Motorola Droid

[SnickerSnack]

I'm looking at getting a Motorola Droid* soon. I've never had a cellphone that wasn't prepaid, so can anyone comment on anything I should be careful about when dealing with Verizon? (the google/motorola/verizon driod is only with verizon)

I'm trying to get at least 4 people to be on the same plan (I have one other already) so that the monthly bill is fairly low (between 22.50 and 27.50 USD/month for each of 4 people). I've looked at all of the options on Verizon's website, and I think I'd go with the Basic Plan with 1400 "anytime" minutes shared among the 4 people. I'm not interested in text messaging or getting a data plan.

Input? (not on getting 2 more people, just on dealing with wireless providers, especially verizon)

*I want a good quality phone, camera, and mp3 player all in one device. Also, the droid has a wifi card.

[moo-cow]

In Israel, all the cellphone carriers will make you get a data plan if you have a 3G phone. The last new phone I got in the states was pre-3G so I don't know how it works there with that. Also, my family in the states is on verizon and we've been happy with them for a long time.

[SnickerSnack]

In Israel, all the cellphone carriers will make you get a data plan if you have a 3G phone.

I was concerned about that given this:

*Data package of $9.99 or higher, or Nationwide Premium or Connect Plan, required for Enhanced Multimedia phones.

As far as I can tell, it reads two ways, (1) if you want us to service your 3g phone, you must pay us for a data plan, and (2) if you want the features afforded by 3g capability, then you must at minimum buy this plan (the 9.99 one is the cheapest data plan).

I'll just have to ask a verizon rep about that to be sure.

Edit: You're right moo-cow. No cellphone for me I guess. What I want isn't available.

[BobCox2]

If I am reading what you want right you can get a Metro PCS phone with those festures and unlimited calls and texting and some internet but not a full out droid or iphone type experence for much cheaper.
http://www.metropcs.com/shop/phonelist.aspx
Trick is it's not 3G

[SnickerSnack]

Thanks, but I'm not in their service area.

Basically, I want a "smart" phone without using the 3g network since there's wifi everywhere I go, and 3g doesn't really offer me anything. It would be a waste of money (30+ per month). But, I'm guessing that these companies make their money on the service plan, so there's no way they'll service a 3g capable device without including 3g service.

Also, verizon has really good coverage in my area. I'll look at other phones again, but I don't think there are any that have the features I want without 3g capability.

[Tanooki]

Is there an app for iPod for skype?

[SnickerSnack]

yes: http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/iphone/

That was the first link on google: "iphone skype".

If you mean I could just use that, well, I do have wifi at home/work/school, but not in most places where I don't already have a landline anyway. The two most convenient uses for a cellphone for me would be calling home while I'm in a store and from a vehicle (pulled over, not while driving), neither of which have wifi. And, I don't know how well it would work with a wifi network that requires manual login (work/school).

Good idea though. Thanks.

[boogyman19946]

*I want a good quality phone, camera, and mp3 player all in one device. Also, the droid has a wifi card.

Most phones with a touch screen have that capability. Nowadays you have quite a choice of these, and I would say especially from Verizon (Samsung's Instinct, etc.).

As far as I can tell, it reads two ways, (1) if you want us to service your 3g phone, you must pay us for a data plan, and (2) if you want the features afforded by 3g capability, then you must at minimum buy this plan (the 9.99 one is the cheapest data plan).Thanks, but I'm not in their service area.

If you are able to live without texting, I figure Apple's iPhone with AT&T will be your best bet. I am not certain how AT&T does it with the iPhone specifically as I have heard of a special plan for the phone and whatnot, but I figure it doesn't really differ much from the other phones. I have the Samsung Eternity with an unlimited texting packet. Now, with AT&T (I don't know why), when you have texting enable, you also have access to internet via AT&T. This absolutely does not mean it's free, heck no, you'll be paying 1 cent/Kilobyte transfered. If you take a plan without texting, they will disable your ability to text and they will also cut off your connection to the internet (however make sure to ask that it is in fact disabled... you don't want to be paying a "surprise" when they tell you later that instead of using a wifi hotspot, you've been using their services all along >.>). The good thing about the iphone is, it has it's own wifi card so you can connect with your phone to local wifi if it's available to you. If this doesn't work, you might want to consider getting a free phone with an iPod touch Then your needs could perhaps be satisfied

Basically, I want a "smart" phone without using the 3g network since there's wifi everywhere I go, and 3g doesn't really offer me anything. It would be a waste of money (30+ per month). But, I'm guessing that these companies make their money on the service plan, so there's no way they'll service a 3g capable device without including 3g service.

Also, verizon has really good coverage in my area. I'll look at other phones again, but I don't think there are any that have the features I want without 3g capability.

The capability of phones has increased dramatically over the last years I remember just about 7-8 years ago (yeah it's far from the date the phone was invented, but where I lived in Poland, the society is a little back tracked on technology... I mean, we know it's there, it's just no one really has it ;] ) we had to be satisfied with a land-line XD Now, I even complain about my cellphone being the wrong color. There are plenty of options here for you Palm PCs, iPhones, Droid, Eternity, Blackberries, Instinct, and many, many more. If they don't meet your requirements, look for your alternative options We have so many gadgets on the market almost everything can be accomplished ^.^ Good luck to you on your phone hunt.