looking into buying mobile device

B

blueridge

New Member
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Ok...Ok...here I go. Looking to buy something along the likes of a Blackberry or some kind of mobile device. The reason why I am posting here is because there is so much crap out there that one canno decide what to buy! With most vendors requiring a 2 year plan...might as well make an well-informed decision. Here is my Bio...I am profoundly deaf, have a deaf wife and two hearing kids. My wife has a BB from work and I have never had one of these handheld devices...never saw the need. I like having a face-to-face conversation :D y boss at work said they may pay for my plan (and device?) because I have customers that may want to get ahold of me off-hours. This is still up in the air.

Here is what I need. I'd like something that offers video relay service but those small screens are nearly impossible to see but who knows I've never seen one. I want email/internet surfing/video relay. It looks like Spring Relay is offering these features? Any other vendors (ATT/Verizon) offering similiar features? I read some time ago where deafies were complaining about battery running out pretty quickly with certain models. Has this been fixed with some of the devices? I know Sprint's device for the deafies will probably not work on 4G network but how important is it to be able to operate on 4G network? If Sprint is a no-go on 4G network, do the other vendors offer mobile device for deafies that work on 4G network?

And if you have any information that may be useful...do not hesitate to throw this out!

TIA...
 
I have the Samsung Epic 4G through Sprint, data only plan. I don't do video on it, but you can. There are many other phones to check out, on the Sprint Relay web site. They also offer the iPhones, Blackberrys, and a selection of different phones and different options from what I could see. Any Smartphone ups the unlimited data plan from $30 to $40/month. I pay the $40 for the Epic because it's an Android smartphone. There's a link to read up on their data only plan variations.

Sprint Relay

Also, just a suggestion: get a second battery and charger. Even using it as 3G vs. 4G, the battery wears down pretty fast. I switch out my battery generally once/day. I think 3G & 4G phones are notorious for batteries running down quickly.
 
My daughter has a Samsung Stratosphere which works will for video chat, and the battery lasts long because she bought a bigger battery as an upgrade.

It makes the back of the phone a bit bulky, but it lasts .
 
Anyone looking for new service be sure to check coverage maps before deciding. For example I am in an area that AT & T has NOT upgraded from 2G (Edge) service let alone 3 to 4 and the more advanced features will not work here. In fact there is an area not to far from me that is a complete hole with no ATT service. Verizon seems to be the one with the best and most extensive coverage in this area. Some other places in the country are the reverse. So . . . be sure to check where you live and go to.
 
Thanks all for chiming in. Boy...took a long time for the moderators to approve my post...something like 3 days or so. They sure had a long coffee break :wave:

My wife works with a few other deafies and one of them has the Epic and he said the Evo is better. Hard to say what is better as the stores like Sprint nearby me do not appear to have a Android device where you can test relay etc. Regardles I am seriously looking at the EVO device. $40/mo...that's $500 a year...oh well this crap better be worth it LOL...

I agree with one of the posters...I like the key board itself onmobile device but I highly doubt I'd be typing long love letters on my mobile/android device.

And I am in NOVA so Sprint should work.

Does anyone have any statistics on the number of subscriptions among the vendors like Sprint/ATT/Verizon etc? I am just curious but lookes like years ago Spring was the leader in deaf mobile device but now there's competition and they may not lead the pack!
 
Just find a Sprint store by you where you can test the device. It will be worth it in the long run. I was talking to one of my friends. She said she was able to get "deaf" plan on her Sprint phone WITHOUT signing a 2 year contract. I was kind of surprised. I wish I would've known that. Maybe check into that.

My brother is in Bethesda, MD and has no problem with T mobile. I think they were supposed to be cheaper than Sprint. Sidekick 4G would work with your needs.

I kind of wish I would have sticked with T mobile, but I'm stuck with 2 year contract with Verizon. Yes, it has better signal, but not sure that their $$$$ bill is worth it.
 
dereksbicycles said:
Just find a Sprint store by you where you can test the device. It will be worth it in the long run. I was talking to one of my friends. She said she was able to get "deaf" plan on her Sprint phone WITHOUT signing a 2 year contract. I was kind of surprised. I wish I would've known that. Maybe check into that.

My brother is in Bethesda, MD and has no problem with T mobile. I think they were supposed to be cheaper than Sprint. Sidekick 4G would work with your needs.

I kind of wish I would have sticked with T mobile, but I'm stuck with 2 year contract with Verizon. Yes, it has better signal, but not sure that their $$$$ bill is worth it.
Click to expand...

Derek
I am not sure what phone you are using on Verizon but when your contract expires check into PagePlus. It is prepaid service that uses Verizon towers and for many (including me) usage patterns runs quite a bit less than Verizon.
 
Jane B. said:
Derek
I am not sure what phone you are using on Verizon but when your contract expires check into PagePlus. It is prepaid service that uses Verizon towers and for many (including me) usage patterns runs quite a bit less than Verizon.
Click to expand...

It is Samsung Stratosphere and contract doesn't expire until way later.

I'm not sure if they take VP, but I have a hearing girlfriend so I don't use VP.
 
ordering Samsung Galaxy S II

just got back from EDT and the Sprint Team was there. Chatted with the table staff and I think Galaxy is for me. iPhone is for those who have Mac-Evrything which I do not. I am going to contact the rep and ask a couple more questions but I think all in all this is what I like. I know July Spring coming out with newer Galaxy but the screen on newer will be 4.8" whihc the one now at $99 including rebate is 4.5"...not al that difference.

funny thing. Sprint Rep said that Galaxy will work with 4G and I said here in VA only 4G is in Richmond and she said it is increasing coverage and I told her I do not thik so. Increasing is a misnomer...I have watched Sprint page for more than 2 years and still do not see 4G in anywhere but Richmond. Funny thing is you would think they would fix it here since Sprint is dominant here...oh well.

Still all in all I think I ill be happy with Galaxy. I am going to chose the option to have $8 ad for insurance. Heck my kids can break my alaxy. I think my company will get me a discount of 20% so that gives me like $32 plus $8 total of $40/mo.

It is a bit confusing but talking to a rep this is what tipped me oveer the line. Rep said if you have wireless at home to use Galaxy with wireless because it will not run the battery down faster. How does that work? I mean the battery requires to be "on" i the Galaxy when you are doing wireless paging but if you are not using wireless the battery still needs to be ran too.

Has anyone experienced battery problems with Samsung Galaxy II? (this is listed on the sprintrelaystore.com).
 
Back
Top