Due to work needs/conveniences it looks like I will join the smart phone crowd. There are well control apps which do multiple calculations which give multiple data which can be used in various ways. As well as other apps which can make my job easier. So ... my Mud Engineer tells me AT&T is giving away the iPhone4s for free .99 cents with a two year contract/upgrade, which I am eligible for. He suggested the 16GB but I only see the 8GB available. He talked the phone up, praised it although I suspect he has the iPhone5. The AT&T phone reps at the brick and mortar stores tell me the 4 is no longer available, that I really want a 5, but they work on commission. I know the 4 is available, on line and I bet I could get them to ship one to the store. Do I really want a 5, at the cost of $99.00 ? Is the 4 a good phone ?
I wont suggest an iOS product at all ( for various personal reasons ), but if you are, at least get one that supports 4G.. The 4 series doesn't.
Even if you dont need the extra speed, dont buy what is effectively old technology... might as well stay current when you buy it, so it will extend its usefulness further than an old one...
[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 06-22-2014).]
Originally posted by User00013170: I wont suggest an iOS product at all ( for various personal reasons ), but if you are, at least get one that supports 4G.. The 4 series doesn't. Even if you dont need the extra speed, dont buy what is effectively old technology... might as well stay current when you buy it, so it will extend its usefulness further than an old one...
I actually don't think 4G is available in my fringe areas of usage. Doesn't it automatically operate at 3G ?speeds? (do I have the 4G/3G reference right) ? Heh, old technology. They update it every year, perhaps twice a year. How can one stay current ? I think my desktop is an 07 model, my cell is an old Samsung Rugby flip phone, ... I just need it to work. Will this phone act as a 'hot spot' for my tablet ?
I actually don't think 4G is available in my fringe areas of usage. Doesn't it automatically operate at 3G ?speeds? (do I have the 4G/3G reference right) ? Heh, old technology. They update it every year, perhaps twice a year. How can one stay current ? I think my desktop is an 07 model, my cell is an old Samsung Rugby flip phone, ... I just need it to work. Will this phone act as a 'hot spot' for my tablet ?
Any 4G will switch down to 3G when needed ( or slower ), yes. Even if i didn't have 4G coverage anywhere i was at i would still get it. Actually, i rarely use data anyway, i have WiFi at home and work, and dont travel..
How to stay current -> you dont see the core technology changing every 2 years, just bells and whistles.. And i wasnt trying to say get new shiny stuff just because what you have is old, just not to buy older models when you do get something new..
[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 06-22-2014).]
Apple is a good throw away phone. I'm not surprised ATT is giving them out for next to nothing.
But Apple phones are small, limited and behind in technology than others, but its a good one to get because of that. Especially for people who never had a smart phone.
I can't comment about the difference between 4 and 4s.
Before you sign a contract to get a "discount" phone, check out what your local surpluss/ re-furb/ cell phone store has to offer.
I was on contracts/ tabs for about 6-7 years, and the customer service SUCKED. The attitude from all 3 carriers I had was basically "you are on a contract, we have you by the short hairs, and we aint doing squat to resolve service/ device issues". My last carrier sent out the monthly invoice via e-mail on the 15th of every month with a due date of the 30th. If it hadnt been paid by the 20th I was getting harrasing text messages 2-3 times a day and a few times they cut service on the 27th or 28th (remember, I still had 2-3 days). THEN they started charging an extra $2 "service fee" to pay the bill in-store, in-person, cash (along with a very snarly attitude). What they were pressuring for is they wanted us (It was a family plan) to enroll in the automatic credit-card payment system.
I got sick of them and paid of the tab on the phone, went out and bought a refurb iPhone 3gs for (I think it was) $99 and put it on a pay-as-you-go (or pre-pay depending on what the carrier calls it) with a carrier I used in the past, and now that they dont have a contrct to hold over me, they cant do enough to keep me happy because they know if they pizz me off I can pull the sim card and switch carriers on a seconds notice for about 10 bucks. My cost is surprisingly enough even a little lower monthly than the contract "plans". I am not sure if its possible down your way, but up here we can even migrate the phone number to your new carrier so you dont have to go thru the hassle of a number change.
