Great News for you 7135 fans on Verizon

Could you expand on what you mean by swapping the software with the 2235 please? The 7135 has been running on the Alltel 1xRTT since last December. What kind of glitches did it hit on Verizon's 1xRTT? Or does it have more to do with Verizon's practice of altering/neutering the native software of a phone in order to generate revenue like the T720, VX4400, and the CDM9500? Thanks.

 

But the phone is only ebing released to busnesses, right?

 

Verizonsalesrep,

Since you elected not to respnd to my questions, it must mean that I am correct. Verizon has once again shot itself in the foot in the name of generating revenue and displayed the usual disregard for customer desires and satisfaction. Fortunately, this means the product is comparatively bug free for AllTel and USCC customers. Carefull Verizon. Number portability may be just around the corner.

 

Well, its 12:06 AM EST on 3/29 and the 7135 isn't available on their web site and my local store is closed. Is this just a SoCal release or will those of us in the snow belt also have an opportunity? I am glad to hear the finally fixed their software....this phone will be obsolete before its released if they don't get their sierra together

 

You can buy the 7135 for Verizon directly from Kyocera: http://partner.getconnected.com/kyocera/

I am wondering if these are the same prices we will find when the phone is released in the Verizon stores. Someone on phonescoop swears the phone will not hit the stores until April 28; apparently business channels get the phone the first week of April. What are these business channels?

 

Spyder100, when I go to the kyocera/getconnected site you referenced and select the "phones only" option, I get the following message:

"We currently do not sell phones without service plans or activation in your area. However, you can purchase a phone with new service by clicking here."

When I select "here" for phones and plans, I am presented only a single Kyocera phone (a 2235 or similar, don't recall) and the only plans offered are Sprint. There is no Verizon option and no phone only option from this site.

Sounds to me like one's zip code dictates what's available directly via kyocera. I tried a different zip code (another state where I've had service) and got the same response.

Think I'm going to give up on this phantom phone for awhile!

 

CaptainLoose:

On the Kyocera "Get Connected" site, the top phone in the list is the "Kyocera 7135 (Verizon Wireless)". Under the heading, it reads "Price with Plan and Rebate: $549.99". If you click the "more info" button and then the "select phone" button on the next page, you will find a list of service plans from which to choose. Unfortunately, you must open a new account with a new phone number to get the phone via this website. I called Verizon Wireless customer service and they said you cannot get the phone with your current number/account using this method.

 

You definitely CAN get the Kyocera 7135 from Kyocera. The folks at their online partner GetConnected are great to work with, and the phone ships in about five business days.

My company doesn't allow us to deal with the developer groups at specific carriers (at least yet), but what I've heard from Verizon is that they will not support code running on any phone that wasn't purchased from Verizon.

I've been working with one of the folks in Kyocera's developer program since early February. They offered me a 7135 in early February using standard CDMA software. Around Saint Patrick's Day, they offered me one with "neutered" software that worked better for Verizon but effectively would force me to code specifically for Verizon.

This "neutering" would prevent portable code that could be moved to other carriers, although I'd be able to include both standard and Verizon specific code to work around it. Unfortunately, that leads to code bloat, and phones don't have enough spare memory that I'm in favor of that. Worse yet, that makes another technical setting that users would have to set/reset depending on which network they were on (unless I add more code to somehow detect and deal with it).

At this point, I've put the project on hold. I've got more than enough other stuff on my plate, and I'm going to let the market mature a bit before I put a lot of time and effort into making something work. We've got both "laptop" and "network connected" versions of this application, and the phone user base would only be at most a few thousand units, so it just isn't worth the hassle.

The good news is that I was in a Verizon store in the western suburbs of Chicago on Thursday. They had the V60x on the shelf (although there was a steady stream of people coming in to pick them up). They also had a "demo unit" of the 7135 in the back room, but were waiting on saleable units that they expected in early April.

-PatP

 

The phone will be available in stores on April 22nd, at least here in Michigan.

 

Thanks for all the info on this phone.

Spyder, fyi, I copied/pasted your link and do NOT see the choices you suggest. I can only see these choices if I change to a different zip code e.g., 92648; then, they are there as you stated. Your zip code determines what options you see in the getconnected site. Try using my zip code and I don't think you'll see the same alternatives.

I just hope my old fashioned 6035 keeps working until all the smoke settles (and price stabilizes) on this phone.

 

The Kyocera 7135 Smartphone will be in store on April 8, 2003.

 

Ok, here is my two cents again. I had mentioned somewhere else in this forum that if anyone has any problem with phone to post it.
I also always maintained that this device was fantastic.

BUT, I got mine from Getconnected.com yesterday. I bought it with a Verizon plan. It came with Verizon logo all over it. This is not Alltel or just the plain phone. It's bona fide Verizon.

Unfortunately, I got a lemon!! It could not charge the battery through the phone itself. I said what the heck, let's charge the battery separately and see what happens. It charged up. Phone worked for 15 min on standby and died. Not very impressing for a $600 device.

They are sending a replacement as we speak. I still hope this was just a fluke; otherwise, be careful out there.

 

There are 7135 accessories listed on Verizons site but no phone yet. Try this Zip code 48309, Rochester Michigan