Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Halo on December 15, 2007, 11:06:06 AM
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My wife and I just got the latest cell phones when we renewed with Verizon. We're not Luddites, but we do use cell phones primarily for just talking on the phone.
Now we can text message, take photos, take movies, use it as GPS, send photos over the phone, do all sorts of extra things.
Down side is these usually cost extra, and we prefer upfront charges covering everything (duh, even realizing that only the phone companies usually make tons of extra money when many people don't use enough services to cover what they pay for in advance).
I've already found that the cell phone lacks simple USB cord capability to transfer photos to the computer. But of course the phone company would much rather customers use only phone connections for everything.
I couldn't resist springing for a 4GB mini-SD card that costs more than the "free" cell phone upgrade. Could transfer photos and other data to computer with that and its adapter, but the card is so tiny I don't want to handle that any more than is absolutely necessary.
It does seem we're almost into the Dick Tracey Watch era where the phone does everything we need, e.g., no need to wear a regular watch anymore when carrying the cell phone and its world clock with alarm.
After this long-winded prelude, question is: What sort of cell phone services do you regularly use beyond just talking? Any pitfalls you've found? Any supreme advantages that aren't immediately obvious?
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I had so many rollover minutes in the last few Months that Sprint sent a request for a copy of my Death Certificate. They also sent a Sympathy Card.
:confused:
Mac
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Wish Verizon gave rollover minutes but it doesn't. Hence you can imagine the huge extra profit it makes.
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I have the package to send text and picture messages. I dont have no hot girl to text, so I am pretty bored with it.
I like the picture texting though. If I am somewhere and take apicture with my phone, I just email it from my phone to my email address and when I get back home, they are all there waiting for me
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Well... my carrier provides broadband to my cell phone so I keep up with email when not at my computer and also use Maps Google Mobile which is REALLY cool!
If I get lost I can punch in a street address and city I am at and get new directions, blow by blow, on how to get to my distination.
Works great!
Also, while I am waiting around like at an airport or a doctors office I will play solitaire. :)
TIGERESS
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Originally posted by Halo
After this long-winded prelude, question is: What sort of cell phone services do you regularly use beyond just talking? Any pitfalls you've found? Any supreme vantages that aren't immediately obvious?
Text messaging, Navigation (inbuilt GPS), surfing at the web (with phone and also using it as a modem with HSDPA aka 3G connection).
No billing surprises, unlimited data transfer is nice thought it's locked to 128kbs but it keeps it cheap.
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What phone/company are you guys using? I'm looking at buying a new phone and switching carriers in the next couple of weeks.
Things I'm looking for in a phone:
GPS/mapping/directions software
Internet (using it as a laptop modem would be nice, but not essential)
Email
Music player (removable memory card)
Full QWERTY keyboard would be nice
Bluetooth, preferably with music too.
Camera/video camera would be nice too.
What services and phones are you using for it? I'm leaning toward a Blackberry Pearl 8130, but the $85 a month phone bill has me hesitating.
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Originally posted by Halo
Wish Verizon gave rollover minutes but it doesn't. Hence you can imagine the huge extra profit it makes.
Verizon does provide free airtimewhen talking to other Verizon Moble subscribers though...
That's pretty cool.
TIGERESS
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99% of my phone usage is regular business calls, 1% family. 0% internet, 3G or anything that doesn't include verbal communication.
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We have a TMobile family plan for a little over $100. per month 1000 minutes (four of us). Honestly I use my phone more for a watch than a phone but I can do Text mssg, pictures, movies, photo upload, email ect like I said though I rarely use it. GPS on the phone bahhh.
The connection to the PC should be an easy one, I dl'd the software for free then bought a $12. usb cable.
Samsung model T619 I believe. Nice and small great reception.
Remember its a phone all those other things are fluff money makers for the company and you'll be fine.
How often are you away from a pc that you really need your email access on the phone, no phone can beat the pictures from even a halfway decent digital camera. How much time in traffic are people cursing you because your playing with your phone?
just my 2 cents worth
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After 4 years we just activated text and photo sharing. It cost another $5.00 per line for 250 text / picture messages per month on our old Verizon contract.
It's a good way for us to stay in contact with one of the kids, they don't have internet yet at their new house. Cox cable is notoriously slow in starting service/ installation in Lafayette.
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(quote) Verizon does provide free airtimewhen talking to other Verizon Moble subscribers though...
That's pretty cool. (unquote)
Yeah it is and I tend to underestimate that because it doesn't show up on the bill, or at least as any extra cost. That's our primary use, and it comes in especially handy when we travel.
Could it be we're getting our money's worth after all?