The iPhone itself, compared to the Blackberries I was used to, is a bit of a data hog but it is very easy to turn cell data on or off as needed so its not burning up money in the background (95+% of my data usage is on wifi anyway). Apart from that, I like it better than the BB's. It took a little getting used to but the app selection is much better than BB (I think anyway). The one minor pain is you have to log in to your Apple ID everytime you download one (where as the BB devices just did it automatically). I have also picked up a docking keyboard ($40 at a pawn shop) so I dock the phone when texting from home and have a regular keyboard instead of that tiny touchscreen--BB didnt have anything similar-- as well as an iCraig tower speaker ($59 at a surpluss place) so I can stream music from around the globe via wifi (yes, that includes Texas country stations) and have real decent sound quality.
If you want to use the phone for "work" stuff beyond text and e-mail (spreadsheets, diagrams, manuals ect) it WILL do it but the screen is too damn small to be of any real use, you will find yourself getting a tablet to go along with the phone for those uses.
The one app I miss between the platforms is a true "bridge" to send stuff back-and-forth between the devices via bluetooth, and using iCloud to do it is a little awkward.
With these older refurb devices, I do find that some of the apps wont install and give a message to upgrade the O/S, but the fix for that is to download them via the compter instead wich will give you the option to pick an older, compatable version.
My only experience with the iPhone 4 is a friend who has one, and after last winters O/S update she is running for a chrger every few hours as it turned it into a battery-eater, where as with normal se I am good for about 2 days or so.
Apple support is like nothing I have ever seen (maybe the guys who have had them for a while take it for granted). You go to the website, log in and set an appointment when it is convienient for you, then they phone you--none of this crap about sitting on hold for hours waiting on them.
I am actually thinking of picking up Apple TV (a little box that plugs into the TV and recieves streaming via wifi/ bluetooth) so I can watch movies streamed for the phone or iPad (lol, yeh I bought one of them too to replace the playbook). Overall for mobile computing and entertainment, I think Apple is miles ahead of the BB platform, and I am using 3-year-old devices. The latest ones would only improve on already good. I should have done this switch-over a few years ago, but was working for companies where the pressure for everybody to be on the BB platform was immense, so I got used to them.
[This message has been edited by MidEngineManiac (edited 06-22-2014).]
Originally posted by User00013170: How to stay current -> you dont see the core technology changing every 2 years, just bells and whistles.
Since you mention cores ... the iPhone4 has ...
quote
Dual-core A5 chip Two cores in the A5 chip make the iPhone 4S faster when launching apps, browsing the Web, and gaming.
It also has the iOS 7 operating system, what ever that means. I do not expect to use many apps, though I do realize I may become addicted to them. If the phone will act as a hot spot I will browse the web on my tablet. I do not game. Unless it is 'the man', .
quote
Originally posted by User00013170: And i wasnt trying to say get new shiny stuff just because what you have is old, just not to buy older models when you do get something new.[/b]
Well, I am not actually buying it. .99 cents with upgrade, though I guess I will have to live with it for two years.
quote
Originally posted by Wichita: But Apple phones are small, limited and behind in technology than others, but its a good one to get because of that. Especially for people who never had a smart phone.
Small. The five is not much bigger ... screen wise. Limited. Not as much as my flip phone. Behind in technology. I am too ignorant to be able to use the latest, most likely. A good bet would be if I can use the ancient technology, . I really don't want to buy a data plan ... as part of a phone package. I don't mind so much but never have needed one. All good info MEM, thanks.
quote
Originally posted by MidEngineManiac:
If you want to use the phone for "work" stuff beyond text and e-mail (spreadsheets, diagrams, manuals ect) it WILL do it but the screen is too damn small to be of any real use, you will find yourself getting a tablet to go along with the phone for those uses.
The one app I miss between the platforms is a true "bridge" to send stuff back-and-forth between the devices via bluetooth, and using iCloud to do it is a little awkward.
My only experience with the iPhone 4 is a friend who has one, and after last winters O/S update she is running for a charger every few hours as it turned it into a battery-eater, where as with normal se I am good for about 2 days or so.
I have not seen a smart phone with a screen big enough. I would still break out my reading glasses most likely. The iPhone4s has Bluetooth technology ...
that I really want a 5, but they work on commission. I know the 4 is available, on line and I bet I could get them to ship one to the store. Do I really want a 5, at the cost of $99.00 ? Is the 4 a good phone ?
