Verizon phone with QWERTY keyboard and no data plan

[AstroManLuca]

Someone asked a very similar question recently: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2316110&enterthread=y

Except that's for AT&T. The Quickfire looks perfect for me but I'm on Verizon so I'd rather have something else. Unfortunately, Verizon doesn't make it easy to filter out smartphones that require a data plan. Now maybe I can get one anyway, just for PDA capabilities and text messaging, but I'm not keen on spending $30+ a month extra just for data that would be a novelty for me.

Any suggestions?

EDIT: Did a little more research and it looks like the frontrunners are the LG enV3 and the Motorola Rival. Either one looks good, maybe leaning slightly toward the Rival but I'm really undecided.

As long as I'm asking, my brother is also in need of a new phone since his old one is pretty beat up (outside screen is cracked and unreadable). We qualify for a discount since it's been some time since we got new phones, but he says if I get him one it should be as durable as possible. Other than that he doesn't care (he doesn't use text messages or anything else really).

 

[XJustMeX21]

Imo: The enV3 has the best qwerty keyboard I have ever used. The phone looks decent and works great.

Edit: There is also the enV touch if you like touch screen phones, it also does not require a data plan.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Cool, thanks for the suggestion. The enV Touch looks perfect. I had skipped over that one when I saw it on Verizon's site since I just assumed it would require data.

 

[boomhower]

Env touch would be my pick of the litter.

 

[XJustMeX21]

They will offer you a $15 "V cast vpack" which will give you 5gb's (I believe) a month to use on the web browser as it has an HTML browser but it is up to you if you want that or not.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: XJustMeX21
They will offer you a $15 "V cast vpack" which will give you 5gb's (I believe) a month to use on the web browser as it has an HTML browser but it is up to you if you want that or not.

$15 is doable. 5 GB is more than enough for basic, occasional web browsing. It's not like I'm going to be running torrents or HD streams on the thing.

I guess the only question is, how good is the web browser on the enV Touch? When I hear "V cast", I think channels, not a true web browser. But you say it has an HTML browser so maybe it works okay.

 

[shortylickens]

I've already stated my opinion in another thread, but I cant find it so I'll repeat it here.
Have owned the Env2 and Voyager. They both seem nice at first, but eventually you will notice some problems and start getting annoyed with them. After a little while I promise you will get tired of flipping the thing open constantly. Chances are, whatever you wanna do will require opening it. I got the Voyager because I thought I wouldnt have to do that so much since its got a huge external touch screen. Wrong. The touch keypad sucks and you will almost always end up opening the thing when you want to enter a contact or browse the web or whatever.
Also, the Voyager has serious issues with memory errors and it resets a lot, especially when browsing the web or doing other heavy data activities. No firmware update has corrected this and since LG already has their Env3 and Env Touch out, it will never happen.
Guess what? Those new LG's like the Env3 and Touch and some other high-end models, they all have similar problems with freezing and rebooting. Reports have already started coming in about them. LG has not yet made an announcement of why this is or how they intend to correct it.

I understand why folks like them. Heck I got the Env2 because of the nice keypad. But eventually the issues will tick you off, not to mention that flipping will start to get tiresome.

If you need a full keypad I recommend any Blackberry with a QWERTY pad (not the Pearls) or a Motorola that looks like a BB, or a Nokia that looks like a BB.

EDIT: Also, Verizon messes with the UI on LG phones and after using a Vu from AT&T I think that LG's default UI is actually much nicer and easier to navigate.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
If you need a full keypad I recommend any Blackberry with a QWERTY pad (not the Pearls) or a Motorola that looks like a BB, or a Nokia that looks like a BB.

EDIT: Also, Verizon messes with the UI on LG phones and after using a Vu from AT&T I think that LG's default UI is actually much nicer and easier to navigate.

Where should I look to get one of those? I'm looking at Verizon's site and it seems pretty much all of them require a data plan. But I'm guessing if I buy something off eBay or something, I can just activate it and use it as a "dumb" phone with a few PDA features, right?

Also, do all Verizon-capable BlackBerries and other BB-like phones have the crappy Verizon UI?

 

[XJustMeX21]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca

Originally posted by: XJustMeX21
They will offer you a $15 "V cast vpack" which will give you 5gb's (I believe) a month to use on the web browser as it has an HTML browser but it is up to you if you want that or not.

$15 is doable. 5 GB is more than enough for basic, occasional web browsing. It's not like I'm going to be running torrents or HD streams on the thing.

I guess the only question is, how good is the web browser on the enV Touch? When I hear "V cast", I think channels, not a true web browser. But you say it has an HTML browser so maybe it works okay.

the V-Pak allows you 5gb's to use the video service or to use on the web, The touch has the best non-smartphone web browser I've seen. As far as issues with the phone in the month i have owned it it has shut off once will web browsing and that's it.

