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Phone upgrade?

post #1 of 45
7/17/11 at 11:52pm
Thread Starter 
It's getting to be time for me to upgrade my cell phone. I currently have a Motorola Karma, which is a clever little almost-square slider phone. I don't currently have a data plan.

I'm looking to possibly get a smarter phone. I've had good luck with refurbished phones; the Karma was free, refurbished, and has held up for a year and a half, traveling with me in the truck, being dropped, etc.

Oh, and I'm with AT&T.

So...iphone, android, Windows, what? I'd like something I could do a little net surfing with, wi-fi, gps. I can get a refurbished i-phone 3gs 8gb for $10.

Suggestions will be appreciated.
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post #2 of 45
7/18/11 at 3:47am
If you like the Karma, At&T has a few Motorola smartphones that will be similar in layout and looks. Two of these are the Defy and the Flipside.
http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/XW...OLA-DEFY-XW-EN The Defy is dist-proof and has special glass that is scratch and crack resistant.
http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/US...MOTOBLUR-US-EN The Flipside is a slider, so you get to keep the ease of a keyboard.

If you don't mind older phones, the Backflip http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/XW...BACKFLIP-XW-EN and Flipout http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/XW...-FLIPOUT-XW-EN (yes Moto is obsessed with Flip) are also options and will most likely come as refurbs.



As far as looking into options that aren't related to what you already have, are you wanting to go 'full throttle' so to speak, or do you just want something that has the options of net surfing, wifi and gps? Because nowadays, most cells have these options, even the simple flip phones. Do you want touch screen? Keyboard? Some sort of trackball/pad? Are you willing to upgrade to the data plan?

And as for whether you should pick between Android, Windows or iPhone, do you want easy to use, or customizable? Are you willing to download a program to your computer that you will use to sync/backup your phone? What music player do you prefer on your home computer?
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post #3 of 45
7/18/11 at 4:06am
HTC Android is mine and l loooooove it!!!!
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post #4 of 45
7/18/11 at 4:44am
I've heard great things about Androids from all my friends & coworkers who have them. It's the route I'll probably go when my upgrade comes up and my Blackberry craps out.
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post #5 of 45
7/18/11 at 5:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosiemac View Post
HTC Android is mine and l loooooove it!!!!
Droid here, too, and I love mine! We have the Droid X phones with the unlimited data and texting packages, too. DH said he couldn't see the need for a Droid. Now that he has one? He's completely converted and is also very happy.
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post #6 of 45
7/18/11 at 5:46am
I also have AT&T and I have the Motorola Flipside. I have had it since January and have had no problems with it. I am not very tech savy. I have had no problems using it so it it is very easy to use. It is my only phone so it does get a lot of use.
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post #7 of 45
7/18/11 at 7:06am
I had the Iphone 3gs and went to a HTC inspire and LOVE my htc! I wouldnt go back to the iphone at all! Although part of that was because of the fact that a few of the sites I use need flash to visit so I'd have to get my laptop out for one site.
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post #8 of 45
7/18/11 at 7:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosiemac View Post
HTC Android is mine and l loooooove it!!!!

The only problem is that Apple has sued HTC for patent infringement, so he soon might not be able to get an HTC smartphone in the U.S.

Apple wins patent ruling against HTC – and may be able to extend it to Android

Quote:
Apple wins patent ruling against HTC – and may be able to extend it to Android


Apple has won a preliminary ruling from a US trade panel judge that Taiwanese handset maker HTC Corp infringed on two of the California company's patents.
The win may mean Apple can go after other Android handset makers for licence fees, though the decision must still be ratified by a full panel. It could also allow Apple to demand an import ban to the US against HTC before the end of the year.
...

