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Please -- not to worry. I guess some people call it morphing, but my people call it conversation. I really like this thread and I plan to show it to Mr. Boomer who likes to go to cellphone stores. I know that he will appreciate the information and will read all the links, too. And thank you, champ6, for that suggestion about the mid-August date for the new one and comparison. And now for another line from that old SNL skit where I got the word 'verklempt' that I was throwing around here a couple of nights ago -- from "Coffee Talk with Linda Richman..... When Linda said that she was feeling "verklempt" and she would need a little time to compose herself, she would say to her guests, "Talk amongst yourselves." So.....please.....talk amongst yourselves. This thread is really helping. Boomer |
Boomer, here is a link to a story that includes a comparison chart for all the Android phones that Verizon offers (or will offer, when the Droid 2 comes out).
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/08/03...vs-incredible/ Still no official announcement as to the availability date for the Droid 2, but the newest rumor is Aug. 12. |
I just ordered the Droid X from Verizon a couple of days ago. It's currently on back order and is expected to ship on 8/18. I looked at the specs for the Droid 2 but decided against it.
The Droid X has a much bigger screen (4.3" vs 3.7") than the Droid 2. That's what I really like about the Droid X. Some people think it's too big. Also, the Droid X has an 8 mp camera vs a 5mp camera on the Droid 2. I researched the Droid X online and the main problems I found were screen issues, problems connecting to wifi and sound problems. The screen issue was only a few phones on the initial shipment and has been fixed. I believe the wifi issues were also fixed with a software update. The sound appeared to be okay on the unit I tested at the Verizon store although it was not very loud. Also, the speaker can be covered up if you put the phone on a flat surface. It doesn't have kickstand like some of the HTC phones have. I would have seriously considered the iphone if it was available on Verizon but I really didn't want to go to AT&T. |
Niels, I'd like to see your Droid X when we're down there in a couple weeks. The larger screen size is interesting.
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Niels.... I'd be interested in knowing how well the WiFi hotspot functions. That seems to be a big advantage...
Thanks.... |
My son, the expert, says to get the Droid x because of the bigger screen. In any event, these new phones are just amazing.
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Our TV salesman switched from another smartphone provider to a Droid from Verizon and said that he loves it. It wasn't a Droid X but very neat device none the less.
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Niels,
Thanks for the screen size info. That's a good piece of the puzzle for me to have. Besides wanting an internet connection, screen size is one of the main reasons I want to get rid of my old phone. The screen is tiny and when I am outside in the sun, the glare on that screen makes it nearly impossible to see. When you get your Droid X, I hope you will share your thoughts about it with us. And like you, I also want to keep Verizon. Thank you. Boomer |
I would love to have a Droid. Our contract with Verizon is up next month and I would like to upgrade our current LG enV phones to Droids, but we currently have a cell phone bill of around $65 per month. To upgrade to the Droid, after the initial purchase price, we would have a monthly bill of around $130 per month. We don't do texting, but I would like to have the capability of accessing wi-fi hot spots and that feature is not available without getting the Smart Phone and subsequently the data package. Does anyone know of any way to get the Droid withot having to pay for the data package?
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Champion6... The comparison chart you provided a link is very good and really shows the major differences between the Droid phones. At this point, it looks like the X is the one with the most options and largest screen.
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That's what I thought.
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Champion 6 - I'd be happy to show you the Droid X when I get it. Hopefully, I'll have it when you are visiting. It should ship around 8/18.
Memason - One of the complaints about the Droid X has been problems connecting to wifi. It seems that some people have reported that it drops the connection almost immediately but I have been told that problem was corrected with a software update. The wifi hotspot is an interesting feature but I mainly purchased because of the huge 4.3" screen. I'll let you know how it works after I have a chance to try it out. Getdul981 - Yes, as Champion 6 posted, Verizon requires you to sign up for a data plan with the phone. |
My grandmother's phone number was 2 longs and a short.
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Niels.... thanks for the update. I'll be looking forward to your assessment, once you've had a little time with the phone...
I just read a story today that Apple is buying millions of CDMA chipsets from Qualcomm. http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20...mostDisStories Of course, conventional wisdom has it that this is in preparation for the VERIZON iPhone in January. We have heard this rumor for the past couple years, so.... Technically speaking: CDMA networks are used by everyone except AT&T and T-Mobile, so they could be getting ready to release the iPhone to multiple carriers or this could all be another baseless rumor... time will tell. |
Interesting story about Apple buying the CDMA chips. As I previously mentioned, I would have considered the iPhone if it was available on Verizon. As you mentioned, these rumors have been floating around for a couple of years and I got tired of waiting.
The DroidX will be the first smartphone that I have ever owned. A couple of people online have complained that the manual is not very helpful so I may have to do some online searching and playing with the phone to really start taking advantage of some of the phones features. Fortunately, I'm pretty good at picking up how technical equipment operates. As my son recently said to me, now that I'm retired I will have the time to play with my new phone. |
Here come the Droids....
