Droid. Does anybody have one?

[ny biker]

I don't even know how old my phone is, and I'm not planning to get a new one until I have to. But I did see this review of the Droid on Friday.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...110600959.html

I've learned a lot from reading this guy's columns -- he helped me buy a new TV and laptop this year.

BTW re: qualifying for a free new phone every 2 years, if you don't get a phone after 2 years and you just remain a satisfied Verizon customer without a contract to force you to stay with them instead of switching to a new provider, they won't let you get a free phone when you need one. They're willing to give expensive incentives to people who like new gadgets whether they need them or not, but loyal customers can f*** off.

[Flur]

It might be Motorola and Google's answer to the Blackberry, but Verizon carries Blackberries, and is the sole carrier with the BB Storm 2, the closest BB competition to the Droid - I'm sure they'd be more than happy to to sell you either phone

I'm intrigued and am interested in getting into a Verizon store to look at one. They do look really big, but it's hard to tell without handling one in person. I didn't realize how tiny the Palm Pre was until I saw in person (and couldn't put it down).

[OakLeaf]

I didn't realize how tiny the Palm Pre was until I saw in person (and couldn't put it down).

Which is exactly why I never wanted any Palm phone. The screens are so tiny as to be useless. I was a loyal Palm PDA user for years, but their phones have never interested me. If/when I get a combination phone, it'll be iPhone or Droid (or the next "big" thing )

[Flur]

Which is exactly why I never wanted any Palm phone. The screens are so tiny as to be useless. I was a loyal Palm PDA user for years, but their phones have never interested me. If/when I get a combination phone, it'll be iPhone or Droid (or the next "big" thing )

Actually the Pre's screen is almost the same size as the iphone. The pixel count is the same, but the screen is just a little bit smaller, so the text and images are much more sharp. It's the overall size of the phone that's noticeably smaller - less physical space around the screen. This is a big deal to me as I carry my phone in my pocket when I'm going from meeting to meeting at work and a big phone makes my pants look funny. LOL!

BTW, if you're on Verizon, the iphone is scheduled to make its appearance on Verizon this spring.

[ny biker]

The last time I got a new phone they told me I was not allowed to have a discount because I had been without a contract for several years. And yes I had to sign a new contract with my full-priced new phone. That contract expired a long time ago. A few months ago I got an offer in the mail saying I could get a free new phone, but that offer had an expiration date on it. And since there's nothing wrong with my current phone and it meets my needs, I didn't get a new one.

[Possegal]

I just got a new phone in August with Verizon, a good couple years after my 2-yr contract was up. I got a rebate/discount on the phone I bought.

[Flur]

The last time I got a new phone they told me I was not allowed to have a discount because I had been without a contract for several years. And yes I had to sign a new contract with my full-priced new phone. That contract expired a long time ago. A few months ago I got an offer in the mail saying I could get a free new phone, but that offer had an expiration date on it. And since there's nothing wrong with my current phone and it meets my needs, I didn't get a new one.

Have you tried threatening to leave? I'm on Sprint, and if you're unhappy with something they do you can call and ask to be transferred to the Retentions dept. to get what you want. They'll do just about anything for you if you threaten to leave. I also like them b/c I get full discount on a new phone every year if I want one.

[MomOnBike]

I find it interesting that the reviews don't say much about the phone function of these phones. I can find out all about the apps, etc., but not a word on how well I can hear my daughter's voice. (Sigh.)

I do think the GPS-like function the Droid has is interesting. I couldn't help but wonder if I could use it on a bike tour.

In any case, I don't have the money to get one in the near future - I'll just have to wait until the technology matures a bit more.

[OakLeaf]

I can find out all about the apps, etc., but not a word on how well I can hear my daughter's voice. (Sigh.)

It's Verizon. 'Nuff said. (And if you mean audio output quality rather than the network, music is much higher resolution than voice - anything that's a half decent music player won't be an issue in voice conversations.)

I couldn't help but wonder if I could use it on a bike tour.

That's been addressed here w/r/t the iPhone several times, and the short answer is no - unless maybe you plan to carry at least one and possibly two spare batteries, plus the capacity to charge all your batteries at overnight stops. By all reports the Droid's battery life is about the same as the iPhone's (which is only a few hours when it's being used for navigation). The Droid's big advantage in that department is that its replaceable battery lets you carry a fully charged spare or two.

