Smartphones-neat but getting $$$$$

[TownsendPLocke]

I am looking for a new phone.Nothing really wrong with my old one except that it is seriously behind the times and the web function is glacially slow.

Si at Tmobile they have two soon to be three new phones that I am considering. All of them run on Android platform.All of them are around $200,all of them would run my around $80 a month all in for a plan which would support the new tech.

I am NOT interested in an Iphone. It has to be an Android or Blackberry.

The first phone I got was free after rebate and the plan was around $45 and I never came close to using all of my minutes,I guess I have become spoiled and those simple times just do not look appealing at all now.

[Guest FourAces]

First at T-Mobile you do have a second option. You can select the Even More Plus plan and pay full price for the device over 20 months (about $20. z mo) but save on your overall plan. The Even More Plus rate plan is less money because it does not include the subsidy of the phone price within the rate.

If you calculate the Even More Plus plan for two years (that would be the term of your contract) include the full retail of the device you'll find it will be less than paying the contract rate plan called Even More plus the discounted phone price.

Android is an awesome OS. You have two great choices right now at T-Mobile, the G2 and the myTouch 4G. If you like a physical keyboard go with the G2 if you do not need it the myTouch 4G is beautiful devie with HTC Sense Interface .. which makes the UI look pretty and adds some functions ... and the ability to use the HTC Sense site to control features like remote wipe.

Hope this info helps you some.

[Guest NeedSome]

Four Aces,

What is it that you find so awesome about the Android OS? I ask because I am about to upgrade and am looking at devices running Android. I have always been a BB guy and I do want (need?) a physical keyboard because this is a work devices and I am email intensive with my phone.

(note BB = BLACKBERRY - I am definitely not a BB guy in the other sense of the word!)

First at T-Mobile you do have a second option. You can select the Even More Plus plan and pay full price for the device over 20 months (about $20. z mo) but save on your overall plan. The Even More Plus rate plan is less money because it does not include the subsidy of the phone price within the rate.

If you calculate the Even More Plus plan for two years (that would be the term of your contract) include the full retail of the device you'll find it will be less than paying the contract rate plan called Even More plus the discounted phone price.

Android is an awesome OS. You have two great choices right now at T-Mobile, the G2 and the myTouch 4G. If you like a physical keyboard go with the G2 if you do not need it the myTouch 4G is beautiful devie with HTC Sense Interface .. which makes the UI look pretty and adds some functions ... and the ability to use the HTC Sense site to control features like remote wipe.

Hope this info helps you some.

[Lucky]

I am looking at the Android as well given that AT&T has so many dropped calls. I have had their Blackberry, but now see better things than the new Torch. So perhaps the Droid 2 by Motorola or the Droid x...

[Guest FourAces]

NeedSome / Lucky the Droid X does not have a physical keyboard. Since you travel quite a bit or so it seems from your posts when you are outside the states most carriers use GSM. Verizon devices run on CDMA. However they are aware of this and release what they refer to as "World Phones." basically in the states its CDMA only but has the ability to use a SIM card in other countries. GSM uses SIM cards.

The Droid 2 World phone will be released on November 29th. It might alternatively be named the Droid 2 Global just to give you a heads up. Anyway, this would be a awesome Android device to have. In certain markets Verizon is even testing a $70. Everything Plan which is very unlike them but they need to keep up with the competition.

An alternative suggestion would be T-Mobiles G2. one of the better QWERTY keyboards on a Android device. My only concern is the new Z hinge that can be a bit loose. In fact if you type upside down lol it won't work well as the top of the device will kind of hang down. T-Mobile is a GSSM carrier so no need to be concerned outside of the states in most cases.

Lastly I would look at Sprints Epic. Its screen is absolutely stunning Super AMOLED 4 display. Slide out QWERTY and has Smasungs Touchwiz UI on top of Android. Basically the UI makes the menus look pretty but also look a little like the iPhone grid style icons. I am not certain if Sprints Epic is a World Phone or not. If it has a place for a SIM card then it is.

