| Author | Message | ||
     86129squids |
OK, here's the thing: I've resisted all this time the "need" for a "smartphone", as I've seen and mourned its effect on things in general, and DRIVERS in particular- heck, even the new Darwin Award candidates who text while motorcycling! However, I can't deny the benefits that they offer, and my crappy little "flip" phone is crapping out on me. Also, the GF's slightly better phone is crapping on her too. What I want to do is head to the Verizon store, and see about combining accounts, using the "upgrades" we're both due for easily by now, and hopefully coming out with a LOT more usability for us both- and in the end, either reducing our combined bill or not increasing it. We've been with Verizon forever, the GF likes them, and we're definitely "old-school" in our use of these things. I've VERY reluctantly began texting folks as necessary... So, help us out if you can: Two good new "smartphones", one bill, and the best ways to NOT have our costs go up. (Yes, we're behind the times, but don't care that much...) Thanks in advance for youn's good advice. | ||
| Chauly |
I feel your pain. I have a little flip phone, but apparently I'm too dumb for a Smart Phone like my wife's Galaxy Nexus. It drives me crazy just making a phone call, and my fingers don't cooperate with the touch screen. Good luck in your search! I have heard from my daughter (store mgr. for a Verizon Provider) that the Droid Razr is about "the best" as far as battery life (VERY IMPORTANT, IMNSHO), and the Galaxy S3 does more "stuff". | ||
| Pwnzor |
Go all the way. S3 or nothing. Your bill is going up. Way up. | ||
| Buellish |
Squids,you might also want to look at Straight Talk.I pay $45 a month for unlimited talk,text and data.They use either Verizon's or AT&T's network's,depending on which phone you get.I've been pretty satisfied with them for the last year and a half after being held hostage by high phone bills for the previous 15 years. | ||
| 86129squids |
Buellish- that's kinda what I'd like to do, but the only odd thing we'll have to contend with is making the occasional call to the Dominican Republic, at least until my GF can get her dads/her house sold, and an adopted pre-teen situated. (I imagine there are cheap secondary ways to do that, i.e. phone cards or something...) Pwn- at this time we really can't take much more load on our monthly payouts, and I don't see us using anywhere near the "average" modern-day smartphone users. Really, all we'll be doing is mainly TALKING, some texting (not much), and sending a text pic every now and then. Mebbe see what it takes to sync to my Ubuntu, and mebbe to her Windo'hs side of this laptop here. Or, mebbe not... I'll want to have true GPS functionality, and a few actually useful apps, hopefully for little to no $$$. I realize this is a "brave new world" for us, just not going to have this new stuff eat any more $$$ than it has to. Thanks all! Keep 'em coming! | ||
| Britchri10 |
Check out Virgin mobile. I pay $35.00/month. Service is good. I have a LG Smartphone. Like you, I am not a great user of mobile phones. Chris C | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
what i have found is the more usable the phone the more it tends to get used. we are looking at new phones soon as well. not sure where we will wind up though. she has verizon and i am on t-mo both have been long time users of our respective service providers. i like the android phones but in my experience they are buggy and tend to not be very durable in my hands. i've gone through several in the last 3yrs. having said that i really hate the way that apple does business, walled garden and all that. | ||
| 86129squids |
Oh yeah, Buellish- what didja have to go through to bail on your previous provider (Verizon?), and set up good with SmartTalk? If we bail on V, I'm hoping the future monthly savings will justify the contract severance rape/fee they'll hit us with. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Apparently Samsung has a Droid that is waterproof, shock proof, etc. (Mil spec I think.) If you are into a phone like that. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
cataract details man i need details! | ||
| 86129squids |
OK, here's the latest... I got a Samsung Illusion, apparently a Droid phone, with 3G... for $1.09. Plus signing up for another 2 years, at the lowest rate plan... and I combined myself with my GF, who gets an 18% or so discount for being with who she works for now. She got one too, so now we can double the torture and agony of "learning" this new device. Took us the better part of 3 hours just to TOUCH the G-damn things. And we didn't make much progress, me a little bit, surely I'll pay for that down the line. Funny thing is, I feel SO much more comfortable working this QWERTY board, and we're both struggling to be "smart" enuf to use these dang things. I kinda want to invite Frogs down for a weekend BBQ just to help, mebbe not get so smart. I HAVE A NEW PHONE.  HALP. | ||
| 86129squids |
Hell, I wasted Halloween trying to figure out the fking thing. Scary. | ||
| Blake |
Good luck. I took my 3-1/2 year old iPhone into the hot tub with me last week. Now am enjoying newest model. No need for typing anymore. Just talk and it types for me. Posting here is now easier via the phone. Amazing. | ||
| J2blue |
Just remember to wipe your nose before you dial. | ||
| Froggy |
What I believe is currently is the best option is to buy a new Google Nexus 4, and then get a prepaid SIM from T-Mobile. Top of the line phone at midrange prices, and you aren't stuck with a 2 year contract. | ||
| 86129squids |
We're just now getting a little used to these things- now I need to find some place on the Web to help edumakate me on the optimal uses of this technology. Maybe a clearinghouse of sorts for free/cheap apps... Blake- I do believe our phones allow for voice texting and dialing, but I've not piddled around with that yet. Also, I was cleaning the gutters yesterday, switched back pockets to put the phone in, and forgot my left side had a hole in the pocket- out it drops, sliding straight into the gutter I'd just flushed with the hosepipe! I snatched it out quick, no apparent water damage... Thanks for the help, folks! |
