A couple of questions about Cricket Service (specifically the Android)

G

gatorgirl

New member
1) Would you recommend Cricket?

2) Can I use both a personal (gmail) and work email on this device?

3) Is there a phone calendar? If so, can I sync it with my google calendar? Can I use the calendar when I am out of data coverage and sync it when I return?

4) Can I text out of data range?
 
1) I would, if Cricket has service in your area. As long as they have 3G there, which they probably do, you should be fine. It works great in my area! :)

2) I don't see why not. I think you can have multiple gmail accounts. Android can do a lot, so I think you'll be fine.

3) I don't know. Why not just use Google Calender? I don't know if it'll work when out of data area. I'd ask that in the Android forum if you don't get an answer here.

4) You can text anywhere in the Nationwide Talk & Text area. Check out the coverage map. It basically works anywhere Cricket, Sprint, or another partner (Revol Wireless, MetroPCS) has coverage.
 
1. Yes, as long as you are in a native Cricket area (for now, stay tuned...).

2. Yes, Gmail is it's own separate application and there is an "Email" application as well.

3. Yes, yes (it sync automatically depending on the intervals you set), and yes.

4. Yes, you can send SMS messages if you are on the nationwide talk network. Pretty soon we should have nationwide data too, not sure when.

I have the Sanyo Zio so I can answer any questions you have about Cricket and the device.
 
I use google for basically everything I do (g-mail, calendar, maps, search, youtube) besides my work e-mail, so the Android looks like a definite plus for me. A few more questions:

1) Following up on the calendar question (this is a big item for me): So am I correct in assuming that the calendar is an app that I can use whenever I want (even if I am out of talk range), then when I get back into range it would theoretically re-sync with my google account?

2) Say that I'm driving and I pop into data range and my phone gets an email. Then I fall back out of data range, would I still be able to check the received e-mail?

3) Is the on-screen keyboard difficult to use? I'm used to QWERTY so I'm a little worried about this.
 
1. Yes.

2. For some reason my Gmail app doesn't auto-sync. I have to hit refresh everytime I want to see new email, I don't know if there is a setting I am missing. I have never used the Email app.

3. The stock keyboard can be iffy but there are many alternatives on the Android Market. You can download Shapewriter (like Swype) for free from the internet until they release the new version. I also installed a port of the HTC Hero's keyboard that has better word prediction and larger keys on portrait.
 
i would love to get the zio but i live in a rural area that is only in cricket's partner coverage and no data which would be no fun. also on the cricket website it says if you use your phone in a partner area a lot they could cut your service off sooooo--will they be getting better coverage later?
 
Cricket's going to start reselling Sprint's service as an MVNO. So, if you're looking to wait, you should be able to get Cricket. It'll be using Sprint's towers in your area, but it will work just fine. You won't get in trouble for using the phone in a "partner area" or anything like that.

This is NOT the way it works now. If you want to get Cricket you will need to wait. It might be a long wait. I doubt this will be ready soon. If I had to guess, I'd say it will be ready sometime in 2011, but I'm not sure. Somebody else might need to clarify that. Just let it be clear, you can't order Cricket now and enjoy all the features without getting cut off.
 
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/44635.php

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/leaps-mvno-deal-sprint-makes-metropcs-merger-unlikely/2010-08-12

I heard that 3G data roaming should be available in the first half of 2011, so that might be when this will be available. It depenRAB on if the 3G data roaming is coming because of the MVNO agreement or not. If it is, I'm guessing they'll both come at the same time. I don't know though.

If you don't want to wait that long, it will be best to go with another carrier.
 
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