Picked it up today...

[KupKrazy]

Well after thinking it through between the Skyrocket and Vivid - I went with the Vivid because I do like the Sense interface better (even though I will probably end up using Go Launcher which makes that moot anyway). I picked it up at Best Buy for $99 with a new contract renewal. No cases or other accessories at the store though - I'm anxious to get a case for it thanks to my butter fingers.

That silver grill gap that is above the metal plate before you slide it up, by the way, is where the speaker is.

I was the first one to buy it at Best Buy this afternoon. lol

 

[92hatchattack]

So, tell us about it . How do you like it? And how the hell did you get it for $99?

 

[Calvin35]

I just got this phone today and it is nice. I picked it up for $99 at my local at&t store. I am coming from the captivate so this is a big upgrade. This thing smokes the captivate. It is much faster. It was between this and the skyrocket and I chose this because of the better picture taking(more accurate color) and because it automatically resizes internet pages and fits the text when you pinch to zoom. You do not have to double tap the screen when you resize the text. I went to a web page and opened two flash movies at the same time and was able to scroll through the page without any problems. Very nice phone.

 

[KupKrazy]

Yes, I concur with Calvin35, it's a very nice phone thus far. It's very snappy - I am coming from an HTC Inspire so maybe it's snappy because I don't have too much installed on it yet. The higher resolution is great - I like their approach of making it taller rather than wider and some things don't seem so cluttered on the screen - especially if you use 5x5 icons in Go Launcher.

I like how Sense integrates my contacts with the social networks which was another huge reason why I went with it. I wish I could use the HTC widgets with Go Launcher. The weather widget on Sense is beautiful and even has sound.

It feels sturdy in my hand but not quite as sturdy as the Inspire since the Inspire is mostly aluminum. Still, it feels really nice in the hand. The microUSB is on the side, which while I don't mind it - now gets in the way when I hold it in my left hand which trying to charge it.

I still need to install some apps on it but so far, I really love the screen. It's not as bright as a SuperAMOLED of course, but the higher resolution is definitely noticeable for me and that makes up a lot for it.

I think despite all the talk about it being $199 - it's really just $99 for a 2 yr contract. At least that is what they charged me to renew my 2 yr contract and judging by what Calvin35 said - they are selling it for $99 at the AT&T store too.

Happy so far!

One thing that I wasn't thrilled about was that I needed to get a new txt messaging plan since the previous plan I had was no longer available. I had a bundle for unlimited data and 1500msgs. As you know, ATT now only has pay-per-use or unlimited txt messaging. They didn't have a replacement for my bundle so I needed to upgrade to family unlimited txt when I don't use it that much. :-/ But since I have a family plan, it ended up costing not much more after getting rid of the txt plans for all the other phones. By the way, I needed to change it because my data/txt plan was a bundle. I'm pretty sure if you had them separate, you would retain whatever txt plan you had.

Sorry - that last paragraph had nothing to do with the phone!! Whoops.

 

[KupKrazy]

I found this interesting. The phone allocates about 4GB to "Internal Storage" where you store your apps and then about 9GB to "Phone Storage" where you can move apps or store other things there. I placed a 32GB microSD card in the phone, and it shows up as well as "SD card". I don't think I can actually move apps to my SD card as it seems to move it to the Phone Storage area. Maybe I'm missing something and still figuring it out but I thought that was interesting.

My Inspire did not have a "Phone Storage" section.

 

[DUTCH VanATL]

To those of you getting it for $99, where are you located? It most definitely shows $199 on the ATT website.

Update: According to a couple of other websites, the price varies by market location. It's still $199.99 in Atlanta.

 

[KupKrazy]

I'm in New York. When I go to the site and search for the phone, you are right - it shows up at $199. However, when I log into my Premiere site and go through upgrading my phone and determining eligibility, a $200 instate rebate kicks in and the price goes to $99.

 

[DUTCH VanATL]

I'm in New York. when I log into my Premiere site and go through upgrading my phone and determining eligibility, a $200 instate rebate kicks in and the price goes to $99.

In Atlanta it shows $199.99; and that's what shows when I go for the upgrade I've been sitting on for a couple of months now.

I just stopped at an ATT company store and was told that other areas may be running a promotion that they are not; and would not even discuss anything but the $199.99 posted price.

I walked.

 

[KupKrazy]

I just went back into the Premiere site and clicks on the rebate that appears for another line I have that is eligible for upgrade:
HTC Vivid(TM) (Black)





$200 off HTC Vivid(TM) after instant rebate with qualified voice and data plan. Additional restrictions apply.

Requires a qualified 1-or 2-year service agreement for Corporate Responsibility Users (CRU) and requires a qualified 2-year service agreement for Individual Responsibility Users (IRU). Also requires activation on an AT&T voice plan with a Monthly Service Charge (MSC) of $39.99 or higher plus (i) for IRU customers a DataPlus or other eligible data plan with MSC of $15 or higher; (ii) for CRU customers a DataPro Personal plan or other eligible data plan with MSC of $25 or higher; or iii) a DataPro Enterprise plan or other eligible data plan with MSC of $40 or higher; or (iv) BlackBerry International plan of $64.99/mo. or higher. On DataPro/DataPlus plans for BlackBerry, if you exceed your initial data allowance, you will automatically be charged an additional $10 for each additional 1GB provided on DataPro or an additional $15 for each additional 200MB provided on DataPlus. All data allowances, including overages, must be used in the billing period in which the allowance is provided. Access to corporate email, company intranet sites and business applications requires a DataPro Enterprise plan. Offer cannot be combined with any other equipment promotion, discount or other offer. Subject to availability limitations. Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment. Limited time offer. Flat Rate, FamilyTalk and Add-a-Line plans are eligible.

 

[Calvin35]

To those of you getting it for $99, where are you located? It most definitely shows $199 on the ATT website.

Update: According to a couple of other websites, the price varies by market location. It's still $199.99 in Atlanta.

I got this phone in L.A., CA at an at&t store for $99 out the door with no rebates.

 

[lostsoul1]

I got mine for $99 at ATT in Stockton,ca

I left iphone and picked this up and I'm happy with it so far. I dont think some of the reviews out there is very fair, but it doesn't matter.. I like it and have to learn more about android now.

 

[92hatchattack]

Just got my for $99 at BB is New Jersey! Woot WOOT! First andrroid phone!