Calling all DIS Technology Geniuses...please help me...

[DVCJones]

I really want an iphone but I can't deal with AT&T. That being said, I am thinking to switching to Verizon and going 3g for the first time. I have a few questions before I make the leap.

What kind of phone do you have? I am thinking of doing the Blackberry.
Is the coverage good?
What is a good and affordable phone?
What else should I consider?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thank you!
Pam

 

[doconeill]

I don't have any of these yet, but I've been hounding the people at work for one.

There are 4 forms of "smartphone" to choose from from Verizon.

Blackberry is the favorite among the business people, emailers, texters - I call them the "thumb-mailers". There are ways to integrate with Microsoft Exchange servers for enhanced features (all at a price though).

There are the PalmOS units like the Pre. I haven't used a PalmOS unit in ages though.

There are the Windows Mobile phones, that have an interface resembling Microsoft Windows, and may be best for a Windows-centric integration. It may have enough add-on apps for a techie though - I know there is an SSH app that might work for my purposes (logging into remote systems and running commands).

My fave right now is the Android-based phones, which could end up rivaling the iPhone for app availability with an open platform. There are a variety of phones depending what you like for a layout, etc. with the Motorola Droid possibly being the most iPhone-like (not exactly though) but with a full slide out keyboard, which for me means I don't sacrifice screen real estate for a keyboard.

Unfortunately the guy who pays for the phones at work is convinced that the Droid costs way more than some of the others...even though from what I can find the Omnia II (Windows Mobile) a colleague got costs exactly the same, including the data plan...

 

[DisneyKevin]

Or...you could just bite the bullet and get an iPhone.

You wont look back.

 

[alamode]

Being Canadian, I can't comment on the carriers, but I just love my Android phone. I have the LG Eve, and it's great. Probably for the same reasons that most people like their iPhones or other smart phones, so I'm not trying to get into the debate. I just like supporting openness in technology whenever possible, and right now Apple is about as closed as it gets.

My advice is, figure out what you are going to use your phone for, and find the best phone for you. There's no use getting a phone with all the bells and whistles if you just want something basic.

 

[DVCJones]

Or...you could just bite the bullet and get an iPhone.

You wont look back.

Oh, if it were only that easy. I live in a dead zone. I have found that the only people who get service while visiting my home are people with Verizon as their service provider. My brother has an iPhone and can't get service here. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE it, but alas I cannot justify the $ if it doesn't even work in my home.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I've had AT&T since I got my first cell phone in 1994. (for a very short time, I switched to Nextel)

I had great reception EVERYWHERE...I made and received calls fro Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica. I made and received calls from the ruins in Tulum, Mexico.

My AT&T phone did not work in my house. I had to drive to the end of the street to get a call.

That changed when the iPhone came out.

This *might* interest you....

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/29/att.network.boost/index.html

 

[dalt01]

i have the LG Chocolate Touch with verizon and it will do most anything. one step up of course is the Droid. that competes with anything.

 

[Willow1213]

To all those that don't have great signal at home, see if this little guy is available in your area.

http://www.att.com/3gmicrocell

You buy the box and hook it up to you internet at home and you have 5 bars of coverage.

We have one at our house and it works AWESOME!!! We live behind a hill and we get no signal, but this microcell box reaches into our driveway too. If I am talking on the phone when I'm walking out the door I won't lose the call. It will just transfer from my mini tower in my office to the larger tower.

 

[doconeill]

This *might* interest you....

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/29/att.network.boost/index.html

AT&T is playing a bit of catch-up. Although they claim the Verizon map ads are incorrect, it is a matter of perspective. Verizon covers a lot more area. AT&T says their maps cover the majority of the populous areas anyways.

The iPhone also changed how their network gets used, and they weren't prepared for the impact.

I've found that in general, people with marginal coverage in their house get better, if not good, signal from Verizon and other CDMA systems that the TDMA/GSM systems. I don't know if this is because of the signal system or just poorer coverage. My boss tested AT&T - he is marginal on Verizon (works on one side of his house), but he got NOTHING from AT&T, unless like you he went down the street. And we tested iPhones - nothing improved there. Otherwise we'd all have them now.

To all those that don't have great signal at home, see if this little guy is available in your area.

http://www.att.com/3gmicrocell

You buy the box and hook it up to you internet at home and you have 5 bars of coverage.

We have one at our house and it works AWESOME!!! We live behind a hill and we get no signal, but this microcell box reaches into our driveway too. If I am talking on the phone when I'm walking out the door I won't lose the call. It will just transfer from my mini tower in my office to the larger tower.

