Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

militaryman911

macrumors member
Original poster
May 23, 2008
73
0
I'm thinking about either getting an iPhone4 or a Droid 2 or an iTouch and a lesser phone (non-smartphone).

If I were to go with a dumbphone and an itouch, what are some good Verizon phones you guys would recommend?

For those of whom have a Droid, how do you like it for music? Is the sound quality good? Compared to an iPod/iPhone? Easy to use/sync? When listening to music, will the song be interrupted when you receive a text or incoming call? (obviously it will stop once you answer the call) If so, is there an option to change this? Also how easy is it to multitask (listen to music while surfing the web, or texting, etc.)?
 
Last edited:
It can do 90% of what an iPhone can, as long as you're connected in a Wifi zone. The only times I've ever truly wanted a 3g connection are either driving somewhere and needing directions, or walking around in a city I'm unfamiliar with and wanting to use locaton-based apps. In short, the lack of GPS is the most frustrating thing, but other than that the experience is similar.

Plus you're saving $360 a year in data charges. That's important to remember.

This being said, after having an iPod Touch for 2 years, if there is an iPhone released on another carrier at some point I'll be getting one. I'd like to have an all-in-one device instead of two.
 
The iPhone has a better still camera, but that's the biggest difference to me. The iPod Touch (if you're not looking for a phone) will do everything the iPhone can, minus what you listed, but you can use textPlus.
 
It can do 90% of what an iPhone can, as long as you're connected in a Wifi zone. The only times I've ever truly wanted a 3g connection are either driving somewhere and needing directions, or walking around in a city I'm unfamiliar with and wanting to use locaton-based apps. In short, the lack of GPS is the most frustrating thing, but other than that the experience is similar.

Plus you're saving $360 a year in data charges. That's important to remember.

This being said, after having an iPod Touch for 2 years, if there is an iPhone released on another carrier at some point I'll be getting one. I'd like to have an all-in-one device instead of two.

That's exactly why originally I wanted the phone; for one device rather than two. But like you said I'd be saving at least $360 a year so will probably go with the iTouch. Thanks for your response, do you have any idea whats wrong with my wifi connection? I've searched for solutions and have found several people with the same problem, yet no fix.
 
The iPhone has a better still camera, but that's the biggest difference to me. The iPod Touch (if you're not looking for a phone) will do everything the iPhone can, minus what you listed, but you can use textPlus.

With the use of TextPlus from an iTouch, would the people I text receive it like a phone text? Like could I enter my number, so when I text them it acts just like a phone, coming up on their screen as "1 new txt from _____" (In other words, would they know I'm sending texts from an ipod) Sorry for the confusing question.
 
That's exactly why originally I wanted the phone; for one device rather than two. But like you said I'd be saving at least $360 a year so will probably go with the iTouch. Thanks for your response, do you have any idea whats wrong with my wifi connection? I've searched for solutions and have found several people with the same problem, yet no fix.

$60/month - $35/month = $25/month savings.. so $300 per year, not $360 or am I math challenged today?

What made you believe you were connected to your wifi if you weren't able to connect to anything needing the connection?
How is your wifi set up? Have you changed the settings to allow your ipod to connect?
 
Yeah thats what I did I bought a 32 Gb Ipod touch... and then
I bought a Nokia.. and now im buying an Ipad.. The ipod touch is definetly a good buy you can text via text plus.. and you have a 2 MP camera which is pretty good for an apple device... you don´t have 3G and you need wifi to acess the internet.. but If you are travelling the Ipod touch is better because you wont use 3G when travelling (I suppose) So definetly buy the Ipod Touch :)
 
$60/month - $35/month = $25/month savings.. so $300 per year, not $360 or am I math challenged today?

What made you believe you were connected to your wifi if you weren't able to connect to anything needing the connection?
How is your wifi set up? Have you changed the settings to allow your ipod to connect?

Sorry, you're right, I forgot that the unlimited was switched to the 2gb/month plan, and that the price dropped from $30 to $25. So yes, $300 per year, not $360. My mistake.
 
The best decision i've made is choosing the iPhone 4 over the iPod Touch 4G. It has better Display (I mean contrast) it has a better Camera (5.0 mpx over 0.7 mpx) it's way faster, plus all the Phone features in the iPhone which are great and now I have everything in one place, I don't have to go around looking for contacts from one to another or syncing notes.

But if you really don't care about this small little details than buy the iPod and keep your Verizon plan. It's also a good choice.
 
$60/month - $35/month = $25/month savings.. so $300 per year, not $360 or am I math challenged today?

What made you believe you were connected to your wifi if you weren't able to connect to anything needing the connection?
How is your wifi set up? Have you changed the settings to allow your ipod to connect?

