Ipad or Tablet or Ipot or...

[Geonz]

So. I finally have a phone that works, at least for now -- but it's not as smart as the one I had. It's a Rumor Touch LG ... I'm not sure it's smart enough to give me a weather app.
I really want to be able to Do Computer Stuff whilst, say, riding GITAP from campground to campground. I'd hoped the Samsung Intercept I got used from a friend would do the trick ... but I do believe I drowned it... and I didn't really like it well enough to pay to replace it.
I would *like* to check email.... but the weather app is really more important to me. I want to be able to check the radar.
EBfore the Sanmsung, I had a Sprint contract -- with the "phone insurance" --- but for about six weeks in the dead of winter I spent as much time without phone as with, between phone and charger failures that they failed to diagnose... and their assorted failures at communicating. So, I figured if I wasn't going to get that "I'll always have a phone" thing, why should I pay for it? So I'm on Virgin's $25/month all-the-data and more-talk-than-I'll-ever-need.
However, one of my students tells me she works for US Cellular and they have better customer service ...
ON the third hand, I've *got* a working phone, so ... Ipod? Can I get weather apps? IPad seems too big, tho' I*am* on the Xtracycle... Android?
Stories? Opinions?

[Roadtrip]

You can load the weather aps on an iPod, but it wouldn't work for real time weather as you'd have to have acess to WiFi for Internet.. I'm assuming you wouldn't. iPad is big at about 10"x8"' but fairly thin, but again you'd have to have access to WiFi or you'd have to buy the 3G version ($100 extra) and pony up the cost of the service which is $25 and Verizon or AT&T for the month.

[Bethany1]

You will need built-wireless for sure. While I love my iPad, it's to big for travel and I don't have a contract. You'd have the same issue with a Touch for wireless service. Any tablet device appears to need a contract now. I just don't want to pay for every device I own.

I love my HTC Droid Incredible. it's the perfect size and I like the Android operating system. I bought an OtterBox case for it and haven't had any issues. I have my contract through Verizon and haven't had any problems. I have heard great things about US Cellular so you could always check them out. I have to have Verizon as there isn't any other decent coverage from another carrier.

[Grog]

I love, love, love my iPod, and in the city I can find wifi connectivity almost every time I want it. I don't bring a computer on my travels anymore, I can do email well enough on it. And it fits in my pockets, unnoticed.

However, for stuff like weather and updated information it's useless unless there is an internet connection. So if you're camping and you are not positive that there is wifi somewhere at the camp ground... well it's not a very good option.