Verizon Smartphones

[destrekor]

I might be looking to get a smartphone. Not sure which route I'll be going though, Blackberry or Windows Mobile.
OS isn't going to matter as much as long as the functionality is there, albeit with some flash/style. I don't want the phone to be a beast of a phone, but... might not have many choices here.

Current phone is Samsung Glyde.

I want to maintain having a keyboard, but I am seeing the choices are limited, and if it were to have a keyboard I'd want it to be a slider, not always exposed.

Currently, I am focusing on:
HTC Touch Pro
Blackberry Storm
Samsung Omnia

I've heard the touch keyboard on the Storm isn't terrible, and seems roomy so I wouldn't mind too much (at least in landscape).
Omnia is a nice looking phone. But the Verizon version being pressure sensitive, makes me want to shy away from it. I don't want to use a stylus a lot, if ever, and typing on a pressure-sensitive keyboard would be new to me... and probably frustrating in the time it takes.

I like the HTC Touch Pro, but it looks kind of clunky. This phone will be in my pocket, so I don't want to carry around a brick. But I like the way the keyboard looks, and the TouchFlow interface looks nice. Samsung's skin on the WinMo looks decent too, not as flashy but I've heard it has better performance, especially since the HTC Touch Pro Verizon-edition is apparently slightly crippled compared to the other version(s).

I've heard the Storm is great, but was buggy at launch. Anyone own it? How have recent updates improved it?

And how customizable are these phones, specifically the WinMo phones?

 

[HopJokey]

I just got a BlackBerry Curve 8330 on Verizon.

It's not the newest thing in the world, but I love it. It's rock solid, reliable, quick and pretty sleek.

 

[CrimsonWolf]

I got the Storm mid-December and it's been great for me.

The phone was very buggy at launch. It was a textbook example of marketing rushing the phone out before it was ready. Verizon released an official OS update in December that apparently fixed many of these bugs (I never tried one without the new release). My phone has been very trouble free. (It did lock up on me once, but it wasn't anything a yanked battery couldn't fix...) There have been a steady stream of beta OS's coming out since then, and they seem pretty low risk to try (see crackberry forums for more info). I haven't tried any just because my phone has been fine with the official December update.

After a few days I got pretty quick with the keyboard. The predictive text in portrait mode works well, and even if I "fat-finger" the keyboard in landscape mode and mistype a couple letters in a word, it's pretty accurate at figuring out what I meant.

Verizon gives you 30 days to try out a phone so if you're on the fence about any of them, just try it. I read about all the release issues with Storm and watched mine like a hawk, but wound up happy. Don't put much stock in the reviews for the Storm - most of them were done with the crappy release OS.

I've never used the other two, but that's my take on the Storm.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: HopJokey
I just got a BlackBerry Curve 8330 on Verizon.

It's not the newest thing in the world, but I love it. It's rock solid, reliable, quick and pretty sleek.

How's the internet on the Curve?

What kind of support does it have? Does it do Google Maps Mobile (GPS) at all?

What about Flash/Java support?

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: CrimsonWolf
I got the Storm mid-December and it's been great for me.

The phone was very buggy at launch. It was a textbook example of marketing rushing the phone out before it was ready. Verizon released an official OS update in December that apparently fixed many of these bugs (I never tried one without the new release). My phone has been very trouble free. (It did lock up on me once, but it wasn't anything a yanked battery couldn't fix...) There have been a steady stream of beta OS's coming out since then, and they seem pretty low risk to try (see crackberry forums for more info). I haven't tried any just because my phone has been fine with the official December update.

After a few days I got pretty quick with the keyboard. The predictive text in portrait mode works well, and even if I "fat-finger" the keyboard in landscape mode and mistype a couple letters in a word, it's pretty accurate at figuring out what I meant.

Verizon gives you 30 days to try out a phone so if you're on the fence about any of them, just try it. I read about all the release issues with Storm and watched mine like a hawk, but wound up happy. Don't put much stock in the reviews for the Storm - most of them were done with the crappy release OS.

I've never used the other two, but that's my take on the Storm.

Yeah but I can't go trying any phones, unless I want to pay full price. Going to ebay a new phone if I decide to get one soon.

I'm still in contract with my Glyde for another year sadly. And if I get a smartphone, NOT getting it through verizon directly since all of them are 500-600. Can get it for under $400 on eBay, so definitely still on the fence on the whole idea of going this route too. Mostly just entertaining the idea for now.