Also being the most popular Verizon dumb phone it will get the most updates. They are already up to v-04

EDIT: the touch screen on the Voyager was mostly unusable, on the touch however i can type as well as i could on my iphone on the touch screen.

 

[Chapbass]

how about an older xv6800 titan? I just grabbed one, put WM6.5 on it, workin great!

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca

Originally posted by: shortylickens
If you need a full keypad I recommend any Blackberry with a QWERTY pad (not the Pearls) or a Motorola that looks like a BB, or a Nokia that looks like a BB.

EDIT: Also, Verizon messes with the UI on LG phones and after using a Vu from AT&T I think that LG's default UI is actually much nicer and easier to navigate.

Where should I look to get one of those? I'm looking at Verizon's site and it seems pretty much all of them require a data plan. But I'm guessing if I buy something off eBay or something, I can just activate it and use it as a "dumb" phone with a few PDA features, right?

Also, do all Verizon-capable BlackBerries and other BB-like phones have the crappy Verizon UI?

Actually, I think on the Blackberry's they just add a few icons for the Verizon Navigator and such, but they mostly leave it alone. I suspect thats because business users like their standard interface and would be ticked off if they had to learn something new just cuz its on a particular provider.

As for data: You could get one unlocked and just use Wifi for data. But a new, unlocked BB is going to cost you a lot. Even a refurbished Curve sells for at least $200.
I dunno what to tell you about money. I like my moms Blackberry so much I am getting one for myself soon, but I am willing to pay all the special rates because I love it so much.

 

[magreen]

I have a BB 8830 on verizon and I'm in the same boat. Do you know if I can cancel the data plan and just use it as a pda/dumb phone with verizon?

 

[AstroManLuca]

magreen, I did some more research yesterday and as far as I can tell, you MUST have a data plan with Verizon. In fact, even if you buy it from elsewhere (like eBay), you still have to buy a data plan. The only exceptions are older phones. But newer models require one. The official explanation is that people used those phones for data despite not having a plan and then would call in and argue with VZW about the charges, so they made it mandatory so it wouldn't happen. The more likely explanation is that they wanted more money.

I guess I might be willing to pay for a data plan... I am on a family share plan, after all, so I at least wouldn't be dropping $70 or $80 every month, more like $40 or $50. But $15/mo for voice + messaging is such a good deal that it's hard to justify a 3x price increase. But on the plus side, hey, then I'd have a Blackberry.

 

[magreen]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
magreen, I did some more research yesterday and as far as I can tell, you MUST have a data plan with Verizon. In fact, even if you buy it from elsewhere (like eBay), you still have to buy a data plan. The only exceptions are older phones. But newer models require one. The official explanation is that people used those phones for data despite not having a plan and then would call in and argue with VZW about the charges, so they made it mandatory so it wouldn't happen. The more likely explanation is that they wanted more money.

I guess I might be willing to pay for a data plan... I am on a family share plan, after all, so I at least wouldn't be dropping $70 or $80 every month, more like $40 or $50. But $15/mo for voice + messaging is such a good deal that it's hard to justify a 3x price increase. But on the plus side, hey, then I'd have a Blackberry.

thanks astroman. That's not what I wanted to hear.
Anyone have any ideas what I can do to cut costs?
I've got this beautiful BB, and I rely on it constantly as a pda and phone. It'd be such a waste to have to buy a different pda phone for a different network. But I just don't need email/browsing/internet.

I heard recently about switching a verizon phone onto some cheaper pre-paid network that also uses the verizon network? Anyone know any details on that, and whether I'd need to purchase a data plan with that, or could just have the "dumb" phone voice plan with my bb8830?

 

[AstroManLuca]

You might be able to switch it over to a Verizon prepaid plan, so that not using data doesn't cost you any money. Of course you'll be able to use data anyway, if you want, but you'll only be charged for what you use.

I'm not sure exactly how that works so if someone else could comment that would be nice. Personally I'm now looking at picking up the BB Curve 8330, which I could get for like $50 from Verizon. I'd just have to get used to paying an extra $30/mo for data, but I could probably deal with that.

 

[magreen]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
You might be able to switch it over to a Verizon prepaid plan, so that not using data doesn't cost you any money. Of course you'll be able to use data anyway, if you want, but you'll only be charged for what you use.

I'm not sure exactly how that works so if someone else could comment that would be nice. Personally I'm now looking at picking up the BB Curve 8330, which I could get for like $50 from Verizon. I'd just have to get used to paying an extra $30/mo for data, but I could probably deal with that.

I spoke with a Verizon wireless promotional person yesterday. If I keep using the blackberry, there's no choice but to take a data plan with them, which comes out to a minimum of $25/month on top of a voice plan (min. $65/month).

But I do have a $100 credit with them for buying a new phone, which when combined with mail in rebates, lets me get an LG env3 for free, or an LG env Touch for $50 out of pocket. And those phones would let me have just a basic $40/month voice plan, with no data plan. I'd be ok with $40/mo.

