| Author | Message | ||
     86129squids |
Hey all- here comes another request, for advice on "smart" phones... My HTC Google Thunderbolt (fun, ironic name  ) has crapped out on me, lost the mike, and no one can hear me when I call. This phone was new in 2010-2011, and has served me pretty well over the time I've had it. I'm well aware that it's OLD now, and I should upgrade anyway- I'm looking at the prospect of working as a traveling sales guy, and the functionality of the device is quite important... Of course, "smart" phones aren't always grokked by their users properly, to make the most of their capability. I've got a learning curve in any case. So- what phones do youn's like, and for what reasons? I'll probably go for a no-contract phone from Wallyworld, don't really care to pay more than I need to, and I've only stayed with Verizon because they supported this old phone, but Straight Talk didn't. Froggy, et al, chime in when you can. I've gotta get something by tomorrow afternoon, fairly early. | ||
| 86129squids |
Also- my GF's daughter's BF is a GM at an AT&T store, he's my go-to guy for advice- but they're both in Cancun now... And, we're not.  Thanks in advance, once again, for input. I love you guys.  | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Got a Motorola Moto G, very happy with it, but make sure you get the version which takes a micro SD card so you can transfer memory & load plenty of music, I find it's good performance for the price. Also got a cheapo Huawei on straight talk, does what I need but screen is a bit small. When you buy straight talk check which colour icon of the US is on the box as the coverage is different. For instance one of them will give you phone but no data in some places & the other won't give you any coverage at all in in some states. | ||
| Froggy |
Take a serious look at some Windows Phones, especially if you are not heavily invested in the Android marketplace. Last week the ATT variant of the Nokia Lumia 635 was $20, no contract needed, I'll see if I can find a similar deal. The new model, the 640 is due out by the end of the month but will be a little over a hundred bucks outright. I've been thinking about getting the dual SIM variant so I can run both my Verizon and T-Mobile SIMs in it. The 635 is cheap, but because it is cheap it is missing things like a flash and a front facing camera, but from what I know of you, I think it would be a good fit. ATT has some higher end models like the Nokia 830 and HTC One M8 With Windows, which while costing most have better hardware. I'm personally running the Nokia 1520, which is the 6" flagship Windows Phone. You can get one of them second hand for $200-300 | ||
| Hootowl |
We use windows phones at work. They're pretty decent. Not as many apps available as android or idevice, but enough to fulfill most needs. And it's a very secure platform. Basically, unless ms signed it, it won't run. | ||
| 86129squids |
"The 635 is cheap, but because it is cheap it is missing things like a flash and a front facing camera, but from what I know of you, I think it would be a good fit."  Frank, I dearly value your advice and about anything you say- don't know many peeps who can do what you do, namely, help my poor aiiss with a crippled CityX's ECM, out on the road at Suches GA, get back to riding. I'll wake up tomorrow, check in on this thread, and figure it out. Once again, I love you guys. "Windo'hs" I've never trusted MS stuff, would really like to shift everything over to UNIX/UBUNTU/FIREFOX and the whole shooting match. Just the simple philosophy of open OS is what I'd rather have... My latest version of Windo'hs 8 Exploder keeps adding things that were NEVER "frequent". I'm just aggravated at my own personal ignorance. NOW, gotta go listen to "Suck My Kiss" at earbleed level. | ||
| Aesquire |
Right now the Samsung phones have an issue with the keyboard software being butt open to hackers. Other than that I have no opinion. Cursing autocorrect on my galaxy 4. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I've got the HTC One Mini on AT&T. Work pays for it, and it's a pretty great phone. | ||
| Buellmojo |
LG G2, I am happy with it, the wife uses two Samsung Galaxies (3&4), she is also happy with both, and my daughter uses an Iphone 4, she likes it, but she is not sure if she wants to continue with Apple products or not. My point, find a phone with the features that best fit you, ease of use, the deal that makes sense, the best plan, then buy it... most of the smartphones are pretty good, and similar. Oh yeah, if I were to buy a new smartphone tomorrow, it would be a newer LG G?, that is my choice, for me, what I like...I would possibly take a look at the new HTC's as an alternative choice, again, for my needs. | ||
| Greg_e |
Are the Ubuntu phones available? What about the Firefox phones? A few people have told me they really like their Nexus phones, and it is a simple thing to root them so you have control. After that, I don't have a smart phone, probably never will. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I went with the HTC One Mini because it was the smallest smartphone I could get. It doesn't have a slot for a memory card, but it does have 16gb of storage... which I think is plenty. It shares internet with my laptop, tablet, car GPS and whatever else I want to connect it to. When the power went out at work on Thursday, my whole department was up and running via laptops and all 4 of us sharing the internet off my phone. AND, I was still able to make and receive calls at the same time. | ||
| Robertl |
MotoX is a good midlevel phone and i see them cheap. Ive had a Samsung s4 the past 18 months and pretty happy with it. Work provided. Att coverage not so much (doesn't work at my desk by the window but works in the elevator or stairs). Lot of people are upgrading to s6 so should be plenty of s4 or s5s around. Work is switching to Verizon so excited about a new s6. My wife switched from iphone 5s to a Windows phone. It worked, had a great camera, but she whined about no apps, so went back to an iphone. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
We have Motorola super g's which have served us well. Service is consistent thru verizon. My only big adjustment has been going from a slider keyboard to touch screen. We just say no to contracts, mostly because I have been screwed over by big providers when my phones expired before contract was up. Tell me why I would want the same replacement phone model that went wonky on me before its time? When we do month to month service, we can fire any cell phone or service when we want if they make us cranky. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
