After contemplating defection to a GSM network with greater flexibility (intl roaming, etc) and better handsets, we have reluctantly signed another Verizon contract. Verizon does not carry any phones that I was excited about, but the sad fact is that their coverage area is tough to beat, and their rates simply cannot be beat. Our 5-way shareplan brings each phone to less than $20/month - nationwide no-roaming, unlimited mobile-mobile (which covers ~95% of the airtime we use), etc.

I ended up with a Motorola V710. First impressions: it's just okay. Plusses are large screen, built-in transflash slot, Bluetooth, 1.2mpxl camera, customizable date/time formats (this is a rare feature anymore). Minuses are Verizon crippled Bluetooth on this phone, Verizon reportedly crippled/limited transflash usefulness on this model, Spanish is the only available language other than English, and I've had some trouble making and receiving calls already, but I'm not sure yet if this problem was the phone or the network. Consolation is that I can supposedly hack the phone to remove the transflash and BT limitations, which I'm looking into.

This entry was posted by on Monday, 25 April 2005 at 18:43. and is filed under tech. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own blog.