Shopping for a Smart Phone - Suggestions requested - Ideas?

That does stink Doug. That being said, a shiny new 5S would look nice under the Christmas tree this year! :)
 
Sorry to hear Doug...

If you a MAC / ITunes guy, the a windows phone will work seamlessly with your ITunes, and we recently put stuff out for MACS...And of course, MSFT has the cloud...for Music, documents...Called Skydrive...Its inherent in every MS product (Hotmail (now Outlook) , office, XBOX, xbox music)

BTW....read this...Its how you sync ITunes to the new WINDOWS phone you and Bob are going to BUY..LOL
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/windows-phone/id415571499?mt=12

Can a MAC sync to XBOX music ? Nope
 
Who in the heck would want to sync a phone to an Xbox? Kids? Teenagers? It's just silly if you ask me. Can't Microsoft fix half the stuff they have now (Windows 8) and stop dreaming up silliness like this?

Anyway, buy an iPhone and enjoy. Buy Windows and join the frustrated many.

http://mobile.betanews.com/betanews...me-want-an-iphone-5s,523d971bda27f5d9d023fe42

Bob - as an alternative, I would at least look at a Droid based phone. But based on using my friends latest and greatest Android based phone, I wouldn't swap it for my iPhone if you gave it to me, but YMMV. He likes his Droid phone because he can "hack" it and do all this stuff. Again, whatever. I just want my smartphone to work and be easy and fun to use - like an appliance.
 
Who in the heck would want to sync a phone to an Xbox?

Perhaps the 31million (and growing) XBOX live users. Not to mention when I say XBOX, I mean XBOX MUSIC (that's not XBOX, its the name of the music service)....SO year ,I think a lot of people would want to sync that just like people like to sync their ITunes..

Mike, really...Don't want to argue with you(it is your site after all...lol)..But I don't think you are in a position to speak about MS. You don't use the products so you cant speak to the benefits - you can speak to Apple quite well, but not on the MSFT stuff. No matter what you say, it is still the most overwhelming OS's in the world. The fact that we came to the phone industry "late" (and we know it) doesn't make us inferior.

Positive and negative links abound on the web...but from your own LINK
Windows 8 apps

The growth is phenomenal and with MSFT encouraging app design (in an open environment) as opposed to Apples closed one, it will only continue to bypass the world of apple

In closing, Droid, IPhone or Windows, I hope what you guys get works for you and your needs because bottom line, that is what counts.
 
UNCLE...LOL

@MIke...thank you for being a sport...When I said before its your board, I know you would never act against someone who had a differing opinion. What I meant was Its your board and as such I RESPECT you, your knowledge and who you are as a person. Debate is just that, debate. Nothing personal or mean spirited. Its like rooting for two different football teams. Of course we will be passionate...:panic:

But I holler UNCLE and let the buyer(s) figure what's best for them..Peace Out
 
Rob - No worries. It's all good. As a side, I just came back from the Verizon store where I played with 5 different Windows 8 phones. It was actually kind of funny how the more questions I asked about the Windows phones, the more the sales rep wanted to show me an Android or iPhone. She seemed frustrated that I had even the slightest interest in a Windows phone. She kept saying, "you can access that here, but I don't like Windows phones." I asked, "can I switch the default search engine from Bing to Google?" She says, "probably, I'm not sure. You would have to search for that. Let me show you the iPhone or a Droid phone." The more questions I asked, the more she said, "but on an iphone you can do X" or "on the Android, you can do Y".

Here is my take:

* Playing with the Nokia 928, it seemed fast. I like how the apps tile and flip.
* I like the buttons at the bottom of the phone.
* Touch screen is quite good and on par with the iPhone.

On the dislike side:
* Side by Side with an iPhone, the Windows phone screen seems harder to read webpages.
* the various tiling of apps is confusing due to the different sizes and strange icons.
* Very bad screen burn screen in (you can see ghosting of previous webpages). This was non existent with iPhones in the store and Androids in the store.
* Webpages seem slower to load on the Windows phone
* Some apps display some strange code at the top of the screen (TWC app for example)
* The Windows apps are almost non existent by comparison to iPhone or Droid. This was the one thing the sales rep kept hammering on "the Windows phone apps are a joke compared to the iPhone and Droid app selections."
* No siri on Windows (although, I could personally care less about Siri - it's more of a gimmick IMO).
* I like the Apple iCloud better than the Windows equivalent she showed me....but this could be just because the iCloud is so easy to use and I'm used to it.