 

[boomhower]

I would vote the Omnia out of the choices. The Storm just doesn't do it for me, mainly due to the clicking screen. The Touch Pro is just to thick to carry daily IMHO. So that just leaves the Omnia out of the choices. If you aren't in a hurry the Omnia's replacement looks very very good but I haven't heard a time table on it.

 

[CrimsonWolf]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: CrimsonWolf
I got the Storm mid-December and it's been great for me.

The phone was very buggy at launch. It was a textbook example of marketing rushing the phone out before it was ready. Verizon released an official OS update in December that apparently fixed many of these bugs (I never tried one without the new release). My phone has been very trouble free. (It did lock up on me once, but it wasn't anything a yanked battery couldn't fix...) There have been a steady stream of beta OS's coming out since then, and they seem pretty low risk to try (see crackberry forums for more info). I haven't tried any just because my phone has been fine with the official December update.

After a few days I got pretty quick with the keyboard. The predictive text in portrait mode works well, and even if I "fat-finger" the keyboard in landscape mode and mistype a couple letters in a word, it's pretty accurate at figuring out what I meant.

Verizon gives you 30 days to try out a phone so if you're on the fence about any of them, just try it. I read about all the release issues with Storm and watched mine like a hawk, but wound up happy. Don't put much stock in the reviews for the Storm - most of them were done with the crappy release OS.

I've never used the other two, but that's my take on the Storm.

Yeah but I can't go trying any phones, unless I want to pay full price. Going to ebay a new phone if I decide to get one soon.

I'm still in contract with my Glyde for another year sadly. And if I get a smartphone, NOT getting it through verizon directly since all of them are 500-600. Can get it for under $400 on eBay, so definitely still on the fence on the whole idea of going this route too. Mostly just entertaining the idea for now.

Oh, gotcha. Good luck. Pester your friends if any of them have these.

 

[uli2000]

Id go the Touch Pro over the Omnia. 1st, I thought the omnia didnt have a physical keyboard. 2nd, VGA vs. qvga in the omnia. 3rd, though some people dislike touchflo, its a better interface than the one on the omnia. Verizon has crippled the touch pro a little (the omnia too). They cut down the avalible ram and underclocked the cpu. Both can be unlocked relativly easily, iirc. The gps is also locked out on both the phones. I know the gps can be enabled on the TP, not sure on the omnia.

 

[Bibble]

I got a Storm earlier this month for my birthday and love it. It freaks out every once in a while but overall is quite solid. I love reading the newspaper in the palm of my hand.

 

[HopJokey]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: HopJokey
I just got a BlackBerry Curve 8330 on Verizon.

It's not the newest thing in the world, but I love it. It's rock solid, reliable, quick and pretty sleek.

How's the internet on the Curve?

What kind of support does it have? Does it do Google Maps Mobile (GPS) at all?

What about Flash/Java support?

The GPS is locked out currently by Verizon for Google maps. The only thing the GPS works on is BB Maps (included) and VZ Navigator (9.99/month). Rumor is they will eventually unlock it like they did for the storm. So Google Maps does work with it, but it only uses cell tower triangulation not GPS because Verizon locked it.

As far as internet goes, it's decent with Opera Mini/BB Browser. No Flash/Java support though. And it's not as good as Safari on iPhone or IE on the Touch Pro.

 

[bucwylde23]

I'm waiting for the new blackberry coming to verizon soon (i hope) to upgrade from my 8830.

 

[HopJokey]

The "9630" is probably the one you want to wait for. It's coming in the next few months, May hopefully:

http://crackberry.com/blackberry9630review

 

[DivideBYZero]

A new official Storm firmware is out from Verizon this week, too.

 

[boomhower]

Originally posted by: HopJokey

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: HopJokey
I just got a BlackBerry Curve 8330 on Verizon.

It's not the newest thing in the world, but I love it. It's rock solid, reliable, quick and pretty sleek.

How's the internet on the Curve?

What kind of support does it have? Does it do Google Maps Mobile (GPS) at all?

What about Flash/Java support?

The GPS is locked out currently by Verizon for Google maps. The only thing the GPS works on is BB Maps (included) and VZ Navigator (9.99/month). Rumor is they will eventually unlock it like they did for the storm. So Google Maps does work with it, but it only uses cell tower triangulation not GPS because Verizon locked it.

As far as internet goes, it's decent with Opera Mini/BB Browser. No Flash/Java support though. And it's not as good as Safari on iPhone or IE on the Touch Pro.

