school me on smart phones

RenegadeT

RenegadeT

no shirt,no shoes,no dice
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Mar 24, 2005
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its time to upgrade phones and we're considering adding data plan...what are some things to look for in a smart phone? We are considering the Droid Increbible 2 or Droid X. Currently I have a Motorola Moto (had to look that up), never use texting, rarely use the camera (because I can't send the pics anywhere).
I'm not scared of the technology, mostly just a cheap ass making do fine without it, but now we're kind of realizing we might get left behind if we don't keep up. It seems like the "traditional" home PC with internet connection is getting replaced with the smartphone. Dunno, maybe we'll just get a phone and add texting for starters.
WTF is a mobile hot spot...can I get rid of RR at home and run the laptop thru the smartphone? That might justify adding the data plan.
Besides surfing the internet wherever I go, what else can I use a smartphone for?...GPS?...ipod/mp3 player?
 
Tony, i have an iphone, and i use it alot more than i thought i would.

Goto the store and mess around with the different models, they all act differently.


If you do look at an iphone 4, for gods sakes dont drop it. i'll have to show you my phone at the race.
 
99% of the people i know with smartphones only use the data plans for googling random things that could have waited till they got home, and/or playing games while they shit.
 
You're going to get as many opinions as there are phones, so here's mine.

If you're new to smart phones and you don't know for certain that you want one, this is a good deal at the moment.

$20 for a refurbished iPhone 3Gs
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/packages/packages-details.jsp?q_package=sku4930238

Couple that with the $15/month data plan and see how you like it. This assumes that you live/travel in an area that AT&T supports. I hardly ever lose coverage, but I mainly travel to larger cities around here (Fayetteville, Raleigh, Wilmington, Charlotte, etc)

From what I've seen the older 3G and 3GS iPhones are a little more durable than the iPhone 4. I set my phone in the tray on the dash of the TJ. It will stay there no problem as long as I set it screen down. Well, one day I set it down with the screen pointing up. Some stupid squirrel ran in front of me, which I tried to avoid squishing. Luck would have it that I also had the doors off the jeep. Anyway, it flew out and hit the pavement at about 40mph. Besides some road rash on two of the corners and a small crack near the head phone jack, you would never know that happened.

Here are the things that I use almost daily.

- Calendar (I have it sync'd with my google calendar, which my wife can and does update, and my work calendar, so my phone automatically knows what I have planned)
- Email
- Taking Pictures of random sh*t (which I can easily upload to flickr or facebook)
- Web browsing (I have not found the lack of flash to be a big deal. Most websites that are worth a damn don't use flash, because it's so insecure and buggy. And even most that do will redirect the iphone to a non-flash version)
- Pandora
- Various GPS enabled apps to find stuff nearby.
- Alarm clock.
- Weather checking (Can't live without this when you have a Jeep with a busted top)

And then you have tons and tons of games. You'll never be bored while waiting in line or in a lobby.

When I'm on my boat, I use a program called Navionics that can be used to plot courses, track your route and show you water depths/hazards.
 
Go with the HTC Incredible 2 I have the original version & I love it. I don't even use my laptop anymore. Mobile hotspot is when your phone gives off It's own WiFi connection. I can watch YouTube videos download mp3s to my phone listen to radio stations from across the US & world play games basically whatever I want. The only thing that brings on the suck is the battery life.
 
Keep in mind almost all networks will be going to use-based data plans in the very near future, so i wouldn't plan to ditch the home internet access, the porn videos will get expensive fast...
 
Verizon has unlimited data for 30 a month through July 2nd. I have unlimited on the phone and I am allowed 5 gigs a month via the hotspot. If I go tethered it isn't currently metered.
This is new to me and I didnt think I would use it much, but I don't see going back now. I haven't used my laptop in a week because the Android setup is so easy to use.
My wife and I both have Thunderbolts and we are very happy with them.
 
