Comments on: Verizon Wireless: Forced Data on Smartphones? No worries! http://corusa.com/blog/2009/07/05/verizon-wireless-forced-data/ Internet, Technology and Emerging Media Mon, 14 May 2012 17:36:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Chad http://corusa.com/blog/2009/07/05/verizon-wireless-forced-data/comment-page-1/#comment-664 Chad Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:50:16 +0000 http://corusa.com/blog/?p=659#comment-664 This thread is awesome! Absolutely what I was looking for. I got a Samsung i770 Saga on eBay and tried activating it today but cannot do so without the $30/month data package. I talked to several reps, when I asked, Can you tell me why this phone needs a data package in order to be activated? and they kept saying, Because it's a smartphone. Yeah, I know that, but why? Will it function as a phone without the data pack? Two reps said, No, it won't. It's a computer before it's a phone and that's just the way Samsung manufactures it. I got switched over to tech support and they said, No, it would function without a data plan, but Verizon requires it. Talked to another rep and supervisor about it, finally I got an answer that seemed, at least somewhat satisfactory. The supervisor said, They don't tell us why they do it, but I think it's because people were getting these smartphones without data plans and racking up all these data charges - 100's and 1,000s of $$. So, now Verizon just requires you to have it. Okay, I said, That makes sense I guess. At least, it's the best explanation I've heard. Bottom line, people are too dumb to use a smartphone and everyone is penalized for this. Plus, Verizon wants to make an extra $30 every month. But yeah, why do you need WiFi if you've got unlimited data? Anyway, great blog. It's awesome. Will order one of these off eBay today. Anybody want a Samsung Saga i770? Real cheap? Check eBay! This thread is awesome! Absolutely what I was looking for. I got a Samsung i770 Saga on eBay and tried activating it today but cannot do so without the $30/month data package. I talked to several reps, when I asked, Can you tell me why this phone needs a data package in order to be activated? and they kept saying, Because it’s a smartphone. Yeah, I know that, but why? Will it function as a phone without the data pack? Two reps said, No, it won’t. It’s a computer before it’s a phone and that’s just the way Samsung manufactures it. I got switched over to tech support and they said, No, it would function without a data plan, but Verizon requires it.

Talked to another rep and supervisor about it, finally I got an answer that seemed, at least somewhat satisfactory. The supervisor said, They don’t tell us why they do it, but I think it’s because people were getting these smartphones without data plans and racking up all these data charges – 100′s and 1,000s of $$. So, now Verizon just requires you to have it.

Okay, I said, That makes sense I guess. At least, it’s the best explanation I’ve heard. Bottom line, people are too dumb to use a smartphone and everyone is penalized for this. Plus, Verizon wants to make an extra $30 every month. But yeah, why do you need WiFi if you’ve got unlimited data?

Anyway, great blog. It’s awesome. Will order one of these off eBay today. Anybody want a Samsung Saga i770? Real cheap? Check eBay!

]]> By: Connor http://corusa.com/blog/2009/07/05/verizon-wireless-forced-data/comment-page-1/#comment-559 Connor Fri, 14 May 2010 17:10:45 +0000 http://corusa.com/blog/?p=659#comment-559 Yes, the XV6900 is what I currently use, and have for nearly 2 years now. It is a great phone, and can make/receive calls clearly and send TXT, but you need a data plan to sent picture/video messages. I do not use this feature, but smartphones require data to send pix/flix, where as 'dumbphones' do not reuire a data plan. It is backwards logic, I know, but how the networks do business. By default the XV6900 ships with Windows Mobile, bu if you are willing to forgo the warranty/tech support then you can flash to Android OS. See my guide here on how to flash the XV6900 to Android: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=636024 Yes, the XV6900 is what I currently use, and have for nearly 2 years now. It is a great phone, and can make/receive calls clearly and send TXT, but you need a data plan to sent picture/video messages. I do not use this feature, but smartphones require data to send pix/flix, where as ‘dumbphones’ do not reuire a data plan. It is backwards logic, I know, but how the networks do business. By default the XV6900 ships with Windows Mobile, bu if you are willing to forgo the warranty/tech support then you can flash to Android OS.

