Soon to be released smartphones

[litigator201]

Does anyone know of soon to be released smartphones on the Verizon network? I am looking to change our firm from AT&T to Verizon but, the current available smartphone devices are not the latest and greatest so, I need to know what smartphones may be coming out in the next 60 days or so.

[Bill Clinton]

AT&T is a better chioce for smartphone users than Verizon. With AT&T as you probably know, you can use any unlocked GSM smartphone (providing it has the 850MHz and 1900MHz bands which most do).

The phones Verizon gets are usually out in a GSM version before the CDMA version is released, and Verizon has a habit of crippling phones with their UI. Most carriers do add bloatwear to smartphones, but I Verizon is known to lock down their dumb phones so I wouldn't be surprised to see an excess of carrier loaded junk on their smartphones. I would not recommend Verizon if you want the best smartphones available.

Sprint is worth looking at, I have been content with my smartphone experience with Sprint. but as a CDMA carrier they don't have the wide selection of phones that you get with a GSM carrier.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by Bill Clinton

The phones Verizon gets are usually out in a GSM version before the CDMA version is released, and Verizon has a habit of crippling phones with their UI. Most carriers do add bloatwear to smartphones, but I Verizon is known to lock down their dumb phones so I wouldn't be surprised to see an excess of carrier loaded junk on their smartphones. I would not recommend Verizon if you want the best smartphones available.

You have some incorrect information in your post. Any Verizon smartphone with Windows Mobile is not littered with the Verizon UI. They add some of their icons, but nothing else. And as far as being crippled, where'd you get that information from? I've never had a crippled smartphone from them. I've been able to use OBEX just fine. Excessive crippling is a thing of the past.

Verizon has gotten a lot less restrictive with Bluetooth than they have been before. Also, ALL of the carriers now "slightly" cripple their phones. I've had several phones (and smartphones) from AT&T and T-Mobile with some options inhibited.

It's obvious you're not a fan of Verizon, and that's your prerogative, but careful about inaccurate information and opinions. Not everyone has problems with their service.

[ansky]

I bought a Verizon Palm Centro about 2 months ago. It certainly is not crippled with the Verizon UI. The only thing that says Verizon is the splash screen when you first turn the phone on or off. Otherwise the Centro uses the normal Palm OS and there is no "bloated" Verizon software preinstalled.

[Bill Clinton]

Originally Posted by Mobile Mike

You have some incorrect information in your post. Any Verizon smartphone with Windows Mobile is not littered with the Verizon UI. They add some of their icons, but nothing else.

I was careful not to say that Verizon ruins their smartphones with their frustrating UI. My statement was more of a general opinion that Verizon is typically more restrictive than other carriers, and they certainly can't compete with a GSM carrier in the smartphone department, so I thought Verizon would not be the best choice for the OP. I'm sorry that you took it the wrong way.

Originally Posted by Mobile Mike

And as far as being crippled, where'd you get that information from? I've never had a crippled smartphone from them. I've been able to use OBEX just fine. Excessive crippling is a thing of the past.

Verizon has been known to disable features on smartphones. Crippled Bluetooth, disable GPS, among other things. I am glad to hear they have loosened up a bit.

Originally Posted by Mobile Mike

It's obvious you're not a fan of Verizon, and that's your prerogative, but careful about inaccurate information and opinions. Not everyone has problems with their service.

So I am pleased to hear Verizon is not insisting on installing their rubbish on their smartphone lineup. It is true that I am not a fan of Verizon, or their practices, or that they charge too much, but I was careful to make my post of accurate as possible.

I still think that for the OP's needs, a GSM carrier, probably AT&T because they have much more 3G coverage, would be the right choice. The OP probably be happier buying the latest and greatest unlocked GSM smartphone, instead of choosing from Verizon's limited offerings. Not to mention that worldwide GSM is MUCH more widely used then CDMA, so when a manufacturer is making a new phone, the GSM market is usually targeted first.

