Continuing to change my mind

[StillHacking]

Well gang, a phone is a personal decision and it is always up to the individual so there is no wrong answer. I resisted the temptation to upgrade to the DX from my antique LG Voyager. Thought about the DInc and now feel the Droid 2 might be the best path. I have to wait now for all 3 so I've got time. Querty keyboard, supposedly as fast as the X, 2.2 Android rumored. Sounds good to me. In the long run the DX might be cumbersome and not really pocket friendly. I like the fact that it is almost a tablet PC but after changing my mind endlessly now leaning toward the D2 due to what I'm accustomed to. Now the only problem is will it be released next month and will Verizon still have an unlimited data plan for $29.99 available. The more I read here the more things change, great forum, thanks.
Yes it would be nice to root and tweak in that direction but with Pdanet, I'm cool. I'll keep researching.

SH

 

[Old Man]

I'm in a similar situation, wanting to upgrade from my Voyager and considering the DX. But my wife would also want to upgrade from her Venus at the same time and after playing with the DX she found it too big for her. She likes the Droid but with the D2 coming out soon we decided to wait until the D2 came out and upgrade both phones at once.

However, although still just a rumor, the announcement of the possibility of tiered data pricing and lower data caps starting as soon as 7/29 has me rethinking that approach and wondering if we are better off to get the DX and Droid within the next week, along with 'unlimited' data plans, and then exchange the Droid for a D2 when that comes out. What are the chances that exchanging a Droid for a D2 within the initial 30 day period would make any new data plans apply?

 

[StillHacking]

Good point on the data plans. Another thought would be in my circumstance I used data furiously the first few months then unless tethering, not so much. If I went with a tiered plan say for $15 like the voyager and was always below it would be great. They spank you pretty hard if you are above though. I'm still thinking of ordering something before the end of the month as I am concerned about hopefully being grandfathered in on the unlimited data. All speculation, of course.

SH

 

[jradicle11]

The Droid 2 is quite pocket-friendly. The keyboard is a huge improvement from the original Droid.

As for any insight on Verizon, I can't help you.

 

[JohnnyHD]

Good point on the data plans. Another thought would be in my circumstance I used data furiously the first few months then unless tethering, not so much. If I went with a tiered plan say for $15 like the voyager and was always below it would be great. They spank you pretty hard if you are above though. I'm still thinking of ordering something before the end of the month as I am concerned about hopefully being grandfathered in on the unlimited data. All speculation, of course.

SH

Have you seen any information about being "grandfathered" into any data plans? If so I would be pumped!

 

[Ravenbrook]

I highly doubt that they would not grandfather anyone in that had the unlimited data plans. AT&T grandfathered in people and I would think that Verizon would do the same thing if they didn't want to rock the boat to much.

 

[soondolee]

its silly question, but what is grandfather mean here?

 

[jradicle11]

Say you're currently a Verizon customer with the unlimited data plan. If they changed to 5GB being the max instead of unlimited, you would still be able to keep your unlimited plan because you already had one before the change.

Grandfather clause - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[soondolee]

thnx jradicle11!!
i learned the new word!

 

[Old Man]

Say you're currently a Verizon customer with the unlimited data plan. If they changed to 5GB being the max instead of unlimited, you would still be able to keep your unlimited plan because you already had one before the change.

Most likely, you'd be able to keep it until something changed. The contract expiring, a new contract, adding a line, etc. would likely end the exemption. Whether an upgrade to another 3G phone would change things is not as clear.

The theoretical goal of the tiered data plans is to have some relationship between the actual use and the cost. Rather than having everyone pay the same price for a single data plan regardless of actual use, people who routinely use limited data could get a lesser capacity, lower priced plan while 'power users' could havegreater capacity, higher priced plans, with both paying some additional fees for exceeding their plan limit.

