Verizon DROID Apps

by Antonio Wells Nov 5, 2009 8:33 AM – 62 Comments

Part 1 of 2 (see Part 2 here DROID Apps) aimed at new Verizon customers who just picked up that sweet Motorola phone called DROID. Now that you’ve ripped everything open and playing with your new toy… you’ll want to see what it can do, so we’ll focus on the built-in Google apps that are simply amazing!

You’ll have an advantage over the rest of the cellular carriers as the phone debuts with the last Android version OS release, Version 2.0 which has goodies like native Exchange email support, multiple email account sync, and integrated contacts (phone, email, Facebook, Twitter all associated with one person). Another wing up you’ll have is Google Maps Navigation (what has GPS makers livid) as Google is offering turn-by-turn directions on it’s prized Google Maps platform free (and you don’t have to pay for Verizon’s proprietary version). Do check out Compass Mode in StreetView for cool augmented reality as well as upgraded maps to include public transit and walking directions.

For social networking, there’s a slightly improved Facebook app Google created which you can integrate Facebook contact numbers and photos to your address book. The web browser has been upgraded and includes Adobe Flash 10 support (but you wont see it until Adobe officially releases it).

Back on the hardware side a bit; the vivid 480 x 854 screen will make any app or photo pop, the 5 megapixel camera with led flash with make photos more vibrant when sharing, and you won’t have to scour eBay looking for USB to 3.5mm headphone jacks like I did with HTC phones.

Go… enjoy and tell us in the comments about the phone!

Categorised in: Apps Blog

62 Comments

By Matt on November 5, 2009 at 11:41 am:

“the phone debuts with the last Android version OS release”

Oh no! It’s the last release? But it seemed like they were on a roll!

And “wing up?” Interesting, I’ve never heard that. I usually hear “leg up.”

I’m so tempted to get a Droid. But I don’t want to be on Verizon. Their plan prices are awful.

Reply
- By Ira on November 6, 2009 at 7:47 am:
  
  “I’m so tempted to get a Droid. But I don’t want to be on Verizon. Their plan prices are awful.”
  
  Well, Matt, like they say, “you’ve got to pay to play”. If you want to be on the BEST network in the USA, you’re going to have to pay for it. I’m a trucker who drives all over the USA and from my experience, Verizon is the ONLY way to go. Sure, other networks are cheaper, but they don’t have anywhere near the coverage. Dropped calls are almost non-existent. My new Droid is arriving on Monday and I can’t wait.
  
  Reply
  - By carlos on November 6, 2009 at 10:54 am:
    
    youre an idiot, I pay 99$ flat for 900 min and unlimited text, data, web email etc.., navigation and vcast videos for 99$ a month….not like 200$ a month I was getting random bills for 300$+ with att on the iphone just because they didnt think I would notice…att sucks, iphone is cool, but the droid is amazing and the verizon plans are cheaper than att, check it out..they changed from ten years ago you idiot
    
    Reply
    - By Dignan17 on November 6, 2009 at 2:03 pm:
      
      Wow, I don’t normally feed the trolls, but:
      
      “youre an idiot, I pay 99$ flat for 900 min and unlimited text, data, web email etc.., navigation and vcast videos for 99$ a month….not like 200$ a month I was getting random bills for 300$+ with att on the iphone just because they didnt think I would notice…att sucks, iphone is cool, but the droid is amazing and the verizon plans are cheaper than att, check it out..they changed from ten years ago you idiot”
      
      Wow, you’re a real A-hole, aren’t you?
      
      Okay, now I’ll address the claims you made: $99? I don’t get texts (I hate texts) but I pay 2/3 that much on AT&T. It sounds like those $200-300 charges are a pretty personal thing. Perhaps you were the one who wasn’t too smart about their usage on the AT&T network?
      
      Ira: thanks for a rational response to my comment. I agree with you that Verizon has the best network, and you should pay for the service you get. I also agree that they easily have the best coverage across the nation, and for your line of work that’s essential. Me? My work is all within 10 miles of Washington DC. I never travel. All the networks have good coverage around here, coverage I’m happy enough with. TMobile is, of course, the worst of the four major networks, but they also have the best plans, with unlimited everything for about $80 a month (or leave out texting, which I would do, for $70 a month). I spend a lot of time on the phone talking to clients, so that’s important too.
      