Yes the 4 is a good phone, get one online or Amazon.com has them aplenty
The 5 is better But I'd wait for the iPhone 6 which will be available in the last quarter of 2014. The 6 will have a larger screen, as well as that regular iPhone quality your used to.
What will that do for me ? Act as a hot spot, a slow one ?
I could go another phone, even if I paid the nominal upgrade fee. What is a popular recomendation ?
Unless you jailbreak it, it will depend on your contract.
What do you want, depends a lot on what you want to do and what features you think you want. Myself, i prefer more control over my device ( without having to futz around with the cat-mouse jailbreak routine ), and a larger screen. Neither of which are offered by Apple. I did use a 3gs, and due to those reasons i eventually left and never looked back. i currently have a note 3, and love it. Came from a Skyrocket ( my upgrade after the apple ), which i also liked a lot ( zero complaints other than battery life ), but i wanted an Spen, and a couple of months ago i ran across a deal i didnt want to pass up so i switched.
I also like the idea of being able to replace the battery with no more effort than popping it out ... and adding an SD card.. 2 more things the apples dont offer.
I have also since the move away from iOS have completely bought into the Google ecosystem. My tablets are android too. Wont even consider an iPad, unless its free ( i could trade it for something else. )
[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 06-22-2014).]
Yes the 4 is a good phone, get one online or Amazon.com has them aplenty
The 5 is better But I'd wait for the iPhone 6 which will be available in the last quarter of 2014. The 6 will have a larger screen, as well as that regular iPhone quality your used to.
Or wait until the 7... Unless its like a week away, find what you want and get it. "The next great thing" is always around the corner, and if you keep waiting for it, you will never get anything since you waited, and the next one is 'almost here'.....
I recently joined the crowd too, although Im keeping my Verizon Casio Boulder for my phone..I only used 3 minutes last month on the new one. The smart one I have is the Galaxy 3S. I only really got it because they offered a special TV deal on the phone and plan. I got it to stream Hulu and YouTube to my tv in the motorhome. So far its worked out great...its true unlimited supposedly and I ran up lots of Gigs to see if it slowed down...It did not after watching maybe 30 hours of shows last month. Its 4GLTE whatever that is. I was told it had very spotty service, but ive found very few places I didnt get 4G so far all over Ohio. I guess the I Phone can stream directly to a tv, where mine needs another device that cost me another $100. Im told thats just because my RVs tvs are not smart ones. It has new tvs so im not buying another new one...and besides they dont have 12 volt big screen smart tvs, dont want a 120v one . My sis just bought a new I phone 5 and I guess she loves it, traded in an older one.
Or wait until the 7... Unless its like a week away, find what you want and get it. "The next great thing" is always around the corner, and if you keep waiting for it, you will never get anything since you waited, and the next one is 'almost here'.....
True
Of course I should have wrote, " Get the 4, skip the 5, use prepay so you don't have a contract, then get the iPhone 6" "It will be here ..." lol
It also has a firm "last quarter of 2014" date so there is a "hard point" there so Im not waiting forever. lol
The 4 was a great phone but runs like a turtle on iOS7.
The 4S has SIRI and is ok with iOS7 but slow compared to 5.
iPhone batteries change in about 45 seconds.
Speaker loudness leaves something to be desired.
Ease of use and functionality blows Android away but has little customizability if any. If ****ing with tech turns you on don't get an iPhone. They are easy and intuitive and require no tweaking or learning curve.
Screens are smaller than others but it fits in your hand and is easy to one hand operate.
Siri is pretty damn useful but anymore voice search on Android rocks too and it is fast.
Apple maps is no where as good as google maps.
You have to download the Chrome app on your iPhone because Safaria suks.
iPhone has iCloud control panel to find you phone or erase it/lock it up and you can do your contacts and scheduling and such from there. It is useful.
iPhone doesn't play well with Microsoft. Android will do whatever you want.
iPhone makes it a bit of a hassle to transfer DATA because they offer no slot at all. Androids are plop and drop and done.
I noticed if you don't shut down the iPhone/iPAd once in awhile it get quirky whereas all our Android fone/tabs couldn't care less and never need to shut down.
