[Kyocera Zio M6000] aj203355:
Alright so I've been one of the followers on this site along with everyone else....waiting patiently (not sure if it's being patient if you have no choice) for the Cricket Zio m6000 firmware update. The Zio was the first (as far as I know) that allowed all of us to get an android phone without signing a piece of paper that in the end ripped us off (aka contract).

The Zio was great at first. Let me take that back. The Zio was exciting at first. I quickly came to find out that the screen wasn't greatly responsive nor accurate. Ok, no big deal...I didn't have to sign a contract and the $55 unlimited everything was still great. I signed into my google account and started checking everything out. Once I finally got used to the phone and the OS, here is what I learned after almost a year of having the phone:

-batter life

lasted about 3-6 hours at the most 4 hours for intense usage (phones calls, youtube, music, radio, etc...) and 6 hours for never using wireless/bluetooth and not talking too much (pretty much just using my phone to text here and there, make a few calls or check information)

-keyboard and screen

one of the worst problems combined with the unresponsive and inaccurate screen made me actually dread texting, emailing and pretty much using my phone period. Then I found handcent sms w/voice to text and also ultra keyboard (personal preference) and things weren't too bad but they still weren't great.

-speed

The entire time I had the phone it was slow. I loved the concept of having a contract-less mobile carrier, a cheap monthly bill and an open source/highly versatile/intuitive operating system. I preach Cricket and the Android OS to everyone all the time. But not once did I ever recommend this phone.

....steps off of soap box.....

Anyways, sorry guys but I got tired of waiting for this stupid update. I mean really, what happens when all you get the update and things aren't that much different? The screen will still suck, the battery life will probably be worse with all the new feature and you'll still have the same problems we've "defended" to everyone else.

Long story short, I went to Cricket and bought the Huawei Ascend. It was one of those "hybrid" Cricket stores. The store had a "trade-in" policy for credit toward purchases. I was sad to let the Zio go but the $50 credit made my Huawei Ascend purchase come out to about $130. After 5 minutes in my hands, this phone is awesome. I remember how it feels to have a phone that isn't such a pain. Within 1 day, I have turned my "texting/email/calling" around and have found myself more in contact with friends and family.

Huawei Ascend Pros:

-screen is smooth, responsive, accurate and fast

-was going to use ADW launcher when I noticed that the built-in screen was so great I didn't even need to install it

-phone is fast; it's not lightning fast but compared to the Zio it's fast

-hardware buttons are so much more responsive than the Zio's "software" buttons

-comes with a headset

-5mp camera

-battery had lasted about 8 hours and it's not even dead

-build of the phone is solid

Huawei Ascend Cons:

-keyboard layout is different but nothing bad...I just need to get used to it

-no flash

-no front facing camera

-no autofocus (which I haven't even looked to see if there's a software solution)

-headphones jack is 2.5 (instead of 3.5)

#Honestly if you are tired of the Zio and can't/won't wait for the update here are you options:

1. change to another carrier with different phones

2. get the Hauwei Ascend with Cricket

3. wait for Cricket to come out with new Android phones

4. keep using the Zio (good luck)

5. throw your phone in the trash and go to the grocery store to buy string and cups

Thanks for everyone who has contributed to this forum and I'll drop in from time to time.