      Reply
      - By bdrake on November 9, 2009 at 9:59 am:
        
        nobody hates txts. people without friends hate txts. this guys just a social introvert, prolly never traveling out of his own little safe haven. fact Verizon has the most 3g coverage. fact they use the most towers. fact they have the most customers. fact they are the best.
      - By Lesley on November 16, 2009 at 12:26 am:
        
        I have a 450 minute plan with unlimited data and 500 text messages (plus mobile to mobile unlimited), which is plenty for me, I never use that many minutes or texts, and that comes to $75/month. That is hardly anything to go crazy over for a data plan. Maybe some people need more minutes, but I can easily stay within 450 non mobile to mobile minutes. You don’t even have to pay extra for gps, unlike other verizon plans for normal phones.
      - By Katie on November 18, 2009 at 9:11 am:
        
        Reply to Dignan17 about DC coverage.
        I guess if you have never had a problem around DC on one of those networks…maybe where you are is fine. But I live in DC also and everyone I know with AT&T has bad service. I have verizon and never had a problem. Most of my friends (with AT&T) that live in the district have to go outside their houses to talk on cells and also have house phones for that reason. I had that same problem in my old apt. in DC with At&T. To me Verizon is simply the best around here. But if yours is working for you…go for it. Ive just always been surprised at the bad reception of cells in the District. Ive wanted an iPhone for awhile but couldn’t bring myself to get bad service for a cool phone…so today I’m headed out to get a DROID!!!
      - By troyk9 on December 16, 2009 at 10:36 am:
        
        All I can say is I have at Sprint, AT&T and Nextel. I had dropped calls galore in my area. I went on a cruise to alaska and Nextel was useless. I switched to Verizon and pay $175 per month for 3 phones (myself wife and daughter). For that price I have unlimited text on all phones, a Blackberry for the wife with unlimited data in addition to text, and my Dare has unlimited everything including unlimited VCast and VZ Navigator. The call quality is amazing and never had a dropped call in 4 years now. I can’t complain about the price and that is including taxes and fees since that works out to be approx $58 per phone. we never reach the minutes allotted and yes my kid talks to her BF alot. I am considering the Droid; I have seen it in action and have friends with other Android OS phones and the apps are awesome. VZ has one drawback of not being able to provide simultaneous voice and data together and the Droid still has a few shortcomings that I had read on the net. I think these shortcomings will be ironed out with future downloadable versions of the Android OS. I do wish the phone had the ability to work in other countries, but no phone has everything
      - By troyk9 on January 3, 2010 at 8:54 am:
        
        In response to Kyman612 Me too as far as dropped calls. I have had Verizon for over 2 years and never had a dropped call or poor voice quality. I have had 4 other services and they were terrible as far as quality and coverage goes. I did not know about the international plan. $4.99 That’s very cheap , is it unlimited for the month? and does it allow the Droid to operate in other countries with their system? I bought my Droid despite reading it’s incompatible outside the country.
        I must say the camera is not as good as the LG Dare 3.2mp even though my Droid is 5mp, but when you purchase the $6 app Pic Say Pro – the photos actually can be altered to look very professional. I am amazed and pleased with that part, and the video it takes is unsurpassed bu any phone out there and most digital cameras with video capability.
      - By littlebit_pouty on January 7, 2010 at 4:09 am:
        
        I hate to be the “BIGGER IDOT” but I have a REAL GOOD one for you..
        My Verizon Wireless w/Unlimited Nights Weekends, Text on 3 phones with all restrictions on the Special Txts,Buying or Surfing the Internet..you ready??
        $500.00 – $550.00 monthly
        now, who’s the IDOT!! lol..lol.. but when I go to either go elsewhere or complain I get told that it’s actually good due to the disconnect fees and buying phones and shit!! hell, all I know is it’s a bitch when your mbl bills more than most of my *real* bills
    - By Al on November 15, 2009 at 9:07 am:
      
      why do you need to be a jerk about everything? Any discussion goes from friendly and infromative to “you’re an idiot!!” “No, you’re an idiot!!!” 6 year old girls on the playground. Usually coming from some inadequate fat-butt who can’t confront anyone in person.
      