What I need to know now, is whether the env3/env Touch calendar, address book, tasks and notepad features are up to snuff for what I need. Anyone have experience with them? I completely rely on my blackberry for organizing my life -- I'd be sunk without it. And a dinky little half-featured calendar like older cellphones had will not do for me. I need it to work like the outlook calendar, where you can see your workweek, schedule your appointments properly, set alarms where you can select when the reminder is, have recurring appointments in an intelligent way, etc.

LG's website and Verizon's website don't talk about these features at all... because they're so busy hyping the music player, 3MP camera, video camera feature, etc. But I need this to work as a PDA for me. I could care less about the toy features.

Any advice?

 

[TheStu]

Go to a physical verizon store to check out the phones (also look at the Alias, it has e-ink keys that change depending on what you are doing). Anything that isn't a smartphone will have the Verizon UI, and most all of them will have fairly similar capabilities with regards to the calendar, contacts, all that.

 

[destrekor]

I loved my Samsung Glyde for a no data-plan QWERTY slider. And you could browse mobile web, albeit not really fast, and get unlimited web with the VCast pack for $15, with also included unlimited VCast video streaming, though I rarely used that.

Started getting addicted to the web on my phone, and decided it was time for a real data plan phone. Got the Samsung Omnia, modded firmware w/WinMo 6.5, absolutely love it.

 

[magreen]

Ok, I have a different question now. Still haven't gone to physical verizon store to check out the enV's. But I had a thought about keeping my blackberry and not having to buy a data plan:
I visited Israel at one point with my BB, and had verizon give me an international sim card (it's the 8830 world edition so so it accepts a sim card). I think they may have even unlocked my phone, but I'm not sure. So doesn't that mean that my phone will work as a GSM phone?

Could I keep my bb and use it as a gsm phone by getting a SIM card with a gsm network like tmobile or at&t? Then I could use the thing as a "dummy" voice phone, but still have the great productivity apps like calendar, tasks, notepad, etc. that I need.

Just a random thought.

 

[magreen]

Anyone on using my bb as a gsm w/ a sim card?

 

[Rottie]

Using text messGe requires data plan no?

 

[shortylickens]

Verizon sold phones (and CDMA phones in general) dont use SIM's at all. I have no idea if you could use it in Isreal.
Perhaps you should ask Verizon.

 

[magreen]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
Verizon sold phones (and CDMA phones in general) dont use SIM's at all. I have no idea if you could use it in Isreal.
Perhaps you should ask Verizon.

no, no, I already used it in Israel a year ago, with a sim card that verizon provided.
Now I want to know if that means my bb 8830 world edition is capable of just being a GSM phone. thanks.

 

[magreen]

Originally posted by: TheStu
Go to a physical verizon store to check out the phones (also look at the Alias, it has e-ink keys that change depending on what you are doing). Anything that isn't a smartphone will have the Verizon UI, and most all of them will have fairly similar capabilities with regards to the calendar, contacts, all that.

Ok, here's an update.

I was all set on switching to T-mobile and using my unlocked bb8830 world edition w/ a sim card as a GSM phone. I even spoke to T-mobile and confirmed I could do it... just pay $10 for a SIM card and I'd get their flexpay system, which means no contract (!) and slightly cheaper rates (save $10 over vzw). Sounded perfect. My wife would just have to buy a flexphone from them for $30 but it wasn't bad.

But I realized my bb needed a fix -- pressing the trackball had mostly stopped working as a select key so it needed a fix. I went to a physical verizon store and inquired, but it was out of warranty and so my only choice was to pay $50 for the insurance deductible and they'd send me a newly recertified bb phone. Well, I wasn't so cool with that.

So I decided to try out the LG enV3. Guess what? I liked it! To my surprise, they fixed up the calendar nice in it... it can show you your work week in a grid like in outlook/blackberry. And you can set recurring appointments, including weekly appointments and you can select which days of the week each week it occurs on. Plus it's got a decent notepad function that's great w/ the full qwerty kbd. I was impressed. The only drawback was it doesn't search your contacts sweetly like the bb does, where it will search any keywords in first, last name, and company plus an initials search as you type in a name... but I think I'll survive w/o that. And I had a $100 credit towards a new phone with vzw from my previous 2year contract... so I was able to get the phone for free (after $50 MIR which I have to send in still). They gave my wife a neato new verizon phone for free with her signing too, upgraded with mp3 player and 1.2MP camera.

So I did it. I signed a 2-year contract with Verizon (I know, I sold my soul), but I don't have to have data plan. I'm just waiting for BitPim to support the phone now... they've made a test release with initial support. This env3 is neat. I like it.

It seems the line between smart phone and dumb phone is really blurring, with this phone supporting email and web browser and gps if I wanted to pay for the dataplan. They've purposely dumbed down the web browser so you have to jump through a hoop to enter urls... but it's basically just about a pda, in the old Palm V sense of the word.

thought I'd share my experience...