Topic: Android platform phones (Read 4256 times)

DaveJodi · « **on:** November 11, 2009, 09:18:52 PM »

I live in a poor area for cell phone reception and this phone shows 3G most all the time, and I can even get wireless network off my router. I just purchased the new Droid and for the first day I am very happy with the reception. Does anyone else have any comments towards this phone?

Thanks, first time post... I really enjoy all the knowledge I have read on this site. Dave and Jodi

Ned · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2009, 09:33:52 PM »

The reports on the Droid have been almost universally good, but it's nice to get a first hand report here. It will probably be my next phone when my New Every 2 comes up next March. Unless I can talk VZW into an early upgrade

RV Roamer · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2009, 09:43:10 PM »

Note that the Droid is a Smart Phone. That means VZW will require you to have the internet access package, same as a Blackberry. Fine if you use it for emails or other online appls, but an extra $30/month cost if you don't..

Ned · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2009, 09:51:07 PM »

I know I'll have to get the data plan, but I want that capability in my next phone. Better than my current $2/MB data charges just to get my email

Phil · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2009, 10:35:02 PM »

Quote from: Ned on November 11, 2009, 09:33:52 PM

The reports on the Droid have been almost universally good, but it's nice to get a first hand report here. It will probably be my next phone when my New Every 2 comes up next March. Unless I can talk VZW into an early upgrade

No problem getting an early upgrade to the Droid. They do require a few extra dollars but, the new every two date does not change.

PhilB

rhmahoney · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2009, 11:34:39 PM »

My only quibble is with the tiny space allotted for apps...256 meg. I have over 30 apps on my iPhone+ the 12 built in ones. The reviewers say that 2 big apps can fill a droid up.

Jeff · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2009, 12:00:27 AM »

Quote from: rhmahoney on November 11, 2009, 11:34:39 PM

My only quibble is with the tiny space allotted for apps...256 meg. I have over 30 apps on my iPhone+ the 12 built in ones. The reviewers say that 2 big apps can fill a droid up.

Russ:

Tell me you are seriously considering replacing your I-Phone?

Ned · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2009, 07:37:44 AM »

The Droid takes an microSD/microSDHC card so memory can be as big as you want it.

Jeff · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2009, 09:08:47 AM »

I did a little checking last night back can't find where the Droid lists VZAccess Manager.

rhmahoney · « **Reply #9 on:** November 12, 2009, 09:43:13 AM »

"The Droid takes an microSD/microSDHC card so memory can be as big as you want it."

Yes but...the apps can only work from the built in memory, according to what I have read.

Jeff, no, just making a comment about the bizzare limitation of this phone.

Ned · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:11:29 AM »

The Droid has 256MB of memory just for the OS and another 512MB for applications. See here for the specs. I also understand that Google is working on making the SD card memory available for applications as well.

Phil · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:13:48 AM »

Quote from: Jeff on November 12, 2009, 09:08:47 AM

I did a little checking last night back can't find where the Droid lists VZAccess Manager.

No VZAccess Manager yet, but, it does tether with "that other program." I will let you know how it compares when I head back to Happy Trails in a couple of weeks.

Phil

Phil · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:19:46 AM »

Quote from: rhmahoney on November 12, 2009, 09:43:13 AM

"The Droid takes an microSD/microSDHC card so memory can be as big as you want it."

Yes but...the apps can only work from the built in memory, according to what I have read.

Jeff, no, just making a comment about the bizzare limitation of this phone.

Russ,

You made the same statement about apps when I got my BlackBerry Storm. After adding more than 2 dozen apps, there is no memory issue on the Storm. It will be interesting to see what happens when I get 2 dozen apps on the Droid.

phil

Ned · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:35:34 AM »

I have read one user report that said he loaded 30 apps and still had 85% of the available memory free. Of course, those could be apps as useful (and as small) as the iPhone Flashlight

Phil, were you able to order the Droid online or did you have to call VZW?

Phil · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:37:23 AM »

Quote from: Ned on November 12, 2009, 10:35:34 AM

I have read one user report that said he loaded 30 apps and still had 85% of the available memory free. Of course, those could be apps as useful (and as small) as the iPhone Flashlight

Ned,

I confess, one of my apps is the BlackBerry Flashlight.

I did not try the online order process. I called VZW.

Phil

Tom · « **Reply #15 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:51:53 AM »

Phil,

Just curious why you're switching from Storm to Droid. I'm about to pass on Droid, and I'm awaiting a call from our nearest Costco to let me know the Storm2 has arrived. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try both live alongside each other, although this particular wireless booth tends to have more dummy display models than working ones.

