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Cell phone and service provider recommendations?

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Started 4 years ago by ddavis
Latest reply from SusanB

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ddavis
Westgate
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I'll be starting a new job soon and giving up my company blackberry. So I need to get a new phone. The current service is Nextel and seems spotty out by my house. I used to have a Verizon phone before this and coverage always seemed pretty good. But their phone selection is pretty sucky. I've read good things about the tilt but I'm not sure how AT&T's service is.
I'm an IT guy so I'd like to get a smartphone/pda that'll do email, calendar, etc. It'd be nice to get something I can install programs onto such as ssh, rdp clients, etc. I know the iPhone is supposed to be super cool and all, but I wasn't sure what sort of 3rd party apps are available (hopefully open source) and I really didn't want to spend $400 on a phone (and is typing without buttons any good?).
So can anyone offer up any advice? What say you?

Posted 4 years ago #
Ndcent
OTE
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AT&T has always been good to me.

Posted 4 years ago #
Brewmaster
Portland, OR
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The iPhone has zero 3rd party apps available, but Apple has announced that they're working on a developers package to allow 3rd party access. They're worried about spammers and hackers having too much access to what is essentially a mobile computer that's always connected to the net.
I've had a chance to play with the iPhone and the typing seemed ok, but the internet was pretty slow (even over wifi). It's about the same transfer speed as a Blackberry, but the browser and touch interface is a big improvement.
A lot was made of the google maps app on the iPhone, but I can do all of that on my Blackberry 8800 (and have gps to go along with it). http://www.google.com/gmm/gps.html

Posted 4 years ago #
drew

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I love my iPhone, even think the web speed is pretty good on wifi (it's aboud dialup speed over EDGE)... but I think ATT sucks like a bilge pump.
Signal strength is good everywhere in town, but it likes to drop calls way too much. And, I get all sorts of weird charges... I think they overcharge and hope nobody contests it. If you do, be prepared for a marathon phone conversation, during which they'll basically get back their money in overage minutes (not saying that's intentional... but... )

Posted 4 years ago #
ChrisD28
Short North
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So, what would people say is the best then? And why?
My Sprint conract just ran up!!!!! So, I am looking to switch. Their coverage was horrible, absolutely no signal in my shop. But their customer service was even worse.
I am itching to sign on with a new company . . . and I finally can now!

Posted 4 years ago #
drew

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Coverage-wise, I mostly hear good things about Verizon. Haven't used them, though...

Posted 4 years ago #
Billionaire_Bot
Short North
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Verizon has great coverage, they are pricey and a little behind in stylish phones. I rarely drop calls and have coverage everywhere, including my old plaster/concrete walled apartment and downtown office.

Posted 4 years ago #
hobbesOSU
West Side C-bus
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I've got a Sprint Mogul. It's a WM6 phone will a full slideout keyboard, wi-fi, and a removable memory card. the wife and I both have one, we sync to the same google calendar. It keeps our life sane.
Adding programs is simple. And there's lots of free stuff out there to try.
Verizon is *supposed* to have their version of this phone, the xv6800, come out before the end of the year. The Verizon data plans are expensive IMHO. I've got a Sprint SERO plan, 500 anytime, free nights/weekends, unlimited txt and data for $30.

Posted 4 years ago #
ddavis
Westgate
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hobbesOSU wrote I've got a Sprint Mogul. It's a WM6 phone will a full slideout keyboard, wi-fi, and a removable memory card. the wife and I both have one, we sync to the same google calendar. It keeps our life sane.
Adding programs is simple. And there's lots of free stuff out there to try.
Verizon is *supposed* to have their version of this phone, the xv6800, come out before the end of the year. The Verizon data plans are expensive IMHO. I've got a Sprint SERO plan, 500 anytime, free nights/weekends, unlimited txt and data for $30.
A coworker has that phone. Seemed pretty nice and I think he got it really cheap. Although it seemed a little flimsy since it was pretty much all plastic and no metal. I used a Treo something or other for a bit and liked the fact it had a metal body. Felt sturdier......
ChrisD28 wrote So, what would people say is the best then? And why?
My Sprint conract just ran up!!!!! So, I am looking to switch. Their coverage was horrible, absolutely no signal in my shop. But their customer service was even worse.
I am itching to sign on with a new company . . . and I finally can now!
I wouldn't expect better customer service from another provider. From what I hear it all sucks. Kinda like cable company customer service or tech support from computer manufacturers. You just expect it to be bad and hope you never have to call......

Posted 4 years ago #
pixiecrinkle
Old North Columbus
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I'm a geek too, and I have had Smart Phones on AT&T for about 3 years now. My first was the Audiovox SMT 5600, then I dropped it too many times and went with the Cingular 8125 (I think it's manufactured by HTC -- full keyboard, touch screen, Windows Mobile, expandable with a memory card, wi-fi). I've never had any complaint about the service. I've been a customer since it was AT&T before it became Cingular which became AT&T again.
I'm not a power-user of the web browsing service, but I've never had problems with it, and find that their plans fit my needs (hate talking on the phone, but text and use gmaps from the phone like a fiend) and are less expensive than that type of use would be elsewhere.
The only place I ever have trouble with not getting a signal is the rural town where my parents live -- no one gets a signal there, regardless of carrier. I very occasionally get dropped calls inside buildings on campus.

Posted 4 years ago #
Kbear919
Villaggio Italiano
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You guys are much more cell phone savy. I'm in the market for a new cell phone and/or provider, I'm with Verizon right now paying 57 a month for a pretty basic plan. My contract is up. I just need a phone that calls and a keyboard for text. Does anyone have plan or phone recs? Anyone have experience with Revol?

Posted 1 year ago #
rus

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Kbear919 wrote >>
You guys are much more cell phone savy. I'm in the market for a new cell phone and/or provider, I'm with Verizon right now paying 57 a month for a pretty basic plan. My contract is up. I just need a phone that calls and a keyboard for text. Does anyone have plan or phone recs? Anyone have experience with Revol?

Known a few people who've been dissatisfied with Revol. On the prepaid front, you might look at either Boost or Virgin. Known people with both and they seem satisfied.

Posted 1 year ago #
sixby9is42

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I've been using T-Mobile's prepaid plan for 4+ years and have been satisfied with it. I've only heard negative things about Revol.

Posted 1 year ago #
cc

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t-mobile prepaid has a $30 for 1500 minutes/texts per month plan. It is no contract.

Posted 1 year ago #
SusanB
Hungarian Village, Columbus' fastest growing Gayborhood!
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Pageplus is very good, and based in Ohio.

Posted 1 year ago #