And of course a primary justification for wireless phones is use in emergencies. Can't find an accident nowadays without 16 cell phones in use simultaneously. Now can photograph everything too.
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Originally posted by Maverick
After 4 years we just activated text and photo sharing. It cost another $5.00 per line for 250 text / picture messages per month on our old Verizon contract.
It's a good way for us to stay in contact with one of the kids, they don't have internet yet at their new house. Cox cable is notoriously slow in starting service/ installation in Lafayette.
cool!!!!!
text messaging is awsome!!!!!
You are married, right Mav?
Try sending an "I love you" or "Im thinking of you" to her out of the blue... it can give a special boost for the whole day!
TIGERESS
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Phone, text, voice mail. That's all. Pictures can be useful too I suppose. I don't play any of the stupid games, do not watch TV, and do not download cartoons or any of that stupid stuff. I don't use its diary/event/calendar functions.
When I got my latest phone - Nokia 6300 - I was amazed to find that no USB interface cable was provided! The phone shop didn't even have one they could sell to me, so I'm having to use the USB interface cable for another gadget I have.
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This just in!
Man gets one month cell phone for $83,000.00
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004073495_webphonebill14.html?syndication=rss
He was downloading music and movies to his computer using the cell phone as a modem.
TIGERESS
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Uh Tigress,
Yep I am married but since we are both retired and living in the same RV we tend not to spend much time away or out of sight of each other. :)
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(quote) Try sending an "I love you" or "Im thinking of you" to her out of the blue... it can give a special boost for the whole day! (unquote)
Uh, you're still in the courtship phase, right? :D
(quote) Yep I am married but since we are both retired and living in the same RV we tend not to spend much time away or out of sight of each other. (unquote)
Heh, I hear that. My wife and I mainly use the cell phones to find each other in Target or Wal-Mart. Life is thrilling beyond belief now! :O
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Verizon locks stuff down and actually disables features in their phones so they can force you to pay them for the privilege of putting data on your handset. For example, a Motorola RAZR on AT&T or T-Mobile can receive an MP3 via bluetooth to use as a ringtone. On Verizon, they've disabled that functionality so you have to pay them a few dollars. Same w/ tethering (using your phone for an internet connection for your laptop).
AT&T is my carrier. They've got problems, they ain't perfect by far, but at least they let you use your hardware. T-Mobile will unlock your phone on request too, I've heard, which is pretty cool. Sprint has EVDO for data, which is pretty fantastic.
But Verizon... they've got the guy with glasses who asks if you can hear him now. No? Well, that'll be $1.99 then.
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(quote) Try sending an "I love you" or "Im thinking of you" to her out of the blue... it can give a special boost for the whole day! (unquote)
Uh, you're still in the courtship phase, right?
Pfffft.... Text Messages
Me: Hey are you cooking anything like food yet?
Wifey: Damm you ate yesterday...
Me: So did the pets and you fed them again this morning.
Wifey: Your point is.....?
Me: Hey...?
Wifey: What....?
*minutes roll by, she's still looking....*
Wifey: WHAT?
*more minutes roll by....*
Wifey: I SAID WHAT????
*she gets the point....*
Wifey: I'm cookin Dinner now..... Bastage.
:D
Mac
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Which reminds me, when upgrading a phone on Verizon, BEFORE you activate, take your new phone to a Verizon stand-alone store and have them transfer your old phone contact list.
Ostensibly a $10 charge (!), but if they don't already offer, tell them you expect it free because you're such a good customer.
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Transferring your contacts on AT&T and the other carriers I know is free when it's available. Verizon's logo should be a nickle & dime.
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I only use my cell phone as a phone. My kind TxDad bought it for me, and is primarily the only person I talk to on the thing. If it wasn't given to me by him, I wouldn't even have it. Has come in handy when the kids go bike riding though ~ toss them a phone & use it as a tracker.
*edit* along those same lines though, was thinking that our home phone systems could soon be transformed into those VTC style calls shown on the 'Back to the Future' series. :)
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I use AT&T. I have the iPhone; wife has a Samsung TG509. We have 800 minutes shared, unlimited text messaging (pics included) and I have the unlimited data plan (required).
I cannot think of a better phone that I have had, ever. I use my phone to check 7 email accounts every 30 seconds. 3 are for work so no, I don't have a problem. :)
Adding a third line in 10 days for the 13 year old daughter. Got a free (POS) phone for her to use. On the iPhone I have the internet which keeps me busy while waiting for Fiber Splicers to get done. I do have a work laptop I use with a Sprint CDMA card but I can't look at certain sites (like AHII), so I use my phone. The iPhone has a great camera so I take lots of pics with it. Needs a zoom feature though. When Apple busts out a GPS application for the iPhone, my world will be complete.