Overall, the Windows phone was decent. I like some of the features and functionality, but it and the Windows Phone ecosystem in general has a long long way to mature to the level of the iPhone or the Droid IMO.

That being said, if I owned an XBox, and all Windows PC's and I was a hardcore Windows guy with programming and hacking desires, I would get a Windows phone. But if I wanted a phone that was easy to use, intuitive, with thousands and thousands of apps (many free) - which I think is one of the real benefits of a smart phone - I would buy an iphone.

That's my two cents.
 
Fair enough...just want to help. Thanks for going to try some out. Did you see the 1520 ? The Phablet ? LOL...NOt a big fan as I do not have pockets that big except on winter coats...:roflmao:

On the dislike side:
* Side by Side with an iPhone, the Windows phone screen seems harder to read webpages. (hmmm..not sure why)
 * the various tiling of apps is confusing due to the different sizes and strange icons. That's made that way so the user can tailor the size..easier to bundle. Icons don't all have to be the same size but they can be
* Very bad screen burn screen in (you can see ghosting of previous webpages). This was non existent with iPhones in the store and Androids in the store. Never noticed that, I will check
* Webpages seem slower to load on the Windows phone - Might be the store...I know mine loads TONS faster than my Android phone did
* Some apps display some strange code at the top of the screen (TWC app for example) - Not sure at all what that is ?
 * The Windows apps are almost non existent by comparison to iPhone or Droid. This was the one thing the sales rep kept hammering on "the Windows phone apps are a joke compared to the iPhone and Droid app selections." Apps growing by by the thousands
* No siri on Windows (although, I could personally care less about Siri - it's more of a gimmick IMO). Will be out soon - Check the Verge for a sneak peak - Called Cortana
* I like the Apple iCloud better than the Windows equivalent she showed me....but this could be just because the iCloud is so easy to use and I'm used to it. - We like what we are used to...lol
 
dlb2 said:
Bob, I don't mean to throw a wrench in here but...

I've had my 4S for just over a year. I'm a firm believer that when there is a software update that it's for the better so I always update to the latest greatest. However, the last update made my wi-fi die. Something to do with the wi-fi chip overheating due to the nature of the new OS. Apparently this is only a problem with the 4S phone because of the particular chip in it so going with a 5 series phone should be okay. Of course all of this happened just a month past my warranty date so I'm screwed unless I buy a new phone. I've been a loyal Apple customer for 25 years but this has got me thinking about going with Samsung or something like that in the future just as a change of pace. YMMV of course, and probably will because my son and I got our phones at the same time and his wi-fi still works just fine.
Click to expand...

Doug, this is the worst news so far!

* And I don't want to spend $700 (Cdn) for the 5S.
 
ohbythebay said:
Sorry to hear Doug...

If you a MAC / ITunes guy, the a windows phone will work seamlessly with your ITunes, and we recently put stuff out for MACS...And of course, MSFT has the cloud...for Music, documents...Called Skydrive...Its inherent in every MS product (Hotmail (now Outlook) , office, XBOX, xbox music)

BTW....read this...Its how you sync ITunes to the new WINDOWS phone you and Bob are going to BUY..LOL
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/windows-phone/id415571499?mt=12

Can a MAC sync to XBOX music ? Nope
Click to expand...

Rob, I'm not so sure now that I'm going to buy an iPhone.
...I'm starting to see the light, and it's a safer light, smoother ride perhaps with Samsung Galaxy S3 (4.8" screen).
...My first original inclination.
 
Mike said:
Rob - No worries. It's all good. As a side, I just came back from the Verizon store where I played with 5 different Windows 8 phones. It was actually kind of funny how the more questions I asked about the Windows phones, the more the sales rep wanted to show me an Android or iPhone. She seemed frustrated that I had even the slightest interest in a Windows phone. She kept saying, "you can access that here, but I don't like Windows phones." I asked, "can I switch the default search engine from Bing to Google?" She says, "probably, I'm not sure. You would have to search for that. Let me show you the iPhone or a Droid phone." The more questions I asked, the more she said, "but on an iphone you can do X" or "on the Android, you can do Y".

Here is my take:

* Playing with the Nokia 928, it seemed fast. I like how the apps tile and flip.
* I like the buttons at the bottom of the phone.
* Touch screen is quite good and on par with the iPhone.

