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Erins#1Mom
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# Posted: 30 Aug 2011 05:49pm
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HELP! I am ready for an upgrade. I currently have a "dumb" phone. It is simply a phone. My friends tell me I need to get a smart phone but don't know what is the best one. What does everyone have and why do you like it?
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bobrok
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# Posted: 30 Aug 2011 09:48pm
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You don't "need to get" a smart phone unless you have the actual "need" for the phone. Smart phones come with data plans that cost additional money on top of the monthly minutes charge you are familiar with.
Figure to pay at least twice what you are now paying each month if you get a smart phone.
Figure also on quickly becoming addicted to using your phone for every conceivable function you can think of and then also for doing some things you didn't even know phones could do.
Do you have the need for web access or e-mail on your phone? This is probably the biggest reason people get them.
What carrier do you now use? Verizon? AT&T? etc. Do you want or need to stay with the same carrier for coverage or are you open to change?
Lotsa things to consider before you commit to a phone and phone plan.
Give us more detail and we'll share more knowledge.
bob
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naturelover66
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# Posted: 30 Aug 2011 10:22pm
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I dont have a smart phone....... no dire need and i certainly dont want the huge cell phone bill. I pay 35.00 a month...... unlimited minutes and text. Its with Metro PCS up here in Michigan...... im not certain if they are in TN yet.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 30 Aug 2011 10:54pm
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I too have a "dumbphone", a Motorola Razr. Not only is it dumb but it's older than old. Ten years I think it is now. Still works.
There have been a few times I would have liked to have the maps and find an address feature that I've seen on some of my friends phones. But so far those phones cost a lot more in service plan charges than I care to spend. Then too around one of the places I'd like to use some features like web browsing (our place in the mountains) the data speed is still old slow technology. So I'd be paying a lot for little.
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smitty
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2011 07:51am - Edited by: smitty
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We went the opposite direction.. Had Blackberries, all of us had them. Used them constantly, and loved them. My phone was my MP3 player, my camera, my video camera, work would text me, and other co workers would send me things, I would download schematics and diagrams, directions from GPS to find locations I had to fix machines at, it was a great tool for work. And my family used them like crazy too.. Our bill was 150$ a month.
Now I put 25 bucks on a pre paid dumb phone, and leave it shut off unless I need to use it, which is almost never. In fact I don't even know where it is at the moment lol..
If you do get one, I'd suggest an Android over an iPhone.
But like bobrok said, if you don't have a need for having the internet in your pocket, you don't need a smart phone, it just a cool toy to have.
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:09am
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I have a iPhone and love it. About 95% of the time that is how I access this page. It is my gps,camera,tv, and Internet. It is not cheap my bill through ATT is usually $95.00 per month. My work situation is unusual. I spend three weeks on the road per month. That being said,if I didn't spend as much time away from home I would not have this phone because I could just use Internet service at home.
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Kithera
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2011 05:18pm
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I'm with some of the others here. I too have a dumb phone and have no desire to spend the money or time on a smartphone. My computer activities already eat up far to much of my time.
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Erins#1Mom
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:17pm
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In my job, I do have a need to check e-mails frequently and sometimes finding a computer is quite difficult. I am currently with Verizon and it will only cost me $20.00 to upgrade plus the cost of the phone.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:44pm
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If the job requires email why does the employer not supply the equipment? Or are you an independent contractor?
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2011 07:55am
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I have had an i phone for almost 2 years and I love it. I pay 76.00 U.S. with tax for 450 minutes and 2gb plan. I have never even come close to using all of my data.
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PA_Bound
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2011 09:07am
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@Erins#1Mom,... I've previously not responded to your question because asking questions like this is often like asking about religion or politics. Opinions are wide, varied and passionate. But I'm going to break silence and throw in one more opinion.
1. Keep the dumb phone. It's perfect for what it is- a telephone.
2. Consider an iPad for everything else! I'm far from an Apple zealot (in fact I used to work for Compaq/HP), but with the apps of a smart phone, the screen of a laptop, and a case-size smaller than many magazines, I have to admit that IMHO those things are amazing. And you have the choice of WiFi and/or wireless enabled, so if you are mostly in WiFi enabled places you don't need to pay any montly fees to use it.
If you require e-mail access every minute of every day, get a smart-phone or BlackBerry as nothing is as portable. But an iPad is by far a much more useful device.
Bring on the flame throwers- I've got my asbestos on...
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2011 12:51pm - Edited by: bobrok
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Quoting: PA_Bound Bring on the flame throwers- I've got my asbestos on...
No flame here, PA_Bound. Good post.
I also looked into those I-pads and also the new android versions, but, as you say, for reasons of portability combined with functionality I couldn't justify the bulk.
I just replaced my original VZ Droid with a Droid X2 and it is phenominal. Fast dual core processor, lots of memory, etc. All the things that are important to me.
This thread is very informative in that it hopefully will help ppl realize that unless they have a need for a smartphone/tablet they don't need to rush put and purchase one just to keep up with the Joneses.
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hattie
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2011 02:41pm
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Quoting: PA_Bound Keep the dumb phone. It's perfect for what it is- a telephone
Yuppers...and that's all we have...Mind you we are pretty fancy schmancy because along with the wall wired dumb phone we do have a bunch of portable ones. *LOL* There isn't any point in us having a cell phone here because there is no cell service.