I had Chris ported over from T-mobile to VZ with a new phone recently, and I'll add me on the family plan if/when I get a phone, smart or otherwise.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:52:20 AM »

Quote from: rhmahoney on November 11, 2009, 11:34:39 PM

My only quibble is with the tiny space allotted for apps...256 meg. I have over 30 apps on my iPhone+ the 12 built in ones. The reviewers say that 2 big apps can fill a droid up.

Russ,

The Apps actually are loaded onto the SD card. Only a small amount of the internal memory is used.

Ned · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:00:45 AM »

Now Russ has no reason NOT to get a Droid

Jeff · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:02:22 AM »

Quote from: Ned on November 12, 2009, 11:00:45 AM

Now Russ has no reason NOT to get a Droid

Once an Apple..........................................

Jim Dick · « **Reply #19 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:05:48 AM »

I picked up the DROID yesterday. Quite a learning curve as the manual is almost useless. There is a website where they supposedly have more instructions. At this point I'm not sure I will keep it. The biggest problem i have, other than cost, is it doesn't appear to be compatible with my hearing aids. I get a lot of hum. That doesn't happen with any other phone. I'll play around with it for a few days to see if anything improves. I have 30 days to return it at no charge.

Bob Buchanan · « **Reply #20 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:14:29 AM »

Quote from: Jim Dick on November 12, 2009, 10:52:20 AM

The Apps actually are loaded onto the SD card. Only a small amount of the internal memory is used.

iPod, iPhone users are not familiar with the concept of removable and replaceable SD cards -- or the ability to change a battery . . .

Ned · « **Reply #21 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:16:55 AM »

Jim, what plan did you get for the Droid and what is the monthly cost? The web site is a bit confusing, to say the least, as to what the various plans offer.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #22 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:22:57 AM »

Ned,

We are still on our old plan, 400 anytime minutes shared. We just have to pay the additional $30/month for the media access. Any usage of Google, etc does not take away from the monthly minutes. I don't think texting is included but I don't do that anyway.

The cost of the phone is high. Upgrading on the Internet is $150 but it's $200 at the store.

Bob Buchanan · « **Reply #23 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:27:09 AM »

Quote from: Tom on November 12, 2009, 10:51:53 AM

Just curious why you're switching from Storm to Droid.

I purchased a Samsung Omni earlier this year. My final decision was between a Storm and the Omnia. I found the Storm much harder to do data entry and edits. Doing an insertion point was almost impossible, e.g., having to backspace tons of characters to get to the one I wanted to edit. I also liked the Windows OS -- and ease of use of Word and Excel. The 30 day Vz test drive is very important -- as it takes days to figure a new Smartphone out.

The Omni has stylus, finger touch, AND a mouse cursor. At the time, I don't think any other SmartPhone had a mouse cursor. BTW, in the larger Vz store in Goodyear, the two sales folk I talked to had nothing nice to say about the Storm. Hopefully, they have improved it's functionality. It was their first entry into iPhone challenge market, so imagine that have done better with the newer model.

Tom · « **Reply #24 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:29:05 AM »

Interesting Bob. I might pop over to a VZ store, make a decision, then go shop at Costco.

I realize you're not an Apple fan but, if AT&T had better coverage, I might have opted for an iPhone.

Ned · « **Reply #25 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:31:18 AM »

Jim, thanks for the info. I couldn't find any upgrade for existing customers on the web site so a call to 611 is in order. Since I'm paying $5/month for email access now, the additional cost will only be $25 for the data plan, and I'll also save the $2/MB that I pay for data.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #26 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:39:12 AM »

Ned,

Sounds like a win for you.

The upgrade was there when I checked the other day. In fact, they sent me a message that I was eligible for the upgrade.

Ned · « **Reply #27 on:** November 12, 2009, 11:50:39 AM »

I don't see it because my New Every 2 isn't up for another 4 months.

Jim Dick · « **Reply #28 on:** November 12, 2009, 12:10:46 PM »

That will do it.

Ned · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2009, 01:14:10 PM »

Called 611, had the CS rep walk me through the order. I hung up too soon as on the last page it asks if I want a new phone number or to port a number from another carrier, no option to use my existing number. Canceled out so now I have to start over again with 611. They make it harder for existing customers to upgrade than for new customers to buy a phone

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Author Topic: Android platform phones (Read 4256 times)