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[belvedere]

Crazy, a co-worker was just telling me about the Sprint deal.

:lol

That's pretty damn tempting especially with the Evo coming out.

 

[Manmademan]

Crazy, a co-worker was just telling me about the Sprint deal.

:lol

That's pretty damn tempting especially with the Evo coming out.

yeah. the 59.99 deal isn't advertised, but there's info about it online if you poke around.

alternatively, there's the regular 69.99 everything plan (that oddly enough has less "anytime" minutes) but you CAN apply corporate discounts to it. (the 59.99 is set in stone.) You might want to check with your workplace- my corporate discount knocks the price of the 69.99 plan down below 59.99.

 

[pxleyes]

Really...hmm. I'm sure they're expensive, right?

Also, do OTA firmware updates, apps and those sorts of things work?

Well if you dont use a shitty service like ATT, then buying off contract saves you money. ATT, like every other money-grabbing service, loves to claim low prices on phones but build in that cost plus extra into their plans. Then they get you for 2 years and pay more for a service than you should. Just compare the cost of an unsubsidized N1 on TMo vs ATT over 2 years and see how much more you save when you don't use the contract system.

 

[gcubed]

Well if you dont use a shitty service like ATT, then buying off contract saves you money. ATT, like every other money-grabbing service, loves to claim low prices on phones but build in that cost plus extra into their plans. Then they get you for 2 years and pay more for a service than you should. Just compare the cost of an unsubsidized N1 on TMo vs ATT over 2 years and see how much more you save when you don't use the contract system.

but then your stuck with a shittier, but less expensive network

 

[SimleuqiR]

but then your stuck with a shittier, but less expensive network

Your mileage may vary.
In the bigger markets T-mobile is a good network. For example, here in NYC, the AT&T network is saturated. Why pay more for dropped calls?

Edit:

I guess we can add GM cars to the "hardware" thread. :lol

http://phandroid.com/2010/05/12/android-you-can-drive-my-car-google-teaming-up-with-gm/

Wouldn’t it be great if you could unlock your doors, start your car, and sync your car’s GPS system to Google Maps all from your Android handset? So does General Motors, and that is exactly why they are currently mulling over the idea with Google. A report at Motor Trend says GM is in negotiations with Google to use Android as the basis of their own in-car computer system similar to Ford and Microsoft’s Sync. It, of course, would one-up Sync in many areas, allowing functions such as keyless entry and remote start to be triggered from your handset.

 

[Jayge]

but then your stuck with a shittier, but less expensive network

Not really. AT&T drops nearly 2x as many calls as Sprint (proportionately, even). Sprint's overall coverage area is one of the largest in the nation thanks to their voice and data roaming deals with Verizon, Alltel and US Cellular. Especially where I live (tri-state area, only ~45 minutes outside NYC) AT&T's speed and reliability is a fucking joke, and their coverage is spotty as hell despite this being one of the most densely populated regions in the country. It may not match what people get from Verizon around here, but Sprint definitely pulls up ahead of AT&T overall from our perspective.

 

[Manmademan]

Not really. AT&T drops nearly 2x as many calls as Sprint (proportionately, even). Sprint's overall coverage area is one of the largest in the nation thanks to their voice and data roaming deals with Verizon, Alltel and US Cellular. Especially where I live (tri-state area, only ~45 minutes outside NYC) AT&T's speed and reliability is a fucking joke, and their coverage is spotty as hell despite this being one of the most densely populated regions in the country. It may not match what people get from Verizon around here, but Sprint definitely pulls up ahead of AT&T overall from our perspective.

He was talking about Tmobile. you couldn't use an unlocked AT&T phone on Sprint anyway, due to the GSM vs. CDMA issue. Sprint phones don't use SIM cards anyway.

this is why unlocked phones in the us are pretty overrated, since all it means is the freedom to pick between AT&T and Tmobile.

 

[mckmas8808]

I guess we can add GM cars to the "hardware" thread. :lol

http://phandroid.com/2010/05/12/android-you-can-drive-my-car-google-teaming-up-with-gm/

WOW! That sounds great.

 

[Jayge]

He was talking about Tmobile. you couldn't use an unlocked AT&T phone on Sprint anyway, due to the GSM vs. CDMA issue. Sprint phones don't use SIM cards anyway.

this is why unlocked phones in the us are pretty overrated, since all it means is the freedom to pick between AT&T and Tmobile.

Ah. Thought (obviously) he was talking about Sprint. This happens to me a lot :lol

 

[pxleyes]

Your mileage may vary.
In the bigger markets T-mobile is a good network. For example, here in NYC, the AT&T network is saturated. Why pay more for dropped calls?