Apple has also filed complaints against Samsung and may be able to attack Motorola on the same basis.
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post #9 of 45
7/18/11 at 10:18am
I don't know AT&T phone options, but I do know Windows 7 completely sucks as an OS, isn't compatible with anything, and there are a gazzilion apps for android now - you're probably best getting an android based smartphone, as that's what will be relevent for the next few years. Look for android 2.3, not android 2.2. Android 2.2 is "Froyo," Android 2.3 is "Gingerbread," and it fixes a number of problems Froyo's had.
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post #10 of 45
7/18/11 at 10:46am
I have an Android X2 and I like it very much. It's intuitive and the built-in aps are very, very convenient.

There's one, for instance, that'll let me see updates to my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter accounts all with a single tap on the home screen; this is so easy, I actually check my Twitter and LinkedIn more now than I did before. Flick the home screen one page over and tap once, and I can post an update to all three accounts, or any combination of those accounts, at the same time. (Youtube, Picassa, Flickr, MySpace, and Photobucket accounts can also be added to this app.)

I also have the time, date, temp, Google search, and internet browsing (you can save favorites!) on my home screen, and my calendar, email, Google Maps, and GPS one flick over.

And this doesn't even touch on the vast app market!

Android X2 = very cool phone.

AC
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post #11 of 45
7/18/11 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post

The only problem is that Apple has sued HTC for patent infringement, so he soon might not be able to get an HTC smartphone in the U.S.

Apple wins patent ruling against HTC – and may be able to extend it to Android
I honestly REALLY doubt anything will come from this. Apple is so greedy though.. :/
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG View Post
I don't know AT&T phone options, but I do know Windows 7 completely sucks as an OS, isn't compatible with anything, and there are a gazzilion apps for android now - you're probably best getting an android based smartphone, as that's what will be relevent for the next few years. Look for android 2.3, not android 2.2. Android 2.2 is "Froyo," Android 2.3 is "Gingerbread," and it fixes a number of problems Froyo's had.
Correction, Windows Mobile sucked. Windows 7 is completely remade and quite a nice platform. I was considering getting a W7 phone for my next upgrade.
Also, it's not too important to look for 2.3 over 2.2 - My Evo had 2.2 and I actually delayed the upgrade to 2.3 because at the time, it made my phone Worse. Not to mention that some of the phones she will be looking at (especially if they are refurbished) won't even have the ability to upgrade to 2.3 but that won't affect performance.
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post #12 of 45
7/18/11 at 2:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosiemac View Post
HTC Android is mine and l loooooove it!!!!
I just upgraded to a HTC Android as well. I love it
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post #13 of 45
7/18/11 at 3:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minka View Post
I honestly REALLY doubt anything will come from this. Apple is so greedy though.. :/

Correction, Windows Mobile sucked. Windows 7 is completely remade and quite a nice platform. I was considering getting a W7 phone for my next upgrade.
Also, it's not too important to look for 2.3 over 2.2 - My Evo had 2.2 and I actually delayed the upgrade to 2.3 because at the time, it made my phone Worse. Not to mention that some of the phones she will be looking at (especially if they are refurbished) won't even have the ability to upgrade to 2.3 but that won't affect performance.
If you want to sync directly with your computer, you can't with Windows 7, not even with 3rd party apps. They force you to use Zune, and everything must be synced online. Windows mobile sucked, but at least it worked if you needed your computer to communicate directly with your phone. Windows 7 was easy to use on the phone, but there's no explorer function and no way to treat the phone as a device via USB. It's also not compatible with droid OR surprisingingly, old windows mobile apps. No .cab files for Windows 7. It's a completely different and incompatible platform to the old windows mobile. So yes, it's remade. Yes, it's easy to use if you don't want your phone to sync directly with your laptop, and all you want to do is make calls and interface with the internet.
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post #14 of 45
7/18/11 at 4:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG View Post
If you want to sync directly with your computer, you can't with Windows 7, not even with 3rd party apps. They force you to use Zune, and everything must be synced online. Windows mobile sucked, but at least it worked if you needed your computer to communicate directly with your phone. Windows 7 was easy to use on the phone, but there's no explorer function and no way to treat the phone as a device via USB. It's also not compatible with droid OR surprisingingly, old windows mobile apps. No .cab files for Windows 7. It's a completely different and incompatible platform to the old windows mobile. So yes, it's remade. Yes, it's easy to use if you don't want your phone to sync directly with your laptop, and all you want to do is make calls and interface with the internet.
But... so does Apple. You can't sync your iPhone or iPod with your computer outside of iTunes.
BUT one quick search gives many results on how to use your W7 phone as a USB drive, including this pretty easy one. http://www.wpcentral.com/how-turn-yo...vice-usb-drive