      Reply
      - By Kyman912 on January 2, 2010 at 7:19 pm:
        
        I’ve had my Droid since the first day they came out. I have yet to drop a call like my friends who have the Iphone. I also got international service for $4.99 a month before I went to Aruba. I had no problems calling back home or calling in Aruba.
  - By a smart person on November 7, 2009 at 5:15 pm:
    
    Ira is a smart man. Verizon is easily the best network, with the biggest 3G Network.
    
    Reply
  - By vzwfan on December 25, 2009 at 1:49 pm:
    
    I agree you get what you pay for!! I have the blackberry tour and its the best phone ever! I am going to get my wife the droid! FREE APPS FREE NAV you cant go wrong. I hate there pricing I pay 60 – 80 dollars more than the competition but when Im working in a remote location and need my phone 60 -80 dollars dosent mean anything when I need my phone to work. Sprint is ok but not in remote locations. If you live in a large city and dont travel, cricket would be decent, but if you do even a little bit of traveling you better get VZW!!
    
    Reply
  - By phil on March 22, 2010 at 9:22 am:
    
    get the dorid it is a mini comp and it works greast other companies calls drop like no tommrow i havent had one drop call yet with the dorid i recomend you to get it. it is a good phone
    
    Reply
  - By K on September 21, 2010 at 2:37 pm:
    
    You sound like a plant/salesman from Verison
    
    Reply
- By scv91355 on November 6, 2009 at 1:32 pm:
  
  Verizon’s price plans are awful? Geez, Verizon’s plans are virtually identical with other carriers. I know T-Mobile is a bit more competitive, but you do pay for what you get. I’m waiting for my phone to arrive next Tuesday and admit to getting caught up in the hype. For the very first time EVER with a phone. But I think Verizon has finally got it. We’ll see.
  
  But this is a cell phone! You want reliable coverage…go Verizon. Full Stop!
  
  Reply
  - By Matt on November 6, 2009 at 4:52 pm:
    
    I respectfully disagree. Verizon’s plans are not identical. They also make it insanely hard to shop for a plan. The way they list them is insane and very convoluted. It took me about 5 minutes just now to sift through their site and figure out which plans included data.
    
    And $99 for unlimited data/texting and 450 minutes of voice is not at all identical to other carriers. Sprint has $99 for everything. T-Mobile has unlimited everything for $80.
    
    It’s ridiculous to be a fanboy of these companies. Here’s the fact about cell phone carriers: it’s all about the reception you get in the places you want to be. If you spend all your time in a 20 square-mile area (like I do) that gets excellent reception from all four carriers, then it comes down to price and the phones you can get on those carriers. I’m going to move to T-Mobile because they have the best price. I can wait for a decent Android phone to come to the company (as it looks like the GSM version of the Droid might).
    
    If you’re going all over the country, I would without a doubt recommend Verizon. But man, I can’t believe everyone is so defensive towards a stupid cell phone carrier. Have any of you been on all four? Guess what: I have.
    
    Reply
    - By Lesley on November 16, 2009 at 12:28 am:
      
      Or, if you live in the middle of nowhere, you really need to go with Verizon, or you will find very quickly that you’re cell phone package is useless. I’m not a Verizon lover, their land line service is horrible, but there’s no way to dispute their cell coverage is excellent.
      
      Reply
    - By Christian on November 17, 2009 at 8:36 am:
      
      Matt, you make an exceleltn point, about shopping for service based on the coverage you need. Clearly Verizon doesn’t hold an advantage for you based on yoru needs. If you’re interested in the Droid, you may be able to use this fact as leverage with Verizon. Not a guarantee, but in these times they make consider either discoutning what they have or helping you find a plan you need. If you’re at all interested, I have a Verizon rep for our company that I fully trust. He would never steer us wrong and would only do his best to help you or tell you he wouldn’t be able to offer much better.
      