See my guide here on how to flash the XV6900 to Android: http://forum.xda-developers.co.....p?t=636024

]]> By: Connor http://corusa.com/blog/2009/07/05/verizon-wireless-forced-data/comment-page-1/#comment-554 Connor Fri, 14 May 2010 16:25:36 +0000 http://corusa.com/blog/?p=659#comment-554 See my How-To thread here... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=636024 See my How-To thread here…
http://forum.xda-developers.co.....p?t=636024

]]> By: chris http://corusa.com/blog/2009/07/05/verizon-wireless-forced-data/comment-page-1/#comment-544 chris Thu, 13 May 2010 10:06:02 +0000 http://corusa.com/blog/?p=659#comment-544 I was wondering how do you flash to the android OS on the XV6900 phone? I was looking for a smart phone and this sounds like the phone for me. I was wondering how do you flash to the android OS on the XV6900 phone? I was looking for a smart phone and this sounds like the phone for me.

]]> By: Adam http://corusa.com/blog/2009/07/05/verizon-wireless-forced-data/comment-page-1/#comment-285 Adam Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:14:28 +0000 http://corusa.com/blog/?p=659#comment-285 I have had a Blackberry Curve for VW which is coming up on contract in a week. I had downgraded in the last year from the corporate data (exchange) package for my small business, to the $29 data package, as I moved my solo business to Google Apps. An android OS would be nice as I could easily synch my calender and email, but I am trying to save on the data package. I was looking at a decent messaging phone, as my wife's plan on her LG Voyager is a little cheaper than mine, even with data ($10 a month as I recall). Would the XV 6900 be an option for me without the data package, or should I simply settle for a crappy messaging phone?? I have had a Blackberry Curve for VW which is coming up on contract in a week. I had downgraded in the last year from the corporate data (exchange) package for my small business, to the $29 data package, as I moved my solo business to Google Apps. An android OS would be nice as I could easily synch my calender and email, but I am trying to save on the data package. I was looking at a decent messaging phone, as my wife’s plan on her LG Voyager is a little cheaper than mine, even with data ($10 a month as I recall). Would the XV 6900 be an option for me without the data package, or should I simply settle for a crappy messaging phone??

]]> By: Connor http://corusa.com/blog/2009/07/05/verizon-wireless-forced-data/comment-page-1/#comment-232 Connor Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:13:50 +0000 http://corusa.com/blog/?p=659#comment-232 You can sync the XV6900 natively with Windows/Outlook Calendar. I use Thunderbird, so no syncing for me, which is fine, since I do not use any program's calendar feature, but ActiveSync on XP w/Outlook will sync fine with any Windows Mobile phone. Also will work fin on Windows Vista/7 with Mobile Device center and Outlook. I am just not an Outlook fan, and never needed to sync. You can sync the XV6900 natively with Windows/Outlook Calendar. I use Thunderbird, so no syncing for me, which is fine, since I do not use any program’s calendar feature, but ActiveSync on XP w/Outlook will sync fine with any Windows Mobile phone. Also will work fin on Windows Vista/7 with Mobile Device center and Outlook. I am just not an Outlook fan, and never needed to sync.

]]> By: Michael http://corusa.com/blog/2009/07/05/verizon-wireless-forced-data/comment-page-1/#comment-227 Michael Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:40:53 +0000 http://corusa.com/blog/?p=659#comment-227 I've had an XV6900 for about 2 years with Verizon but I'm ready for an upgrade. The touch screen has stopped working on an ever increasing portion of the screen which is pretty annoying. In addition I've had multiple occasions where just holding it to my ear has started dialing someone else in the middle of a call or something of that nature. I put a data block on it when I first got it because I have internet at work and home. I don't need it while driving between the two or the handful of hours each week that I'm away from home and not at work. I'm pissed that I can't just get a smartphone that I can sync with my contact list and calendar at work without paying $360 a year. I guess I'll just look for an XV6900 on ebay or something, just no way I can justify $360 a year for a feature I don't need and would rarely use if I had it. I’ve had an XV6900 for about 2 years with Verizon but I’m ready for an upgrade. The touch screen has stopped working on an ever increasing portion of the screen which is pretty annoying. In addition I’ve had multiple occasions where just holding it to my ear has started dialing someone else in the middle of a call or something of that nature. I put a data block on it when I first got it because I have internet at work and home. I don’t need it while driving between the two or the handful of hours each week that I’m away from home and not at work. I’m pissed that I can’t just get a smartphone that I can sync with my contact list and calendar at work without paying $360 a year. I guess I’ll just look for an XV6900 on ebay or something, just no way I can justify $360 a year for a feature I don’t need and would rarely use if I had it.

