New plan, phone, etc...non-cell user needs help

[najames]

I am a hard core PC guy (mainframes/solaris/linux/Win/etc), don't even have a cell phone nor do I want one, BUT my wife has had one for years and needs a new phone. I have been reading but there are too many companies/plans/phone choices and I need some help.

She is the type of person who reads every page of the manual, highlights it, and knows how to use every feature/option on the device.

What we have now...

Plan - Old T-Mobile $19.95 with 75min anytime and 500min weekends. Contract is over in a few weeks. No texting/web.

Phone - Motorola Rizr V3 (2006-2007 era), still works ok but the battery is shot and it is hard to get reliable ones based on Amazon reviews.

VOIP - we have used Voicepulse for 8-9 years, like being able to forward it to the cell when we leave home. Wife uses Google Voice on her laptop for overseas calls to Bangkok.

Other - I got my wife an iPod Touch for Xmas a couple years ago and she really likes it. Doesn't really use it for music, mainly wireless connection, apps, scheduler, alarms, and browsing. I'll admit it is a handy device. When we went to Europe last year I loaded all our travel plans/maps/docs on it, basically went paperless.

It is time for a system upgrade. What system/plan/phone would you get?

Our T-Mobile will work inside the house here on Boca Raton, FL., stuff has gotta work inside. No fun talking outside in Florida summer weather. How would I know if Virgin Mobile or someone will work inside?

Looks like Virgin Mobile has some good plans, but it is evidently Sprint based, have no idea how well it would work here. Verizon based plans?? I'd prefer not to do a 2-yr contract again, either a pay as you go, or buy my own phone if necessary. I would need to be able to use it inside, no patio walking for me. It has to have clear voice too. Function over flashiness.

I could see maybe ditching the $15 Voicepulse IF I could do something else that would work as well, ideas? Combined with cell phone plan? Skype? I think her sister uses Skype in Bangkok.

My wife has used Nokias in the past, but gave her last Nokia 5300(?) freebie to her sister when she lost hers. She does like Nokias and I would like something that would have a little more functionality than her old Rizr.

Is an android an overkill? I am worried about their battery talk time and standby. I could learn to do any hacking on it if necessary, preferably not though.

From Slickdeals, Nokia has some deals right now, C6-01 looks good.
http://www.nokiausa.com/nokia-deals...kiacom-us-19-e7tradeuphpherolearnmore_756x548

Sorry for the long post.

 

[Munky]

If she likes Nokias, she'd be happy with the C6. The best part is they come unlocked, no contract, and support 3G/HSDPA on all frequencies, so you aren't tied to just one carrier.
I have the N8, and happily using my old TMobile sim card without contract and a cheap, grandfathered data plan.

 

[Mopetar]

If she likes her iPod for that apps, etc. an iPhone probably isn't a bad decision as she'll already be familiar with it. One of my friends uses his on T-Mobile since the AT&T coverage around here is crap, but I think it only works on their 2G.

Alternatively, you could go to a T-Mobile store and let her try out some of the different phones. If it's something that she's going to be primarily using, it wouldn't be a bad idea to try a few different devices out so she can find what's right for her.

 

[Oyeve]

I agree with Mopetar, If shes comfy with ios then grab a 3gs and use that.

 

[najames]

Thanks for the feedback.

I don't know what carriers the iPhone 3GS works on or how much it costs without a plan, looks like $339 on Buy and $274 for a refub on newegg. It might defeat the purpose of her iPod Touch too. I might use another carrier instead of T-Mobile, not sure yet. Walmart has a slew of cheap no contract deals, not saying I want to change, I just don't know about the carriers like Virgin (Sprint) or Boost, etc. I don't want to be stuck with an iPhone that doesn't work on my carrier.

Munky, I read a couple of your posts earlier, you offer good advice. She does like Nokias but mainly because they all have them at home. Would the N8 you have be worth another $100? I do know she'd probably like the colors better than the silver C6, but she can get a skin for it too. Can these use wireless where available? Battery life looks good on both of them. Do these work on all carriers, not just T-Mobile and AT&T? How would I grandfather in a cheap T-Mobile data plan?

HSPA, WCDMA 850/900/1700-2100/1900/2100, GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900,WLAN

I have to be careful because some stuff I buy ends up with her family in Bangkok, especially laptops and cell phones that are more expensive there. The Touch could end up there if I get a phone that she really likes, never know. If I could find a good battery the Rizr would be a phone for the maid likely.

Is there a "SIP box" to use with cell plans? What do you use for a land line at home?

Saw this at Wally World, in addition to Virgin Mobile $25 for plenty of talk time and unlimited web/text. I just wish I knew Virgin worked inside here.

http://www.walmart.com/cp/Family-Mob...k-Plan/1083044

This is another option Virgin Mobile an LG Optimus V. It seems people like it but it needs work to extend battery life. Android 2.2 for $150.
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phones/lg-optimus-v-phone.jsp

 

[Munky]

The newer Nokia phones support 3G/HSPA on all 5 frequencies, and thus can use a 3G or 3.5G data connection on any GSM carrier worldwide. I kept my original TMobile SIM card from an old dumbphone, which included a cheap, unlimited data plan, that's why I'd rather get an unlocked phone and keep my old plan to save money. If you go to another country, you'll need a new SIM card, but the phone will work on their 3G bands as well.

I haven't had much use for WiFi calling, but the N8 can use services like Fring, Skype and Nimbuzz for cheap wireless calls. Nokia also has native support for SIP calls, but since the carriers in the US don't support it, I can't comment on how well it works.

 

[najames]

Am I correct, these Nokia phones would not work on any carrier that's Sprint or Verizon based?

Looks like there is a $10 web2go for Tmobile...if they would let me add it to her existing phone plan. Still more than the $25 Virgin billing, but I'm familiar with T-Mobile and know it will work inside the house. I think I get a discount plan with AT&T at work though, better check.

 

[Munky]

Correct, sprint and verizon use a radio technology that's incompatible with GSM

 

[najames]

We've been with T-mobile for 7 years and they said "we don't see you going anywhere soon, just sign another 2 year contract for a Samsung 'Smiley' T359 phone and a $5/mo preferred unlimited data plan". She was unsure of what they'd do if I got the Nokias, "not familiar with those models". She said if I used an Android phone it is another $30/mo. for data. I asked what speed the $5 data plan was and she said "edge", sounds slower to me.

A co-worker friend has a LG Optimus V and Virgin Mobile at work, likes the plan/phone said he had a minor problem with the phone he got and they sent him another one immediately even though it wasn't a major problem. Their $25/mo. plan is likely enough for us.

I get 16% off Sprint through work, seemed like a lot of extra "fees", $12 shipping, $36 setup, $10/mo more for a smart phone. Corp AT&T "discount" available too, too pricy from what they were saying, $59 500min vioce+$30 data per month .

Argggg, this is worse than buying a new car!!

I have to admit, hacking around an Android sounds like fun, as long as I wouldn't brick it. WAF would drop like a rock.