      Reply
- By J Del Vecchio on November 13, 2009 at 2:39 pm:
  
  I have used T-Mobile since dumping Verizon (good service with a bad price). Use a G1 Android because of the keyboard. G3 has a little faster processor….Excellent phones with Google OS (android) and open source apps that grow daily. T-Mobile has recently offered a “Plus” package. I chose the unlimited minutes, text and net for $79. Bite on that Verizon
  
  Reply
By PhorTwenny on November 6, 2009 at 11:14 am:

Love my verizon service 2 laptops and 3 smartphones work great almost everywhere ordered my Droid just now and I cant wait until it arrives.
P.S. whats with the name calling? Tim

Reply
- By J Del Vecchio on November 13, 2009 at 2:41 pm:
  
  Nice to be wealthy.
  
  Reply
By Haggie on November 7, 2009 at 2:59 pm:

I’ve had my droid for a day and I absolutely love it. Fast phone, fast downloads, and I stayed on my existing Verizon plan. If your existing phone is more than a year old, the droid will seem amazing.

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- By prowse on December 8, 2009 at 9:23 pm:
  
  No, you absolutely did not stay on the same plan – everyone is being forced to change plans if they also want Data.
  
  Reply
  - By Nerf on December 22, 2009 at 10:13 am:
    
    They changed the plans around November 11th, so comments about the plan on Nov 6th and December 8th would be be looking at different options.
    
    For example, I got grandfathered into my plan so I’m not on the $99 plan that they offer now.
    
    Reply
  - By ghileaz on January 28, 2010 at 8:19 am:
    
    Wrong, wrong, wrong. Same plan only needed to add data at $30.00 per month when I got my Droid. Big deal for the best phone and best coverage in the nation. Also, stop with going to Verison site for plan selection. Don’t any of you have a Wireless Toyz place. They are incredibly helpful, will know what you need and these guys even installed a screen protector for free. Must be other places like Toyz around the country. Check them out. BTW my plan is for 3 phones, 500 min unlimited nights and weekends $55.00 for first phone, $5.00 for each of the other 2. So $95.00 for the package Winter in Florida, Michigan in Summer with great Verison coverage here, there and along the way.
    
    Reply
By A genuis on November 8, 2009 at 10:58 am:

Well I just switched from att to verizon and turned my 3g into a touch(no service it still works for apps and an ipod) I had to make a change to something because 1. I hate att and their poor excuse for customer service. I actually had dsl uverse and home phone too, but they dug my bills and would take weeks for techs to come fix problems. 2. I moved 3 streets over and lost all reception.When I called they told me it was probably my sim card(even though it was effecting too phones, what an idiot)(then they said I have to pay an etf to collect the money I saved on the phone by getting a 2 year contract, and when I said “i payed full price for my iphone” they replied’”oh its an iphone then we can’t do anything about the etf.”( in may of 2008 att began offering a prorated etf that dcreases by $5 each month, but since I started 3 months before that in Feb I dont qualify. Hopefully the court ruling in July that ETF’s are in violation of CA state law will spread . My gf and I both switched from iphones to the droid and are both so happy. we were paying $109 each for unlimited text 400 mins and unlimited data through att, now we split 700 mins unlimited data and text for $180 (family plan, or $90 each) with insurance which iphone doesnt offer, and that will be even 15% less when I go into the store and show military ID.I know it looks like less minutes but not when you take free mobile to mobile any network in to consideration. Now we have full bars every where. To be honest the droid destroys the iphone for the mere fact it isn’t in apples tightly squeezed grip which only lets you do what They want. I am havinng some worries about my battery it seems to go quick, however I think thats because i went in the store and got mine day 1 and im sure the verizon employs were playing with it before….i mean the battery was like 40% when i got it, Im sure what happened is they charged it quick and either toyed with the new cool phone or showed people it…Im just gonnna go down and complain im sure they will give me a new battery. Which is another great feature…changeable battery…whats that iphone in a year when your battery is toast ill have to buy a whole new phone! Also the droid has all the iphone apps and they seem to be a little cheaper, might just be my mind though. Plus it is so easy to make ringtones and notification sounds…I can’t stop. Everyone I run into I make say, ” Matt it’s…..pick up the phone”. that way when im working I dont even have to look….I work in a hospital, and I have to say the medical programs on here that are only free blew me away, more info then I got when I was doing my clinicals and paying $300 a month for a school program at the hospital. I want my $300 back! Heres a bit of advice though if you buy a cover for it, it won’t fit in any of the docks. I bought the body glove clip case from the V store and its super hard to take off, and I got the desk dock, but alas Ill be taking the dock back. Sorry if this is in a bad format Im still drinking my sunday morning coffee.

