Need a new Phone, Android vs Mango

[Aussie XP]

So my contract is has been finished for a while and I'm in the market for a new phone. I currently have an iPhone 3GS, with a broken silent button that means I can't put it on silent at all.

In light of the 4GS announcement, I am not interested in the slightest in upgrading to that. I don't consider it enough of an upgrade to fork out another 2 years of payments for, I'd rather just keep my 3GS if I had to choose between the two. I really have no idea about what's good, so if anyone can help me it would be GREATLY appreciated.

1. If I keep my 3GS, and get a new phone, thus leaving it SIM-less, can I still use it as an 'iPod Touch' perse, just using the wifi to download apps and what not.

2. Is it possible to buy a 3G data pack for my old 3GS, similar to what people do with the iPads?

3. Android vs Windows 7, do you guys have any opinions? Realistically, the only reason I am even interested in a W7 phone is for the xbox live, achievements feature etc etc. I also like the fact that it has a real version of MSword etc. But if Android is better overall I may be swayed into that.

4. Which specific phones/brands do you guys recommend?
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[GooberMan]

1. is a yes.

2. is a dunno.

3. is a "Still be wary of Win7 because developer support is abysmal" but I am curious to see if Mango wins some people over.

4. is a HTC Desire HD/Incredible S, Xperia Play, or if you like spending money a Galaxy S 2. If you're looking for Androids. Can't help you with Win7 hardware.
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[grim-one]

2. is a function of the SIM and provider. Just shop around for a data-only SIM card. Sorry but I can't say if/which carriers offer them.
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Steam:grim_one | PSN/Live:najakh | Flickr

[Zhou]

1. Yes, but you will get annoying nag messages saying no sim. You can skip these though.

2. Well telstra/optus offer sim with data only prepaid cards for iPad, which should work the same in theory. Don't quote me on that though.

3. I have a samsung galaxy s2 and have been more than happy with it. I've played with the samsung omnia running win 7, wasn't that impressed. How often do you wish you could edit word docs on your phone? Even with a big screen on the s2 and using the office suite included with it is a terrible experience. I'd rather relax on the bus home from uni and work on a proper desktop/laptop than try to edit a 2000 word essay on a phone.

Do you plan to resign for a 2year contract? My friend signed up on Optus who offered white/black sgs2 for $49/month with no handset repayments. Spewing considering I'm on 59/5pm and I only signed up not 3 months ago. *edit* seems it WAS a limited time offer. All I can find is $59/month plans*

Else you can buy it outright as well.
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My flickr
i7 930 | 6gb ddr3 Ripjaws 2000 | GTX 560 | 1tb 7200rpm WD |

[pom013]

1) Yes, thank goodness modern phones will now work without a sim card inserted.

2) yes, don't limit yourself to 'ipad plans' though all our carriers offer a range contract and prepaid data only options. I have no idea how these will run in a phone though so shop around and do your homework.

3) I love my android (Nexus S) and I'm really looking forward to the Ice Cream Sandwich update but it's not for everyone. My recommendation would be to head down to your local telstra/optus/jb and have a play around with Android and WP7 and get a feel for each one and make a decision on what you like that way.

4) Each manufacturer has their own pros and cons, samsung and htc are both delivering good quality devices for both Android and WP7, Sony Ericsson make some absolutely fantastic Android hardware.
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Farewell Rocketship!

[Aussie XP]

Thanks guys,

I'm with 3 currently so I'd like to stick them with as I get a loyalty bonus for being with them since they were Orange. Not sure if I have to switch to Vodafone. It looks like neither of them have Win7 phones though, so might have to go with Android.

They have the samsung galaxy s2 for $45pm with no handset repayments. It looks a lot like an iphone 4 though, not too keen on that just aesthetic wise. Are there new phones around the corner or something? Seems to be cheap considering right now I'm paying for a $49 cap PLUS $35pm for handset + 1gb data.

With win7 I'll be honest, I mostly want it for being able to earn achievements...I'm a whore . Most likely it is not worth it just for that though.
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[emech]

The big question is how much have you invested in itunes and are you prepared to pay again to get the apps/downloads you want on droid/win 7 (unless your going homebrew)? Of course iphone 4s will be cheaper come November............
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[hinduguru]