Verizon just announced the Droid 2. Should be available in stores by August 12th. However, I believe I would still like the Droid X more, with the larger screen and more features...
http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-200...ap;editorPicks |
There was an interesting article in InfoWorld the other day. According to the article, AT&T has filed a 10Q with the SEC showing that it is preparing to lose iPhone exclusivity. Hmmm.....
http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobilize/...xclusivity-383 |
Verizon shipped my Droid X early. I've been able to play around with it and will post my initial impressions. This is my first smartphone so I really have nothing to compare it to.
Positives - I love the huge screen as it makes it easy to read e-mails and view web pages. I also like the 4 hard buttons on the bottom of the phone. The camera seems to take fairly clear pictures of decent quality for a phone. Phone is relatively easy to use although I did have to look up a couple of things online. Phone calls have been clear and crisp. The Android operating system (version 2.1) has worked good so far and I'm looking forward to the upgraded version 2.2 being available soon. Negatives - Most of the negatives I knew before I purchased the phone. For example, it's kind of big to carry around and because it has no physical keyboard the screen gets smudged with fingerprints. Also, as expected these days, the phone came with many programs loaded onto it (some are useful but some I'll never use). Many of these programs load automatically into memory but so far the Android system seems to do a good job of starting to shut unused programs down when it needs additional memory. Although I have fairly small hands, I have encountered numerous instances where I typed the wrong letter or selected the wrong program. I was surprised how often this happens since the screen is so large. Maybe this will improve once I get used to the phone. One problem I have had is widely varying 3G signal reception with the phone on the Verizon network. My signal will go from 4bars to loss of signal in a matter of minutes without changing location. Wifi coverage seems to be more stable. I think the Droid X is a great phone and I'm happy with my choice so far. :BigApplause: If anyone has any questions, just ask and I'll try to answer them. |
Niels.... thanks for the update. Sounds like a nice smartphone. I'm a little surprised at your Verizon issue though. I expected their network to be rock solid in TV.
Just wondering if you've experienced any of the more advertised short comings of the Droid.... specifically the low volume issue. Whenever you get around to testing the WiFi hotspot function, I'd be interested in how it functions in that capacity, as well. I've been using my iPhone as a Hotspot for a few days now and I am very impressed with its capabilities. I used it today with 2 iPads connected and both downloading from the App store. Speed was rather good, but battery life [on the iPhone] took a real nosedive! To use this function long-term, you'd have to plug into a power source. Thanks, Mike |
Mike,
I have not experienced any problems with the volume on the phone. I've tried playing you tube videos and a built in game and was very satisfied with the volume. Even when I put it down on a flat surface (which covers the rear speaker) the volume was fine. I've heard that using your phone as a mobile wifi hotspot really eats up battery power. Incidentally, Verizon states in their instructional videos that you must plug in your phone when using it as a wifi hotspot due to battery consumption. Sorry I can't answer your question concerning how the phone functions as a wifi hotspot. Verizon charges an extra $20 per month (for 2 GB of data useage) to use that feature. In addition, someone told me that the 2GB data maximum applies to all data useage once you activate the wifi feature. So you have to pay $20 more per month AND you go from an unlimited data plan to a 2GB maximum. No thanks. I suppose you could also jailbreak the phone but I wouldn't want to do that. |
To use the phone as a WiFi hotspot, I downloaded PDAnet from the Android marketplace. It works beautifully. You must also download software for your computer. I am on a 30-day free trial, and after that, you must pay $23.95 (a one-time charge), but it is well worth it IMHO.
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Hmmm..... Doesn't surprise me that Verizon would make you pay extra to use a standard function of the phone (WiFi). Doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but that's the current business model with which all the cell phone companies are operating. However, I predict that this will all go away in the not too distant future and we'll be back to flat rate usage. With more and more smartphones hitting the market, these companies will reverse their current direction to maintain competetiveness and marketshare. Right now, they are competing around 3G .vs. 4G and eventually LTE networks and technology. Once those technology investments are sunk, they'll need subscribers to maintain an acceptable ROI... Then, the model will change. Just my thinking.... |
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memason, Verizon is supposed to be offering the iPhone by the end of this year. They are already in production. There has been a lot of info on the tech sites. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/product...one30_ST_N.htm I'm not happy with my AT&T coverage in TV. (Hemingway) I really like the iPhone. Bob |
Bob..... I've been watching, with great interest, the unfolding saga of an iPhone on Verizon. For sure, it seems imminent that Verizon will offer the iPhone, but I'm still a bit skepitical...we've heard these rumors before..