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- By Android Tapp on November 8, 2009 at 11:23 am:
  
  Android phones are kinda notorious for poor battery life because they can do so much at once. Download an app called Power Manager to help.
  
  Also, check out an article we wrote call 5 Tips on How to Increase Perfomance on your Android Phone, some of these performance tips can help in the long run as a new Android convert as well as some help with battery life issues.
  
  Reply
- By Jill on November 10, 2009 at 10:41 pm:
  
  Thanks for the great review. I was debating between an iPhone and a Crackberry and then I saw the ads for the Droid. Went to see the droid at the store and bought it that day. LOVE it! I hate At&t (I was with them and hated the coverage and the customer service) and really didn’t want to go with them and the Droid is BETTER than the iPhone (in my opinion).
  
  Reply
- By woodbutcher on December 1, 2009 at 8:40 pm:
  
  If you take the dock back, just run the FREE app. called dockrunner. It changes your screen into the same that the dock does.
  
  Reply
By A genuis on November 8, 2009 at 11:22 pm:

yeah well the V store just gave me a new battery and I downloaded task killer. So far so good…two hours with a few phone calls and a little browsing and my battery hasn’t even changed. Does task killer = power manager?

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By cookiemomster on November 9, 2009 at 12:21 am:

Verizon has changed so much in their customer service department. I feel I always get personalized attention and friendly interaction. I appreciate that there really is a significant difference in my ability to use my phone almost anywhere I go. I think only Verizon will work in Yosemite and Calaveras Big Trees, etc. I have drooled over the iPhone but refused to return to ATT. I picked up the Droid Saturday and I am in love all over again.

Reply
- By A genuis on November 10, 2009 at 1:54 am:
  
  I know but this time I don’t feel like my love is just tricking me to get me to love her…and in two months everything will be different…lol. So I just wanted to recommended key ring reward….(forgot the last word but you wont need it there is only one) Coolest app ever..lets you take all of those annoying savings cards like afeway club, cvs, petsmart really anything with a barcode and save them on your phone. The program actually scans the barcode using the droids camera then saves the matching barcode to the phone then you just have the clerk scan your phone. and like everyone says get advanced task killer and power manager. task killer is the more important of the two. You’d be surprised how many apps run in the back ground or simply dont stop running when you hit home out of them. I use ATK just at the end of each heavy use session like if im playing or downloading before I close my screen I just kill everything I dont want. went from a battery not lasting 6 hours to taking it off the charger at 7:30 am and now it midnight and its still at 20% and I was at the mechanics for 2.5 hours today with my bluetooth rokr’s s9hd’s playing pandora the whole time.
  
  Reply
By Droid Apps on November 16, 2009 at 2:59 am:

I’m seeing significantly improved battery-life when I transitioned from the myTouch to the Droid. Not sure if it’s Android 2.0 being kind to my specific set of apps, or if it’s the Droid hardware.

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By commen sense on November 28, 2009 at 8:29 am:

JUST A BIT OF INFORMATION FOR U ALL. IF U DOWNLOAD THE GOOGLE VOICE APPLICATION, U WILL BE ABLE TO TALK UNLIMITED ANYWAY BECAUSE IT WILL BE DATA USAGE..THEN U WUOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE LOWEST PLAN OF $39.99 & ADD THE DATA PACKAGE FOR $30 & YOU WILL THEN HAVE UNLIMITED TALK FOR ROUGHLY $70…

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- By Android Tapp on November 28, 2009 at 10:30 am:
  
  Nicely Done! How is Google Voice service for you, I’ve heard good and bad???
  
  Reply
  - By troyk9 on December 16, 2009 at 10:53 am:
    
    I have been using Google Voice for several months. I started using it as soon as they offered me to beta test it. GV is clear as a bell! All continental USA calls are free. I have not used it yet as an app through a phone as the Droid. I have been using it on my Dare and for international calls it’s less than Skype. It costs me 3 cents per minute for international to Asia. that price is insanely cheap and the call quality is excellent! I can’t wait to have it as an app on the droid and eliminate using minutes to call the GV number.
    