[litigator201]

Thanks for all of the replies. We currently are an AT&T customer but am frustreated with its local business rep and its regional business rep. Also, can not get any information on new smartphones as they keep trying to shove us to the current outdated models of Tilt and, of course, the iPhone which I tried for 2 weeks and returned because it is IMO not for a busy professional user (the lack of a "real keypad" was the main issue along with some other business app issues). Verizon is being very aggressive with its pricing but the lack of new devices or info on new release dates is also frustrating. For buisiness users, the companies should be able to tell us what is in the mix for the future -- 60-90 days out. I don;t want to buy 75 devices today only to findout that the latest and greatest is introduced 30-60 days from now. Thoughts??

[Bill Clinton]

Well it's too bad that AT&T isn't working out for you. If you are buying 60 phones, purchasing a bunch of unlocked phones would be much more expensive than the subsidized offerings from AT&T.

I don't know if Verizon has anything in the works, you could stay with AT&T until Verizon gets a phone that you are excited about. Sprint might be worth a look if they are in your area. They have been getting consistently getting new smartphones before Verizon. It might be worth checking their offerings, and I do know of some upcoming smartphones for Sprint. If you are lucky Verizon will get the same phones, but it might be after Sprint.

[litigator201]

I've met with Sprint. Problem is that Sprint lost 901,000 subscribers last quarter, has sold all of its towers and leasing them back and is rumored to be for sale or headed towards bankruptcy. It appears that the only two long-term nationwide carriers will be AT&T and Verizon!

[Bill Clinton]

Originally Posted by litigator201

I've met with Sprint. Problem is that Sprint lost 901,000 subscribers last quarter, has sold all of its towers and leasing them back and is rumored to be for sale or headed towards bankruptcy. It appears that the only two long-term nationwide carriers will be AT&T and Verizon!

I don't think that AT&T and Verizon will be the only long-term nationwide carriers. It is unlikely that Sprint will go anywhere. It is very true that they have been struggling recently, but a company that still has 52 million customers isn't going to disappear like Amped mobile did. T-Mobile is nationwide carrier, but they are really not targeting business users.

If you really want to switch to Verizon, they should have a couple new smartphones by the end of the year.

[macsesso]

Originally Posted by Bill Clinton

AT&T is a better chioce for smartphone users than Verizon. With AT&T as you probably know, you can use any unlocked GSM smartphone (providing it has the 850MHz and 1900MHz bands which most do).

The phones Verizon gets are usually out in a GSM version before the CDMA version is released, and Verizon has a habit of crippling phones with their UI. Most carriers do add bloatwear to smartphones, but I Verizon is known to lock down their dumb phones so I wouldn't be surprised to see an excess of carrier loaded junk on their smartphones. I would not recommend Verizon if you want the best smartphones available.

Sprint is worth looking at, I have been content with my smartphone experience with Sprint. but as a CDMA carrier they don't have the wide selection of phones that you get with a GSM carrier.

Usually people who have inferior cell phone service lurk in other carrier groups to try to persuade others to share their misery.

[Bill Clinton]

Originally Posted by macsesso

Usually people who have inferior cell phone service lurk in other carrier groups to try to persuade others to share their misery.

Yes I am miserable with Sprint. For $30/month + tax I have 500 minutes, unlimited data, unlimited text, unlimited nights and weekends starting at 7, and free roaming. I got an Airave for free, so coverage at my house is perfect, and calls from home don't count against my minutes because the rep gave me unlimited calls with the Airave for free.

The OP was concerned about Verizon's smartphone offerings, and I felt that the OP would be better off staying with AT&T. I will gladly respect if you have a different opinion, and so would the OP since nobody really answered his question.

litigator - http://www.intomobile.com/2008/08/05...d-verizon.html
The CDMA Touch Pro is reported to be released on Sprint September 2nd, probably a month after for Verizon. The other HTC device should be out in early October, and then I would guess a month after for Verizon. Verizon should get the Treo 800W in mid September.

[spleck]

Originally Posted by litigator201

Does anyone know of soon to be released smartphones on the Verizon network? I am looking to change our firm from AT&T to Verizon but, the current available smartphone devices are not the latest and greatest so, I need to know what smartphones may be coming out in the next 60 days or so.

I think the big phones coming to Verizon will be the HTC Touch Diamond and HTC Touch Raphael. Primary difference is that the Raphael has a sliding keyboard.

