Droid - Motorola - Verizon

[luvmysuper]

Ok, After many years with Blackberry I made the switch to Droid.
I do like the phone and the features - but I'm truly excited about the apps!

Anyone else got one?

What are the "must have" killer apps I need to get?

Tips, tricks - anything else you know?

Happy to share my experience with it as well.

 

[pb300]

Everyone at my work has the Droid since we get a good discount from Verizon. They seem to really like it. I, on the other hand, have been waiting (and waiting, and waiting....) for the nexus one to come to Verizon.

 

[Walter Sobchak]

Please keep us updated on how you like it, Phil.

I have Verizon, too, and I want to stick with it because of the superior reception where I live. I am anxiously waiting to dump my Blackberry for something more 'fun'. The BBs I've had have been great for business, but I'm ready to move on to something bigger, funner, and more sparkly.

 

[luvmysuper]

Please keep us updated on how you like it, Phil.

I have Verizon, too, and I want to stick with it because of the superior reception where I live. I am anxiously waiting to dump my Blackberry for something more 'fun'. The BBs I've had have been great for business, but I'm ready to move on to something bigger, funner, and more sparkly.

So far I love everything about it except business e-mail.
Whereas a windows mobile device syncs seamlessly with Outlook Exchange, and Blackberry can at least remember a specific mail box based on a web version of Outlook Exchange, with the Droid, you either have to log in each time you want to check web based, or get your IT department to give you the exchange security info. In my case, that ain't gonna happen - they don't give it out to anybody.

The Navigation and voice recognition stuff is simply amazing. I thought I probably wasn't going to like the keyboard, but I find that it is more than adequate.

 

[AACJ]

I'm venturing a little out of my realm here, I do not have nor have ever had any kind of phone with internet access on it. But, for those of you that DO have it, how much MORE is it to access the internet on my phone versus just having a voice package?

Keep in mind, we have a 400 minute plan for just my wife and I which we only pay 29.99 per month plus the add a phone (hers) for 10.00 more per month. I am trying to weigh the cost of upgrading to the Droid vs staying with the same plan we have now. We have been with Verizon for the longest time, which is why the plan is so low. Does the Droid come with a new every two plan as well?

 

[sturgeon]

Art,

I know in Pittsburgh, the data plan for the droid is $30 a month. That is the only reason I haven't upgraded my phone to a new "smart" phone. Some of the other smart phones have lower data plans, like $10, but like the iPhone, the droid is a mandatory $30 plan.

Tim

 

[danek]

how much MORE is it to access the internet on my phone versus just having a voice package?

I strongly suggest that you don't get anything but the 'unlimited data' plan for fear that you might go over your allotted megabytes. the 'unlimited' plan is $45/month.

Does the Droid come with a new every two plan as well?

Any line that is at least $30/month (I think) qualifies for the "new every two" discount; your wife's phone wouldn't qualify since it's only $10/month. The "new every two" discount is $50.

Plus, Verizon offers a $50 discount for entering into a new two-year commitment after 22 months (it might be only 20 months).

So, if your service is at least $30/month (or whatever the magic number is), and you're 22 (or 20) months into your 2 year commitment, you can get $100 off a new device, any device, for re-upping your contract.

 

[friendo977]

I have had a droid since november and I came from a blackberry as well. I would say the apps that I must have are taskiller (saves battery power), sportstap (if youre a sports fan it updates you on all the scores of your favorite teams), Homerun 3D Battle (I'm addicted), Pandora, Barcode Scanner, Facebook Widget, Handcent for texting, Weatherbug Widget, AK Notepad (for shopping and to do lists), Cardex, Google Goggles (not a must have, but neat), Twidroid (Twitter), Zedge (For ringtones) NFL Mobile, and personally I prefer Dolphin Browser to the standard browser (I find it formats to the droid a little better).
These are just the apps I like best. Obviously I am a big sports fan so a lot of those have to do with sports. I do agree though, it definetely doesn't compare to a BB when it comes to email.
(The great thing about Droid is you will find apps for almost anything. For instance I also have a app of chuck norris jokes to keep me entertained, a calorie counter app, bartender app, an app that gives you ocean noise to help you sleep...dont be afraid to look around and try stuff you can always erase them if you dont like)

 

[friendo977]

Another tip. I have my favorite websites as shortucts on my homescreen so I dont have to go to the browser every time I want to look up one of them. If you want to do that you just pick an empty spot on your screen long press it and a menu comes up asking you if you want to set a widget, shortcut, etc and then you can click on bookmark. Saves me a lot of time personally.
Also I do a lot of texting so the handcent which i suggested is a big time saver for me because when you get a text it comes up on your screen without having to unlock it and you can reply right there.
There is also auto mylock, which elimates the need to unlock your screen, you just hit the button at the top and you are at your homescreen...though I have found it a little buggy.