    Reply
    - By Matt on December 16, 2009 at 2:50 pm:
      
      I’m sorry, but I have to squash this misconception whenever I see it, because I think it’s damaging to give people the wrong impression. So lets see if I can say this loud enough:
      
      GOOGLE VOICE USES YOUR MINUTES!!!!!!!
      
      Got that? Do I need to say it again? Google Voice IS NOT VOIP! If you have 450 minutes on your cell phone plan, and use 50 of them on a call you made using Google Voice, you will have 400 minutes left. How many other ways can I put this?
      
      Yes, you will pay less for long distance calls. That is something else entirely. That has everything to do with deals that Google can make with the people who own the pipes. That has nothing to do with VOIP. GOOGLE VOICE IS NOT VOIP!!!
      
      Sheesh!
      
      Reply
      - By troyk9 on December 17, 2009 at 9:53 am:
        
        Actually it does not use my minues. I use it mainly to Asia which is after 11pm. My minutes are free at that point. Also my minutes are free on weekends. The only time I use my minutes is during prime time which I hardly ever use voice. I mainly use texts. Most plans have a setup where you can set up certain phone numbers to be exempt from your minute usage eg friends and family, calling circle etc. and the like. All the plans have something similar to compete for their market shar. I imagine setting up GV as one of these contacts will provide the cheap GV rates without using minutes.
        what are you thoughts however loud as they may be LMAO
    - By Matt on December 18, 2009 at 10:32 pm:
      
      [because this silly commenting system won't let me respond to your other post, I will respond here]
      
      I have to say it loudly, because it’s been a pervasive misunderstanding. Even people high up in the tech world, like Leo Laporte, didn’t understand it for a long time, and you clearly still do not either.
      
      I can’t believe you are claiming that GV doesn’t use your minutes because you use it at night and on weekends. I’m not even going to go further here, because you aren’t talking sense.
      
      For everyone else, it is as clear as it can be: as of December 18th 2009*, Google Voice will use your minutes**.
      
      * for people who find this after Google has integrated Gizmo5…maybe
      
      ** when I say “will use your minutes,” any sane person knows that this means “will use your cell provider’s voice plans under the same rules and restrictions as usual”
      
      Reply
      - By troyk9 on December 19, 2009 at 11:01 am:
        
        I guess you need to say it louder because nights and weekends I do not use any minutes. My calls are free and so are the calls for the other two phones on my plan. As a matter of fact I have had free calls = free minutes for the two years I have had this plan. I have unlimited text unlimited Data and 700 minutes as well as VCAST with Free unrestricted Weekend and Night usage all for $175 for 3 phones so I have yet to understand why you are claiming I am using minutes on my nights and weekends when I have not been charged for usage in two years? Nights and weekends are my heaviest usage. On my bill they just show up as $0.00.. Oh did I also mention I get 20% corporate discount Matt please – get a better plan instead of crying over everyone else’s But I do appreciate you enlightening me that GV is not an App on the smart phones and look forward to the Gizmo VOIP version
      - By Mark on December 28, 2009 at 6:56 pm:
        
        What a mental midget… is it hard for you to understand adding the GV # as one of your calling circle #’s… THEN IT’S FREEEEEEEE
      - By Matt on December 29, 2009 at 9:24 am:
        
        Wow, “mental midget?” What a tool you are.
        
        It seems that you are yet another person who simply doesn’t understand the argument I’m making, which is that GV its self does not give you free calls. I don’t care what tricks you use with your carrier, nothing changes that fact.
        
        Okay, troll, I fed you.
      - By troyk9 on December 29, 2009 at 10:48 am:
        
        I must admit it uses minutes when you don’t use the “trickery” to set it as free as I and Mark previously mentioned, but please let’s use common sense.. who would be foolish enough not to set it up as a free call in your circle ??? So therefore it is free. Also if you are worried about the minutes it uses then you have no business owning a Droid or Iphone since both have data plans. Yes the Iphone has a built in data plan. compare it to the regular plans. I checked this out before purchasing my Droid. Verizon charges $29.95/month unlimited data and with GV set up in a calling circle the calls are as free as skype or any VOIP that you are paying for a monthly data plan. Nothing is free my friend …. you pay for everything one way or another. you just have to learn the ropes.
      - By Matt on December 29, 2009 at 11:35 am:
        
        *sigh*
        
        I see I’m not getting through to you guys here, so I say “whatever.”
        