IE on WM mobile sucks, a whole whole lot. Opera is a very solid browser and is the best I have found for general browsing, tabs included. Flash support will come with 9.7 but in the meantime skyfire works for your hulu viewing pleasure.

 

[destrekor]

So the Omnia is very hackable? Such as Windows shells, unlocking GPS, and other options?

Due to it being a slimmer device, a larger screen, and a nice camera to boot, not to mention apparently better performance... I am being pulled in that direction.

I still dislike a touchscreen keyboard, but I prefer the look over the bulkier HTC Touch Pro, not to mention the slower performance and worse battery life.
The Storm, still seems nice and has apparently improved with firmware updates, but I've heard the screen click slows down typing.
Other Blackberry models, like the Curve, that have QWERTY keyboards, I dislike the form of them, mostly due to the keyboard always being there, and not a slider.

The only problems I have with the Omnia is the lower resolution, which I don't know how that will impact web browsing. But otherwise resolution doesn't bother me, as I won't really be using it to watch videos or anything.
And the touchscreen keyboard... I'd have to adjust to that. Would really prefer a true keyboard but whatever, not a lot of options from Verizon, damn them.
And it has WiFi and I really like that.

 

[sjwaste]

I'd highly recommend a Palm device. The external keyboard (not slide-out or on-screen) makes it far more convenient for one handed, quick operations. If you don't want PalmOS, that rules out the Centro, but there are WM6-based devices in their lineup.

IMHO, their physical layout is the best.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
I'd highly recommend a Palm device. The external keyboard (not slide-out or on-screen) makes it far more convenient for one handed, quick operations. If you don't want PalmOS, that rules out the Centro, but there are WM6-based devices in their lineup.

IMHO, their physical layout is the best.

Yeah Palm's can be nice and all. But there is like no selection other than the Centro on Verizon, and it's just not a really capable device other than pure business/PDA uses.
I mean that in regards to web browsing and GPS, and apps.

I really want an external keyboard but the options that exist for Verizon just don't sit well with me. The best keyboard smartphones have big flaws.

 

[destrekor]

Well it's done. Just ordered an Omnia off eBay. Once it gets here, it'll be time to call Verizon to add data service (sigh). And then off to the webs to get software customizations.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: boomhower

Originally posted by: HopJokey

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: HopJokey
I just got a BlackBerry Curve 8330 on Verizon.

It's not the newest thing in the world, but I love it. It's rock solid, reliable, quick and pretty sleek.

How's the internet on the Curve?

What kind of support does it have? Does it do Google Maps Mobile (GPS) at all?

What about Flash/Java support?

The GPS is locked out currently by Verizon for Google maps. The only thing the GPS works on is BB Maps (included) and VZ Navigator (9.99/month). Rumor is they will eventually unlock it like they did for the storm. So Google Maps does work with it, but it only uses cell tower triangulation not GPS because Verizon locked it.

As far as internet goes, it's decent with Opera Mini/BB Browser. No Flash/Java support though. And it's not as good as Safari on iPhone or IE on the Touch Pro.

IE on WM mobile sucks, a whole whole lot. Opera is a very solid browser and is the best I have found for general browsing, tabs included. Flash support will come with 9.7 but in the meantime skyfire works for your hulu viewing pleasure.

what is this skyfire you speak of? i have the omnia (got it free), and have been too lazy/ busy to research how to watch hulu on it yet. flash lite 2.1 does work in the opera browser, but the web page has to be designed in that version for it to mean anything. overall, i love this phone, much more than my bosses storm. im having bluetooth issues right now, but im sure its my fault... it connected before.

 

[blued888]

Originally posted by: destrekor
I still dislike a touchscreen keyboard, but I prefer the look over the bulkier HTC Touch Pro, not to mention the slower performance and worse battery life.

I too, do not like touchscreen keyboards. Sure it's an easier way of inputting things but my hands still look for tactile response.

Originally posted by: destrekor
The only problems I have with the Omnia is the lower resolution, which I don't know how that will impact web browsing. But otherwise resolution doesn't bother me, as I won't really be using it to watch videos or anything.
And the touchscreen keyboard... I'd have to adjust to that. Would really prefer a true keyboard but whatever, not a lot of options from Verizon, damn them.
And it has WiFi and I really like that.

I believe you'll see 4x as more with the HTC Touch Pro than the Omnia because of the VGA resolution.

 

[bonkers325]

the beta OS for the storm is leaps and bounds ahead of the stock OS. i'd recommend waiting for VZ to release an update, then get the storm (or get a storm now and install the OS yourself - its really easy)