Why in heavens name are all the companies allowed to rip us off by charging $30 extra for features I do not want/use, i.e., e-mail and internet????????????????????
GRR.
WHY in heaven's name would you buy a smart phone if you don't want to use it?
rq24915 wrote: Why in heavens name are all the companies allowed to rip us off by charging $30 extra for features I do not want/use, i.e., e-mail and internet????????????????????GRR.
I see what you did there! You used BIG letters to show that you are YELLIING, and the color RED to support the "GRR" comment illustrating you mean business! Though I'm going to have to say you used one too many question marks -- potentially enough for this whole thread.
Anyway, you are required to have a data plan with your new smartphone. In fact, Verizon calls it an "advanced phone." It's a data plan that covers internet/e-mail options. No, you can't get it without one, and even if you're constantly connected to Wi-Fi you're still gonna be charged for the MB that you use.
All in all you should have been told this, and you should have reviewed your services prior to recieving the phone.
Might not be a bad idea for a carrier to offer a semi-smart phone that supported apps that did not need the 3G Internet - kind of an advanced PDA/phone. I'll bet that there would be a market for that. You would only pay for a phone plan. Connecting to home or office WiFi networks would not involve the carrier at all so there should not a charge for that or even an awareness by the carrier that Wifi network access was in progress.
WHY DIDNT SUPITSMIKE AND M_R_L USE RED LETTERS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!!!!!GRRRRRR. THEY'RE GRRRREEEEAAAATTT!
but seriously, i believe when the rogue came out, it was touted as the smartphone that was not a smartphone. you might want to look there.
You know, there used to be devices that offered the smartphone experience without all those pesky monthly charges. Palm Pilot anyone? The original PDA? Those are still selling HUGE right now......
Remember folks this is America. Its about harvesting money NOT providing a service. So buck up and enjoy capitalism. "Must support the corporations". Say it with me. I believe!!!!!!
why would you buy a data mining ad delivery phone anyway???
Merry Christmas
The reason you need to have a data plan is because Verizon Wireless is running a business and they have invested billions of dollars on data to generate revenue. The advanced devices that you purchase are heavily subsidized and for Verizon (or any other carrier) to recoup costs they need to get that from the data plan.
It's simple economics and it's Verizon's way on getting return on their investment and device subsidy.
Heeeyyyy, that sounds like common sense! Get outta here with that, ya crazy person!
I might be missing something here, but where are you getting $39 extra? The unlimited data plan is $30, not $39
If you are looking at a plan on Verizon that say "Email and Internet" you are looking at the wrong plan for the Moto Droid, or the Droid Eris.
All you *have* to have is the basic plan, plus unlimited data.
You might be able to look at a completely different plan and find out that your total bill would be a lot less than you think.
Well you can pay full price and pay any plan you want. You can also leave when you want. You want the discount, you gotta pay for the extras, they want to charge. The only thing I think is a rip off is them charging for visual voicemail when most companys give it free with your package.
I have a glaring question for all those who are in despair about the data plan thing:
Why would you buy a phone, that is not only advertised to do things online, but has an operating system which goes hand-in-hand to send you push notifications for your phone? In case you weren't aware, let me tell you about the few things that come with the territory:
Without a data plan, you can't access the market.
Without a data plan, you can't recieve updates from the market.
Without a data plan, you won't get push notifications.
Without a data plan, you can't use your e-mail.
Without a data plan, you can't use Google Maps, Navigator, anything correlating to those services (which are free).
Without a data plan, you couldn't even install updates to your phone from Google (Wifi or not).
The last argument alone is enough for you to make two easy decisions: You either get a regular, 'dumbphone' without all the goodies or you suck it up and pay for the data plan which you'll eventually find to be much easier for your life then not having one.
Not sure why someone would buy an internet ready, high end, "super duper" wow my socks off phone, and not expect to pay for connectivity.
Are you sure you would not be a lot happier with just a Cell Phone that does TXT messaging, no wait you have to pay for text messages.
