Can anyone explain how Verizon’s plans will work? If you’re driving down the highway with Google Navigation running is that taking off your minutes? If apps are running in the background does that also mean you’re connected and being charged against your minutes?

Sprint are you paying attention we need more Android

Jason, i’ll go out on a limb and assume your post was serious and reply with a serious answer.

Like on all other carriers, voice usage is separate from data usage. When you’re going down the road, your device uses the built in GPS to pin point you location and the data network to pull down map data. None of this involves “minutes” (or voice) usage.

When you make calls, you’re using “minutes”, or voice traffic. (Where it gets dicey if you’re new to this whole thing is for apps like Skype and Google Voice which use data traffic to transmit voice)

Verizon, like other carriers, requires that all smartphones carry unlimited data plans so, in summary, there is no “per usage” charge for using the Google Maps/Navigation application.

If some of the other posts seems rude, inpatient, intolerant, etc… it’s because on sites/blogs/posts like this one there is often, and perhaps unfairly, an assumption around basic knowledge about “how this all works”. If your post was serious i hope this helped. If your post wasn’t serious and i just wasted time replying to you i hope some shits on your face later! j/k

Jason – No, only a voice call uses your minutes. Data applications (Google Nav & Talk, web browsing, Instant Messaging, any thing else you can think of…) will be using the Unlimited Data plan that you get with the phone. Keep in mind that the Unlimited Data has a 5 GB cap, so it isn’t _really_ unlimited. But for real world use it is basically equivalent to unlimited.

All of this is typical of what you find with AT&T, Sprint and TMobile. So don’t worry too much about it. Just assume the Data plan to be roughly an extra $30 on top of your current voice plan (for all carriers). It would be a waste to get such a phone without the data plan.

Okay if you’re driving down the highway with Google Navigation running that is not counted towards your minute usage. The Google Navigation should be included with the Droid; meaning it’s free. If you have applications running in the background then yes you are connected. But shouldn’t be charged by the usage or minutes. Because when you purchase a phone like the Droid; it is a requirement to get the data plan, which includes unlimited internet.

And no I highly doubt that Verizon is trying to push these phones because they plan on getting the iphone. Honestly these droid phones are more than likely already going to be better than the iphone. Reason being is because the droid pretty much already does what the iphone is capable of doing, plus more; hence the “idont” commercials. So don’t suffer from waiting to get your hands on the Droid product from Verizon.

Jason at least you could say thanks to the person who took the time and had patience to write and explain it to you !
bad vibes

I work for Verizon and there is such a thing as doing data of your minutes some of our old customers from alltel gets bill for data from their minutes plan.

@Wojtek and also the old Americas Choice calling plans bill you for minute usage for data. thats why newer advanced phones require you to switch the the nationwide calling plans

Let it rain Verizon Android phones! I can’t upgrade till next year, but the more phones that come out before than the better. With Android running on multiple companies phones, you can expect each on is going to have some sort of special feature, whether it be hardware or software, so consumers look to that product first. Competition is always good for the consumers. More competition = better products and lower prices. Win win situation if you ask me.

@Wojtek
Quote:
“ACTUALLY the 29.99 data package DOES have a 5GB cap and if you go over you will be billed 1.99 PER MB for overages. It is very hard to go over 5GB on your phone unless you are teathering it with your computer or running a mobile torrent client.”

Please cite your source for this statement. (from an actual Verizon source). If you read the complete terms and conditions you will find there are no 5gb limits. However, you will find the limitations on the usage of such devices and data plans such as P2P networking, constant video uploads, exc and other functions that bog down the network and effect all users.

Was at Verizon store yesterday got to play with the Droid and HTC , have to say the HTC is much more intuitive (sorry Apple phrase) but the Droid was clunky , I do think with a software update which I see is in the works the Driod can and will be a great phone .
I also see there may be a HTC with 2.0 and a 1Ghz processor , if that is true I will wait , either the Droid gets a 2.1 or the HTC materializes with 2.0 and 1Ghz processor .