Also, from what the OP has said, it can be taken that she probably will never need this function. She just wants to be able to sometimes browse the web and use GPS.
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post #15 of 45
7/18/11 at 4:42pm
Thread Starter 
"She" uses it mainly as a phone, but I like to catch up with my e-mail and TCS and the National T Bucket Alliance and a few others when I get a 2-day trip.

The information doesn't look good for HTC. But they may be able to trade patent violations with Apple since they bought a company Apple has already lost to.

By the way, that link on using Windows 7 os phones as usb devices is a dead link.
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post #16 of 45
7/18/11 at 4:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
"She" uses it mainly as a phone, but I like to catch up with my e-mail and TCS and the National T Bucket Alliance and a few others when I get a 2-day trip.

The information doesn't look good for HTC. But they may be able to trade patent violations with Apple since they bought a company Apple has already lost to.

By the way, that link on using Windows 7 os phones as usb devices is a dead link.
Lol, oops sorry!! ^^;

Anywho, the link should not be dead seeing as I just looked it up and clicked on it after posting and it works fine.

Also, like I said, I wouldn't worry about HTC. Even if it DID go through, it wouldn't be for some months so you have plenty of time to pick out your phone, AND smartphones are also made by Samsung, Motorola, etc.
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post #17 of 45
7/18/11 at 4:54pm
Thread Starter 
I get a "502 Bad Gateway" screen.
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post #18 of 45
7/18/11 at 5:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
I get a "502 Bad Gateway" screen.
Strange. It works in all three of my browsers. *shrug*
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post #19 of 45
7/18/11 at 6:00pm
But how much are you all paying a month??
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post #20 of 45
7/18/11 at 6:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minka View Post
But... so does Apple. You can't sync your iPhone or iPod with your computer outside of iTunes.
BUT one quick search gives many results on how to use your W7 phone as a USB drive, including this pretty easy one. http://www.wpcentral.com/how-turn-yo...vice-usb-drive

Also, from what the OP has said, it can be taken that she probably will never need this function. She just wants to be able to sometimes browse the web and use GPS.
The link worked for me, and thanks, good info to have. Of course - I returned the Windows 7 phone already. Still doesn't solve the main problem I had - syncing with Outlook.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
I get a "502 Bad Gateway" screen.
Mike, if you're using an online email account of some type, any phone with internet access will work for you. Sounds like you might want something with a comfortable screen size. Something else to consider is whether or not you wand a slide out keyboard or not. It's a trade-off with what's easier to use vs. weight/size of the phone.

I suggest you stop at an AT&T store and have a look around. If you're not worried about being able to hack your phone, sync with Outlook, or remove the preloaded crap, just go for what's comfortable to carry and use for you.
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post #21 of 45
7/18/11 at 7:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GailC View Post
But how much are you all paying a month??
$40 a month after tax. That includes phone insurance
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG View Post
The link worked for me, and thanks, good info to have. Of course - I returned the Windows 7 phone already. Still doesn't solve the main problem I had - syncing with Outlook.
Ah, I see. Yea, if you already have everything sorted out in Outlook, I can see how it would be frustrating to have to go around all these steps just to get things synced up to your phone.

