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Smart Phones - Questions and Discussion
Posted: April 5th, 2012, 6:03 am
by Winston
Questions:
What's the difference between an IPhone and Android? Which is better? Which is cheaper? What are the pros and cons of each?
I don't keep up with technology and am in my own world, so I'm new to all this.
Also, what about a Blackberry? Is that the same thing?
And how do you type on those things? I tried typing on a touch screen keyboard before and it was tedious and took too long. How do people write emails on them? Can someone explain?
Can someone break all this down for me in terms of pros and cons? How does one decide which is better?
I heard that you can get last year's Android models for under $100. Is that true? If so, where? On Ebay?
Posted: April 5th, 2012, 10:06 am
by Winston
Posted: April 5th, 2012, 3:15 pm
by Contrarian Expatriate
Apple is the standard due to it's steller engineering and ever-growing features like the iCloud, FaceTime, etc. It is also said to be very secure. Yet still, the number of apps is staggering and growing each day.
Andriod devices are somewhat cheaper but they don't have the number of apps.
I went halfway and bought an iPod Touch which is just like an iPhone without the phone feature. That iPod Touch has greatly enhanced my life, all without the monthly payment of 3G iPhone service which would give me internet connectivity via the cell phone system. iPods still need wifi service to access the internet which is fine by me.
Posted: April 6th, 2012, 1:23 pm
by Winston
Which Android brand do you all recommend? What about the Samsung Galaxy? It looks pretty nifty and Samsung usually has great quality graphics.
Posted: April 8th, 2012, 2:46 am
by momopi
I've been an iPhone user since the first model (2G). Currently using an iPhone 4S. But at this point I'd say that, for you, the choice of iPhone vs. Android phone is not that important. If you're going to spend money, I'd suggest investing in an iPad and Macbook:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story ... 53344970/1
Apple has released the iBooks Author program:
http://www.apple.com/ibooks-author/
If you want to make a living as an independent author, the prospect of 100 million potential customers with $$ to spend (iPads are not cheap) is not a market that I'd ignore.
Please note that iBooks Author requires Mac OSX Lion 10.7.2 or higher. So if you're shopping for an used Macbook, make sure it's compatible:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X_L ... quirements
You don't need anything fancy, a base model white MacBook or even a Mac Mini will do.
Posted: August 26th, 2012, 1:20 pm
by Winston
Ok I found some good Samsung smart phones at the mall for under $200. However, the sales lady wasn't sure if all of them could be used with Skype or not. How can you know?
I used Rock's IPhone with Skype on it the other day, and it was easy to use and call from. Wow, I thought. How neat. It makes calls free if both parties are on Skype. Wouldn't that put the cell phone carriers out of business?
Anyway, here are the ones I'm interested in. Below are links to their model numbers, reviews and specs. Can anyone tell me if Skype, Yahoo Messenger, MSN, QQ, Viber and What's app can be installed on them? If so, which ones?
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_ ... 2-4385.php
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_ ... 0-3724.php
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_star_3_ ... 2-4447.php
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_ ... 0-3725.php
Thanks.
Posted: August 28th, 2012, 9:23 am
by Winston
An IPhone is like 400 or 500 dollars right? I don't want to invest that much in a phone. If it gets stolen, it's a lot to lose. I hate that kind of pressure. I prefer to carry expendable objects. Who wants to carry something that's not expendable, especially while traveling?
Posted: August 28th, 2012, 10:57 am
by eurobrat
Me I do! I also travel with a $1k iPad.
Posted: August 28th, 2012, 11:13 am
by Winston
eurobrat wrote:Me I do! I also travel with a $1k iPad.
Don't you worry about losing it or having it get stolen? Why do you need that kind of anxiety or pressure? Isn't peace of mind more important?
I wouldn't bring that to the Philippines.
Posted: August 28th, 2012, 11:22 am
by Rock
Winston wrote:An IPhone is like 400 or 500 dollars right? I don't want to invest that much in a phone. If it gets stolen, it's a lot to lose. I hate that kind of pressure. I prefer to carry expendable objects. Who wants to carry something that's not expendable, especially while traveling?
More like close to a grand for the newest model. Mine was NT$28,000 I think. But I got the back-up (older one) in States by signing-up w/AT&T and then cancelling for a total of around US$500 if I remember right.
Posted: August 28th, 2012, 12:44 pm
by Winston
Rock wrote:Winston wrote:An IPhone is like 400 or 500 dollars right? I don't want to invest that much in a phone. If it gets stolen, it's a lot to lose. I hate that kind of pressure. I prefer to carry expendable objects. Who wants to carry something that's not expendable, especially while traveling?