Checking NC4x4 while dropping a deuce at work FTW.

I have a Droid Incredible and love it. Battery life is decent, but you learn to not surf as much. I have dropped mine at work many times without issue. Spring for the insurance for sure.
 
I have the iPhone 3G. Actually, that's what I'm typing this on right now. I use it more than my laptop just because I'm away from my computer alot during the day. They aren't nearly as durrable as the old flip phones like my last nextel, but with a good case they can take a good beating. I reccomend the otter box defender case. I just dropped mine in the parking lot this morning and my employees acted like I dropped a small baby. Just wiped it off and here I am using it. Keep in mind though, they aren't as "smart" as you might think. (the phones, not my employees...well them too actually)
This thing can aggrivate me to no end, but I'd probably be lost without it at the same time.

I use it for maps, checking weather radar, texting, web browsing, camera, Showing pictures, watching youtube and netflix, music and sometimes even as a phone.
 
99ncxj said:
I have the iPhone 3G. Actually, that's what I'm typing this on right now. I use it more than my laptop

I use it for maps, checking weather radar, texting, web browsing, camera, Showing pictures, watching youtube and netflix, music and sometimes even as a phone.
Click to expand...

What he said



I have the Iphone 4 and i have never had a phone like this that just works all the time. And i listen to pandora 10+hours a day. I hate fm radio because of the comercials so its nice. And you can check out nc4x4 when ever you like. Almost every website i check the iphone supports/ can handle. I have verizon and i get great service between winston and greensboro. Its a little expensive but i had nextle and motorolas and LG phones and nothing has been as nice as the iphone, just buy the $50 military case and it practically indestructable. If it can survive me it can handle most anyone.
 
We looked at getting them about a year ago.

What killed it for me was the monthly bill. $30/mo for data isn't huge, but when you multiply it by two phones, add the air card we already own and the internet at the house, it worked out to like $150/mo just for internet. I've got no problem dropping a bunch of money at once to own something, but $100/mo in recurring charges drives me nuts.

So I stuck with my flip phone. The upside is that the battery lasts forever, call quality is good... downside is that I get bored on the shitter. YMMV.
 
I was anti-smart phone but then my carrier had a buy one, get one free + my mom was egging me on. So I grabbed it.

I tell ya what, I wonder how the hell I lived without this thing beforehand. For travel, it makes life A LOT easier. Navigation is amazing. I can find something on google, then send it via email to my phone and then go there.

Having email with me is great since a lot of my friends and I only communicate via email. Also can talk to my friends who use VIOP and other crap like that. It just works.

I run Pandora on a daily basis at work. Internet on the work computer is too slow for streaming so I use the phone. Also great for traveling as well.

3 BIGGEST THINGS with smart phone. First off, decide if you want a keyboard. For emails, there is no other way, IMO. Super easy to bang out an email or type in a complex google search.

GET A SCREEN PROTECTOR. A 3 pack is dirt cheap off Amazon. It'll last you abotu 6 months before you realize it is all shot to crap. Pull off, replace. Win.

GET A CASE. I generally get the $5~$10 off Amazon. Keeps my phone from getting all busted up.

Otherwise, enjoy! Oh and DO NOT hook up your work email to it. BAD idea :rolleyes:
 
I have no choice but to waiting for a HD version before I step up. I'm rough on everything, including phones. A smart phone wouldn't last a week in my pocket.
 
As much as dealing with Best Buy can suck get the Black tie protection or whatever its called I recently dropped my phone down gte stairs at the house shattered the screen took it to them & they replaced my phone for free gave me a loaner phone ($150 returned when I got my phone back) its $10 a month but super worth it the only thing it doesn't cover is theft & lost. But I still have the Verizon insurance for that.
 
I'm probably the exception... We got 2 droids last year, I really didn't use the data plan much. I used it more just to feel like i was getting value out of it... Also, now they detect when your tethering without paying for their 'tether' plan and send you a bill if you continue to use it. Tethering/mobile hot spot, is when you 'share' your internet access with your laptop or other devices..

