What is the difference between wifi and wireless internet?

[Saffron Thea]

I am getting a new cell phone but I can't decide weather to get the blackberry storm or the iphone 3g, the blackberry storm seems to be superior except it has wireless internet but not wifi and the iphone 3g has wifi.

[macgirl]

These two phones are vastly different. They run different operating systems, of course, and generally suit different types of users. The iPhone seems to work best for those who want to enjoy lots of media on their phones (music and video) and have probably the best web browsing experience on a cell phone. Blackberrys are known for their excellent email capability and strong PIM (personal information management) capabilities, such as managing calendars and contacts. The iPhone actually comes close to matching the Blackberry in these areas, though it's only compatible with Microsoft Exchange server synchronization for push email and contacts/calendar syncing.

With that said, the Storm does not have a very good touch interface compared to the iPhone's. If you are a heavy business user and expect to use your cell phone a lot to answer email and edit documents, I'd suggest a Blackberry model with a keyboard instead, such as the Bold. If you're not and are simply looking for a good touchscreen cell phone, the iPhone beats the Storm hands down.

The Blackberry Storm, in its current iteration from Verizon, does not have Wi-Fi though the new model of the Storm (Storm 2) is expected soon and will have Wi-Fi. So, when Verizon says "wireless internet" they mean it can browse the internet wirelessly through its cellular data connection. If Verizon has good service where you are, this shouldn't be a problem, but it's still going to be slower than the iPhone (or any smartphone) on a Wi-Fi connection when one is available.

[Europa]

Wireless internet and WiFi often get confused as the same thing. Wireless internet is a type of internet service, others include DSL, Cable, FiOS (fiber optic), Dial up, and Satelite, etc. Wireless internet can be provided by a local internet service provider (ISP) and they will come out to your house and set up a reciever on your roof (it may look like a satelite dish or an antenna) and aim it at the nearest antena in your area, which was set up by that ISP.

WiFi is a wireless network that can be set up in a home, business, etc, irregardless or the type of internet service you have. People with WiFi enabled devices, such as laptops or phones, can connect to that network and use the internet wirelessly. The networks can be password protected so only those authorized to use them have access. Without a wireless network, computers have to be hardwired for internet access.

The Storm doesn't have a WiFi chip, so you'll have to use its 3G connection for internet, which is available where ever you have phone service, but it won't be as fast as most WiFi connections. This is one of many reasons that I don't recommend getting a Storm. If you can go with AT&T (or even T-Mobile), I recommend getting an iPhone. They can also be used with T-Mobile, but you'll have to unlock it. If you must stick with Verizon, like Macgirl, I recommend going with a Blackberry smart phone, but not a Storm.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

To put it in technical terms, the Storm is crap. Get an iPhone.