Interesting - AT&T has found a way to make you pay for their coverage These aren't actually that unusual (although this is the first consumer-aimed device I've seen) - similar systems are used at sports stadiums, subway systems - and Disney.

It makes a bit of sense, but if you get a wi-fi capable phone they should be able to make it do VOIP over a home wi-fi connection and not need yet another transceiver device in your home...

 

[DVCJones]

I've had AT&T since I got my first cell phone in 1994. (for a very short time, I switched to Nextel)

I had great reception EVERYWHERE...I made and received calls fro Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica. I made and received calls from the ruins in Tulum, Mexico.

My AT&T phone did not work in my house. I had to drive to the end of the street to get a call.

That changed when the iPhone came out.

This *might* interest you....

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/29/att.network.boost/index.html

Thanks Kevin. This is interesting. I may have to look into this before I make my move.

Thanks again

 

[CinderellasSister]

I have verizon and have the Blackberry Storm 2. I absolutely LOVE it. I don't have any experience with the droid, palm, etc. But the droid, nice as it looks, felt very flimsy when I held it in the store and played around with it. My mom has the origianl Storm, and has had nothing but problems with the OS. So I would recommend paying the extra for the Storm 2 if that's the route you go.

I too, wanted to go the iPhone route, but the fact that people I work with complain about their service was enough to convince me. Plus, if I really want to get one, then by the time my contract is up again, Verizon will probably have it, and I can get it from them.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

Here in NC I cover a 5 county area and I train new agents. all over I had coverage with verizon while my trainee had a dead att phone.

Leo Leport a huge Apple fan boy and respected tech guy has fallen in love with the Nexus 1 Android phone. that's the google phone. It's coming to Verizon soon. He has replaced his IPhone with it.

 

[jen3003]

I've had Verizon for years. I had the Storm and as previously posted had nothing but trouble, wasn't even going to try the Storm 2. I bought the Droid instead and I LOVE IT!!! Great reception, love all the apps they have available, all the ones I have are FREE, I haven't paid for one yet and it's easy to use!!!

I wanted an iphone as well but didn't want to switch back to AT & T, I had them before. I know quite a few people that have one. They love the phone but always complain about dropped calls, and we live in Chicago. So you would think the coverage would be good.

Now if Verizon ever gets the iphone, I would love it.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Bite the bullet and go with the iPhone. You can't go wrong. Trust me, it took FIVE weeks and hundreds of DIS posts to decide. The only regret I now have is waiting so long.

 

[DVCJones]

Thanks to all who have answered my post. I am still on the fence. I also have to get my husband on board too. I don't think I can convince him of going with AT&T even though he is an iPhone fan too. We both have been burned by them so it is hard.

More info is still appreciated.

Thanks again!
Pam

 

[snowwhitenyc]

Hi!

I have had this debate with myself many times, so my two cents...

You have to decide what is most important to you -- a reliable network with excellent coverage, or a fun phone with a lot of amazing (and really useful) apps. As things stand right now, you can't have both. Verizon folks will tell you their phones do cool things, but nothing really compares to the iPhone. AT&T folks will tell you that they are happy with their network, but there are some serious issues with AT&T reliability and coverage (you'll notice Luke Wilson doesn't toss around a postcard for NYC in that commercial...'cause their service bites here, among many places). There are LOTS of great phones out there, iPhone and otherwise...just figure out what is most important to you.

Good luck!

PS -- I'm a Verizon/Blackberry girl, and I couldn't be happier!

 

[robertgp124]

I have a blackberry on the US Cellular network (work requirement). I got it, liked it. It rides on the same network as Verizon, I think, so the service is quite good.

At Christmas, I got an iPod touch. Now, save for the mail function on the blackberry, I don't use the data services nearly as much if I'm in an area the Touch can get wifi. I simply love, love, love the interface over the blackberry.

I've had AT&T before and swore up and down on the dropped calls (didn't have an iphone). Hated the customer service. But if I could, I'd switch. In a heartbeat.

 

[DVCJones]

Just wanted to update and say thanks again for all the info.

Well, in the end it all came down to service and I went with Verizon and got a BlackBerry Curve. So far I love it!!!!! I am really happy with the coverage. I went from no service with my old plan to having between 2-4 "bars" of service. I even have service in my basement!!!!

I dropped the long distance plan from my land line and I am saving $32.

So I am a happy woman!!

As happy as I am....I am still holding out hope that the iphone will come to Verizon in the near future.