I have a windows phone and I hate it. Its way behind iPhone and android technology. It doesn't work well with yahoo mail or YouTube. I cant even post on a few other forums because it isn't comparable with their software. Just recently I have been getting errors from eBay stating they no longer support my phones software. Its a piece of shit. The LG optimus f3 was way better. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Yeah... coworkers have done the Windows Phone experiment. I've used previous iterations of Windows Mobile. ALL are epic failures. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
When it comes to cell phones, I have been one to beat up Apple iPhones in the past because it was the last major phone manufacturers to have 4G capability. But when the iPhone came out with the 5 model, I upgraded to it for free. I've now had it for 23 months and love the dam thing! I may switch from Verizon to AT&T but I'm going to get another iPhone 6 or maybe the new model when it comes out! The IOS is not as fancy an the Android platform but it works much smother for what I use my phone for! | ||
| Pwnzor |
I've been doing a bit of reading on the new Google phone service called Project Fi. Pay full price for a Nexus 6, and get cell service for $20 a month, unlimited talk & text. Data is $10 per gigabyte, and any unused data is refunded at the end of each month. It's kind of strange how it works, hopping from T-Mobile to Sprint to free wi-fi in order to carry your phone signal. It apparently works great in the Atlanta market... I wonder how well it would function up there in Maryville? | ||
| 86129squids |
Allright- I ended up with a Samsuing Galaxy CORE Prime from Wallyworld, so far I like it fine... now I just gotta figure out all the things it can do!  I've not looked yet- anyone know of good tutorials/sites I should head to? | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Lots of tutorials and reviews on Youtube. | ||
| Buellish |
I just ordered a Motorola Moto G.It will be replacing a Samsung Galaxy Proclaim on Straight Talk. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Moto G I've had for just over a year has been fine. | ||
| Froggy |
I just broke down and picked up a Microsoft Lumia 640, the T-Mobile branded one. I didn't need a new phone, but T-Mobile has been extensively expanding their network using LTE bands that my 1520 doesn't have. Because of that, often when traveling into the sticks, I am forced to switch to my expensive data Verizon tablet due to having slow or no data. The 640 has support for all of T-Mobiles frequencies so I get better coverage regardless where I am. Wow, this thing is awesome, you would never guess it was a fairly low spec device that was only about $90. The screen is beautiful, it is light weight, and the camera is surprisingly good, despite not having a camera button. I don't like downgrading to a 5" screen, but I was too cheap to get the more expensive unlocked 5.7" version. Still it is very nice feature packed phone overall. I tried the latest Windows 10 Mobile preview build, yep it still needs quite a bit of work but it is coming along nice. My 1520 is a high end device and is better overall, so it will remain my primary device, but the 640 will be great for traveling into the rural areas where my old phone doesn't have the same service. Now they just need to come out with a new 6"+ flagship to replace my "old" 1520 Phablet  | ||
| Drkside79 |
I still prefer the iPhone. | ||
| Etennuly |
Anyone else ever think about how much better life was when a phone's mobility was limited by the wire that was plugged into the wall, or by the amount of change you could carry? You would hang up the phone, walk away, and your brain would function completely free of microwave interference. Yes Froggy.....I believe it was actually better! It was about quality not quantity! Chat chat chat.....search search search. I can do this, I can do that with my $#%@#^%* I phone! I know what so and so is doing right now, I can contact someone continuously and drive them nuts as if they were right here! Who gives a shit. Really. 99% of it all is about creating a whole industry for taking our money. A lot of it is handy and quicker for sure, but necessary almost only if you are making money off it. If I had not been on this stupid keyboard so often since 1993, that my college education told me was necessary, I would have made a better living at doing what I do, and spent a lot more quality time with my family, and built some awesome hot rods(in the spare time that I have never had since my introduction to the internet). The phones have over taken the PCs and melded the internet directly into and out of our brains. A 1960's spy would have died for the information people freely give to the internet for "convenience". Never mind! You would not understand.  | ||
| Froggy |
That is an understatement. I don't know why anyone wouldn't want the power of the universe at their fingertips. It won't be long before people wearing holographic headsets starts becoming common place, I'm going to be among the first | ||
| Robertl |
Motorola ‑ Moto x (2nd generation) is a good mid level phone and can be found unlocked on the web. I do not recall the differences between version 1 and 2 so careful when ordering online to ensure you get the version you want. Just received my S6 on verizon a week ago and activated it Thursday. It is pretty awesome. The slowness I saw on my S4 is now gone but of course it should be with 8 processors. Guess we'll see how the battery life goes but as long as it makes it through most of the day I am okay with that. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I need a good rugged phone... Any suggestions? | ||
| Greg_e |
Kyocera makes some good durable phones, but only on Sprint. | ||
| Robertl |
I dunno, when 3 people in Home Depot or Lowe's can't find something, my phone usually can and reminds me I should look it up before going. Home Depot page will actually tell you the isle and bin number. I love technology but I also love a break from time to time. I think it is the break that most people forget. I use my phone a lot but mostly to look stuff up because my brain is always running full speed. I have no problem just turning it off. Ruggedness, you will probably be better off finding a hardcore case. I put a water resistant (not proof) case on my S6 Friday and dropped it off my bicycle Saturday so that $20 was well spent. supcase.com | ||
| Drkside79 |
Pwn most phones have heavy duty cases. They make them pretty durable. I myself just buy AppleCare and call it a day |