I'm not tied to either anymore except I am not giving up my iPad so I am partial to keep my iPhone and therefore our employees need to be on iPhone too for the most part.
I hear people say iPhone is for dumb people. There is some logic to that. I have limited brain power to spread around and apple requires little of it to operate.
Originally posted by rogergarrison: Its 4GLTE whatever that is.
Basically the connection protocol back to the cell towers, and the most current of technology. ( and for those techies, yes, i do realize its a bit more complex that that.. but it is a simple explanation that gets the point across )
I hear people say iPhone is for dumb people. There is some logic to that. I have limited brain power to spread around and apple requires little of it to operate.
I say its for people that are content with what is spoon fed to them, and enjoy limitations. To me it has nothing to do with intelligence. ( or lack of )
And i'm *not* an apple hater. I will still buy OSX based products ( as budget allows.. ). Going from a Palm T/X to an iPod touch was a huge jump in technology and i thought the iOS was the greatest thing since sliced bread... shortly afterward I got an iPhone so i could have universal data too ( didnt have WiFi at the office then... ) but then slowly reality sunk in. I saw how much i disliked its limitations, and moved on, even paid extra to upgrade early to get my skyrocket. I simply am not the target market for iOS.
I noticed if you don't shut down the iPhone/iPAd once in awhile it get quirky whereas all our Android fone/tabs couldn't care less and never need to shut down.
While I have to shut down and "reboot" my iPhone 4S every now and then (once every week or 2 at most), I had to do the same with both of my previous Android devices. Maybe the more current Android OS isn't quirky? My wife was constantly having to shut down her most recent Android phone (I beleive it ran on Jelly Bean) but doesn't need to do it near as much with her iPhone which is a 4S that she has iOS7 on. I've kept my 4S on whatever iOS version it came with. I like my 4S but then I liked my LG Optimus L9 Android phone to.
/shrug, I'd be happy with either phone as both worked fine for what I used them for. My wife uses her phone internet side a lot more than I do so I assume that's why she has to reboot hers more often than I do.
While I have to shut down and "reboot" my iPhone 4S every now and then (once every week or 2 at most), I had to do the same with both of my previous Android devices. Maybe the more current Android OS isn't quirky? My wife was constantly having to shut down her most recent Android phone (I beleive it ran on Jelly Bean) but doesn't need to do it near as much with her iPhone which is a 4S that she has iOS7 on. I've kept my 4S on whatever iOS version it came with. I like my 4S but then I liked my LG Optimus L9 Android phone to.
/shrug, I'd be happy with either phone as both worked fine for what I used them for. My wife uses her phone internet side a lot more than I do so I assume that's why she has to reboot hers more often than I do.
Except for my desktop ( running FreeBSD ) everything i have needs to be bounced every so often. It may be mostly due to bad apps and memory leaks and such, but the OS *should* be able to deal with it.
I've had both android and iPhone's and like them both for different reasons. I changed over from a iPhone back to a galaxy s4 recently because I was tired of my iPhones little screen. I love the tinkering I can do and the free apps. but after you use iOS android just feels clunky. There is a slight hesitation when doing little things like expanding screens and basic things that if your a life long android user you wouldn't notice. It's very minute but it is there and can be a little annoying at first. Everything feels like it takes a click or two more to get to something then it does on the iPhone. Like and earlier user said if your someone who likes to tinker you'll be more happy with the android. apples runs a very tight ship with there operating system but the benefit is no slow down or no pop up ads which after 2 weeks with my s4 I already have and never had with any iPhone lol and I had everyone ever made except the 4s.
I can tell you this..apple better bring it with the iPhone 6 with a bigger screen or my next upgrade in february will be another android phone. I think that's where android has an edge. There are SO many android phones competing against each other they have to come up with something new to make there phone stick out from the pack. Apple has no competition with it's iOS ... no one is aloud to use it but them so they're sitting back and cherry picking the best idea's from other phones and throwing in maybe one new thing like siri or the finger print reader but that is losing them market share from even some of the most faithful users.
Everything feels like it takes a click or two more to get to something then it does on the iPhone.
I have found the *exact* opposite is the case. Things that i had to fumble thru menus on iOS i could put on my home screen on Android, and do it in one click, or was already a quick flip on the upper pull down menu, all 'out of the box'... The only way i could get around it was JB it then install some custom stuff. ( my experience was with OS 4/5, so i fully admit it might be better now. ).