Me and my DROID are having an experience, it is worth the cost, I am even sending Texts to my wife's Eris while she is sitting next to me watching a movie. I can get Popcorn just by ordering....
supitsmike wrote: I have a glaring question for all those who are in despair about the data plan thing: Why would you buy a phone, that is not only advertised to do things online, but has an operating system which goes hand-in-hand to send you push notifications for your phone? In case you weren't aware, let me tell you about the few things that come with the territory: Without a data plan, you can't access the market.Without a data plan, you can't recieve updates from the market.Without a data plan, you won't get push notifications.Without a data plan, you can't use your e-mail.Without a data plan, you can't use Google Maps, Navigator, anything correlating to those services (which are free).Without a data plan, you couldn't even install updates to your phone from Google (Wifi or not).
Umm, Mike, although I agree with you *totally* in the spirit of what you are saying, I do have to say that I have a "decommissioned" Sprint Hero sitting here beside me, everything is deactivated except the WiFi and except the obvious function of making actual phone calls, everything works perfectly with just the WiFi connection. I can install, update, get Google Mail notifications, can add/modify contacts (Haven't tried Sprint navigation or TV, (NFL and NASCAR have been long removed) - and I'm not going to since those are services provided by sprint, and I'm not "entitled" to use it since I am no longer a Sprint customer...)
I can't say if "OTA" updates would work or not, however when I applied my update originally (while I was a Sprint customer) it did it over the WiFi also, so I at least *suspect* that were another update to come out, I would *likely* be able to apply it should I want to do so, also within hours of any OTA release the update.zip file would either be available from an official site, or at the very least one of the developer forums. Not that I would apply an official release to my Hero anyway, but I could if I wanted to and one were available.
If one wants to run Android and doesn't want to have to pay for a data plan, go look at the Barnes & Noble Nook, or any number of netbooks available now with Android running on them, and get yourself an inexpensive "Feature phone" to make your calls with, just don't expect Verizon or any other carrier to subsidize $400+ on a phone and not have a method to recoup some of that subsidy through (some may say) over-priced data charges.
I'm actually OK with the data charges, as long as Verizon doesn't pull an AT&T on us and pocket *all* the money gained without continuing to expand it's data network to accommodate the increased traffic that will be generated as more and more Android devices are added to the network.
Competition from smaller innovative companies like T-Mobile with their new non-subsidized plan rates will help to keep the actual cost of the data plans in check for the rest of us. I hope anyways
bkfist wrote: supitsmike wrote: I have a glaring question for all those who are in despair about the data plan thing: Why would you buy a phone, that is not only advertised to do things online, but has an operating system which goes hand-in-hand to send you push notifications for your phone? In case you weren't aware, let me tell you about the few things that come with the territory: Without a data plan, you can't access the market.Without a data plan, you can't recieve updates from the market.Without a data plan, you won't get push notifications.Without a data plan, you can't use your e-mail.Without a data plan, you can't use Google Maps, Navigator, anything correlating to those services (which are free).Without a data plan, you couldn't even install updates to your phone from Google (Wifi or not). Umm, Mike, although I agree with you *totally* in the spirit of what you are saying, I do have to say that I have a "decommissioned" Sprint Hero sitting here beside me, everything is deactivated except the WiFi and except the obvious function of making actual phone calls, everything works perfectly with just the WiFi connection. I can install, update, get Google Mail notifications, can add/modify contacts (Haven't tried Sprint navigation or TV, (NFL and NASCAR have been long removed) - and I'm not going to since those are services provided by sprint, and I'm not "entitled" to use it since I am no longer a Sprint customer...) I can't say if "OTA" updates would work or not, however when I applied my update originally (while I was a Sprint customer) it did it over the WiFi also, so I at least *suspect* that were another update to come out, I would *likely* be able to apply it should I want to do so, also within hours of any OTA release the