        I meant “trickery” in the sense that there are several ways on most carriers to make calls that are free and don’t use your minutes. I really don’t care about what features are on which carriers and how much their plans are. What I’ve been trying to express to everyone since I started this portion of the comments is that Google Voice in and of its self simply does not make your calls free. Yes, you could indeed use your method of adding the number to your calling circle and get free calling that way. I agree with you. But then the statement becomes “Google Voice and your calling circle gets you free calls,” not just Google Voice. I really don’t know why it’s so hard to get my point across.
        
        I’m not a person who always claims they are right about everything, but I can claim that I am correct about this one thing. I love how people like to accuse someone of thinking they’re the only right one, and refuse to think about whether they’re the ones who are mistaken.
        
        Sorry, it’s a simple, straight-forward fact with no ways around it. Google Voice AS A STANDALONE SERVICE simply doesn’t allow you to make free calls.
        
        Besides, I’m glad you like your calling circle. I’m on T-Mobile and guess what, for $50 a month I get unlimited calling to anyone, anytime. And that’s whether I use Google Voice or not. So really, I don’t give a d*mn about this conversation anymore because I probably pay less than any of you Verizon folks. Verizon has the absolute best service, but I’ve had no problems with T-Mobile in my area, so I’m happy and I can finally bail on this conversation. You guys might not want to hear the truth on Google Voice, but there it is.
        
        Sheesh, I only started this because if someone didn’t know better, they’d take their 450 minute Verizon plan, use Google Voice to make 600 minutes of calls, then be pretty pissed off that their bill was through the roof. Well, don’t come crying to me. I’m deleting reply notifications for this topic from now on.
        
        Oh, and I have to comment one more time on how ridiculous it was to claim that Google Voice gives you free minutes if you call during your night and weekend timeframes. That is simply hilarious. Ha!
      - By troyk9 on December 30, 2009 at 7:55 am:
        
        I am doing the laughing Matt because GV does not use minutes nights and weekends, calling you is minute-less nights and weekends as a matter of fact anywhere I call in the USA is off the clock nights and weekends. My minutes are not used on my plan for nights and weekends and this is since I had the Premium plan for over two years. What is so difficult to understand. You’re a smart guy sort of? can I explain it any louder as you would say? Even if GV is not in the circle my call to GV is a free no minute call on nights and weekends. All I pay for is the GV charges from GV for the international part but during nights and weekends none of the phones on my Premium account USE minutes – Nada Free Gratis get over it dude – get yourself a better plan Now with a Droid and BB and LG Dare it runs me $205 with the data plans I think that is great for 3 phones with full access and NO MINUTES on nights and weekends.
- By Dignan17 on November 28, 2009 at 4:18 pm:
  
  Sorry, but this is incorrect. It’s a common misconception, though. Google Voice IS NOT (at the moment) a VOIP service. Not at all. It uses the voice connection and DOES use your minutes.
  
  Now, Google just bought Gizmo5, and it’s fully expected that they’ll integrate it with Google Voice. But for the time being, it is not VOIP, you do use minutes, and the only advantage is that you’ll get cheaper long distance than Verizon will give you.
  
  Reply
  - By prowse on December 8, 2009 at 9:28 pm:
    
    Wow, all quite true indeed. I am impressed – this time.
    
    Reply
  - By troyk9 on December 29, 2009 at 10:56 am:
    
    PS Mark – that’s not nice to call Matt a mental midget… we do not know how tall he is LOL…..
    I do see he is one of those who thinks he is right all the time.
    The calling circle has proven him wrong but he calls it trickery
    because his service probably does not offer that
    Long Live The Droid!!!!!!!!
    I Love it!!!!!
    
    Reply
By A genuis on December 17, 2009 at 7:29 am:

BAM!!! I just figured out how to sync mulitple calendars from multiple addresses on the droid…every one always asks how to do it and I searched and searched but only could find the answer of changing the default email…which means you have to lose evrythinng else because to do that you have to reset to factory default. However if you use gmail calendar, simply go into calendar settings and share the calendar and the ability to edit it with your other calendars I share every one with everyone, just to be sure I can always edit. Now I have my personal emails cal, my work cal, my family email cal all on my phone all editable. hope that helps someone.