What is apparently not known if such a tiered data plan is implemented is what the tiers and charges will be. It seems that everyone is assuming that Verizon would basically match AT&T's tiers and pricing, but these are all just assumptions at this point and I have seen at least one person saying they were led to believe that an 'unlimited' tier would still be available. It's also not known how overages would be handled, would it be a per unit charge or bump you up to the next tier or a choice of these or some other option?

 

[StillHacking]

So now that the DX has been rooted with more to follow from the experts, and after more reading... Maybe I could live with the touch keyboard. The larger screen in spite of it's bulk would be easier on my aging eyes. I may pull the trigger and order before months end. With my wife's 22% employee discount the data package is currently only $23.39. That's only $8.39 more than what I'm paying for the Voyager. Talk to me dedicated keyboard fans.

SH

 

[jradicle11]

It's personal preference. Do you like have a physical keyboard? If you use a lot of game emulators you'll probably want a physical keyboard.

 

[StillHacking]

Thanks jradicle11, no gamer here. I was willing to wait till D2 comes out but with the thought of loosing unlimited internet and fear of the unknown I might move on it. I have used the keyboard on the Ipod touch and I'm OK with it. I think for me, being 50+ the larger display should be a winner. I can adapt to the keyboard. I think I'll visit VZ tonight and "practice". I'll play with the D1 as well. Hell I've had eyestrain spending too much time with my Dell Mini 9.

SH

 

[Old Man]

It's personal preference. Do you like have a physical keyboard? If you use a lot of game emulators you'll probably want a physical keyboard.

The biggest advantage I see is that you can still have the full screen while entering data or using the keyboard. The absence of the D pad might be an issue with using just the keyboard for some games and apps.


I am considering getting a Droid for my wife now as this would allow us to get an 'unlimited' data plan. Then hope that the Droid 2 comes out in August as rumored as I believe that would let us return the Droid (with all packing materials, etc.) and get the Droid 2 as long as it is within 30 days. There would apparently be a $35 fee involved but that would hopefully be offset by the data plan costs we'd be locked in to, although that is pure conjecture at this point.

You might be able to do the same with the DX, get it now and have 30 days to decide to keep it or hope the D2 comes out within that time if you decide you want to change.

 

[jradicle11]

When you play with the original Droid please don't take anything from that keyboard. It is awful compared to the keyboard on the Droid 2. I can tell you from using both keyboards that the Droid 2 is a HUGE improvement. If you want an idea about the keyboard, use the one on the Devour. I came from loving the Devour keyboard to loving the Droid 2's keyboard way more.

Playing with the Droid X will give you a good idea of the software feel on the Droid 2 with the exception of android 2.2.

My father has trouble seeing the keys on his motorola Q. Then again, so do I. Those keys don't always light up...

 

[StillHacking]

Visited the VZ store yesterday. Left a deposit for a new phone. They will call when they get the DX in stock. There was some discussion as to the unlimited plan perhaps going away. They seemed to think you needed to have a phone ACTIVATED before the supposed pricing change. I can wait for the phone, no problem but missing unlimited would be a problem. I called VZ when I returned home and they implied the unlimited plan would not be a problem and added a note in my profile. I'm currently unlimited on the Voyager. We will see what happens. I would have preferred to wait till they were in stock and order through the internet and bypass the mail in rebate but this might be faster. I can live with the DX for 2 years. Who knows what will be next. See you in the DX forums...

SH

 

[Old Man]

I'm currently unlimited on the Voyager.

I thought that at least when it was first released the Voyager did not require a separate data plan? That is one reason why I have not changed phones and plans before now. And why I am concerned about what changes may be upcoming.

I don't think the unlimited data would be tied to when the phone was activated but more to when the plan was activated. Why would Verizon actively prevent anyone from paying for a smartphone data plan and then choosing to not activate the phone? That's just money in their pocket.

