Interested in the Orange San Fransisco.

[MSIC]

My wife currently has a Nokia (and E3 I think, from memory) and it's terrible. Really poor OS / interface, not intuitive, just no fun.
I've read great things about the Orange San Fransisco, which comes with Android 2.1 and supposedly a load of Orange rubbish, but is relatively easy to upgrade to plain Android 2.2.

Since it's available to buy for £100 Pay As You Go, i wanted to check that I could simply buy this phone, swap the SIM over, and bingo (her Nokia is with an Orange monthly contract).
Cheers

[Terbinator]

Pretty much, if not you can unlock it for free and have it all flashed to a ROM of your choice in ~5mins for people who can read a six bullet point guide.

Apparently a Gingerbread ROM has just been released for it as well.

[Flibb]

Yep as above, easy to de-ornage it as it looks awful out the box. I would be inclined to do all the sorting to begin with, so unlock (free), root, then flash a 2.2 ROM as it does run a bit smoother under 2.2. You might be bale to get some discount from orange as shes got an orange phone already.

[G4Z]

Right...

I am a technical person but it's not a 5 minute job unless you find a really good guide with up to date links and everything or you already know exactly what you are doing.

Don't get me wrong its not difficult, but I had to try a few ROM's on my girlfriends san fansisco before finally just going for this one.

Overall, I would say its a cracking phone for the money.

[Terbinator]

Right...

I am a technical person but it's not a 5 minute job unless you find a really good guide with up to date links and everything or you already know exactly what you are doing.

Don't get me wrong its not difficult, but I had to try a few ROM's on my girlfriends san fansisco before finally just going for this one.

Overall, I would say its a cracking phone for the money.

The latest guide on Modaco doesn't even need you to boot into Clockwork when you install a ROM - everything is pretty much done with apps via the phone. A lot easier and faster than the old way, IMO.

Edit: http://android.modaco.com/content/zt...the-zte-blade/

Basically step 1 shows you the programs you need to get the phone ready for ROMing including what to do with the programs and step 2 is the actual installation of a given ROM. I recommend Japanese Jellyfish RLS9. I've changed that latest Gingerbread ROM but its still a WIP, importantly, it looks very promising however and Cryogen release nightly candidates for those hardcore enough to try it that often.

[MSIC]

I'm looking to get it from Play for £102, unless anyone can point me somewhere else.

Also, i'm finally just super-ultra-double checking that I can insert a monthly-contract SIM into a pay-as-you-go phone without any hassle!
Cheers all

[Flibb]

as far as iI am aware you shouldn't have any trouble, the unlock codes are free anyway. how much are they through orange? they did offer a discountif you have a contract or payg

[Flibb]

I'm looking to get it from Play for £102, unless anyone can point me somewhere else.

Currently £90 at argos, think you need to be quick
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...=SAN+FRANCISCO

[MSIC]

Argos only have the white ones left in anywhere close to me
My wife hates the white ones.

I forgot the ring Orange though - will do so today.

the unlock codes are free anyway

What's this about an unlock code? How would I get a code? If i'm re-flashing the ROM, would I not need one?

[Flibb]

You know a sim unlock code so you can use other networks sims. I assume you will not need one, but its worth doing anyway.
http://android.modaco.com/content/zt...and-zte-blade/

[Salazaar]

I've had one since release day and I love it. Best value for money you can get from a smartphone!

I just moved over to the cyanogen 2.3 rom and it seems to be working more or less okay, as stated though, it is still work in progress.

Quick tip, don't try and mess around with custom roms after a few pints, it only adds layers of complication!

[MSIC]

Well that's blown it
My wife now feels that she doesnt want anything so complicated - looks like she's hankering for something that does calls and texts well, using a physical keyboard. She doesnt seem keen on anything with too many features - "too complicated"! I think the Nokia (E5 model it is) burnt her (metaphorically)

[PetrolHead]

Well that's blown it
My wife now feels that she doesnt want anything so complicated - looks like she's hankering for something that does calls and texts well, using a physical keyboard. She doesnt seem keen on anything with too many features - "too complicated"! I think the Nokia (E5 model it is) burnt her (metaphorically)

Blackberry? I think the 8520 is the cheapest one.

[pardal51]

Well that's blown it
My wife now feels that she doesnt want anything so complicated - looks like she's hankering for something that does calls and texts well, using a physical keyboard. She doesnt seem keen on anything with too many features - "too complicated"! I think the Nokia (E5 model it is) burnt her (metaphorically)

It is not complicated. You flash the phone for her and she then uses it as normal. I was so happy with my SanFran that after a week I bought one for my OH. Unbeatable value-for-money. Also get a 16Gb SanDisk MicroSD card and off you go.

If you have a PAYG Orange SIM you can get it for ££78.99
If you work for NHS you can get it for £99 with £20 credit on SIM (give to someone) at Orange shops

[MSIC]

It is not complicated. You flash the phone for her and she then uses it as normal. I was so happy with my SanFran that after a week I bought one for my OH. Unbeatable value-for-money. Also get a 16Gb SanDisk MicroSD card and off you go.

If you have a PAYG Orange SIM you can get it for ££78.99
If you work for NHS you can get it for £99 with £20 credit on SIM (give to someone) at Orange shops

I think that you missed the point - she doesn't want a touchscreen phone, isn't interested in web browsing, and won't be playing any type of media.
That said, thanks for the tip about the nhs deal.