Edit:

I guess we can add GM cars to the "hardware" thread. :lol

http://phandroid.com/2010/05/12/android-you-can-drive-my-car-google-teaming-up-with-gm/

Soon we will see someone post the following:

"WAT?! You mean they couldn't put the market on the next gen Kenmore Elite fridge?! WTF> How hard is it?! I just want Pandora and Mint on my fridge, damnit!"

 

[Jamesfrom818]

He was talking about Tmobile. you couldn't use an unlocked AT&T phone on Sprint anyway, due to the GSM vs. CDMA issue. Sprint phones don't use SIM cards anyway.

this is why unlocked phones in the us are pretty overrated, since all it means is the freedom to pick between AT&T and Tmobile.

Even then, ATT and T-Mobile use different 3G frequencies so the T-Mobile version of the N1 will only get EDGE on ATT.

 

[Manmademan]

Even then, ATT and T-Mobile use different 3G frequencies so the T-Mobile version of the N1 will only get EDGE on ATT.

oh man, thats horrible

 

[gcubed]

Ah. Thought (obviously) he was talking about Sprint. This happens to me a lot :lol

i havent used sprint in about 4 years, it was the first cell phone provider i had and it was horrible (10 years or so ago) but voice sharing with verizon and their 4g buildouts sound fantastic... we just need to have providers in this country operate where we can acutally use phones between all providers

 

[Manmademan]

i havent used sprint in about 4 years, it was the first cell phone provider i had and it was horrible (10 years or so ago) but voice sharing with verizon and their 4g buildouts sound fantastic... we just need to have providers in this country operate where we can acutally use phones between all providers

The network is a lot more expansive than it was 10 years back (seriously...the 3g network is only slightly less vast than verizon's by now) they've improved customer service quite a bit, and the cost and inclusiveness of the plans are insanely competitive. No one else is even in the same ballpark.

 

[belvedere]

What's fucked up is when I was in high school selling cell phones at Circuit Shitty, Sprint was the only way to go. Especially if you wanted a StarTac.

:lol

 

[Battersea Power Station]

What's fucked up is when I was in high school selling cell phones at Circuit Shitty, Sprint was the only way to go. Especially if you wanted a StarTac.

:lol

I don't catch the rage too often, but people with their annoying ass "beep-beep" going off all the time while on the train or bus sent me into a frenzy.

 

[Jayge]

i havent used sprint in about 4 years, it was the first cell phone provider i had and it was horrible (10 years or so ago) but voice sharing with verizon and their 4g buildouts sound fantastic... we just need to have providers in this country operate where we can acutally use phones between all providers

I don't know if their voice roaming is with Verizon or not. Their coverage maps indicate a MASSIVE voice roaming area as well as data roaming, but I think this comes from US Cellular's territory, not Verizon's. AFAIK Verizon and Sprint only have a data roaming agreement. Which is still great, since you can probably use Skype much more easily that way :lol

 

[Kamakazie!]

HTC Desire ordered and coming monday.
Can't wait as been waiting for a powerful Android phone at a decent price for about 6 months now.

Got a good deal as well, 18month contract, £30/month contract which is reduced to £20/month after redemption & Quidco cashback and a free phone which should come unlocked & unbranded!

 

[Manmademan]

I don't know if their voice roaming is with Verizon or not. Their coverage maps indicate a MASSIVE voice roaming area as well as data roaming, but I think this comes from US Cellular's territory, not Verizon's. AFAIK Verizon and Sprint only have a data roaming agreement. Which is still great, since you can probably use Skype much more easily that way :lol

It is. The reason is because Sprint and Alltel had a roaming agreement in place, and when Verizon bought out Alltell and absorbed their network, The agreement with sprint got grandfathered in as part of the deal. It's definitely voice- data roaming you can still get charged pretty heavily for.

edit: looks like I was incorrect- there's definitely a data roaming agreement in place there as well, though some places are saying it's only for 1x. hmm.

I don't catch the rage too often, but people with their annoying ass "beep-beep" going off all the time while on the train or bus sent me into a frenzy.

I think you're thinking of the nextel direct connect/push to talk walkie talkie thing. yeah, that was beyond horrible.