Rumors are that Sprint will get them in September and October respectively, with Verizon following 30 days later. The rumors also suggest that the Verizon models will be spec'ed lower than the Sprint models, but that is based on leaked Sprint documentation, so you may want to wait for more reliable sources before deciding.

More details on HTC's Touch Diamond / Touch Pro for Verizon and Sprint - Engadget

Edit: I hadn't reloaded the page in while, so I didn't see the president's edit.

[spleck]

Also keep in mind coverage issues between the carriers. AT&T has 850 MHz license for much Louisiana, but Verizon won't until it completes its acquisition of Alltel. I'm sure all the carriers have 1900 MHz coverage in your area, but it may not be as good for in-building or rural coverage.

[macsesso]

Originally Posted by Bill Clinton

Yes I am miserable with Sprint. For $30/month + tax I have 500 minutes, unlimited data, unlimited text, unlimited nights and weekends starting at 7, and free roaming. I got an Airave for free, so coverage at my house is perfect, and calls from home don't count against my minutes because the rep gave me unlimited calls with the Airave for free.

The OP was concerned about Verizon's smartphone offerings, and I felt that the OP would be better off staying with AT&T. I will gladly respect if you have a different opinion, and so would the OP since nobody really answered his question.

litigator - HTC Touch Diamond and Touch Pro details for Sprint and Verizon
The CDMA Touch Pro is reported to be released on Sprint September 2nd, probably a month after for Verizon. The other HTC device should be out in early October, and then I would guess a month after for Verizon. Verizon should get the Treo 800W in mid September.

That's a pretty good paperweight.

[Bill Clinton]

Originally Posted by macsesso

That's a pretty good paperweight.

Hmmm I'm not sure what you mean. Sorry if I confused you, I was being sarcastic about not unhappy with Sprint. I'm not quite sure how we got to this, I suggested that for what the OP wanted, he could do better than Verizon.

[spleck]

Originally Posted by Bill Clinton

Hmmm I'm not sure what you mean. Sorry if I confused you, I was being sarcastic about not unhappy with Sprint. I'm not quite sure how we got to this, I suggested that for what the OP wanted, he could do better than Verizon.

Why would you suggest SERO for the OP when that is no longer available and he's looking for a fairly large number of accounts?

[Bill Clinton]

I didn't. I suggested AT&T, and maybe look at Sprint. The OP is a business user, and with a large number of phones they would get a rate from whatever carrier they chose.

The mention of my plan came from macsesso thinking I had inferior service and I wanted others to join my misery. I was just mentioning what my plan is so others can make up their mind if that is miserable or not.

[macsesso]

Originally Posted by Bill Clinton

Hmmm I'm not sure what you mean. Sorry if I confused you, I was being sarcastic about not unhappy with Sprint. I'm not quite sure how we got to this, I suggested that for what the OP wanted, he could do better than Verizon.

Paperweight phones, like yours, are those with lots of bells and whistles that are used on carriers that generally are unable to make or continue calls when you need them. Believe me I am not the one confused.You must have wanted to post in the group dedicated to your carrier but posted in the Verizon group by mistake.

[Bill Clinton]

Originally Posted by macsesso

Paperweight phones, like yours, are those with lots of bells and whistles that are used on carriers that generally are unable to make or continue calls when you need them. Believe me I am not the one confused.You must have wanted to post in the group dedicated to your carrier but posted in the Verizon group by mistake.

Ok even though you are still incorrect, I will gladly call it a draw so there is no longer a need for you to clutter the thread. I tested carriers and found the one that works best for me, you did the same, and it excellent that we are both pleased with our choices. I provided and answer and some suggestions for the OP while you did nothing useful. I hope the OP will find out that the forum is a great place and the childish behavior is uncommon here.

[macsesso]

Originally Posted by Bill Clinton

Ok even though you are still incorrect, I will gladly call it a draw so there is no longer a need for you to clutter the thread. I tested carriers and found the one that works best for me, you did the same, and it excellent that we are both pleased with our choices. I provided and answer and some suggestions for the OP while you did nothing useful. I hope the OP will find out that the forum is a great place and the childish behavior is uncommon here.

Being a Sprint user how is it that you are so helpful to Verizon users?