MAC? What's fer dinner? :D
:aok
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the pay as you go cell phone i received for christmas last year served one month as a alarm clock. the minutes eventually expired long after i decided it wasnt worth the lost outlet to keep charged.
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Windows based smart phone.
Prepaid, $20/month
Calls (maybe one or two a month)
Text (probably three a day)
Photos (before I touch anything that is broken to prove it was like it before to "difficult" customers)
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I just talk and text. Not much there.
You can usually get an adapter cable that plugs into the (obviously proprietary) phone connector that terminates as a USB cable. Then you hook it up and use some software to unload anything on it.
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USB adapter is an intriguing idea. Not sure it would work when phone system not designed for it, but I'll certainly look into the possibility.
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Originally posted by REP0MAN
I use my phone to check 7 email accounts every 30 seconds. 3 are for work so no, I don't have a problem. :)
No push email huh :) welcome to the 20th century :P
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Motorola Q user here.
Best thing I ever got. Best plan price.... well.
$60/month on top of normal bill for unlimited data usage, connecting w/ active sync for Email, Outlook calender, tethering to laptop/desktop, etc. But.......
I use all of the features, I own a mobile business (Disc Jockey Entertainment) and its nice to take calls on the road and be able to check my Outlook for the booking schedule. Also, I can't remember crap and I usually delete most voicemail by accident, or I flat don't check them enough, especially if I know who the caller was. That makes the Email from my Gmail account nice. I can't forget if it's in writing. I don't use text or photo too often, but it's included in the unlimited data package. Also being able to tether the "Q" to my laptop (via usb or bluetooth) is the greatest. No longer do I need to inform a client that I don't have a particular song for them. I can just download it from I-tunes and put it into my PCDJ software. As for minutes, I share 3000 + minutes between all (3) phones on the account. Overkill I know, but if you've ever gone over the limit with Verizon having too many is better than too little.
If you want features, you must pay the piper.
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Got an Nokia N95 here and I'm a 3d Graphic artist so I use all my phones features its my:
Main phone for all calls
Text quite a bit
Is my main portable data device for moving files from work/home as this phone DOES have a mini usb and wifi
As a 3d Artist I'm always looking out for interesting textures/signposts/brick patterns etc etc so I use the 5mp camera alot
also use the gps alot when out and about in car or on surf trips (built in gps receiver under the keypad, a little slow to connect sometimes but damn useful overall plus just having all the maps on your phone is very useful.
only use the internet when away on surf trips really when I need to look up the forcast or look at the web cams, check email, and if i'm in a wifi hotspot (or find and unlocked wifi) ill browse whatever as its free then so passes the time.
its also my main Watch and alarm clock and emergency light when in a dark alley or you need to find the real torch thats inside your tent somewhere :-D
a useful paperweight
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Originally posted by Blank
also use the gps alot when out and about in car or on surf trips (built in gps receiver under the keypad, a little slow to connect sometimes but damn useful overall plus just having all the maps on your phone is very useful.
Does your phone have a firmware with A-GPS?
I updated mine and with Assisted-GPS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS) it gets a "fix" to satellites in less than a minute and it looks like it works inside buildings too.
Firmwares Vers. 12-> are having A-GPS thought it needs to be enabled from the menu, it uses your internet connection for contaction Nokia's location server.
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My LG VX8350 is turning into another minimum luxury item I can't do without. To my surprise, I'm really enjoying its all-around ability as phone, camera, GPS navigator, watch, sudoku, and alarm clock (additional features include calendar, music, and texting).
Got some third party USB software where I wandered into a keyboard that let me compose my own custom phone ring. Serendipity everywhere!
True, standalone devices are more powerful, but such jazzy phones are amazing compromises that take up less space than a wallet.
Finding a USB cable for phone to computer is fairly easy for music but more difficult for pictures. I'm surprised many USB cables for cell phones are the slow USB 1.1 instead of 2.0.
The pics aren't much anyway with no flash and only 1.3 megapixels, but they're fun to store on the extended memory card I got for the phone.
With extra accessories like bluetooth, memory card, USB cable and software, it's easy to blow another $100 and more on a "free" phone upgrade. Upping the ante every two years and flat fee package service keeps the phone companies happy campers.
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Originally posted by Vulcan
No push email huh :) welcome to the 20th century :P
Sorry, I should add that the iPhone checks those email accounts for me. The email program works exactly like Safari or Outlook Express.
:aok
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Iphone failed in europe where people have been having more advanced phones for years already. That and people dislike Job's lockdown that forces you to pay for all the free add-ons we others get to our phones.