All the talk of AT&T's analyst report [not depending on one smartphone], as well as [unconfirmed] reports that Apple has purchased millions of CDMA chips from Qualcomm, certainly adds some fuel to the fire. That said and as much as I like my iPhone, I still have interest in the Droid X. Just not sure I'm ready to migrate over to Android just yet... Maybe Apple will make some announcement at its September 1 event ... |
We have the Sprint hotspot that can be used anywhere there is a Sprint Cell tower. It costs $59.95/Mo for 5.4 GB. We usually use just under the 5.4 GB.
We use it in Cal and Fla and in between. Don't have to have specific service in two states that isn't used half the time. Service where we live in Cal is poor, service in TV is very good. . |
"One Ringy Dingy"
I still do not have a smart phone. but that's OK. Mr. Boomer would have rushed out to the Verizon Store weeks ago had I not said, "Please wait. I can wait. Let's see where this thing goes with Verizon and the iPhone."
So I remain Boomer-in-Waiting, by choice, but I admit to getting a little impatient with myself on this. This morning I was looking through the September issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance and found a short article comparing smart phones. Here is the link..... http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/ar...rt-phones.html Sometimes I get a little nostalgic for the days when there was no choice involved with phone service. Sure made life a lot simpler. Or did it? Remember Ernestine? Here she is..... [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9e3dTOJi0o[/ame] Boomer |
Consumer Reports recently tested smartphones. They rated the iPhone the highest. The Droid X came in second at one point below the iPhone. They criticized the DroidX for battery life and voice quality. I have been told that voice quality was an issue on early DroidX phones but that a software update corrected that. I have not had a problem with voice quality. However, it does use a lot of battery power. In fact, this is often a complaint on many cellphones.
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VirginMobile USA
I'm traveling to TV next week and I'm thinking of purchasing a MiFi 2200 from VirginMobile USA. This will be the only internet access I will have, other than running to the rec centers. You can purchase these at the Walmart in TV and the service is pay-as-you-go for unlimited data access. ie. no contracts
The MiFi device runs on the Sprint data network, so I'm not too sure it'll work well in TV. Our home is in St. Charles, so that is where it will be used the most. The Sprint coverage map shows good coverage in TV, but I'd like to ask my "expert" friends in TV for the real scoop! :) Anyone have experience with VirginMobile? ...or the Sprint DATA network. As always, thanks for your insights! |
I am a Verizon customer because of their much more extensive coverage
nation wide. At our lake home in TN there is NO OTHER service that gets there except Verizon.
I use their air card because again in the TN hills the only internet available is dial up (snoooooze) or sattelite ($$$$$$). However with the new Droid X and future droid 2.2 and above operating systems I can get upgraded to a new droid phone that has wi fi, pay the 23.95 per month for the access and drop the air card $69.95 per month and save $46 per month. I am waiting for the new LG Droid 2.2 phones just announced to hit the stores. Between LG and HTC there will be several new droid capable phones that will help drive the prices down. btk |
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Love it!
I just got the Droid 2 last week. I love it!
Pro's - it does about everything but make your bed. Con's - Battery life is not the best (but I have used it quite a bit) and price (but those cell phone companies are all about the same overall in that area). You have to pay Verizon an extra $30 a month for the internet access on the phone. To use it at a hot-spot you end up paying an additional $20 a month for 2 gig (max you can get with the Droid). I tend to use my computer for more than 2 gig so that won't work for me. I have never had a phone that I had more fun with. I can watch a youtube video all the way - sometimes without it even stopping to load. My computer can't come close to being as quick. I think I'm hooked. Never thought about getting one to begin with, but I happened to be in the store and I liked the way it looked. Since I have 30 days to try it - I figured what the heck. Now I don't think I could ever go back to a normal cell phone again! |
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We got the Sprint MiFi 2200 in January and it worked fine in TV. Doesn't work very well here in CA Lake County tho. . |
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2 Days to TV!!! Woo Hoo .... |
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Good luck with your move to TV!! I enjoy reading your posts. |
VirginMobile MiFi 2200 report
Well, I arrived in TV at about 9:00 on friday evening. After getting the keys to my home, we headed to Walmart, where I purchased the VirginMobile USA MiFi unit. The cost at Walmart is $149.00, but has no contract. This morning, I setup the device and purchased one month of unlimited broadband usage for $40.00. Our home is in St. Charles, 4th hole of Yankee Clipper golf course. The signal is great (Sprint) and i have had no issues with speed. In fact, was streaming video on the iPad at the same time my wife was streaming video on our MacBook and both functioned very well with no stopping to buffer. I was very surprised by this...
We made a trip to the shopping center on 441 and my wife was surfing the net, with the iPad, on the way over. No problems with connection or speed there either My first impression is very good. As I write this post, I'm sitting on the lanai, typing on the iPad and I believe we're down 2 bottles of wine....need to go shopping again for more wine :-) |
I'm guessing the MiFi needs wine to keep it going. I'll keep that in mind.
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Re: MiFi update
memason, Thanks for taking the time to write your first impression review. Sounds like a good deal! Enjoy your WiFi, wine, and new home!!!
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