| Author | Message | ||
     Ratbuell |
OK, this will probably turn into an oil or tire thread...but I'm SO pissed at iPhone right now I'm about to throw it in a lake. Battery bullshit. iOS update bullshit. The fact that they STILL don't have global caller ID like Android does. The fact you can't use a microSD card, or remove/replace the battery, or....well, you get the idea. The UI is decent enough, system navigation is relatively simple, but the underlying stuff is so archaic (and so easily fixed if they'd just get off their damned high horse and do it)... I've done Android; not a huge fan of their UI but the platform is solid enough. Main reason I went iPhone was because I can run my concert sound system from one. Current generation of my audio, though, now works with Android and Windoze. The only smartphone I actually *liked* was my old Blackberry. They are still making them, albeit with the Android OS. But...damn I miss my physical keyboard. I need to do some research into my audio system drivers; I presume since the new BB runs Android OS, I can get the app I need to run my system. Thoughts? Anyone have experience with the current crop of BBs? Mainly looking at Key2 or Key1, since they have the physical keyboard... | ||
| Pwnzor |
I've been eyeballing those Blackberries as well... if you get one, I'll be curious to see how you like it. I'm sitting here with my original Droid phone, wishing I had a brand new one just like it. It still works, but some things are very slow now because the apps are all old versions that won't update anymore...  | ||
| Torquehd |
I will never own an Istupid. When they first came out, and I found out I couldn't copy my music library to and from my computer, that was a deciding factor. Fast forward a decade plus, and I'm glad I never wasted my money on their proprietary BS. The new Iphones don't even have a headphone jack! They just refuse to use common technology because of their elitist attitude, "If we didn't think of it first then it's not a good idea". My first generation Android had GPS and my friends with their Iphone 3's STILL couldn't get location services without cell signal! Also, if your cheap android phone breaks, you can replace it for ~$60 at bestbuy. | ||
| Aesquire |
Groupon! A buddy just got a LG for $75 bucks with a bunchaton of minutes. Has a Bluetooth keyboard that links to it fine, and a case that props it up both ways.... And brags he plays Pandora to his Bluetooth speaker for 2 days before he needs to charge. He even left his old speaker in my man cave so he can play "his music" while we watch dash cam videos.  I'm about ready to upgrade myself. My 96 cent Samsung Galaxy 3 will often run the battery down in hours, unless I reboot it and sacrifice a pigeon, or was that disable all features? I forget. Stock batteries are out of production. The cheap Chinese incendiary ones I got for $24 on E-bay, 3 in a pack with a charger, aren't very good. | ||
| Aesquire |
Btw, my old phone won't display an ever increasing number of websites, because it can't update. These things are designed to be disposable. I mock people that spend $600+ on status symbol phones frequently. I get that the Apple interface is easy and they have a cult following. I understand that Audio-Visual software is dominated by Apple. Friends use it for that reason. But I have relatives who blow big, to me, money for status symbol iToys. I'll skip the "eats at Bonefish, then borrows money from this Taco Bell diner to cover sudden expenses " rant.  Relatives. | ||
| Ratbuell |
$600 to me, and my budget, isn't "disposable"...I want it to work, and to continue to work, until I get what I consider to be $600 worth of use/value out of it. Whatever "it" is. I just need to find someone who has a Key1 or Key2 in stock so I can get hands-on. They do offer Verizon service (who I'm currently with), just need to get the device. But I'm tired of feeding the Apple machine, and tired of the device rapidly deteriorating. I suppose I could spend the $29.99 and get a warranty battery, but that would only fix the thing dying a half mile into my MTB ride (I use it to track distance, calories, time, speed, etc). It won't fix the crappy OS... | ||
| Greg_e |
