Hey all...
I am about to get a pre-paid Android phone from work. I have 2 choices on phones that I think I can manage but don't know what I should get between the 2.

The problem is that I like the phone from one company.... but don't know much of the company and what I heard of them (albeit years ago) isn't that good. The other one I know and like the company... but the phone itself isn't as good.

Here is the choices I have and what little I know about them at this point.

Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread)
Company: Verizion
Deal: $50 per Month
        Unlimited Talk
        Unlimited Text
        2 GB Data

Or....  $60 per Month
          Unlimited Talk
          Unlimited Text
          4GB Data

Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Company: Net10
Deal: $50 per Month
        Unlimited Talk
        Unlimited Text
        Unlimited Data

I know and like Verizon as a company... I already know they have good service in the area. I don't know much at all about Net10... but I never heard much good about their service. Although I haven't heard anything about them in years... and all I did hear was about their service in Maryland...not here in Kentucky.

So that is the info I have at this point. With this info what would you suggest? Is there any info I should try to find out before making a decision?

First, what Lewis said.

What kind of phones are your talking about, company, model? That and what Lewis said about your kind of usage should help you decide.

Good phone, poor coverage wouldn't be much fun. Lousy phone, good coverage wouldn't be much fun either. Decent phone and coverage would be a good combination.

When you find out the kind of phones they are talking about, look up user comments on each. They can be a big help in the decision-making process.

My 2 pennies.

If you think about running DVD Profiler on your phone, you'd better get one with Ice Cream Sandwich.

Quoting StaNDarD:

Quote:
If you think about running DVD Profiler on your phone, you'd better get one with Ice Cream Sandwich.

Why?
The Android App runs just fine on my Galaxy Ace 2 (Android Build 2.3.6).
Even worse, when Samsung offered a Firmware-Update to Build 4.1.2 I noticed a severe decline of performance while at the same time a battery charge lasted significantly shorter.

After a week or so I downgraded again.

More important than the version of the OS are the capabilities of the hardware and the batteries.

If you have the choice pick a phone with (at least) a Dual Core CPU and sufficiently capacitated Li-Io batteries. A fast CPU with too small batteries is no fun since it will spend more time on the charger than in your hands.

If in doubt check out for user reviews for your specific phone (as already suggested by Marty).
If you do so you will learn a lot about your new phone (e.g. that a Galaxy S4 is to be avoided, because it obviously has severe problems with its display).

Quoting StaNDarD:

Quote:
If you think about running DVD Profiler on your phone, you'd better get one with Ice Cream Sandwich.

I can only speak for myself. I ran Oliver's DVDP project until the official program came out, and I've run the beta from about the beginning on a HTC Droid Incredible 2 running stock rom and Gingerbread 2.34 without issues (except issues do to the program being a beta).
Just my experience. 

I would only be paying about $30 for the phone itself.

I think I will just stick with my current phone (old time flip phone) for a while... till I can afford something nice.

It does seem to be working now... but boy is it downloading SLOOOOWWW!!..... it finished downloading all the profiles and just barely started to download the cover art.