Shopping for a new phone
June 20th, 2008, 9:21 am · 12 Comments · posted by Hana
Hello all, I’m in the market for a new phone. I need a smartphone like the Blackberry, iPhone, or SideKick.
What I’m hoping for is one that’s on Verizon’s wireless network because it has better coverage out in the farm country. AT&T and T-Mobile provide me with a shaky connection out in the country.
I’m tempted by the iPhone for its eye candy and touch screen. But is there anything else? I’ve been looking at the other phones in Verizon’s line-up but don’t really see anything other than the Blackberry.
My needs are:
- Web Browsing capability
- Texting (SMS)
- AIM/YIM/Relay
- Unlimited TAP
What do you suggest?
My current phone is the SideKick II.
Got a question? Something you want to bring to my attention? 
June 20th, 2008 at 10:25 am
You’re in the same shoes as my mom…she currently has Sidekick II and she wants to switch to Verizon due to better coverage in her rural area. She and I checked out a nearby Verizon store inside Circuit City and we found that the LG Voyager was the best fit because my mom wants the biggest qwerty keyboard as possible like the Sidekick. LG Voyager has everything that you ask for and they have their own deaf plan that allows you to have this with $40 a month plan. A friend of mine from a rural area also is thinking about getting Verizon’s Glyde (its similar to LG Voyager but smaller).
Personally, I’m waiting for July 11th to get an iPhone.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:07 am
To iPhone or Not…
But the Voyager and Glyde sounds good to check out.
Thanks, Sonny!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I am also in the market for a new phone…
I would suggest to click on the Sprint ad on Deafread to see what they offer…
Also, check out the verizon website to see what phones they offer…but I believe (not 100% sure) that Sprint’s plan is the best for deaf people…$30 for data only…
Personally, I am leaning towards the HTC Mogul model…because I have huge thumbs and need a full qwerty keyboard…and with the Mogul the keyboard slides out…
Bottom line…start with SERVICE…then see what phones are offered by said service….that’s how I would do it…or find a phone I liked and pick the best service associated with it…
June 20th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Go for blackberry curve.. provided by Verizon Wireless!!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Yeah, Sprint actually has the lowest TAP plan. iPhone is $40, Verizon’s is $55.
At least, that’s what I was quoted at the nearby Verizon store when I went last Wednesday.
June 20th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I use a Palm Centro and has everything you listed and more! Camera and video camera and office documents. And more…
Mine is on a Sprint plan. However, there is a palm centro under verizon but I don’t know their pricing. Sprint is 29.99 plus tax…and if you want insurance it’s 7 bucks more. I’ve not had a problem with connection so far..but soon will be heading out to a rural area and will find out if I have service or not.
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 am
Sonny, I enjoyed Brain Tong on the Glyde and Voyager video!
I had initially thought voyager was the better of the pair now I have confirmation.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:52 am
I’ve yet to see any comments on the iPhone’s vibration feature. I understand that it will vibrate lowly once on incoming e-mails as well as text messages. This would seem to give a good chance that deafies will miss it. Are there any vibrating alert utilites that will enhance it?
Thanks,
Carl
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:20 am
Well, Carl, I have been getting conflicting reports that the vibration is strong enough, others say it’s not strong enough. I don’t think there is something to enhance it. I did notice that the 3G iPhone has AIM supported natively.