I would get a real sports performance monitor that has the same features, should last longer in the end. And you probably won't have to worry about a single drop of sweat killing it like a phone. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Along with Pwnzor, I had up to recently a HTC incredible. It was handy and I liked the feel of it but it was getting unreliable and software was no longer being supported. I came across Motorola's "Moto E4 Plus". I comes unlocked from bestbuy for $160 and you can use it on all networks including Verizon. It has a headphone jack, SD card support, two cameras, and the biggest (non removable) battery I have ever seen. (5Amp Hours!). The only downside I have with it is that it's huge compared to my old incredible. All non-apple phones seem to be this big now. None of my previous protective cases fit this pig It does fit in my front pocket but it feels like I'm smuggling cutting boards out of homegoods. The battery on this thing is sick. I browse and run pandora through a blue tooth speaker all day and I typically have 72% bat left at night when I plug it in to the charger. this: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/motorola-moto-e4-plus -4g-lte-with-32gb-memory-cell-phone-unlocked-iron- gray/5956300.p?skuId=5956300 Just buy it without signing up for a carrier and use your old number. You will need to get a sim card from your carrier to activate it. (free from verizon) | ||
| Court |
As much as folks like to hate on Apple . . . . I love'em. I've had most the models . . . they are stable, versatile and reliable. I pretty much abuse them and they tale it all. When they break (I just lit a new one on fire last month and melted through the camera) they are replaced cheerfully and in minutes. I can't disagree with any of the statements above about Apple . . . but, and let's be honest, if you are still using a corded headset you're pushing Luddite. I run 6-9 miles a day and one of the things (in addition to a great knee surgeon) that has made it possible are the AirPods . . . . The big reason for my affinity to Apple is the cross platform stuff . . . . everything I do on any device is, immediately, all all the iPads, both cellphones, both macs (farm and upstate) and the laptop. I'd bet other platforms do this stuff too . . .perthaps better. But Apple didn't get to be Apple by picking folks around. There are times they make me want to scream . . . but, for now . . l'm iPhone all the way. As, by the way, is my employer . . . .they have 15,000 of them after evaluating various platforms. | ||
| Teeps |
Ratbuell Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2018 Thoughts? Anyone have experience with the current crop of BBs? Mainly looking at Key2 or Key1, since they have the physical keyboard... Here you go... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kCybTsVVlc | ||
| Ratbuell |
I would get a real sports performance monitor that has the same features, should last longer in the end. And you probably won't have to worry about a single drop of sweat killing it like a phone. I have a Vivoactive3 and love it. But it won't play tunes while it tracks my ride. Got the V3 after my wreck in May totaled my old FitBit, and I'm still finding cool tracking features (like the overlayed speed/HR graph feature for riding, and work/HR for rowing). But when I ride, I like some music beats to drive my cadence. | ||
| Aesquire |
My sister had a Fitbit. Loved it. Used it to control phone, too. Looooved it. Then they got banned from her workplace, for security reasons. So she gave it to Mom. Mom tried to fix the silicon strap with crazy glue, got a drop in one tiny screw head, and it now can't be unscrewed to change bands. Acetone, needle points, much swearing. He careful with crazy glue. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Yeah, my V3 will remote control the phone and iTunes. Freaked my bass player out last night after sound check - was playing iTunes and something came on like Rob Zombie - we're setting up for a show in the local Legion, with an older crowd - and he has an anyeurism. I swipe and tap on the Garmin on my wrist, and the song changes. Admittedly, he's easily confused...but he thought it was pretty cool. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Along with Pwnzor, I had up to recently a HTC incredible. I haven't used my original Droid for several years now. I just still have it, because I can't throw away anything that works. My company buys me a new top-shelf phone every 2 years. I try to make them last longer, but quite frankly it's almost like they are purposefully designed to start failing around the 18 month mark. Currently using Motorola Z2 Force... or some such. It's been good so far. | ||
| Ourdee |
You noticed the sub 2 year timer in them too? | ||
| Zane |
Maybe the planned obsolesce is something new. I have a Samsung 4s that I bought in March of 2014. It's still running fine and does everything I need it to. Granted, I don't use a lot of apps on it but for my simple needs, it's fine: phone camera google maps access to personal emails Best app in the world... that little flashlight | ||
| Ratbuell |
