My contract with my mobile phone provider is up, so it's time to either get a cheaper subscription, or get a massive discount on a new cellphone. I'm looking at several new cellphones, with ebook reading in mind. First, though, my device history:
Sony Clie SJ-22/30, PalmOS 4.1 color 2" 320x320
Nokia 3650 (more or less simultaneously with previous), S60v1, 2" 176x208
T-Mobile MDA Pro (HTC Universal), WM5, 3.7" 640x480 (VGA portrait)
Nokia N95, S60v3, 2.6" 240x320 (QVGA portrait)
The Nokia 3650 had so few pixels and screen size that I didn't use it as my only reader, as the better/larger screen on the Clie outweighed the inconvenience of dual devices (just). The latter two have, in succession, been my only device.
On all 4 devices, I used the respective versions of Mobipocket, in combination with DRM-free Mobipocket files. Assume that file formats are probably not an issue for me. Getting a good app that works well, however, is, and my default choice of "buy whatever mobipocket runs on" appears to be failing.
I'm looking at several options, recently released or upcoming, for my new phone:
Nokia 5800 S60v5, 3.2" 640x360 ("nHD" portrait)
Nokia N97, S60v5, 3.5" 640x360 ("nHD" portrait)
HTC Touch Diamond2, WM6.1, 3.2" 800x480 (WVGA portrait)
HTC Touch Pro2, WM6.1, 3.6" 800x480 (WVGA portrait)
iPhone 3G, iPhone OS 2, 3.5" 480x320 (HVGA portrait)
iPhone III, iPhone OS 3(?), unknown
The iPhone(s) would have to be a distant possibility given their cost, but I'm willing to be convinced.
So the issues facing me are that only the WM mobiles have the option of Mobipocket. On iPhone or S60v5, I would have to find a new reader application. I'm told that on the iPhone there are several -- are they as good as mobipocket at providing me (after some configuration) a screen without margins, white on black, and no visible control elements, nothing but the text?
How about S60v5? Anything good on that platform?
Which platforms and/or devices have I neglected to consider?