We have our wireless internet (again, pretty fancy schmancy for a couple of hillbillies) and of course, no red necked hillbilly would be complete without his/her scanner. As soon as a siren is within hearing range, every scanner in town goes on. *S*
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2011 03:33pm
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One of the silly little apps available to smartphone users is the "scanner app". I now have the ability to monitor FD, PD, EMT, etc from anywhere in the world.
Wanna know what's going on in Miami when you are in New York? There's an app for that!
:)
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Erins#1Mom
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2011 06:57pm
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PA_Bound,
Thanks, I have been looking at the iPad but I'm not sure I'm smart enough to use.
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2011 07:35pm - Edited by: silverwaterlady
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The iPad does not support Flash Player. So it is off my list. I am waiting for the price of tablets to go down before I get one. It will replace my Toshiba Satellite lap top on it's 6th year and going strong.
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Bevis
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# Posted: 1 Nov 2011 08:59pm
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Quoting: bobrok Wanna know what's going on in Miami when you are in New York? There's an app for that!
I don't even wanna hear our own radio while at work, let alone when off duty... ;)
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Mtnviewer
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# Posted: 10 Nov 2011 07:31am - Edited by: Mtnviewer
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After some research, & the carrier options that I had in my remote location, & waiting for a sale of the phone & data plan, I opted for an HTC Desire HD & after 5 months I'm still happy with my choice. I didn't go for THE latest models due to costs & no sale prices & no need. The model I got has been perfect for me. My cost is $55 / mth for good phone options & 1 GB of data. While I can use the phone to do many data hungry things, I don't unless I can use free or cheap Wifi. I use many apps for work & interest, some free, some paid. This is my only phone. I also use & enjoy my 17" laptop, but this smartphone is far more portable. Pads for my use & needs are not a worthwhile option as they are not powerful enough, nor portable enough, as I do require both at times, so the laptop & phone combo works better for me. All these things require power & smartphones can be inconvenient for power if the display is used a long time. I've not run out yet but was close once. I highly recommend them. Read the manual too. Learn what to turn off that can suck down your data plan & increase your costs, maybe a LOT. Be smart when using a smartphone or it will cost you. Sent via my HTC DHD & charged using wind power off grid.
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naturelover66
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# Posted: 11 Nov 2011 08:57pm
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Well..... I caved and bought a smart.phone.... 3G android...and I can't put it down. I love the thing... And it gets three bars at the cabin for emergencies. My bill increased five bucks a month.....
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Jared
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# Posted: 24 Nov 2011 11:10pm
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I haven't read the whole thread, but I'll chime in anyway. I have an Android HTC. Upside is I can add memory so it holds all my mp3s. Downside is apps always come out for Iphone first. I told my wife today that I'm considering going back to my "dumb" phone and dropping the internet just to save money for the cabin. All I really want is text, because we, as a family, do that a lot with each other. Save your money and skip the internet.
Jared
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sm paul
Member
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2011 08:46pm - Edited by: sm paul
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My wife just got a kindle keypad from amazon. To our shock we found it has a free unlimited 3g web browser. No monthly bill!! Just buy the e- reader for about $150 and you get free unlimited internet as long as you can get a 3g signal. It's kind of a clunky web browser, but it is free!!!
The free web browser is for the kindle keypad 3g only. It is not on the kindle touch or the kindle fire and I do not know if this is available in Canada
I hope this info helps some people save some money and still stay connected.
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turkeyhunter
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# Posted: 22 Apr 2012 11:43am - Edited by: turkeyhunter
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ok---i bit the bullet yesterday---got the droid Razor MAXX 4G----said i did not ever plan on buying one---but i did --will be nice at the cabin--i can check out the small cabin forum live from deer camp!!!! LOL
and the 4 G is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo fast!!!!
& with my plan i get 4GB per month.
Did not want one till 3 places i called were sold out---then the hunt was on for one---
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 22 Apr 2012 05:25pm
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From what I have seen that is a pretty good phone. Isn't this the one that is supposed to have the extra capacity battery? Point to think about when you don't have receptacles at your place, like me.
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cabinbiscuits
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# Posted: 22 Apr 2012 06:36pm
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I have an iPhone 4s and love it. I use it to keep my schedule in, for the internet, for music, for email, for GPS sometimes, for texting, and so on. What I like about it are the virtually unlimited apps for it, and the fact that it just plain works like it should. The other great thing is the high quality photos and videos that the phone can take.
I used to have an iPhone 3gs prior to this one, but got it wet one to many times and got ruined, so I upgraded to the latest and greatest.
Prior to the iPhone 3gs I had a Samsung Epix smart phone which was my first smart phone, which I got in order to merge my phone, MP3 player, and PDA. The Samsung was a piece of junk.
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Bevis
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2012 01:59pm
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Quoting: cabinbiscuits I have an iPhone 4s and love it
Same here...Can't live without mine, as it has my complete schedule on it. Putting the Life Proof case on it has been the best thing I have done. I've been swimming x 3 at work with my phone on my hip, and no issues at all. Hell I washed my phone off in teh sink last night at Olive Garden...should've seen to looks i was getting.
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Montanan
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2012 07:17pm
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FINALLY upgrading to a smartphone myself...probably this week, as I figure that I can figure out how to use it while I'm laid up from my knee surgery. They don't even offer 4G in this area so there's no sense in paying for a 4G phone. I'm not an Apple fan so it will be an android of some sort. Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!
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