Time for a new phone

[Mischka7]

Hi all,

Well it's time to move on to a new phone, the top half of my OG Incredible no longer responds to touch . It was a GREAT phone and it served me very well.

I would like my next phone to be another HTC, but I'm sure that many things have changed over the 2.5 years. That being said, I'm wondering if you all would help answer a some questions I have:

• Is there a voice command feature on the DNA? On my Inc, I could press the "search" hardkey and make a call, text, launch an app, etc. I read somewhere on this forum that this is no longer possible, due to Apple's victory over HTC earlier this year.
• Do you think HTC/VZW will keep this phone updated to the latest version of Android in a timely manner? I think this a concern with pretty much every Android device, but moreso with HTC, given what I've read about the company and Verizon's tight relationship with Motorola.
• Is root available for the DNA?
• How is the video chatting quality? I travel a lot and one key requirement for the phone is that I can videochat with my wife and daughter through Google+.
• How is the battery life? Based on the few posts I read, it seems the average life is 9 hours with moderate use.
• How is the call quality? I'm usually in and around big cities and my Inc's call quality suffers considerably. I don't know if this is a phone issue or a network issue, but I'm hoping the quality on 4G will be better.
• Any regrets or things you wish you knew about before you got the DNA?

I really appreciate any advice, thoughts, and suggestions on the phone.

Thank you!
Mike

 

[Digital Controller]

Let me try and answer some of the non specific DNA questions...

First off you would need to ask Verizon if they will keep it updated, because Google will push out OTA updates but it is up to Verizon to pass them out to the devices.

Rooting will always be available and it is available for the DNA, just takes time for Dev's to release it

I have heard battery life is pretty good on the DNA...

Hope some of these help

 

[zenman]

I'm coming from the OG DINC too. Yes, you can speak commands into the DNA. I just tested two: Set alarm for..., and also Navigate to..., and both commands worked. It's actually better than the DINC in this function because there is a google widget that only requires a quick touch to activate the voice operation. The DINC required a long press.

Battery life and call quality is great.

The only thing I'm missing about my DINC was that little built in mouse pad on the home button. I used it a lot to move the cursor over one or two spaces while typing.

 

[TangledThorns]

I upgraded from the DINC1 too. Battery lasts longer than on my DINC1 with extended 1750mA battery. There is no other phone on Verizon that beats the DNA right now IMHO.

 

[HenryKrinkle]

Which widget are you using. I can't seem to find the voice commands widget.

 

[Mischka7]

Thanks for the info all. I checked VZW and they confirmed I have to lose my unlimited data plan to switch to the DNA. I read on another post that 4G sucks up data like candy, so my 400MB/month use could balloon to over the 2GB limit.

I know you can turn off background updates, data, etc when you're not using the phone, but the last thing I need is yet another thing to worry about.

Has anyone had any success keeping their unlimited data? I figure corporate stores are out of the question, maybe calling VZW directly?

 

[panther2469]

Thanks for the info all. I checked VZW and they confirmed I have to lose my unlimited data plan to switch to the DNA. I read on another post that 4G sucks up data like candy, so my 400MB/month use could balloon to over the 2GB limit.

I know you can turn off background updates, data, etc when you're not using the phone, but the last thing I need is yet another thing to worry about.

Has anyone had any success keeping their unlimited data? I figure corporate stores are out of the question, maybe calling VZW directly?

If you buy the phone at full price you can keep it

 

[Mischka7]

If you buy the phone at full price you can keep it

I tried, got shot down. CSR said they no longer sell phones at retail price.

 

[jkmasi]

I tried, got shot down. CSR said they no longer sell phones at retail price.

This is just not true. Buy online from VZW, or from a Verizon Corporate Store. They will take your $599.

 

[Mischka7]

I ended up getting it on a separate line, shouldn't have to change the plan. Thanks for your guys' suggestions!

 

[panther2469]

I tried, got shot down. CSR said they no longer sell phones at retail price.

I had to order mine at full price form vzw telesales or online at vzw. I also went to 5 corporate stores and all said they dont sell at full price, when i ordered the sales rep did not know why the would not sell at full price either,

 

[Damar1979]

The DNA is definitely more of a needs vs wants phone. With other phones like the GS3 and razr maxx hd, you can put whatever you want on there with the additional storage. With the DNA however, sort of limited, so put what you actually know that you need and use on there. You can put stuff in cloud storage, but make sure that you are on a WiFi connection, so you aren't using data. Other than that, this phone rocks! Build quality is great! Reception is strong! Call quality is excellent! Battery is stronger than most people initially think. No regrets here.

 

[82nd Airborne]

I just purchased the DNA from a Verizon Corporate Store for full price and was able to keep my unlimited 4G data plan. This was in New Hampshire.

 

[Don S]

Which widget are you using. I can't seem to find the voice commands widget.

It's actually an "app" called "Voice Search". It's in your apps drawer.