Bottom line is for navigation without a way to charge your device on the road, it's Garmin or nothing.

[Becky]

BTW re: qualifying for a free new phone every 2 years, if you don't get a phone after 2 years and you just remain a satisfied Verizon customer without a contract to force you to stay with them instead of switching to a new provider, they won't let you get a free phone when you need one. They're willing to give expensive incentives to people who like new gadgets whether they need them or not, but loyal customers can f*** off.

Even if you sign a new contract at the time that you choose to upgrade?

(I don't have Verizon for my personal phone, just the work one, so I don't know anything about their terms and conditions.)

[OakLeaf]

Hmmmmm. That must be a new policy with Verizon, because the only time I got a new phone within my "new every 2" upgrade period was last time when I dropped my old one in a portajohn... The two times before that, I've gotten the upgrade discount no problem.

[Irulan]

BTW re: qualifying for a free new phone every 2 years, if you don't get a phone after 2 years and you just remain a satisfied Verizon customer without a contract to force you to stay with them instead of switching to a new provider, they won't let you get a free phone when you need one. They're willing to give expensive incentives to people who like new gadgets whether they need them or not, but loyal customers can f*** off.

no such problems with ATT. My contracts been out for several years now and I've got tons of free phones to choose from. just haven't decided what to get, yet. I second the "call and tell you what you want" department.

[MomOnBike]

anything that's a half decent music player won't be an issue in voice conversations

True, but only if the words come through. My old phone (a Motorola, FWIW), picked up every word. With my new one, it sounds to me like the reception is fuzzy. The phone's sound quality is good, I can hear every crackle and pop, and about every other word. I think it's antenna problems, or something.

That still kind of misses the point I was trying to make (whine about). Phone reviews seem to be all about the neat apps, not about whether or not you can hold a conversation. I take my phone to some fairly iffy places, reception-wise, and would like to know if it has the antenna power for me to, you know, use the thing as a phone. /rant

As far as using a Droid as a GPS, the review I read talked about it having a special docking port to put on the car's dash, which would presumably take care of the battery issue. This struck a cord, as DH's Garmin has this cute little habit of running out of battery about halfway through rides and car trips to see relatives.

For myself, I'd probably use the GPS function only when needed, like trying to navigate in an unfamiliar town. I hope I have enough confidence in my navigational abilities to make it down a long straight road all by myself.

[OakLeaf]

As far as using a Droid as a GPS, the review I read talked about it having a special docking port to put on the car's dash, which would presumably take care of the battery issue. This struck a cord, as DH's Garmin has this cute little habit of running out of battery about halfway through rides and car trips to see relatives.

For myself, I'd probably use the GPS function only when needed, like trying to navigate in an unfamiliar town. I hope I have enough confidence in my navigational abilities to make it down a long straight road all by myself.

Yeah, that's basically it, you're fine if you have a vehicle you can plug/hardwire it into. Not so much on a bici.

Which Garmin does your DH have? And how long does he ride? My 301 and 705 have always been good for 12 hours, and if I won't be near a power outlet or computer overnight, I can recharge them with a AA battery pack. I'll bet if he isn't getting good battery life, he can get a replacement. Garmin customer service is top-notch. (As long as you call... forget about trying to contact them by email. One rep I talked to on the phone said they get like 40,000 emails a day.)

Personally, I don't have the navigational abilities to make it down a long straight road...

[Medianox]

Personally, I don't have the navigational abilities to make it down a long straight road... [/QUOTE]

LOL-OMG I'm glad I'm not the only one....
A few years ago when I worked in a large hospital (I had worked there close to 10 years), they were doing some remodeling in the basement and I got lost taking a patient to the cath lab-darn good thing it wasn't urgent!
Like I always tell my friends, everyone has a gift...mine is a gift for getting lost.

Thats one reason I'm interested in the droid, surely can't hurt, if I have it in my jersey pocket at least I can consult it for directions while I'm out riding.
Believe me, I'll be getting the car mount also if I decide to get the phone.
Earliest I can go play with one is next Monday.