Quote:
Mike, if you're using an online email account of some type, any phone with internet access will work for you. Sounds like you might want something with a comfortable screen size. Something else to consider is whether or not you wand a slide out keyboard or not. It's a trade-off with what's easier to use vs. weight/size of the phone.

I suggest you stop at an AT&T store and have a look around. If you're not worried about being able to hack your phone, sync with Outlook, or remove the preloaded crap, just go for what's comfortable to carry and use for you.
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post #22 of 45
7/18/11 at 8:15pm
Galaxy S II my suggestion!... ( runs Android too......)
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post #23 of 45
7/18/11 at 10:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoolCat View Post
Galaxy S II my suggestion!... ( runs Android too......)
Unless the OP is also not from the US, then it is not available to him yet. And may never be :[ http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/07...me-to-the-u-s/
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post #24 of 45
7/19/11 at 5:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post

The only problem is that Apple has sued HTC for patent infringement, so he soon might not be able to get an HTC smartphone in the U.S.
Ooops
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbjerkness View Post
I just upgraded to a HTC Android as well. I love it
I'll definitely get another one when my contract is up for renewal next year
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post #25 of 45
7/19/11 at 6:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post
The only problem is that Apple has sued HTC for patent infringement, so he soon might not be able to get an HTC smartphone in the U.S.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minka View Post
..Also, like I said, I wouldn't worry about HTC. Even if it DID go through, it wouldn't be for some months so you have plenty of time to pick out your phone, AND smartphones are also made by Samsung, Motorola, etc.
HTC will work out a licensing deal if it comes to that. It'd be an issue of royalties - they won't need to give up the US market.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Minka View Post
But... so does Apple. You can't sync your iPhone or iPod with your computer outside of iTunes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minka View Post
Ah, I see. Yea, if you already have everything sorted out in Outlook, I can see how it would be frustrating to have to go around all these steps just to get things synced up to your phone.
Apple was designed for entertainment. What's surprising about Windows Phone 7 OS is that previously Windows Mobile was designed primarily to target the business user. Now the business user cannot use Windows-based phone systems unless they want to upload all of their information to the web - which many (like me) do not want to do for security reasons. There is a way to sync if you use a Microsoft Exchange server - but for the many who don't, it's just not possible to sync. It was announced in Feb last year and has been out since Oct or Nov, and there's still not even a 3rd party app available. http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...d-f0d9fb2861a2
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post #26 of 45
7/19/11 at 9:24am
Thread Starter 
I'm really appreciating all the help you guys (gals) are giving me. I've already seen things that will influence my decision.
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post #27 of 45
7/19/11 at 9:59am
I'm glad! You will let us know what you decided on, won't you?

One last thing you should consider: some phones are 4G/LTE capable. If you're planning on owning the phone for a few years, and where you live/travel has 4G, that's just something to consider. There's no 4G coverage where we are, and won't be for some time, so in upgrading phones, it's not a consideration for us.
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post #28 of 45
7/19/11 at 10:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GailC View Post
But how much are you all paying a month??
€19.90 = $28 for a data & phone flat rate. Text messages are extra, but I don't use them anyway - email or FB/Google+ messages are actually more reliable here.
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post #29 of 45
7/19/11 at 5:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG View Post
I'm glad! You will let us know what you decided on, won't you?

One last thing you should consider: some phones are 4G/LTE capable. If you're planning on owning the phone for a few years, and where you live/travel has 4G, that's just something to consider. There's no 4G coverage where we are, and won't be for some time, so in upgrading phones, it's not a consideration for us.
When I bought my EVO, 4G wasn't a consideration because I figured living where I do, I wouldn't get any. Much to my surprise, the main part of town is just close enough to Dallas to get 4G, and now that I have it, I couldn't go without.
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post #30 of 45
7/19/11 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
When I look at Android and 4G online, I mainly see the HTC Inspire and Motorola Atrix. I'm still checking; I don't HAVE to make any change at all, but my Karma is starting to get a little less dependable.
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