 

[dionysus]

I don't know if their voice roaming is with Verizon or not. Their coverage maps indicate a MASSIVE voice roaming area as well as data roaming, but I think this comes from US Cellular's territory, not Verizon's. AFAIK Verizon and Sprint only have a data roaming agreement. Which is still great, since you can probably use Skype much more easily that way :lol

Maybe I am wrong, but I don't think I have ever gotten data roaming. Only voice roaming. My experience would be in Texas and Louisiana. I still love sprint though, I definitely enjoy saving $360 a year over comparable plans on ATT and Verizon.

 

[Manmademan]

Maybe I am wrong, but I don't think I have ever gotten data roaming. Only voice roaming. My experience would be in Texas and Louisiana. I still love sprint though, I definitely enjoy saving $360 a year over comparable plans on ATT and Verizon.

Well, here's as close as I can find. Sprint and Alltel signed a 10 year agreement in 2006 for CDMA voice and 1x and EVDO data roaming.

Verizon buys alltel in 2008, agrees to honor "the terms of any roaming agreements already in place."

http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2415/64/

So it seems the entire thing just carried over. I can't find any better or more specific details though.

 

[andycapps]

So what is this business over roaming? I'm switching from AT&T soon and haven't had a situation where I'd have to use roaming coverage in over a decade. Is it going to warn me before I start getting charged or is that a big surprise when you get your bill? I don't want to be out somewhere with my phone sitting there and have it be accessing the internet via various weather widgets and then have it charge me.

 

[gcubed]

So what is this business over roaming? I'm switching from AT&T soon and haven't had a situation where I'd have to use roaming coverage in over a decade. Is it going to warn me before I start getting charged or is that a big surprise when you get your bill? I don't want to be out somewhere with my phone sitting there and have it be accessing the internet via various weather widgets and then have it charge me.

roaming is free in the US

 

[Husker86]

So what is this business over roaming? I'm switching from AT&T soon and haven't had a situation where I'd have to use roaming coverage in over a decade. Is it going to warn me before I start getting charged or is that a big surprise when you get your bill? I don't want to be out somewhere with my phone sitting there and have it be accessing the internet via various weather widgets and then have it charge me.

None of the big carriers charge for roaming. You haven't roamed on AT&T because they don't have many partners because of their network type (though for some reason some Alltel towers supported GSM and they had an agreement with AT&T). I doubt T-Mobile covers any gaps in AT&T's network either.

 

[andycapps]

None of the big carriers charge for roaming. You haven't roamed on AT&T because they don't have many partners because of their network type (though for some reason some Alltel towers supported GSM and they had an agreement with AT&T). I doubt T-Mobile covers any gaps in AT&T's network either.

So basically if my phone works on Sprint and I'm able to make a call or access the internet, then I won't be charged under any circumstances. Just making sure here.

And really, I haven't had any dead zones with AT&T either, but I'm in Columbus, OH so I'm not in a super saturated area like San Francisco or NYC either with a ton of iPhone users. So yeah, no complaints with AT&T's coverage, I like Sprint's prices though. Everyone has me freaking out about switching though in talking about how their coverage isn't so hot outside of the city. So we'll see.

 

[Pimpwerx]

I looked around before I switched from Tmo, and from what I understand, Sprint has free voice and data roaming, even on 3G, so long as you do more than 50% of your monthly usage on the Sprint network. So you can roam for <50% of your monthly usage. PEACE.

 

[Jayge]

I looked around before I switched from Tmo, and from what I understand, Sprint has free voice and data roaming, even on 3G, so long as you do more than 50% of your monthly usage on the Sprint network. So you can roam for <50% of your monthly usage. PEACE.

They cancel your contract with no early termination fee if you spend more than 50% of your time actively using your phone in roaming areas for 2+ months, supposedly. With no option to reinstate your contract or anything like that at all.

 

[Manmademan]

They cancel your contract with no early termination fee if you spend more than 50% of your time actively using your phone in roaming areas for 2+ months, supposedly. With no option to reinstate your contract or anything like that at all.

if its that big of an issue and you're stuck in the boonies, just get an AIRAVE. last I heard they were handing those suckers out for free as long as you asked nicely.

 

[dionysus]

Well, here's as close as I can find. Sprint and Alltel signed a 10 year agreement in 2006 for CDMA voice and 1x and EVDO data roaming.

Verizon buys alltel in 2008, agrees to honor "the terms of any roaming agreements already in place."

http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2415/64/

So it seems the entire thing just carried over. I can't find any better or more specific details though.

Good find. I bet you only data roam on legacy alltel assets or some such BS. In terms of coverage, I'd rate it as Verizon (great data and voice coverage), Spring (average data coverage, good voice roaming), ATT (great voice/edge coverage, poor 3G coverage), and TMobile (coverage only in major population areas)

 

[SimleuqiR]

Well since there is no "Android Accessory" thread and this accessory is included with an Android phone (X10) I will post it here.

