Jerry’s question posted in the Smartphone Thoughts Forum was:

Are any of you thinking of buying anyone (or have you already bought) a Smartphone for a Christmas present? As you know it is not as simple as buying say, an iPod or a Camera. There is that activation aspect to the whole thing and what if the phone you want to get them is CDMA and they are GSM already? How would you handle the process of moving them and the phone number? Obviously the easiest scenario is if you are buying them a Cingular phone and the recipient already has Cingular, for example. Then there is the issue of plans.Would you buy them a gift that they would need to pay more per month to get full use out of?

When it’s present buying time, do you pick up a few accessories that you think someone might like to go along with a mobile device that they already have?

Or do you go whole tomato and get them a completely new device?

If you get them a new device, what ramifications do you consider?

For those on the receiving end – have you ever received a gadget or mobile device that you really wanted…but could not use because it required a commitment (or plan) that you were unable to fulfill?

Inquiring minds want to know…