2 years here as well, my Droid started doing a boot-loop anytime it was hooked to wifi or signal, couldn't get it to do a restore without some sort of signal coming in. iPhone has been rapidly deteriorating as far as battery life goes, in addition to the other Apple stupidities mentioned above. If they would do only a handful of common-sense things, I'd love my iPhone: 1. replaceable / hot-swappable battery 2. SD card support (removable memory) 3. REAL caller ID, not just people in your contacts 4. normal cable connections - headphone jacks, micro-USB charge/sync. Why they insist on trying to reinvent the wheel for no reason, I don't understand... | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I have a Blackbery Priv and love it. It's my first Android phone and the operating system makes sense to me. Most times when I wish the phone/OS would do something specific, it usually does...the only place that seems complicated is the underlying file system (which I rarely use) or if you are trying to copy/paste an email address that was texted to you. Now that WILL drive you batty... | ||
| Ratbuell |
So, nobody around seems to have BB in stock. I'm not married to BB...just...more anti-Apple I guess. Tired of their stupid proprietary bullshit. Anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to go any physically-larger than my i6 as I have to pocket at work (no holsters). I want SD card. Prefer removable battery. I want a headphone jack. I don't typically stream video or any of that, and I have a Nikon DSLR so I'm not crazy-worried about camera but it is nice to have. I don't farcebook; I don't twit; I text, browse, use BT to play my tunes library in the truck, and I make phone calls. And run my concert sound system, which finally speaks other than Apple. Thoughts? | ||
| Fresnobuell |
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BlackBerry-Priv-STV100-1- Unlocked-GSM-4G-LTE-Android-18MP-Camera-Phone-Blac k/322455196195?hash=item4b13d3d223:g:lv8AAOSwCU1Yz ASe | ||
| Ratbuell |
iCrap died FOUR TIMES yesterday, no warning, 60-70% battery to instant shutoff. Picked up LG V30 on the way home. https://www.lg.com/us/mobile-phones/v30/specs So far so good. Reloading apps, transfering data/contacts, relearning andriod workflows. I like the machine - OLED display, fingerprint, good size, FAST!!, wireless charging (at least till I put my car magnet holder plate on the back), headphone jack, SD slot capable of up to 2TB. Gotta get a case tonight - I feel guilty running around with nothing on it - but so far I really like it. And it's nearly noon and it hasn't died yet - granted the iCrap set the bar a little low, but a win is a win | ||
| Pwnzor |
Nice phone - the last LG I had was solid as could be... it also had a flip-out keyboard. | ||
| Rick_a |
My old Galaxy S4 had everything die at once. I was forced to purchase an S8 Plus new (I usually wait 'til fancy phones are available refurbished). Unfortunately I broke the screen which cost me even more. It allows for an SD card, but the battery is internal and everything is glued together in order to make it water proof. I hate iPhones. The entire operating system annoys me. The Android system is more to my liking. I have little to no complaints other than all the junk that comes pre-installed that I'll never use. The phone interfaces with the TV, but other than putting embarrassing photos on a big screen it's been of little use to me. | ||
| Bellisima |
I have stopped using the iPhone after quite some time now as the quality of their product is not as good as the ones before. I am currently using Huawei P20, I love the camera feature of this smartphone. | ||
| Ratbuell |
well...working on getting my SMS imported to the android - there's an app for it, but it seems glitchy so far. Only thing I can't seem to pull off is getting my itunes library imported to google music. I have itunes backed up on my PC, but can't seem to find the media file where its supposed to be, so I can drag and drop it to the phone. Tips? | ||
| Rick_a |
I had to use an app for that...Android File Transfer. It's very basic and can be quite frustrating to use. | ||
| Airbozo |
Not sure why anyone would use a product sponsored by China's Peoples Liberation Army... https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/14/17011246/huawei -phones-safe-us-intelligence-chief-fears They are banned in government facilities... For good reason. Same with their networking gear. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I was reading a tech article on "best smartphones of 2018" or some such, and they were praising the brand and it's tech. Funny. Just like the MSM, they fail to mention the corporate underbelly attached to the products... |