 

[StillHacking]

Old Man, you are correct as the Voyager does not require a data plan nor does my wife's LG Env. I chose the unlimited plan with the Voyager as I intended to pound it for at least the first year. I kept it on because they really spank you on the pay as you go plan. The wife does not use internet and hers is blocked. The internet on the X will almost eliminate the need for my netbook and laptop. I have enjoyed the Ipod Touch in wifi but was not interested in going for their phone and all that went with it. Steve Jobs has got to be having some concerns with Android based phones nipping away at his business the same as Microsoft has in the PC world. As Yogie Berra said, "It's like deja vu all over again."

 

[Steven58]

I have the dx and find it very pocket friendly. I guess the only folks who might not find it pocket friendly are those who really should've purchased that pair of jeans that are not one size too small. I crack myself up sometimes.

 

[ckochinsky125]

The Droid 2 is quite pocket-friendly. The keyboard is a huge improvement from the original Droid.

As for any insight on Verizon, I can't help you.

The X easily fits into pockets unless you wear extremely tight jeans. There are numerous threads about this in the X forums. Also it is pretty much if you want a physical keyboard or virtual one is the main difference(other then size) and both will have 2.2 just a matter of time for them to get it

 

[jdsingle]

I can't imagine having a touch screen only phone. Currently have the Droid, went to see the DX yesterday and there is just no way. I like feeling something push back on my fingers while I type. I already have a hard enough time with the touch screen on the droid, can't imagine only being able to use that.

Side note: anyone using Better Keyboard to help out?

 

[DROIDing]

Well gang, a phone is a personal decision and it is always up to the individual so there is no wrong answer. I resisted the temptation to upgrade to the DX from my antique LG Voyager. Thought about the DInc and now feel the Droid 2 might be the best path. I have to wait now for all 3 so I've got time. Querty keyboard, supposedly as fast as the X, 2.2 Android rumored. Sounds good to me. In the long run the DX might be cumbersome and not really pocket friendly. I like the fact that it is almost a tablet PC but after changing my mind endlessly now leaning toward the D2 due to what I'm accustomed to. Now the only problem is will it be released next month and will Verizon still have an unlimited data plan for $29.99 available. The more I read here the more things change, great forum, thanks.
Yes it would be nice to root and tweak in that direction but with Pdanet, I'm cool. I'll keep researching.

SH

This is the EXACT problem I am having...

For me, it all comes down to Keyboard/No Keyboard, and 5MP/8MP cameras... where the X trumps the D2 on both specs... BUT, will I 'enjoy' the usability and overall build of the Droid 2 more, since I like hardware keyboards?

 

[DROIDing]

I can't imagine having a touch screen only phone. Currently have the Droid, went to see the DX yesterday and there is just no way. I like feeling something push back on my fingers while I type. I already have a hard enough time with the touch screen on the droid, can't imagine only being able to use that.

Side note: anyone using Better Keyboard to help out?

Same here... I've NEVER used a virtual keyboard, and I really don't want to start - but I love the power and specs of the Droid X.

You can always use the voice to text app from what people tell me though... I have always had WinMo, but am ready to make an upgrade to Android in the next week or two. Just can't decide between X and Droid 2.

 

[ckeegan]

For me, it all comes down to Keyboard/No Keyboard, and 5MP/8MP cameras... where the X trumps the D2 on both specs... BUT, will I 'enjoy' the usability and overall build of the Droid 2 more, since I like hardware keyboards?

The DX trumps the D2 on on both camera and keyboard? Doubtful on both, since increasing the megapixel count does nothing, unless they've also done a hell of a job bumping the specs on the camera hardware. I don't know that we'll see any difference in image quality between the DX and D2, just bigger files and noisier pics in low light.

Same here... I've NEVER used a virtual keyboard, and I really don't want to start - but I love the power and specs of the Droid X.

Just to make sure, you know that the specs of the Droid 2 and Droid X are identical inside, right? Megapixel count and screen size are the only differences.

 

[jradicle11]

Andthe keyboard/no keyboard and hdmi output. Hdmi output is a great feature, but I don't really see myself using it. The Droid 2 has pretty good picture quality and all of the same camera features as the X.