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- By Android Tapp on December 17, 2009 at 7:31 am:
  
  @A genuis… Nicely Done!
  
  Reply
By new droid user on January 3, 2010 at 3:04 pm:

i just got my husband a droid for christmas and got the 450 pda email plan with 250 minutes of texting. Verizon gave a quote ot 90.00 per month and told me he wouldn’t get charged anything else when he was on the web. Just wondering if anyone has that plan and if verizon is being honest. I don’t want a bill of 150.00 or something after a month of service. that included the data plan unlimited they say.

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By Ziva on January 4, 2010 at 4:43 am:

To respond to the circular Google Voice debate, you also need to keep in mind that GV does changes its connecting number from time to time, so even if you add your particular connecting number to your circle, once it changes you will need to change the number in your circle or else it will use your regular minutes (assuming that you are not using GV during nights or weekends when everyone has free minutes and are not part of your “minutes” as normal people consider them).

Thus, it can take some work but GV can be a very useful and give you free or next to free minutes if you have the patience for it.

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- By troyk9 on January 4, 2010 at 7:29 am:
  
  I’ve had GV since the beta was released. My connecting number is my permanent phone number. That has never changed. What would be the point of changing the number and how would you know? How would you connect?
  
  Reply
  - By Lesley on January 4, 2010 at 12:46 pm:
    
    The number they are referring to is not your google voice number. If you ever dialed through google voice on your droid you’d see this other number that has nothing to do with your google voice number showing up on the screen.
    
    Reply
By Rob on February 1, 2010 at 2:01 pm:

Does anyone know if Google has an app for slingbox and Sirius for the Droid? Thanks

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By HiTtEr on February 13, 2010 at 7:37 am:

Funny as hell, you can’t even have a convo about cell phones anymore without it turning into a pissing contest. I have had all the carriers in this thread except for AT&T and that is due to the fact that in my personal opinion, AT&T blows goats and I won’t give them the satisfaction of my business. Suncom was the ONLY network i’ve had in the last 10 years that I had without a doubt the best service, my bill never changed and you couldn’t get any cheaper. I have a new Droid, I love it, Apple sucks, nuff said, thanks for your support and have a day.

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By Droid Apps on April 3, 2010 at 9:43 am:

I for one am just very, very glad to see the direction in which the smartphone market is going. It’s such a wonderful place to be right now. With the iPhone, Droid, the upcoming HTC Evo, and Samsung Galaxy, we have some of the most advanced pieces of tech right in our hands. Oh, and it’s nice that 3 of those are Android based!

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By matt holcomb on April 6, 2010 at 10:39 pm:

can u get powerchat from jumbuck on droid?

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By rob on April 16, 2010 at 12:28 pm:

People, Verizon has unlimited for $69.00 a month now. If you need a data plan it is extra. but i say false numbers in the post. Anyway’s I am a phone nut. I have had them all. I don’t mean to offend anyone by saying this BUT if you don’t have Verizon, you don’t have a phone!!!!! It is differnt technology(and I don’t mean GSM vs. CMDA). The way Verizon calls connet and go through. My friend once had a great analogy to explain it but I can’t remember what it was. Something like a fuse box in your house, Every Verizon calls gets it’s own fuse but the other put multiple calls on one fuse. Something similar to that, sorry I can’t remember. it was a great analogy and explained everything. VERIZON RULES !!!!!! nothing better. the second best is twenty times worse than Verizon. Trust Me.

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By Ed on April 25, 2010 at 4:23 am:

Been using cell phones since the 80′s so know what dropped calls are all about alright. However, been with Verizon for so many years now (over 15) that I had completely forgotten about them! I mean the term “dropped call” does not even compute at first glance. I had to pause and then went “oh yeah, that thing that would happen all the time waaay back when”. I swear it, until reading this thread it had virtually vanished from my vocabulary. But years ago it was different. Back with Cellular One and Sprint, calling to get credit back for the dropped calls… oh, what fun. Yeah, those were the days. Nevermore quothe the raven. Nevermore.

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