Just got this today:

Put it to charged as soon as I got the package at the office (manual says you need to leave it charging for 8 hours before use - not sure why). It was fully charged under 3 hours, left it plugged in for a bit over 5 just to be safe.

This things make my Nexus One sound like butter...smooth! Music is amazing on this thing! From Muse and Breaking Benjamin, to Sinatra and Luis Miguel...this thing makes everything sound top notch!

Gotta give it to Sony, best bluetooth stereo headsets I have ever used on my ears. And its so tiny!

This will work with any Android phone that supports stereo bluetooth. Everything works (pause, skip, back, volume control - which is touch sensitive, and answer calls) except the track info does not display on the OLED screen. Obviously the track info works on the X10.

I wish Sony would update it to work 100% on all Android devices.

Edit:

OH, talking about Sony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2rSQVvfvJE

 

[CrushDance]

Terrible. TERRIBLE commercial.

 

[thirty]

i want an Android 2.2 phone with a 4.3" screen on T-Mobile. anything in the horizon?

 

[Pachimari]

So I'm gonna buy the iPhone 4 next month but as usually I get tempted by special offers. Tomorrow a new store has a special offer on the HTC Legend for $415 here in Denmark. Is the phone worth it? Any impressions? I hear the battery-life will be at 30% at the end of a day if you use it heavely with 3G connected the whole day.

 

[NomarTyme]

i want an Android 2.2 phone with a 4.3" screen on T-Mobile. anything in the horizon?

Nope. The closest thing would be the Next gen. Nexus one.

 

[J Tourettes]

HTC Desire ordered and coming monday.
Can't wait as been waiting for a powerful Android phone at a decent price for about 6 months now.

Got a good deal as well, 18month contract, £30/month contract which is reduced to £20/month after redemption & Quidco cashback and a free phone which should come unlocked & unbranded!

How did you manage to get an unlocked and unbranded phone on a contract? My friend had to put up with Orange's shit software until he managed to install the generic rom.

 

[pxleyes]

i want an Android 2.2 phone with a 4.3" screen on T-Mobile. anything in the horizon?

Project Emerald. Not much info out there, but it is supposed to be a 2.2 superphone.

 

[Raydeen]

Well since there is no "Android Accessory" thread and this accessory is included with an Android phone (X10) I will post it here.

Just got this today:

Put it to charged as soon as I got the package at the office (manual says you need to leave it charging for 8 hours before use - not sure why). It was fully charged under 3 hours, left it plugged in for a bit over 5 just to be safe.

This things make my Nexus One sound like butter...smooth! Music is amazing on this thing! From Muse and Breaking Benjamin, to Sinatra and Luis Miguel...this thing makes everything sound top notch!

Gotta give it to Sony, best bluetooth stereo headsets I have ever used on my ears. And its so tiny!

This will work with any Android phone that supports stereo bluetooth. Everything works (pause, skip, back, volume control - which is touch sensitive, and answer calls) except the track info does not display on the OLED screen. Obviously the track info works on the X10.

I wish Sony would update it to work 100% on all Android devices.

Edit:

OH, talking about Sony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2rSQVvfvJE

Ooh nice, what do the headphones / attachment look like hanging from neck?

 

[Chojin]

I looked around before I switched from Tmo, and from what I understand, Sprint has free voice and data roaming, even on 3G, so long as you do more than 50% of your monthly usage on the Sprint network. So you can roam for <50% of your monthly usage. PEACE.

It is the same with Tmo, its standard with most carriers out there.

 

[Battersea Power Station]

It is the same with Tmo, its standard with most carriers out there.

Yeah, who the hell gets charged for roaming nowadays? That's from like 2002.

Now if we could implement some reasonable international plans...

 

[DrFunk]

Dell Mini 5 (I'm not calling it Streak) available next month in Europe:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/dell-ceo-streak-coming-next-month-to-telefonica-o2-later-this/

You know you can't stop talking about (or showing off) the Dell Streak / Mini 5? Company CEO Michael Dell, that's who. The man once again returned with his Android-powered 5-inch display of choice, showing it off on stage at the Citrix Synergy conference this morning. Sure, we've seen the handset ad nauseum at this point -- we're even a proud owner of one prototype -- but here's the quote that piqued our interest: "this [phone] will be available starting next month, first with our partner 02 Telefonica [sic] in Europe, then later this summer with our pretty good partner here in the United States, AT&T." He couldn't be much more direct, and we couldn't get it from a more knowing source. Excited for the near future yet?