Android is one of the fastest growing platforms out there. In Japan the Samsung Galaxy S (Android device like the Samsung Epic) Knocked the iPhone right out of the number one spot after being there 18 weeks. Now you know the Japanese know their tech stuff

Most Android devices give you many options... that tends to be a huge plus. You usually get 5 to 7 home screens. You can set each one up to match your lifestyle. One for business, one for your Kindle books, one for Netflix, one for music, one for maps, one to keep track of all your escorts and so forth.

When it comes to apps the 100,000 plus will keep you amused. Basically whatever you find for iPhone you most likely will find for Android. When it comes to searching the Internet, getting directions, sending text or email Android rules with awesome voice commands. Just touch the mic button on the keyboard and say what you want.

Lastly Android is very tied into Google obviously. So if you use Gmail or Google calendar or Google anything it will work smoothly.

Oh and Android taught iPhone how to multi-task

[Lucky]

Thanks for the info, although most of it is over my head. My AT&T contract is up right before my trip to Asia. So that would be a good time to switch, but I don't understand the SIM card stuff. Would I just sign up for Verizon World plan, or do I need to get a SIM card that's sold in Asia? See, I told you I didn't know!

[Guest FourAces]

Thanks for the info, although most of it is over my head. My AT&T contract is up right before my trip to Asia. So that would be a good time to switch, but I don't understand the SIM card stuff. Would I just sign up for Verizon World plan, or do I need to get a SIM card that's sold in Asia? See, I told you I didn't know!

Oh let me try again then. Verizon uses a technology called CDMA. With this technology there is no SIM card needed. The "problem" is there are very few wireless providers around the world that use CDMA technology. With any device purchased in the US your phone is locked is locked to the network in this case probably Verizon.

When its locked to a network that means even if you were somewhere that uses CSMA technology it will not work outside of Verizon's network. As an example Sprint also is a CDMA carrier. You cannot use a Verizon device on Sprint and likewise a Sprint device on Verizon.

Now the majority of wireless carriers around the world use GSM technology. As an example T-Mobile and AT&T use this technology and in the states the same is true .. your phone is locked to the carrier.

Verizon and Sprint understand that their International traveling customers usually will need a GSM radio in their phones. Therefore, they include one in certain smartphones so that you can use your device in another country.

Therefore, if you buy the Droid 2 Global edition it will have two radios CDMA for here in the states and GSM outside the states. The best and most cost effective way to use your phone outside the US is to purchase a pre-paid SIM card either before leaving or when you arrive at your destination. You simply pop off the cover and take out the battery and you will find where the SIM slides in. If you are using a BlackBerry on AT&T then you can see this now. Just take off the back cover and pull the battery.

Here are two sites that sell prepaid SIM cards for Thailand.

http://www.telestial.com/view_product.php?ID=LSIM-TH02

http://www.cellularabroad.com/thailandSIMcard.php

I believe Thailand uses GSM technology. But I am sure OZ or firecat can confirm this.

Anyway I hope this was a bit more readable.

[Lucky]

Yes, thank you.

[Guest FourAces]

For those with an interest in Android devices but love their BlackBerry check out the Droid Pro on Verizon. Below is a unboxing and quick overview of the smartphone. Looks pretty good.

[Lucky]

Yesterday Verizon cut the price of the Droid phones and the Samsung Fascinate in half.I am glad I waited!

[TampaYankee]

Thanks for the info, although most of it is over my head. My AT&T contract is up right before my trip to Asia. So that would be a good time to switch, but I don't understand the SIM card stuff. Would I just sign up for Verizon World plan, or do I need to get a SIM card that's sold in Asia? See, I told you I didn't know!

HooBoy swore by the GSM/Sim Card technology. He would buy SIM Cards in different countries, in effect establishing local service most places he travelled by switching out cards.

He brought me my last cell phone from Hong Kong. I had a fancy phone with separate SIM for Canada as my alternate Verizon account did not support Canada in my U.S. plan. Had I travelled more it would have been very beneficial as it was for Canada.

[Guest FourAces]

Yesterday Verizon cut the price of the Droid phones and the Samsung Fascinate in half.I am glad I waited!