 

[maxroach]

I have had a droid since november and I came from a blackberry as well. I would say the apps that I must have are taskiller (saves battery power), sportstap (if youre a sports fan it updates you on all the scores of your favorite teams), Homerun 3D Battle (I'm addicted), Pandora, Barcode Scanner, Facebook Widget, Handcent for texting, Weatherbug Widget, AK Notepad (for shopping and to do lists), Cardex, Google Goggles (not a must have, but neat), Twidroid (Twitter), Zedge (For ringtones) NFL Mobile, and personally I prefer Dolphin Browser to the standard browser (I find it formats to the droid a little better).
These are just the apps I like best. Obviously I am a big sports fan so a lot of those have to do with sports. I do agree though, it definetely doesn't compare to a BB when it comes to email.
(The great thing about Droid is you will find apps for almost anything. For instance I also have a app of chuck norris jokes to keep me entertained, a calorie counter app, bartender app, an app that gives you ocean noise to help you sleep...dont be afraid to look around and try stuff you can always erase them if you dont like)

I'm an iPhone guy, but my girlfriend has a Droid. It's pretty cool, and it's definitely faster than my iPhone (though perhaps less elegant).

+1 on the Homerun 3D Battle. Great game. I have it for iPhone, and my girlfriend and I play over the network. If you want to play, just request a matchup with me...my name on there is the same as it is here!

 

[friendo977]

Thanks Maxroach, I will look for you so we can matchup.

 

[luvmysuper]

I'm venturing a little out of my realm here, I do not have nor have ever had any kind of phone with internet access on it. But, for those of you that DO have it, how much MORE is it to access the internet on my phone versus just having a voice package?

Keep in mind, we have a 400 minute plan for just my wife and I which we only pay 29.99 per month plus the add a phone (hers) for 10.00 more per month. I am trying to weigh the cost of upgrading to the Droid vs staying with the same plan we have now. We have been with Verizon for the longest time, which is why the plan is so low. Does the Droid come with a new every two plan as well?

I'm paying the 45 a month unlimited, and I can tell you that I'm walking away from a Blackberry saving about 75 bucks a month with the Droid.

I have had a droid since november and I came from a blackberry as well. I would say the apps that I must have are taskiller (saves battery power), sportstap (if youre a sports fan it updates you on all the scores of your favorite teams), Homerun 3D Battle (I'm addicted), Pandora, Barcode Scanner, Facebook Widget, Handcent for texting, Weatherbug Widget, AK Notepad (for shopping and to do lists), Cardex, Google Goggles (not a must have, but neat), Twidroid (Twitter), Zedge (For ringtones) NFL Mobile, and personally I prefer Dolphin Browser to the standard browser (I find it formats to the droid a little better).
These are just the apps I like best. Obviously I am a big sports fan so a lot of those have to do with sports. I do agree though, it definetely doesn't compare to a BB when it comes to email.
(The great thing about Droid is you will find apps for almost anything. For instance I also have a app of chuck norris jokes to keep me entertained, a calorie counter app, bartender app, an app that gives you ocean noise to help you sleep...dont be afraid to look around and try stuff you can always erase them if you dont like)

Thanks for those tips, I will certainly check them out.

I have downloaded and use Car Finder with bluetooth app, so every time I get out of the car it marks my GPS location so I can walk back to the car using a map or radar screen. Very handy.

Also have the Documents to go for Word and Excel files and a PDF viewer.

I was able to get the phone set up with Exchange and it is flawless, all of my folders are there now, instead of just the Inbox that I had with the Blackberry.

I'm very happy with this phone, but I will positively be loading that texting app and the screen lock app to make life easier.

 

[AACJ]

Okay, so we looked at the Droid and the Droid Incredible (coming out on
April 19th). My wife doesn't like that EACH of us have to pay 29.99 per month for the internet access....so we think we will most likely go with an LG Chocolate Touch and just get the 9.99 month. We have 2 laptops with our wireless FiOS, so the only time we need internet is when we are outside of our house and when one of the kids are on the laptop.....

 

[AACJ]

Does anyone have experience with the LG Chocolate Touch? We think we like that one the best after a whole day of shopping yesterday, however the new Droid Incredible is coming out on april 29th.

 

[masonjarjar]

Okay, so we looked at the Droid and the Droid Incredible (coming out on
April 19th). My wife doesn't like that EACH of us have to pay 29.99 per month for the internet access....so we think we will most likely go with an LG Chocolate Touch and just get the 9.99 month. We have 2 laptops with our wireless FiOS, so the only time we need internet is when we are outside of our house and when one of the kids are on the laptop.....

That's why we only have one smartphone on our plan (my wife's Blackberry) - we just can't afford two data plans.. I keep hoping one day Verizon will give a discount for a 2nd data plan, but so far, no dice.

It's just hard to fathom how much some folks must spend on their cell phone plans, I'm still getting over paying more than $50 for two phones...

I have a Chocolate 3. I remember when the Chocolate was the cool phone to have, now it's just.. a phone, but a phone that has over 1500 songs on it, which is kind of cool. Oh it has an FM transmitter which means I can play the music over the car radio, which is very handy.

 

[SeattleSparky]

Have had it for the last 4 months and gotta say it rocks!!