iPhones, Blu-ray and Slingbox, oh my

Moderator-Julie: Welcome and thank you for coming. Our guest today is gadget guru Keith Shaw, Cool Tools columnist and part of the popular podcast duo Twisted Pair. Today Keith will be answering your questions about techno-toys, and anything else you want to ask him.

Keith_Shaw: Howdy-do campers! Thanks to friends, family and Network World readers for taking time out of your schedule to discuss fun stuff for the holidays for an hour or so... Start firing away with your questions!

PatsFan83: The iPhone is too expensive - what other phones are there that are "cool" but inexpensive?

Keith_Shaw: Nothing else other than the iPhone is cool. We all have to bow down to the greatness of Steve Jobs and his genius, it's a lot easier in the long run. More seriously, there are always 'cool' phones that are less expensive (I particularly like the Samsung UpStage), but inevitably you'll end up comparing them to the iPhone. Unfortunately, the handset makers who promised that they'd come up with an "iPhone killer" have yet to reach that standard. But if you're looking for something less expensive, I'd check out phones by LG, they seem to have the "coolest" phones with some decent features and styles. 

Moderator-Julie: We've got a great photo slide show of the iPhonies out there that are trying to steal some of the shine from Apple.

PatsFan83: What do you think about the news that Verizon is opening up its network?

Keith_Shaw: At first I thought this was a ploy to fend off the Google announcement, to try and take the "big stick" away from detractors who complained that Verizon's "walled garden" was closed, but the more I think about it and read up on the details, it could be great for Verizon and its customers. I think this will provide more device choices for end users, and those customers who just want to buy a phone from Verizon will still be able to do that if they want. The system won't be completely "open," device manufacturers that want to be able to run on the Verizon network will still have to go through some hoops (through Verizon's "lab"), but this is more open than they've been before. The industry will also have to educate consumers that the $50 or "free" phone that has been subsidized in the past will suddenly cost more money, because if the carrier doesn't have control over the phone and its content, why should they also then have to subsidize the phone as well?

Fanboy: The iPhone really isn't THAT great. It is a good device but right now it is locked to 3rd party apps and can't corporate e-mail. Also it does not include a GPS chip. The new line of BlackBerries can do everything the iPhone can and more. What is your opinion on these new BlackBerries?

Keith_Shaw: I love the BlackBerry 8820, the AT&T network one that includes Wi-Fi. RIM and BlackBerry really know the corporate customer, so that's always a plus. I joke about the greatness of the iPhone, but it's also a reasonably smart guess that the next version of the iPhone will not only include more third-party app support (your definition of 'more' may vary from mine), but they'll also start opening up some corporate e-mail functions. They'd be stupid not too, what with end users clamoring for the iPhone at work. But if you are looking for a smart phone that supports corporate e-mail, the latest round of BlackBerry devices are awesome.