo drawing while I was on a project site. Used ZumoCast to access and open the dwg file, which was automatically uploaded to the "cloud" and viewed using the AutoCad WS Viewer for Android. I had the file opened and viewing in under 2 minutes.

Like Wendell said, there are a lot of possibilities when you switch to an Android system. Getting over the initial migration hump was the trickiest part, but once I found the SPB migration, it was no issue at all. Can't wait to get an Android tablet to augment my smartphone, now. Thinking about a Nook?

JBS

Thats what I'm waiting for.

I guess it's like the old Ford Vs. Chevy debate.
I've owned both the Verizon iPhone, and a few of the Droids.
I wanted to like the iPhone more, I tried and tried to get used to it...but for me the Droid 3 is just better...though that was 3 months ago...I'm sure it's obsolete now.;-)

lol...it is!!!!:-)
Forced obsolescence....ya gotta love it

Here at work, we have both iPhones and Androids working seamlessly with Microsoft Exchange Server.

I agree with Wendell on what it boils down to.

Android does offer FREE turn by turn voice navigation on Google maps...costs extra on the iPhone.

I have one in each pocket....

If I had to choose.... I *might* go with the iPhone.

My dos centavos...

Be careful if you contemplate GPS Real Time Network use ...

Identical phones behave differently depending on the carrier. Each carrier implements different communication protocols, even though the phone itself may be capable of many others also. Only way to be sure is to go to the carrier's phone store with your GPS equipment and test it outside in the parking lot.

I have the HTC Evo, which I like a lot. I use Sprint so I have unlimited data stream.

I am anti-apple so an iphone is not in my future.

I have used my phone to navigate just like a dedicated vehicle GPS without difficulty.

I don't use outlook so I am not sure about the sych-ing abilities....

Be careful if you contemplate GPS Real Time Network use ...

That is GREAT advice....

and much less stressful than getting it home and then it not working.

Be careful if you contemplate GPS Real Time Network use ...

I bought my phone at Costco, and made sure I could bring it back if I couldn't get it to work. It is an internet only device and I have unlimited access, 24/7, for 30 bucks a month. I wanted to have a phone that is dedicated to only using it with GPS, but then I got a lap top with blue tooth and it works with that too...:clap: And yes, it worked like a charm when I got it home...;-) I've been using this set up for almost 6 years and replaced the battery on the phone once.