Comments | autobotsrollout: Android question

autobotsrollout

Android question

Nov 29, 2009 21:46

Does anybody know if Fido supports any phones with Android capability? I'm going to go 3G if/when I get an articling position, and I'd prefer to go Android (on a phone with a keyboard) rather than just use a Blackberry. But Fido only seems to support the iPhone, which... no.

Comments 15

kinra November 30 2009, 04:41:28 UTC

Your snobbery is appreciated.

Yeah, I'm almost certain that putting a Fido SIM into an unlocked HTC Dream will do you just fine.

But I don't really feel like helping you with this any more.

autobotsrollout November 30 2009, 05:43:34 UTC

I don't like the iPhone's keyboard interface. It's just that simple: I need a real keyboard if I'm going to type emails into my internet phone, and I've tried typing on the keyscreen for the iPhone and I'm both much slower and smudging the screen with my thumbs. That's why the iPhone is a no-go. But I want the fancy selection of apps if I'm going to spend 3G plan money, so that means Android capability rather than a Blackberry (which would likely financially tie my phone use to a law office, which I also want to avoid).

That and the fact that I hate iTunes. But that is entirely justified.

kinra November 30 2009, 05:49:40 UTC

Actually, most Android phone models don't have keyboards. It's a very broad interface set, and the Dream and Droid both have keyboards. Both keyboards generally suck. The Blackberry is the only phone that has a reasonable keyboard right now, and really since the Treo of the 650/700 generation is the only real option ( ... )

autobotsrollout November 30 2009, 06:29:35 UTC

Any input on the LG Eve?

Thread 7

(The comment has been removed)

mightydogking November 30 2009, 14:00:10 UTC

I'm really kind of shocked that I'm not really upset about the lack of keyboard. I don't know about unlockable, as the switching hasn't been an issue, but since I plan on getting a pay as you go sim for data at PAX, I will be looking into it.

quotation November 30 2009, 14:19:49 UTC

For me, I much prefer having a numeric old-school-phone keyboard on my Nokia e51. On-screen keyboards are slow for me, and qwerty keyboards can't be used effectively one-handed. The e51 keypad allows me to zip out SMS and eMail messages with one hand, without even looking at the phone.

If I'm sitting down with lots of text to type, I can just connect my Bluetooth keyboard to compose the epic.

If it wasn't for his "app store" desire, I'd be recommending the e72 or n900.

mightydogking November 30 2009, 15:02:20 UTC

I like sms-ing on my n95 keypad well enough, but there's a portability aspect I enjoy too. I find I can one-finger type quite well on the magic in portrait even, I rarely go to the landscape keyboard.

That said, it IS a learning curve, but it's not too bad. And while I do like a hardware keyboard, I want an all-in-one device, not a stack of them. BT Keyboards are an exception I'd use occasionally, but I do own a laptop so MEH.

Thread 6

quotation November 30 2009, 13:57:48 UTC

As for compatibility, Fido requires one of either 850MHz or 1900MHz frequencies, and can speak GSM/3G/UTMS/HSDPA, and offers up to 21MB/s HSDPA over those frequencies.

Bell and Telus can't handle GSM over those frequencies, but can handle UTMS, HSDPA and WCDMA over 850MHz or 1900MHz. Refer to http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1594908

If you get a Rogers Android handset, it won't work on anything but Rogers, not even Fido, because of locking.This means you'll need to pay "full" price for an unlocked 3G handset if you don't want to switch to Rogers and sign a 3yr contract. (But you can't pay that full price to Rogers, they'll still give you an unlocked handset). Generally speaking, the Pacific Mall vendors will let you haggle 20-30% off the prices listed here: http://www.bongowireless.com/catalog/194/HTC/... )

mightydogking November 30 2009, 14:42:09 UTC

HowardForums says Rogers locked phones work just fine on Fido. Grain of salt and all that, but it seems likely.

bambiblue December 2 2009, 06:32:35 UTC

I have the Dream and love it. I have absolutely no complaints about the keyboard either.

Prepaid won't let you use data (or even add it on) but plans will. Otherwise the Dream - as I was told last week - should work just fine on Fido.

Unlocking is easy. Don't pay full price for a Droid. Totally grab it from Rogers and ask to swing a deal to bring it to Fido. I could hook you up with some good Rogers reps I know in Toronto when the time comes and you could probably get a better price, or at the very least friendly customer service.