On the dislike side:
* Side by Side with an iPhone, the Windows phone screen seems harder to read webpages.
* the various tiling of apps is confusing due to the different sizes and strange icons.
* Very bad screen burn screen in (you can see ghosting of previous webpages). This was non existent with iPhones in the store and Androids in the store.
* Webpages seem slower to load on the Windows phone
* Some apps display some strange code at the top of the screen (TWC app for example)
* The Windows apps are almost non existent by comparison to iPhone or Droid. This was the one thing the sales rep kept hammering on "the Windows phone apps are a joke compared to the iPhone and Droid app selections."
* No siri on Windows (although, I could personally care less about Siri - it's more of a gimmick IMO).
* I like the Apple iCloud better than the Windows equivalent she showed me....but this could be just because the iCloud is so easy to use and I'm used to it.

Overall, the Windows phone was decent. I like some of the features and functionality, but it and the Windows Phone ecosystem in general has a long long way to mature to the level of the iPhone or the Droid IMO.

That being said, if I owned an XBox, and all Windows PC's and I was a hardcore Windows guy with programming and hacking desires, I would get a Windows phone. But if I wanted a phone that was easy to use, intuitive, with thousands and thousands of apps (many free) - which I think is one of the real benefits of a smart phone - I would buy an iphone.

That's my two cents.
Click to expand...

Mike, this is the most useful post so far in this thread! :heart:

And you and Rob, I both love you to the highest esteem; you are both the best example for the entire community. :)
Everyone else too because each person has his opinion and his own phone he's using, and yet no blood on the streets of AudioShark! :cool:
That should be a clear indication of what we're all about. .... RESPECT.

Should I get an android, an iPhone or a Windows phone? ;)
 
ohbythebay said:
Fair enough...just want to help. Thanks for going to try some out. Did you see the 1520 ? The Phablet ? LOL...NOt a big fan as I do not have pockets that big except on winter coats...:roflmao:

On the dislike side:
* Side by Side with an iPhone, the Windows phone screen seems harder to read webpages. (hmmm..not sure why)
 * the various tiling of apps is confusing due to the different sizes and strange icons. That's made that way so the user can tailor the size..easier to bundle. Icons don't all have to be the same size but they can be
* Very bad screen burn screen in (you can see ghosting of previous webpages). This was non existent with iPhones in the store and Androids in the store. Never noticed that, I will check
* Webpages seem slower to load on the Windows phone - Might be the store...I know mine loads TONS faster than my Android phone did
* Some apps display some strange code at the top of the screen (TWC app for example) - Not sure at all what that is ?
 * The Windows apps are almost non existent by comparison to iPhone or Droid. This was the one thing the sales rep kept hammering on "the Windows phone apps are a joke compared to the iPhone and Droid app selections." Apps growing by by the thousands
* No siri on Windows (although, I could personally care less about Siri - it's more of a gimmick IMO). Will be out soon - Check the Verge for a sneak peak - Called Cortana
* I like the Apple iCloud better than the Windows equivalent she showed me....but this could be just because the iCloud is so easy to use and I'm used to it. - We like what we are used to...lol
Click to expand...

Rob, this is the very best post so far in this thread! :heart:

And you and Mike, I both ....
 
ohbythebay said:
Hey, just in case - Here is a money saver IF you want a windows phone
Buy Nokia Lumia 521 No Contract for T-Mobile - Microsoft Store

Buy Nokia Lumia 520 for AT&T (Black) - Microsoft Store

Not the top of the line but pretty awesome ..and at $99 or $59 dollars - no contract - just buy the phone...pretty good deal
Click to expand...

Rob, the cell (mobile) representative from Guatemala to who I talked with couple days ago, that's exactly what he said to me; the Nokia Lumia (he probably meant the 521 model because it has a 4" screen diag. size) and at only $129 (here in Canada in Canadian dollars) is my best bet to save money. ...And have a great touchscreen phone I assume (one I'll be happy with as much as any other one).
- He didn't steer me into any specific direction at all; he simply enumerated the facts as they are and simply told me that I'll save $321 over the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Rob, obviously you know what you are talking about, so this next question is for you directly:
Between the Nokia Lumia 521 and Samsung Galaxy S3 and their price difference of $321 (S3 is $450 Cdn);
which one yourself would you be using (purchasing)?

