[waldojim]

Evildave, on 31 May 2012 - 01:35 AM, said:

Maybe gifting a wad of cash to the wireless carrier every month sounds like your kind of 'good deal'.

But it sounds more like you're just trolling again because the only kind of interaction you like in a forum is petty bickering. Doesn't really matter which.

Someone who works at a desk can use VOIP to conserve those prepaid minutes, too. After all, services like google voice will ring anywhere; your desk, your prepaid phone, a land line, etc. Sooner or later they'll start billing for it, but I suspect it will be cheap as dirt when they do.

I don't know where you work, but my PC stays at home, and work resources are used for work. I do my voice calls on MY time, not theirs.

No go back through your magical usage, and figure out how much it would cost you to use your phone for more than 1,000SMS messages a month, about 25-30 MMS messages a month, 4GB of web browsing per month, AND ~300 minutes a month PER PHONE. I want to see your answer. Because we both know you will pay a fortune compared to a post-paid plan.

[Evildave]

I already mentioned in the previous post that you block quoted (but obviously didn't read), that a pooled/shared 'family' plan would work better for many people.

I'm not personally a messaging geek. I grew up long before cellular phones, and have no need for developing blackberry thumbs. You know, back in the day when you'd go looking for a 'phone booth', but a dime in it, stick your finger in a disk and literally spin it around to 'dial' it. When there were other tings to do besides squint at a tiny little display, especially when there are other people around you.

However, as I mentioned google voice, if you're in front of your computer most of the time, anyway, google voice will send/receive SMS. With a real keyboard.
http://www.google.co...bile/sms/voice/

[waldojim]

Evildave, on 31 May 2012 - 12:07 PM, said:

I already mentioned in the previous post that you block quoted (but obviously didn't read), that a pooled/shared 'family' plan would work better for many people.

I'm not personally a messaging geek. I grew up long before cellular phones, and have no need for developing blackberry thumbs. You know, back in the day when you'd go looking for a 'phone booth', but a dime in it, stick your finger in a disk and literally spin it around to 'dial' it. When there were other tings to do besides squint at a tiny little display, especially when there are other people around you.

However, as I mentioned google voice, if you're in front of your computer most of the time, anyway, google voice will send/receive SMS. With a real keyboard.
http://www.google.co...bile/sms/voice/

Oh i read it, including the troll comment. Because my considerably higher usage scenario OBVIOUSLY makes me a troll. I want to see you admit the outrageous amount of money prepaid would cost if you used more minutes than your juggling act allows for.

[Evildave]

No, your nasty tone and generally combative nature make you a troll. I mean, you attack LiveBrianD, then you attack me, all for what?

A discussion about the various OPTIONS young, single people have for wireless.

[waldojim]

First, people read these forums. When people see "XXX company treated me badly" They actually believe this. When that company has done NOTHING WRONG (as is the case here), then you are negatively impacting a company without reason. YOU are one of the people most guilty of this. Not that Verizon, Microsoft, or any other company is innocent. Let the REAL problems be heard, not the baby whining "but they won't wipe my ass" complaints.

I know I have a hard enough time filtering through internet garbage every day trying to find reviews, or even just honest feedback on products that I intend to actually use and take care of. I feel other people earned the honest harsh truth as well.

Companies should not be forced to baby sit me. Companies should not be forced to apply rubber padding to everything I buy. Or install an airbag into every phone, tablet, or PC. It is MY responsibility to take care of them. If I ABUSE my device and break it, it is no ones fault but mine. If I am still in CONTRACT for that device, it is STILL MY OWN FAULT. No one else.

And then to come in here with "prepaid is cheaper", no. It might work out that way if you juggle for a specific number of minutes, and exact cards to get to those exact number of minutes. I would be willing to bet that 1. Most people don't fall under that usage pattern, and 2. most people aren't willing to play that balancing act. You know how I can safely make that bet? Because there are over 300 million active post-paid contract phones currently in use in the US.

