Gotta start by saying that I've been very happy with Verizon Wireless for the past decade. I've had a dumb phone and several forms of aircards over the years. It's been time and past time for a few months to get a smart phone, tho'. I *insist* on a physical keyboard... It's probably just me, but I was texting with my GF really a lot in my most recent relationship. I want an Android phone for a variety of reasons. I don't what anything by Apple, or a d^%$#*'d Blackberry. I kept looking at the Droid 4, but it got pretty lousy reviews, only partly because the battery couldn't be removed (Ifixit.com has a procedure, if anyone needs it). I was waiting to see the Droid 5... and waiting, and waiting... never came. Now even the Droid 4 is no longer offered... many expletive deleted! So I looked for alternatives. *None* to be had, using the 'Shop' button on the My Verizon website. Chatted with several sales reps, no joy. No keyboard Androids at Veriz-less, period. Started looking at other carriers. Totally by accident stumbled on the LG Enact on Walmart's web site, with (*gasp!!!*) Verizon! Android, keyboard, everything I wanted. Went back to Verizon's website and entered 'LG Enact' in the search box... and up it popped. WTF? Tried to confirm with local VZW store, on hold forever, went to WM, there it was on display!Called Verizon, spoke to a supervisor, yes, I _can_ get the Enact, it's even highly rated. Whyinheck doesn't it come up on their 'shop' website? He doesn't know. But he danged sure knows now that I'm not happy to have had to search it out and find it for myself on Walmart's website. (Thanks! Just needed to get that off my chest.) Jim, "I just lived thru an entire day of stupid."

I know you want a keyboard with your phone. I've been an Android user for years and find that the voice recognition works amazingly well. I will usually dictate my text messages, emails, calendar appointments, and anything I write. It is rare that I have to make editing (some proper names need fixing) and it is F A S T to do. It works fine for me even in the noisy environment of a car. Of course, there are some places you should not voice (like a movie theater or an orchestra concert). Have you tried dictation on Android? It is enabled everywhere. You might find it saves you a ton of time.

Alfred622 wrote:I know you want a keyboard with your phone. I've been an Android user for years and find that the voice recognition works amazingly well. I will usually dictate my text messages, emails, calendar appointments, and anything I write. It is rare that I have to make editing (some proper names need fixing) and it is F A S T to do. It works fine for me even in the noisy environment of a car. Of course, there are some places you should not voice (like a movie theater or an orchestra concert). Have you tried dictation on Android? It is enabled everywhere. You might find it saves you a ton of time.Very interesting. What model Android and how much do they sell it for with dictation? Thanks

All newer Android phones have voice dictation and control features. The Motorola Moto X is probably the best example right now.

JimAll that mass of a "redundant" hardware kbd means that when you drop it, the screen will likely crack. Martha had a Stratosphere w/ slideout kbd for years. I convinced her to take off the rubber protection cover to cushion drops to get a slimmer phone. Next drop, cracked screen. She got a kevlar Motoralla Droid w/ onscreen keypad, and likes it fine. Verizon stuff

They are practically giving away the Verizon Galaxy S4.It's an awesome phone...Very customizable, tons and tons of features.Truly a "smart phone."

So WHY ain't it on the website? (Verizon rant!)

27 Replies

MrWizard
Moderator
Mar 05, 2014
do you really want a smart phone ? do you want the data costs

the LG Env . voyager, voyager touch

all have keyboards, all are "feature phones" aka dumb phone

but they are older models you will have to find on ebay or amazon
Handbasket
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
Gene, yep, as critical as most people who write reviews usually are, the ones on the Verizon site give the Enact a 4.3 out of 5, and 90% recommend it.

I really can't understand why Verizon's website can't 'find' it unless specifically asked to. Even the sales supervisor I talked to seemed surprised by the fact that a phone that he was almost unaware of was so highly reviewed & recommended.

Jim, "Zombies want brains. Verizon's safe."
Gene_Ginny
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
The LG Enact seems to be just what you want and several people on Amazon seemed to like it too.

It seems like every time Verizon "upgrades" their website it gets worse. Maybe it is the High School kids they hire as web programmers. :h
Alan_Hepburn
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
I found out last year that the Verizon website and the Verizon stores don't always coordinate with each other. I was looking for a dumb phone and went to the website to browse what was available. I looked for models that were "Free Upgrades" and found the phone I wanted. THen I took that information to my local Verizon store and asked for that phone. Their reply: "Yes we have that phone and you can have it for $99.95" - WHAT?

They said that the stores do not normally honor the online pricing. So, I went home and ordered the phone for free. It arrived in two days and I took it in to the store to have them activate it and transfer my contacts from my old phone.
jorbill2or
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2014
I know you insist on it , you made that clear , but keyboards ,real ones are virtually dead in smart phones!! .. People have gotten used to the virtual ones and there are many specialized ones you can download that use swipe or other methods that believe it or not ,work better once you learn . Getting you or a few hold outs to believe that is difficult. You would think some manufacturer would meet the need ( there just isn't enough market left I guess) good luck
forget the smart phone or learn some new tricks time I guess :-/
Lantley
Nomad
Mar 05, 2014
Handbasket wrote:
Uh, sorta curious, why did y'all think I put 'insist' in there, with emphasis? I've had two mini-strokes, and sometimes have trouble expressing myself vocally. Got it? A QWERTY keyboard is a MUST. Got it now? Don't waste your time yakking to me about how great the voice control is; it is NOT for me.

Jim, "I can explain it to you. I can't understand it for you."

Have you actually tried a virtual on screen keyboard. Once upon a time I insisted on a physical keyboard,however the onscreen keyboards of today are no longer inferior to the physical keyboards. I have a Galaxy Note 2, which is a very large phone, that has a very large key board.
I feel it works as well as a physical keyboard only better because it's larger.
I'm not suggesting you give up on using a physical keyboard,but if you have not tried a virtual keyboard recently I suggest you check them out there have been advancements.
One of the reasons you had such a hard time finding a physical keyboard is that the virtual keyboards have improved to the point of making physical keyboards obsolete.
Handbasket
Explorer
Mar 04, 2014
Uh, sorta curious, why did y'all think I put 'insist' in there, with emphasis? I've had two mini-strokes, and sometimes have trouble expressing myself vocally. Got it? A QWERTY keyboard is a MUST. Got it now? Don't waste your time yakking to me about how great the voice control is; it is NOT for me.

Jim, "I can explain it to you. I can't understand it for you."
2oldman
Explorer II
Mar 04, 2014
I'm with IAMICHABOD.. use the voice thing and forget about typing... for the most part. The words can get a little skewed....
powderman426
Explorer
Mar 04, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
For a communications company, they have decent products and service.

But they have the "clunkiest" website of them all.

you have obviously never been on the Armstrong one wire website.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Mar 04, 2014
For a communications company, they have decent products and service.

But they have the "clunkiest" website of them all.

Forum Discussion

So WHY ain't it on the website? (Verizon rant!)

27 Replies

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