Im sure I was connected. I selected my home wireless network, typed in the WEP password, and then was shown in the settings screen with my network selected and a little "check" on it and 3/4 bars (or waves whatever haha).
And no I haven't changed any setting on my computer to allow my ipod, could you walk me through this?
 
And no I haven't changed any setting on my computer to allow my ipod, could you walk me through this?

As long as you're connected to the right network with the right security passkey, you shouldn't have to do anything special. It's possible that this particular network is set up in a bizarre fashion (most likely that the DHCP service is turned off and each computer has its IP address programmed manually). If the person who set up the network is there, they will know if they did this.

By the way, WEP sucks - should be using WPA2.
 
Just to clarify, do you use the passphrase or key when trying to connect to a locked network? And I just checked, all my DHCP options are "enabled"
 
I chose the iPod Touch 4gen, and use Line2.com for VoIP calls for $10/month including a new number. I have a ClearSpot so it was cheaper to go that route since I already pay month to month on a data plan of $45/month for my MBP and iPad.
 
i've done the whole dumbphone+ipod touch thing before. it worked out great... for the first few weeks. then i got tired of carrying both around and the ipod touch either stayed in my house or plugged into my car stereo. besides... unless you live in a major metropolitan area, finding wifi when you need/want it can be a major pain.

i then bought a blackberry... really liked it. then shattered the lcd on it and bought an android phone and was disappointed with it compared to the blackberry. just bought an iphone 4 this past sunday and love it. even though i was originally in the same boat you were in, i wish i would have just bought an iphone from day one. to me, paying the extra for data is worth it. i can access the world from anywhere from one device. plus factor in the build quality of the iphone 4 vs. ipod touch, the difference in screen quality, and i won't lie.. the cool factor.. i definitely don't foresee having buyers remorse anytime soon.

just my personal experience.
 
Question about using the touch 4, when using it as a phone, do you have to use bluetooth headset or headphone or can only the touch 4 itself be used?
 
With the use of TextPlus from an iTouch, would the people I text receive it like a phone text? Like could I enter my number, so when I text them it acts just like a phone, coming up on their screen as "1 new txt from _____" (In other words, would they know I'm sending texts from an ipod) Sorry for the confusing question.

Textplus has a new thing where for a one time fee of like a buk or two, you can get a real phone number with even your own area code so your friends would think its just from a normal phone and they can text you back at that number.
 
From most of my friends' experiences, you will use the ipod touch 24/7 for weeks, then gradually use it less and less as the hype wears down.

However... you will always be using your phone. Carrying 2 devices is a tiny bit more of a hassle too. Therefore, I would personally either get the iPhone 4 or not get anything at all (and use a smartphone/dumbphone on your sister's verizon plan)
 
Like a lot of things in this world it all comes down to money. If u have it, u get a iPhone 4 and pay the hefty monthly bill. If u don't have it or not enough of it u get a 4G touch and a dumb phone and carry both with u all the time.
 
Last edited:
From most of my friends' experiences, you will use the ipod touch 24/7 for weeks, then gradually use it less and less as the hype wears down.

Thats how I was when I first got my iPod Touch, never put it down. 8 months later hardly used it, just for a game once in a while. Sold it and bought an iPhone 3G at the time and its been a complete difference. One device is so much nicer, plus GPS is always a plus.
 
I feel that way about having a data plan with the iphone. I have access to thousands of free hotspots in my city. So why pay another monthly fee? I am hoping to buy a used iphone 4 when iphone 5 comes out. What I want is an iphone with a data plan but no voice. I'd use VOIP instead. Does tmobile allow you to get a data plan with phone service for cell phones? I don't think at+t allows that

From most of my friends' experiences, you will use the ipod touch 24/7 for weeks, then gradually use it less and less as the hype wears down.

However... you will always be using your phone. Carrying 2 devices is a tiny bit more of a hassle too. Therefore, I would personally either get the iPhone 4 or not get anything at all (and use a smartphone/dumbphone on your sister's verizon plan)
 
Last edited:
Thats how I was when I first got my iPod Touch, never put it down. 8 months later hardly used it, just for a game once in a while. Sold it and bought an iPhone 3G at the time and its been a complete difference. One device is so much nicer, plus GPS is always a plus.

Opposite for me. Bought the 1st gen, gave to my sister and got the 2nd gen, which I gave to my brother when I got the 3rd gen. Love and still love my ipod touch for years now.
 
After using an iPhone, the iPod Touch feels a bit lacking.

So just calculate how much you save going iPod Touch + Verizon route vs the iPhone and see if the difference is worth it.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.