I have only seen one pop up ad in several years of android. And it was an app, not the OS.. ( and that app was promptly deleted. i was considering paying for it to remove the small banner ad, but not after that stunt. )
[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 06-22-2014).]
Exactly....it's the apps. I have one popping a couple times a day and damn if I can figure out what app is causing it. Lol. That would never happen with an app from apples store because no app gets in apples store without them aprovong it. On the bad side that means you can't get the cool apps letting you customize your phone like android provides lol
I have to laugh at the internet posters who hate one of the other so much lol I've been using smart phones since long before the iPhone came out and believe me WHATEVER YOUR USING whether it's android or apple iOS is ten times better then the terrible versions of windows mobile we were dealing with before lol oh I had to restart my android phone once a week. Lol windows phones then froze up 10 times a damn day lol apple and android have both revolutionalized the hand held phones for sure.
Exactly....it's the apps. I have one popping a couple times a day and damn if I can figure out what app is causing it. Lol. That would never happen with an app from apples store because no app gets in apples store without them aprovong it. On the bad side that means you can't get the cool apps letting you customize your phone like android provides lol
Well, you can go to outside stores, such as cydia, but you have to continually play the game.. as every time you turn around another update is out and your JB is toast. I did that when apple took away support for a 3rd party generic video cable i had been using fine. iOS5 ( or wasit 4? I dont remember now ) came out and *poof* "your device is not compatible". My altec lansing portable dock speakers also were off the 'blessed' list.... ... BS, they were all fine the day before. That was the last straw actually. Swore id never get another iOS device again. I had been using an android tablet long enough by then to know that was what i actually wanted. I then did a JB ( figured i had nothing to lose ) to get back support for my devices, and turned it into a big fat ipod touch later when i got the android device..
On your popup, you might be able to find out via task manager, then freeze or remove the stupid app.
Oh the iOS upgrade also stopped my portable radio/dock from charging. Donno how that could happen, since i would have assumed charging was purely electrical.. but it did. I had both as the 'radio' was big and bulky but sounded good and had a FM tuner ( another peev of mine.. why cant US phone have a FM receiver? My china phones do... ). but the Altec would fold up into a little box.. Great for the office.
[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 06-22-2014).]
Cliff, I went from a flip-phone to an Iphone 4 recently and it does everything I need and more. People who have been using smart phones for years would say you need the latest but if you are like me and used to using a flip-phone then the 4 is way better than the flip phone.
I've compared the iPhone to the samsung Galaxy and like the Galaxy much better. The iPhone's smaller screen gets tiring fast and it only has a single button - seems like you can't go back 1 step. The galaxy's display is easier to read longer and text from, and it is easy to "go back 1 step" to where i was. The Apple personal assistant SIRI on the iPhone 5 is amazing though - the voice recognition is Very accurate and it seems to get you whatever info you ask for amazingly fast.
Don't forget you can get a phone tablet (like Galaxy Note) with a nice easy-to-read and navigate display.
Cliff, I went from a flip-phone to an Iphone 4 recently and it does everything I need and more. People who have been using smart phones for years would say you need the latest but if you are like me and used to using a flip-phone then the 4 is way better than the flip phone.
Im still keeping my Casio flip phone as my phone. My pet peeve with all the smart phones is being able to hear it ring. I dont know if its the speaker they use or the hardware, but the flip is easy to hear even several rooms away or in loud environments. My new Galaxy is NOT. Ive noticed its hard to hear unless its within a few feet of you and you will not hear it in noisy places like on the freeway with windows down. Vibrate is a joke, the flip will vibrate itself off a table. I have found a few apps I like having like a map and weather radar and access to email. As a phone, I dont even give anyone the number to the Galaxy. My only real reason for it was its cheaper than satellite for watching tv in the motorhome. I havent been anywhere yet I couldnt get Hulu or YouTube.
I think the thing I miss most of all from my iPhone is spot light. from any screen I can swipe from the center down and a search bar comes up . I used it all the time to goto apps quickly or anything on the phone.
I think the thing I miss most of all from my iPhone is spot light. from any screen I can swipe from the center down and a search bar comes up . I used it all the time to goto apps quickly or anything on the phone.