More like close to a grand for the newest model. Mine was NT$28,000 I think. But I got the back-up (older one) in States by signing-up w/AT&T and then cancelling for a total of around US$500 if I remember right.
That's crazy. What do you do when you go to third world countries where pickpockets are everywhere? How do you feel at ease carrying a thousand dollar smart phone there?
Or what if you are on a train and trying to sleep on the bunk bed there? How do you fall asleep while worrying that someone might steal your thousand dollar Iphone?
I've heard of tons of people losing their smart phones that way.
How do you have peace of mind carrying around something so expensive in a country of pickpockets, scams and thieves?
Posted: August 28th, 2012, 12:47 pm
by Winston
It looks like Skype won't work with all Samsung Androids.
https://support.skype.com/en-us/faq/FA1 ... roid-phone
Will Skype run on my Samsung Android handset?
The application currently runs on some Samsung Android handsets, but not all. If your Samsung Galaxy S is running with the Android 2.2 (Froyo) update, then Skype is supported, but if you're still running Android 2.1 then you will not be able to sign in to Skype. We’re working on a solution that will run on more Samsung devices. Meanwhile, you can still save money on calls to phones abroad with a Skype To Go™ number, which lets you make international calls from your Android phone (or any mobile or landline) at great Skype rates.
For a full list of devices that support Skype video calling, please visit the Android Market and view the application. Simply tap More on the application page for a full list of supported devices.
Posted: August 28th, 2012, 2:00 pm
by ***JP***
Winston wrote:Which Android brand do you all recommend? What about the Samsung Galaxy? It looks pretty nifty and Samsung usually has great quality graphics.
I currently use the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Factory unlocked phone and it's pentaband so it's compatible with all HSPA+ networks around the world. Also if you are looking for factory unlocked phones Winston you can shop for them at this site
http://www.expansys-usa.com/ Most of their phones are factory unlocked and they sell almost every platform. If you are interested in a Android phone you can check the google play store cause they are selling the Galaxy Nexus for $349.00 The phone is stock android and is not manufacturer skinned so when a new version of the Android OS comes out Nexus devices get first dibs compared to the manufacturer skinned phones which take a long time to get newer android versions. This phone already has the Android 4.1.1 update and it's fast and skype works very well on it.
Posted: August 28th, 2012, 2:39 pm
by Winston
***JP*** wrote:Winston wrote:Which Android brand do you all recommend? What about the Samsung Galaxy? It looks pretty nifty and Samsung usually has great quality graphics.
I currently use the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Factory unlocked phone and it's pentaband so it's compatible with all HSPA+ networks around the world. Also if you are looking for factory unlocked phones Winston you can shop for them at this site
http://www.expansys-usa.com/ Most of their phones are factory unlocked and they sell almost every platform. If you are interested in a Android phone you can check the google play store cause they are selling the Galaxy Nexus for $349.00 The phone is stock android and is not manufacturer skinned so when a new version of the Android OS comes out Nexus devices get first dibs compared to the manufacturer skinned phones which take a long time to get newer android versions. This phone already has the Android 4.1.1 update and it's fast and skype works very well on it.
I don't need to spend that much. There are some good Samsung smart phones at the mall here for under $200. High end ones for $300. No need for a hefty shipping charge. All of them are unlocked.
Posted: August 28th, 2012, 2:47 pm
by ***JP***
Winston wrote:***JP*** wrote:Winston wrote:Which Android brand do you all recommend? What about the Samsung Galaxy? It looks pretty nifty and Samsung usually has great quality graphics.
I currently use the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Factory unlocked phone and it's pentaband so it's compatible with all HSPA+ networks around the world. Also if you are looking for factory unlocked phones Winston you can shop for them at this site
http://www.expansys-usa.com/ Most of their phones are factory unlocked and they sell almost every platform. If you are interested in a Android phone you can check the google play store cause they are selling the Galaxy Nexus for $349.00 The phone is stock android and is not manufacturer skinned so when a new version of the Android OS comes out Nexus devices get first dibs compared to the manufacturer skinned phones which take a long time to get newer android versions. This phone already has the Android 4.1.1 update and it's fast and skype works very well on it.
I don't need to spend that much. There are some good Samsung smart phones at the mall here for under $200. High end ones for $300. No need for a hefty shipping charge. All of them are unlocked.
Another phone I could recommend just because it has pentaband radios in it is the Huawei ascend p1 s. You might find it very cheap over there in Asia.