Just a Girl Looking for a Phone

I shared with many of you my decision to leave AT&T as a cell phone customer. This was not an easy decision, as I have been an AT&T customer for a very long time. Once I made the decision to go to Verizon, many people assumed I would jump right to the iPhone 4, which is now also available through Verizon. But as my friend Andrew would say, I’ve decided to make the jump to the “dark side.”

As with many major life changes — like getting fat or going bald — we don’t really actually notice them when they’re happening. I was falling in love with Androids.


How did this Happen?

Out of the blue one afternoon I was contacted by a representative from Verizon seeking my honest opinion. She offered me the opportunity to play with and provide feedback on some Verizon devices. This feedback would be published on my blog and / or the Evansville Business Journal.

Play with tech toys? Naturally I said yes.

For two weeks, I tried out several devices, including two phones, two WIFI hot spots and the Motorola Xoom, using them in a variety of settings that included an out of town conference. Like a coffee lover getting a first taste of Starbucks, I was hooked.


Lightning struck

The device that really took my heart was the HTC Thunderbolt. I really love the way the Thunderbolt phone interacted with me (yes, I did just refer to a phone as though it has human characteristics) and the way it looked and felt while I used it.

Thing is, I’m a heavy tech user. While there are many key features of the Thunderbolt that I like, I had some real issues I could not ignore: Heat and battery life. I heard myself saying several times that if you offered me a Thunderbolt today, I would gladly give up my iPhone . But the heat and battery life issues it turns out are deal-breakers for me.


The Search is on
So now here I am, willing to give up my phone, but not sure what to replace it with. So far Verizon has sent me a Droid Pro and the HTC Thunderbolt to take out for a spin. My local Wireless Zone has been kind enough to let me demo an LG Revolution and a Samsung Charge. All have had good features and some not so perfect for me features.


Yeah, I get all the data on the latest phones as they come out, often even before they come out. I know the technical specs, and what they can do — on paper. But a phone is so much more personal; everyone uses it differently. I need a phone that will go the distance with me, one that will bring up data and run multiple apps, remind me when I have meetings, get me there with good directions AND not run out of juice after just 4 to 6 hours.

I am on a quest to find the perfect phone for me. This girl geek, lover of technology, user of all things new and social is looking for lightning to strike twice.


Pat Alexander

13 years ago

Dana, I too made the leap from AT&T to Verizon recently. I was with AT&T since I got a bag phone around 1992. I have been a confirmed BlackBerry user for past several years, but it just wasn’t doing it anymore. I wanted my phone, iPad and Microsoft outlook to all work in sync with each other plus all the new features phones have that even the newest BBs can’t seem to manage. I went with the Samsung Charge after a good deal of research even though I didn’t get to try them all out.

I am overall pleased with the new phone and it is doing all that I expect, however, it too has some battery issues, although much better than the Thunderbolt. I agree that phones are a very personal thing and you must find the one that is right for you.

I would be interested in your thoughts on the Xoom.

Martha aka switchinggranny

13 years ago

#1 Love Love the picture

#2 Please keep us posted on what you choose and why. I’d be in the same spot.. just not such a “little girl”

#3 I just love you ? or not!!

Bob Fuchs

13 years ago

Someone recommended I check you out as a potential social media guru, and I sort of ended my inquisition at your blog. I’m chortling at the fact that the first inkling I have of you is that you think you can find phone nirvana by leaving an Iphone4. Don’t do it! Nothing syncs as well or quite has the feel of an Iphone. Ignoring the obvious issues with battery life, Androids are notorious for freezes at the most inopportune time. As google rushes to capture market share, Apps have been ushered in without appropriate scrutiny.
I’ll stay tuned.

@DanaMNelson

13 years ago

Bob, I hope that you don’t judge me by lack of Apple loyalty. If you would of asked me a year ago to give up my iphone, I would of told you “Over my dead body!.” When I was approached by Verizon to demo phones I did so thinking I would never give up my iphone. I tell my kids they can’t tell me they don’t like a food till they have tried it for themselves. You have valid points, however a phone is a very personal choice that I wanted to make with certainty. (And being able to trial the newest phones as they come out, including the iphone, is an offer I couldn’t refuse.)

Nicole

13 years ago

I am late to the party but I have to add, I love my android. As a former iPhone user, I was reluctant to make the move, but I am glad I did. So versatile. I have the Samsung Galaxy S i9000 and I love it. I don’t know how I lived without widgets 🙂

@DanaMNelson

13 years ago

Which one do you have Nicole?

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