 

[iapetus]

How did you manage to get an unlocked and unbranded phone on a contract? My friend had to put up with Orange's shit software until he managed to install the generic rom.

Carphone Warehouse are doing them - got mine on an O2 contract with them. I'm sure other companies are doing the same.

 

[Stat Flow]

Dell Mini 5 (I'm not calling it Streak) available next month in Europe:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/dell-ceo-streak-coming-next-month-to-telefonica-o2-later-this/

If I wasn't getting the Evo....damn.

We need a price.

 

[Randy Lanzarote]

How did you manage to get an unlocked and unbranded phone on a contract? My friend had to put up with Orange's shit software until he managed to install the generic rom.

Mobiles.co.uk sell unbranded phones on contract, though their offers are not as good as their rivals, you do have the benefit of an unlocked/unbranded phone.

I didn't find that much Orange stuff on my brother's Desire, most of it disappeared from sight when I set the theme to an HTC default.

 

[gcubed]

i love the qualification used about at&t... pretty good partner

 

[Kccitystar]

Anyone know about the Motorola i1? It's supposed to be the first iDEN Android phone

 

[Manmademan]

Anyone know about the Motorola i1? It's supposed to be the first iDEN Android phone

Wow, iDEN still exists? and who would want to run android on it

 

[Vyse The Legend]

Project Emerald. Not much info out there, but it is supposed to be a 2.2 superphone.

Project Emerald details are out. According to TMO News and Phone Dog, it is the new version of the T-mobile Sidekick made by HTC called the Sidekick Twist. It reportedly sports a 1ghz Snapdragon processor, 4.3 inch display, Super AMOLED screen, front-facing camera, 2.1 Android and, of course, a sliding QWERTY keyboard. Basically the EGO 4G without WiMax, a better screen and a physical keyboard. If true, my Nexus One is gone.

Edit: Oh, and it has 16gb internal storage. No word on RAM yet. Hopefully, it is at least 512.

 

[Kamakazie!]

How did you manage to get an unlocked and unbranded phone on a contract? My friend had to put up with Orange's shit software until he managed to install the generic rom.

Its was from dialaphone.
Whilst they are a Phone4U company (which has sold branded orange desires so far) another forum user said his came recently with an unlocked / unbranded handset.
Might just be wishful thinking on my part but hopefully not!

 

[sun-drop]

Well since there is no "Android Accessory" thread and this accessory is included with an Android phone (X10) I will post it here.

Just got this today:

Put it to charged as soon as I got the package at the office (manual says you need to leave it charging for 8 hours before use - not sure why). It was fully charged under 3 hours, left it plugged in for a bit over 5 just to be safe.

This things make my Nexus One sound like butter...smooth! Music is amazing on this thing! From Muse and Breaking Benjamin, to Sinatra and Luis Miguel...this thing makes everything sound top notch!

Gotta give it to Sony, best bluetooth stereo headsets I have ever used on my ears. And its so tiny!

This will work with any Android phone that supports stereo bluetooth. Everything works (pause, skip, back, volume control - which is touch sensitive, and answer calls) except the track info does not display on the OLED screen. Obviously the track info works on the X10.

I wish Sony would update it to work 100% on all Android devices.

Edit:

OH, talking about Sony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2rSQVvfvJE

the 1st one i ordered wouldn't connect to my Desire, my w610i nor my ps3, so i sent it back and awaiting the replacement.

but yeh physically ..really impressed. hate how sony do those uneven leangth headset cords tho

 

[DrFunk]

So, T-Mobile has summin' special coming:

Earlier this week we provided our viewers with exclusive details on the upcoming “Project Emerald“. Although there was much speculation suggesting that Project Emerald was the Samsung Galaxy S, our sources tell us that HTC is in fact the manufacturer. Our source is also claiming that the device is to be called the “Sidekick Twist,” though nothing has been finalized so as usual, that is subject to change. Additionally, we hear the device will boast Android OS 2.1, a 1 GHz Processor (Snapdragon?), with a front facing Camera and a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display. This new device will also be flaunting 16GB of onboard storage with T-Mobile preloaded apps for active lifestyle oriented apps. So, basically, given the description, it seems to be a Sidekick handset made by HTC. Coincidentally, PhoneDog has run the exact same detailed description this evening so with not one, but two sources running the same gambit of info we think we are getting warmer on “Project Emerald.”

http://www.tmonews.com/2010/05/project-emerald-details-emerge/