]]> By: Connor http://corusa.com/blog/2009/07/05/verizon-wireless-forced-data/comment-page-1/#comment-177 Connor Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:30:35 +0000 http://corusa.com/blog/?p=659#comment-177 I would recommend the XV6900. No data package required, and you can flash it to Android from Windows Mobile if you want (cool!). Just make sure you buy a no-contract/used on on ebay, and then call in to activate it (do not go on the web, because the website forces you to select a data package), but on the phone if you tell them this phone is old and was manufactured before a certain date (see my main post), then they will not force the data package. I have had the XV6900 for 2 years and love it. Currently running Android on it, but it runs Windows Mobile 6.1 or 6.5 just fine. Find custom ROMs for the Vogue on the http://www.xda-developers.com forum! :) I would recommend the XV6900. No data package required, and you can flash it to Android from Windows Mobile if you want (cool!). Just make sure you buy a no-contract/used on on ebay, and then call in to activate it (do not go on the web, because the website forces you to select a data package), but on the phone if you tell them this phone is old and was manufactured before a certain date (see my main post), then they will not force the data package. I have had the XV6900 for 2 years and love it. Currently running Android on it, but it runs Windows Mobile 6.1 or 6.5 just fine. Find custom ROMs for the Vogue on the http://www.xda-developers.com forum! :)

]]> By: Dianna http://corusa.com/blog/2009/07/05/verizon-wireless-forced-data/comment-page-1/#comment-172 Dianna Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:39:48 +0000 http://corusa.com/blog/?p=659#comment-172 I have a Palm Centrol and other than the freezing and it being slow...it is a decent phone. I got it for internet and my home business, but the website I need is too large for using on my phone. I wanted to "downgrade" to a 3G Multimedia Phone but they also require a data package. Since I have a Centro and no data package, I fine it extremely annoying that I now have to get one even though I won't need the feature. Of course my upgrade is now instead of before this was in full effect, but what can you do. I checked out all companies and I don't want to switch as Verizon I fell has the best coverage areas, and all companies are requiring this data package. I have a Palm Centrol and other than the freezing and it being slow…it is a decent phone. I got it for internet and my home business, but the website I need is too large for using on my phone. I wanted to “downgrade” to a 3G Multimedia Phone but they also require a data package.

Since I have a Centro and no data package, I fine it extremely annoying that I now have to get one even though I won’t need the feature. Of course my upgrade is now instead of before this was in full effect, but what can you do.

I checked out all companies and I don’t want to switch as Verizon I fell has the best coverage areas, and all companies are requiring this data package.

]]> By: Michelle http://corusa.com/blog/2009/07/05/verizon-wireless-forced-data/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Michelle Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:24:50 +0000 http://corusa.com/blog/?p=659#comment-150 Tiffaney, My husband and I are both owners of Palm Centros with Verizon and neither of us have a data package. When shopping for our smartphones, we had representatives by phone and at kiosks tell us both YES and NO that the data plan was required. Bottom line: the data plan is not required for the Centro. If you can't have the Data plan removed, I would advise you to speak with a manager in customer service. There are other Verizon customers, like us, who have Centros that are not paying for a data plan and neither should you. Tiffaney,
My husband and I are both owners of Palm Centros with Verizon and neither of us have a data package. When shopping for our smartphones, we had representatives by phone and at kiosks tell us both YES and NO that the data plan was required.
Bottom line: the data plan is not required for the Centro. If you can’t have the Data plan removed, I would advise you to speak with a manager in customer service. There are other Verizon customers, like us, who have Centros that are not paying for a data plan and neither should you.

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