update.zip file would either be available from an official site, or at the very least one of the developer forums. Not that I would apply an official release to my Hero anyway, but I could if I wanted to and one were available. If one wants to run Android and doesn't want to have to pay for a data plan, go look at the Barnes & Noble Nook, or any number of netbooks available now with Android running on them, and get yourself an inexpensive "Feature phone" to make your calls with, just don't expect Verizon or any other carrier to subsidize $400+ on a phone and not have a method to recoup some of that subsidy through (some may say) over-priced data charges. I'm actually OK with the data charges, as long as Verizon doesn't pull an AT&T on us and pocket *all* the money gained without continuing to expand it's data network to accommodate the increased traffic that will be generated as more and more Android devices are added to the network. Competition from smaller innovative companies like T-Mobile with their new non-subsidized plan rates will help to keep the actual cost of the data plans in check for the rest of us. I hope anyways My other provider T-Mobile won't allow OTA updates when Wi-Fi is enabled (or at least all three times in my experiences) -- it could be a factor of CDMA vs.GSM, I really wouldn't know. However, most OTA updates are supplied by the carriers themselves -- which require direct connection to their 3G network. Completely agree with you on the whole comparison to AT&T. I really don't see a reason why when they have made literally -- millions of dollars on the iPhone alone that their service is still poor throughout the country. Verizon has their fair (and when I say fair I'm being modest) share of money. I don't think they'll echo the same problem, though.
My other provider T-Mobile won't allow OTA updates when Wi-Fi is enabled (or at least all three times in my experiences) -- it could be a factor of CDMA vs.GSM, I really wouldn't know. However, most OTA updates are supplied by the carriers themselves -- which require direct connection to their 3G network.
Completely agree with you on the whole comparison to AT&T. I really don't see a reason why when they have made literally -- millions of dollars on the iPhone alone that their service is still poor throughout the country. Verizon has their fair (and when I say fair I'm being modest) share of money. I don't think they'll echo the same problem, though.
[edit] Just buy yourself a good flip phone and a Ipod touch and be done with it. All phone companys require a data plan with a Smartphone and we all know it. [edit]
one flip phone (Free with 2 year contract)
1 Ipod Touch 8Gig (199 with Free WiFi)
Data Plan at 29.99 Per month (Not Needed)
[edit]
{please keep your posts courteous}
MacDaddy wrote: [edit} Just buy yourself a good flip phone and a Ipod touch and be done with it. All phone companys require a data plan with a Smartphone and we all know it.[edit] one flip phone (Free with 2 year contract) 1 Ipod Touch 8Gig (199 with Free WiFi) Data Plan at 29.99 Per month (Not Needed) [edit]
[edit} Just buy yourself a good flip phone and a Ipod touch and be done with it. All phone companys require a data plan with a Smartphone and we all know it.[edit]
100% agreed! Thanks for good humor!
Hi All -
I Could not agree more! I bought a Smart Phone Microsoft Mobile phone for its other uses. I don't want or need a Data Plan for $29 a month more! I have even removed the Opera Browser as I will not use it and don't want it to every be used. I would appreciate the option of not paying for the data plan if I would never use it! I use the phone more as a mobile computer for files that I use between my computer and phone!
Mike -
Because it is America.....
and it is all about the fat cats getting rich while you and I foot the bill.
This isn't going to help your current situation.. but it is the truth.
I posted a similar post complaining about the same thing.
I feel your pain
merwin10 wrote: Hi All - I Could not agree more! I bought a Smart Phone Microsoft Mobile phone for its other uses. I don't want or need a Data Plan for $29 a month more! I have even removed the Opera Browser as I will not use it and don't want it to every be used. I would appreciate the option of not paying for the data plan if I would never use it! I use the phone more as a mobile computer for files that I use between my computer and phone! Merry Christmas Mike -
I use the internet frequently so it really doesn't bother me. I suppose if I didn't want the internet then yes it would bother me. Then again if I truly didn't want to pay an extra $30 a month then I'd just go down to a basic phone (like I stated before).
I am wondering.....is it possible to bring an unlocked smart phone from another service provider, would that still require internet?
