I've had a Blackberry Curve for about 4 years.  It has been totally
reliable on ATT (except up North where there's spotty coverage).  I
changed the battery once.  I used to have to pull the battery
occasionally when it froze, but after I cancelled my data plan to save
$30/mo I haven't had to do that.  I've been using an old iPhone as an
iPod for data when in wifi area.

Now I'm considering a new smart phone but I hate contracts.  I
considered an iPhone 4S to be cancelled after the 2 years, but the cost
blew me away - they no longer give the option of no data plan, but I
really would like data on my phone.  

So I'm looking at an "all-inclusive" prepaid phone - Boost, Metro or
Virgin, with Virgin looking the best.  I love a physical keyboard, and
their Optimus Slider is available now for $159. $45/mo with 1200 minutes
and unlimited web, data, messaging and email, or $55/mo unlimited
minutes.  I had a pre-smart phone with Virgin and was happy with the
phone and their customer service.

If I've overlooked something please let me know.

Sharon

-----Original Message-----
From: Laurence Bates [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 8:59 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MSUNAG] Need your help in choosing a new phone

My sense is that if you can live with running your social life within a
3
1/2" screen then the iPhone 4S is a no-brainer.  Likewise, if you want
the
best cellular coverage and have some interest in 4G service then Verizon
is
a no brainer.  On the other hand, if a 3 1/2" screen is just too small
and
you really do want to have instant, anywhere access to your social life
then
either the Galaxy Nexus (Verizon) or the Samsung Galaxy SII Skyrocket
(AT&T)
are very hard to beat.

I have been struggling over this decision for the past 6 months and
almost
decided to go the dumb phone and smart tablet route, but on Friday
decided
to recommend that my whole family go with Galaxy Nexus phones, which we
have
done.  I can give you the technical reasons for that decision, but
ultimately it came down to a recognition that, while I can live without
a
rich, ever-present social environment, since my family is my social
life,
many people, particularly young people, do not have that luxury.

Laurence Bates

P.S.  I recommend trying out Verizon phones at the Okemos store on Grand
River.  They have a good selection of Internet connected phones and the
staff there has become very helpful over the past few years.

-----Original Message-----
From: Charlot, Firmin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2011 9:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MSUNAG] Need your help in choosing a new phone

Hello Fellow NAGers,
I am in need of some advise in choosing a new phone and I need your
help.

Currently I have an iPhone 3G which was wonderful when I first got it a
number of years ago but now it ... Uh hmmm ... Well loosing its appeal -
between dropped calls through AT&T and the lack of flash on the phone
among
other things, it's time for a change.  Sprint's service plans sound good
but
what would an alternative phone be?

It would help me great if you could answer the following questions:
What type of phone do you have now?
Why did you decide to buy?
What's your favorite feature?
If you had to choose all over again, what phone would you go with and
why?

Thank you and goodnight.

Firm.