I broke my droid phone a week ago and and now using a Motorola barrage. It's a basic Ruggedized flip phone, with camera. Other than having to relearn the number pad texting stuff again. I like it better. Plus I will be knocking the $30/month data plan off our bill.
 
Shawn said:
So I stuck with my flip phone. The upside is that the battery lasts forever, call quality is good... downside is that I get bored on the shitter. YMMV.
Click to expand...

thats why i downloaded the one time $5 solitaire for my phone. im with you tho, an extra $30/month just so i could dick around on the internet during the day wasnt worth it for me.
 
I have had my evo for almost a year and I still love it. I use it for everything. I got rid of my laptop, because I was always using my phone. the things you can do with these things now is incredible. I have sprint and pay about $160 for 2 phones with unlimited everything. not too bad...although if you can, I would wait on getting a phone right now. At the end of this year and beginning of next year....the technology in the next batch of phones are gonna be sweet. Qualcomm apparently has an awesome chip in the works....
 
I've got an HTC Incredible. Battery life sucks ass if you actually use it. I use the internet at work for this and Facebook and dealer speed (BMW info) but I use the phone for navigation when lost, looking up stuff at lunch (Like the "getcha tits out" video) and most definitely for email. I used to check my email once every couple of weeks because I'd never remember to do it. Now it shows up every time I turn the phone on and I can check it wherever I am.
 
I use an iphone 4 and love it. My girl and her sister have the Incredible 2, they won't put them down.

If I weren't an apple fan, I'd have an Incredible 2 also. Invest in a good case and avoid the $25 protective film at the stores. Ebay sells the same ones along with a car charger for under $10
 
First point....NO the mobile wifi hotspot will NOT replace your home internet unless you don't use the internet much at home.

4G (LTE for Verizon) hits July 21st, and that will bring the speed of the internet on the phone comparable to the home RoadRunner type speeds BUT... verizon/att really don't want to be that type of internet service provider.

SO...they charge you a LOT of money for a small amount of data per month. (Think Gigs instead of minutes)

With that out of the way....what DO you use a smart phone for?

Very basic surfing the web......and EMAIL.

I have my various work emails, and personal emails on my Droid X and I can reply as needed while at the restaurant, etc. That was the #1 application for me.

Texting is just another form of email, just shorter (and faster!?)


GAMES....if anyone is honest, this is what is selling the phones (and iPads, etc), my wife actually plays more "Video games" than I do and that is amazing.

Your kids will be asking for your phone to play "birds"...but it keeps them quiet...a Nintendo also works for that but they will still want YOUR phone...


I would get a 4G phone...if you are going to pay for a data plan anyway, might as well get the faster connection (coming in 3 weeks)

Personally I am using Droid X, but my next phone will be iPhone (when they get 4G connections)

WHY... this is coming from a LONG time PC guy... Mac controls both hardware and software and because of that, their phone works better....MORE reliable than everything else.

My Droid X is laggy at times, I have to pull the battery and reboot it, I have wiped it clean (Factory reset) 3 times in a year because if you happen to install a crappy app, even uninstalling it / doesn't mean it really goes away. (Same is true for your basic PC) (Mac controls the apps you can upload to be sold and therefore quality is generally higher)

Mac controls hardware and maxes it out with their software. Android is running on dozens (if not hundreds) of dissimilar devices (chips, memory, etc) and so they cannot truly make it run as efficiently.


Final thought... wife has not touched her laptop at home since Christmas when I got her the iPad. iPad is replacing the traditional at home pc imho... (Again all those Android tablets that are coming...dissimilar hardware / generic software = not optimal performance)


Sam
 
One thing I don't like about the iphone keyboard is that there is no "talk to text" option. Just talk and it converts it to text.
 
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