Yep holiday sales however I would urge you to shy away from the Fascinate. One reason there is no physical keyboard the other the device has had problems especially with GPS and does not work with Google oddly Verizon went with Bing on this one. Android without Google is like a escort with out a client

[Guest FourAces]

HooBoy swore by the GSM/Sim Card technology. He would buy SIM Cards in different countries, in effect establishing local service most places he travelled by switching out cards.

He brought me my last cell phone from Hong Kong. I had a fancy phone with separate SIM for Canada as my alternate Verizon account did not support Canada in my U.S. plan. Had I travelled more it would have been very beneficial as it was for Canada.

Makes quite a bit of sense as I mentioned above. He did quite a bit of traveling and most countries use GSM technology. Its easy to keep different numbers or simply buy prepaid SIMS overseas with GSM.

[Lucky]

I am fairly certain that I will get the Droid 2. However, you mentioned a Droid World so I will see what that is about. I only need it for two weeks in January, so the Droid 2 with a world plan might be best, then dropping the world plan when I return.

My ATT contract expire at the end of December. Any other phones expected to be available soon? Smart ones, that is.

[Guest FourAces]

I am fairly certain that I will get the Droid 2. However, you mentioned a Droid World so I will see what that is about. I only need it for two weeks in January, so the Droid 2 with a world plan might be best, then dropping the world plan when I return.

My ATT contract expire at the end of December. Any other phones expected to be available soon? Smart ones, that is.

Droid 2 is awesome I think you will be happy with it or with the Droid Pro if you want more of a BlackBerry feel. But please make certain you get the Droid 2 Global Edition. Currently there are also the Droid 2 and Droid 2 Star Wars Edition. The Droid 2 Global device will allow you to use SIM cards in other countries. The other Droids do not have that ability.

Some people are matchmakers... I think I'm carrying my phone advice a bit too far. But maybe I can be the phone adviser to the stars

[Lucky]

Today my Blackberry scroll ball froze and I could not use my phone. I went to ATT, and after a horrendous wait, the creep who waited on my said they could not fix that in the store. It would have to be sent in. Well, I have only one month left on my contract, so I told him to forget it and went to Costco, where I bought the Droid X. Yes, it is a touchscreen and I am already learning the various mistakes I can make on it. But, just as I learned to type with my thumbs on the Blackberry, I will learn this one too. One thing they don't tell you: with that 4.3" screen, there is that much more to try to keep clean!

[Guest FourAces]

Today my Blackberry scroll ball froze and I could not use my phone. I went to ATT, and after a horrendous wait, the creep who waited on my said they could not fix that in the store. It would have to be sent in. Well, I have only one month left on my contract, so I told him to forget it and went to Costco, where I bought the Droid X. Yes, it is a touchscreen and I am already learning the various mistakes I can make on it. But, just as I learned to type with my thumbs on the Blackberry, I will learn this one too. One thing they don't tell you: with that 4.3" screen, there is that much more to try to keep clean!

Lucky don't forget to call AT&T and bring your plan as low as you can for the last month. Also, I suggest going to Crackberry.com look in the store buy a trackball kit they are like $15. or less and fix it. This way you can sell it on Ebay or give it to a friend on AT&T.

The Droid X is an awesome device. I'm currently using the Sprint EVO 4G and really love that 4.3 inch screen but you're right hard to keep clean.

I would suggest going to YouTube and watching some of the Droid X videos like from phonedog or androidcentral. That will give you some ideas on all the goodness you can do with it.

Welcome to the world of Android

[Lucky]

Thanks. I have watched some youtube vids already, and am getting the hang of it. Surprising myself with how quickly I am learning where to hit that touch screen. Still not great at it...

As for the trackball, I googled the subject of how to clean it myself. So I will give that a try. I've already changed the ATT account down too. Maybe I can get good at this cellphone stuff...at my age too!

[lookin]

. . . with that 4.3" screen, there is that much more to try to keep clean!

Just be careful not to drop it anywhere.

Enjoy!