This post has been edited by waldojim: 31 May 2012 - 06:58 PM

[LiveBrianD]

Again, whether or not prepaid is cheaper depends. If you talk less than 300 minutes a month, you're better off buying minutes in bundles of 1000 for $100 from tmobile (here), compared with a $30/month plan elsewhere, that is. If you talk MUCH less than that per month, it's even cheaper.

[coastie65]

Ok guys, I caved and just went over to Verizon and ordered a cell phone. Didn't want or need anything fancy, just something that will amke phone calls. Only got 4Gb service as I won't be doing all that much with it any way and don't need anymore than that. Got the Lg Spectrum.

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[waldojim]

coastie65, on 02 June 2012 - 08:04 AM, said:

Ok guys, I caved and just went over to Verizon and ordered a cell phone. Didn't want or need anything fancy, just something that will amke phone calls. Only got 4Gb service as I won't be doing all that much with it any way and don't need anymore than that. Got the Lg Spectrum.

Let me know how that goes. I have avoided LG phones for some time as when I sold them, they always seemed cheap. This was because that store wouldn't order any of the good stuff, but their cheaper phones seemed sub-par to me. I haven't heard a whole lot about their smartphones though, and would like to know what you think.

[coastie65]

waldojim, on 02 June 2012 - 09:00 AM, said:

coastie65, on 02 June 2012 - 08:04 AM, said:

Ok guys, I caved and just went over to Verizon and ordered a cell phone. Didn't want or need anything fancy, just something that will amke phone calls. Only got 4Gb service as I won't be doing all that much with it any way and don't need anymore than that. Got the Lg Spectrum.

Let me know how that goes. I have avoided LG phones for some time as when I sold them, they always seemed cheap. This was because that store wouldn't order any of the good stuff, but their cheaper phones seemed sub-par to me. I haven't heard a whole lot about their smartphones though, and would like to know what you think.

I was readin some reviews after the fact and some were complaining about battery life and the fact that drianed even when the phone was not in use and just sitting. Some bought an extended battery and one said his his better after the last update and was able to get 2 1/2 days on the battery. For all that I want the thing for. probably should have just gotten a "Dumb" phone.

[coastie65]

waldojim, on 02 June 2012 - 09:00 AM, said:

coastie65, on 02 June 2012 - 08:04 AM, said:

Ok guys, I caved and just went over to Verizon and ordered a cell phone. Didn't want or need anything fancy, just something that will amke phone calls. Only got 4Gb service as I won't be doing all that much with it any way and don't need anymore than that. Got the Lg Spectrum.

Let me know how that goes. I have avoided LG phones for some time as when I sold them, they always seemed cheap. This was because that store wouldn't order any of the good stuff, but their cheaper phones seemed sub-par to me. I haven't heard a whole lot about their smartphones though, and would like to know what you think.

Hey wj, I got the LG Spectrum and it is nice. Heck, I was talking to a friend the other night and messing around and cut her off. By the time I could redial, I got a busy signal and the Landline started ringing and it was her calling back. I talked to her on the landline and she said I sounded better on the Mobile. With 4G, I guess you may use a bit more battery, but an extended battery should take care of that. The battery does well enough though, and I have no complaints. Yeah, It was $100, but I like it. Nothing sub par about this phone I can assure you. I didn't get a messaging package, so will cost me .20 per message or .25 per picture, but I can run that stuff through WiFi and avoid the charge. This phone is probably as good as any I've seen.

[LiveBrianD]

Unless you use a texting service like textfree or google voice, the text messages will still go through the cellular connection (just like phone calls, unless you use VOIP), and you'll get charged. Only regular data (ex. web surfing) can normally go through wifi.

[crazy4laptops]

LiveBrianD, on 28 May 2012 - 06:43 PM, said:

So, I'm currently about 70% of the way through my Verizon contract, 17 months in, and went to one of the stores and asked if there was a way for me to upgrade to a smartphone before the end of my contract. They said no, unless I bought this overpriced $122 accessories pack that I had no use for (aside from a case and screen protector, which cost $10 on amazon). So now, I've decided to cancel my Verizon service at the end of the contract and go with tmobile prepaid instead. What has your experience been with different companies?

Welcome to the other side!

