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How can I get better browsing with a smartphone?

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Most, if not all, smartphones fall short on the web browsing experience as they cannot display minimum 800-pixel-wide pages. How can I improve that experience and still use a compact, pocket-friendly phone that's good for phone calls?

I'd like to make a quick check of emails and do short replies using the phone. But for more involved action, could another device be quickly and conveniently be used with the phone as the connection?

I'm thinking of devices like the Nokia N810, Asus Eee PC and so on, but how quick and useable it is to connect to 3G/HSDPA mobile for the web and email activity. Bluetooth or wired?

Latest Comments

Easy

I have a Panasonic G900 (800*480 screen) 3G and works great, love the phone.... (most issues have been resolved)

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Anonymous Coward

eeepc + 3 dongle

Don't let 3 or CPW tell you it won't work, it works fine, as long as you are in a reception area, and is very easy to set up.

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Obvious one..

...the iPhone is incredible for web browsing and is a good phone, not cheap as i'm sure you're aware but there is no better mobile browsing experience.

Failing that, a decent 3G phone, be it a smartphone if you like, that can be attached to a PC as a modem - as suggested above.

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N800 paired with 6120 HSDPA

I have an N800 paired via Btooth with a Nokia 6120 classic on 3 network.

Fast 3.5 G connection in most locations and very easy to setup.

I can also use phone as a modem with my laptop with the Nokia software.

(You arent actually supposed to use the 6120 as a modem but 3 do not seem to be able to check what you are using it for so yah boo sucks to them.)

Call plan and free data is about £ 25 / month and phone was free.

New OS2008 on N800 is now much faster / more stable (and comes as standard on N810).

I use for web browsing in front of telly and checking gmail.

Screen has good resolution but is a little small for extended use.

I take it when I travel and it is just about useable for business emails and keeping in touch but lack of keyboard is a killer (not an issue on N810).

Battery life is also woeful when using HSDPA on 6120. Make sure you pack a charger.

Asus eee seems such good value and it may be a more usaable option although not pocket sized.

No btooth though so make sure you can connect a phone by wire (6120 needs Nokias software to run - not sure if Linux version?)

Personally I would wait to see if they release a larger screen version in the coming months.

Hope this helps.

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