My Android devices have that. ( tho its called Google search )
Im still keeping my Casio flip phone as my phone. My pet peeve with all the smart phones is being able to hear it ring. I dont know if its the speaker they use or the hardware, but the flip is easy to hear even several rooms away or in loud environments. My new Galaxy is NOT. Ive noticed its hard to hear unless its within a few feet of you and you will not hear it in noisy places like on the freeway with windows down. Vibrate is a joke, the flip will vibrate itself off a table. I have found a few apps I like having like a map and weather radar and access to email. As a phone, I dont even give anyone the number to the Galaxy. My only real reason for it was its cheaper than satellite for watching tv in the motorhome. I havent been anywhere yet I couldnt get Hulu or YouTube.
Yea, that`s one thing I forgot about. Mine is pretty quiet with the ringtone compared to my flip phone.
Work issues all the employees an Iphone 4 when they got the bulk contract just before the 5 came out. Up till then my most sophisticated phone was a Rugby flip phone which couldnt even send/receive pictures
You will love how many things a smart phone will condense into one little device Digital camera Radio Web browsing on the go Scribble pad GPS Iphones have a tracking app if you lose it
No matter what you get, you will like how handy all the features are. Each has their quirks, but you cant beat their usefulness
Work issues all the employees an Iphone 4 when they got the bulk contract just before the 5 came out. Up till then my most sophisticated phone was a Rugby flip phone which couldnt even send/receive pictures
You will love how many things a smart phone will condense into one little device Digital camera Radio Web browsing on the go Scribble pad GPS Iphones have a tracking app if you lose it
No matter what you get, you will like how handy all the features are. Each has their quirks, but you cant beat their usefulness
Often times while it has many features, none are done well.
And i wish more had FM radios. that is one feature i miss in my Samsungs ( that i have in my china phones ). Sure, i have data so can use an app.. but if all i'm listening to is a local station why burn bits? ( wasn't the FCC going to mandate that for emergencies when cell towers are hosed due to disaster? )
[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 06-25-2014).]
Work issues all the employees an Iphone 4 when they got the bulk contract just before the 5 came out. Up till then my most sophisticated phone was a Rugby flip phone which couldnt even send/receive pictures
You will love how many things a smart phone will condense into one little device Digital camera Radio Web browsing on the go Scribble pad GPS Iphones have a tracking app if you lose it
No matter what you get, you will like how handy all the features are. Each has their quirks, but you cant beat their usefulness
This may be true for average people. I almost always have a camera with me, all my vehicles have GPS and radios. I rarely have anything happening thats so important I have to have web access on the street that I cant do on my laptop.
The downside is if most people who have them, lose it or it gets stolen, their life goes into imediate shutdown. They cant use bank accounts, get messages or calls, dont know anyones phone numbers (even parents), and all their private info is out there for anyone to use...even photos you dont want out. Seems to me if some people dont have their phone in their hand except for sleeping, they have a breakdown crisis. I know people who even use their phone while they shower...sorry Im not that important.
This may be true for average people. I almost always have a camera with me, all my vehicles have GPS and radios. I rarely have anything happening thats so important I have to have web access on the street that I cant do on my laptop.
The downside is if most people who have them, lose it or it gets stolen, their life goes into imediate shutdown. They cant use bank accounts, get messages or calls, dont know anyones phone numbers (even parents), and all their private info is out there for anyone to use...even photos you dont want out. Seems to me if some people dont have their phone in their hand except for sleeping, they have a breakdown crisis. I know people who even use their phone while they shower...sorry Im not that important.
if one syncs their data, its available on desktops and tablets too.. so losing a phone is not the end of the world even if you rely on it. you can also remotely wipe your phone on a moments notice... Might be an expensive problem and a bit inconvenient, but not the end of the world.
Some of us are on call 24/7 .. Not saying everyone is of course, but not all people 'think they are special' who carry their phone around all the time.
I carry a small laminated card with a handful of important phone numbers in my wallet. 1 - in case battery dies during an emergency 2 - in the case of an accident, you may not even remember your own name, or be unconscious..
Save me. Now I have to know geek stuff. I think Ihave a one gig data plan. How much is that ? I can se my MB usage. How many MB in a gig ? What auto data usage functions should I turn off !
.