I have been on prepaid services- boost, Net10/Tracphone, Virgin Mobile
I have been on contracts- Verizon and now Sprint

Boost back in the Nextel days was cool, it was this cheapy push to talk phone that did calls and the first bout of T9 texting.
Net10 had better looking phones at better prices on at&t or T-mobile service. I had fun using those phones!

However, I've seen the new Boost on Sprint and its really nice, but hard to call support if you want to keep your old phone number. Plus. their website isn't designed for high resolution screens, so its good phone service, just hard to manage.
I am a fan of Virgin mobile for prepaid smartphones. Their website is nice, email support is speedy, and the phone selection has one that fits you!

Verizon was fine from a coverage and network standpoint, they are quite greedy when it comes to the bill though.
Sprint is like a breath of fresh air, I get more for the money and I'm gonna see where this goes!

[coastie65]

LiveBrianD, on 15 June 2012 - 02:52 PM, said:

Unless you use a texting service like textfree or google voice, the text messages will still go through the cellular connection (just like phone calls, unless you use VOIP), and you'll get charged. Only regular data (ex. web surfing) can normally go through wifi.

I'm talking about stuff such as my emails, Twitter, FB and the like that I can do through WiFi, if I choose to do that ( not big on texting on that thing anyway ). With this phone you can switch from Cellular service to WiFi ( if you have a hot spot to tie into ).

[LiveBrianD]

crazy4laptops, on 16 June 2012 - 05:57 AM, said:

Welcome to the other side!

I have been on prepaid services- boost, Net10/Tracphone, Virgin Mobile
I have been on contracts- Verizon and now Sprint

Boost back in the Nextel days was cool, it was this cheapy push to talk phone that did calls and the first bout of T9 texting.
Net10 had better looking phones at better prices on at&t or T-mobile service. I had fun using those phones!

However, I've seen the new Boost on Sprint and its really nice, but hard to call support if you want to keep your old phone number. Plus. their website isn't designed for high resolution screens, so its good phone service, just hard to manage.
I am a fan of Virgin mobile for prepaid smartphones. Their website is nice, email support is speedy, and the phone selection has one that fits you!

Verizon was fine from a coverage and network standpoint, they are quite greedy when it comes to the bill though.
Sprint is like a breath of fresh air, I get more for the money and I'm gonna see where this goes!

Thanks! The only reason I don't want to go to sprint or virgin, and definitely not Verizon, is because they're CDMA and the phones are locked to the carrier (who can then delay updates as much as they please - I guess you don't have that issue with an iPhone or WP7 device though), and it sounds like you usually can't change that. Fyi, I ordered a unlocked nexus, case/screen protector, and a tmobile SIM card on Wednesday. The case is already here (dang... order it Wednesday Night, use prime 2-day shipping, and it shows up in less than 2 full days!), but the phone hasn't arrived yet (darn UPS - it's at the nearest distribution center right now, but they don't deliver on weekends, so Monday is the expected date).

I've also found Verizon to be fine, coverage-wise. Supposedly their network is the best, but my dad's iphone on t-mobile prepaid has good enough reception around here anyway. I wonder how much their amount of new customers will plummet with the new plans. It sounds like you won't be forced into them if you already have the existing plans and upgrade your phone though.

This post has been edited by LiveBrianD: 16 June 2012 - 11:03 AM

[LiveBrianD]

coastie65, on 16 June 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

I'm talking about stuff such as my emails, Twitter, FB and the like that I can do through WiFi, if I choose to do that ( not big on texting on that thing anyway ). With this phone you can switch from Cellular service to WiFi ( if you have a hot spot to tie into ).

Yeah, all of them have wifi for that.

[coastie65]

LiveBrianD, on 16 June 2012 - 11:02 AM, said:

coastie65, on 16 June 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

I'm talking about stuff such as my emails, Twitter, FB and the like that I can do through WiFi, if I choose to do that ( not big on texting on that thing anyway ). With this phone you can switch from Cellular service to WiFi ( if you have a hot spot to tie into ).

Yeah, all of them have wifi for that.

Haven't set up the WiFi ( my router ) yet. I was outside talking a neighbor and picked up my router as well as a second connection that I can't pick up in the house.