And last question: Which smartphone are you using right now yourself? ...And your wife (I forgot)?

By the way, all those smartphones (touchscreen) mentioned so far in this thread, I can get without paying a cent.
I simply exchange my time (in dollars that I already have accumulated), and no contract, no monthly payments at all.
Free to use Wi-Fi with my PC (good for 15 meters), 50 minutes per each month for free, and after that only .15 cents per minute. And that is all (less perhaps .75 cents per month for having access to 911 emergency calls).

But! If you read again my first original post, you'll see the things that I personally would like to do comfortably.
Not much at all really; fut few among them is to be able to surf the Wide World Web, watch videos and make phone calls once in a while. That's about it, so a nice screen would be a nice attribute for my own personal use.
And the thing I'm thinking right now is the screen's size difference between 4 inches diagonal (Nokia Lumia 521) and 4.8 inches diagonal (Samsung Galaxy S3). And! Is the $321 difference between those two touchscreens truly worth it?
...The difference in screen's size between them is 0.8 inch.

Probably best now that I simply see it for myself at the store. But your opinion Rob is highly sought.
...So are the opinions of all the other members here at AudioShark, even Matt. ;)

Rob, you're an expert on analog turntables of great value (carts included), and the frugal expert here at the 'aquarium' on smart phones as well. Your membership/presence here is extremely valuable for people like I, Matt, and many many other members and guests of our lovely and friendly community. ...And created by the best guy in the world; Mike!
...With the assistance of the two best other guys in the world, Joe and Mark.
And with the participation of all the other best guys in the world; all the members. :heart:

One more: About LG Nexus touchscreen phones?
 
dlb2 said:
Bob, I don't mean to throw a wrench in here but...

I've had my 4S for just over a year. I'm a firm believer that when there is a software update that it's for the better so I always update to the latest greatest. However, the last update made my wi-fi die. Something to do with the wi-fi chip overheating due to the nature of the new OS. Apparently this is only a problem with the 4S phone because of the particular chip in it so going with a 5 series phone should be okay. Of course all of this happened just a month past my warranty date so I'm screwed unless I buy a new phone. I've been a loyal Apple customer for 25 years but this has got me thinking about going with Samsung or something like that in the future just as a change of pace. YMMV of course, and probably will because my son and I got our phones at the same time and his wi-fi still works just fine.
Click to expand...

Doug, same happened to my 4S. Was in my top pocket at work & felt it getting hot to the point of I freaked & turned it off. Thought it was going to start melting so left it on the floor for 10 mins to see what would develop. The new ios is a freakin eyesore & now my phone is compromised & I have to keep rebooting it. If you don't know how to reboot, hold the power on/off down & push the button on the front until you see the apple logo reappear on the black screen. I saved the wifi, turned all notifications off & anything else that I thought was to blame with the new system update, but now about once a week the ph just hangs & then jams, reboot once or twice seems to fix, but I really hated that when I used windows back a time!
 
NorthStar said:
Go ahead Kev, say exactly what you have to say. That way we can get to a friendly common ground.

- Google slogans (logos): you don't like? Is there something wrong with that, is it bothering you personally?
Click to expand...


Bob, they are tracked, observed,cookied etc, it is "the machine". Maybe I'm wrong but I highly doubt it. Incognito & "the machine" , really? No I am not fond of that, then again, it's an observation to someone on a public forum, I think we all need to remember where we are at times. Happy holidays Bob, don't wear that ph out over x'y.
 
More I read your original post....I think you should just go and buy a least expensive any smart phone. One more thing. Don't add a data plan that can be expensive ~!

My 2 cents.
 
sharkmouth said:
Bob, they are tracked, observed,cookied etc, it is "the machine". Maybe I'm wrong but I highly doubt it. Incognito & "the machine" , really? No I am not fond of that, then again, it's an observation to someone on a public forum, I think we all need to remember where we are at times. Happy holidays Bob, don't wear that ph out over x'y.
Click to expand...

Kev, screw the machine, and screw all the people who try to dictate others what to do and not to do.
Nobody is after me, and I don't hurt anyone.

Where I am is called the planet Earth.

And Kev, I love you very much so; Happy Holidays to you and all your family! :)
 
BlueMcIntosh said:
More I read your original post....I think you should just go and buy a least expensive any smart phone. One more thing. Don't add a data plan that can be expensive ~!

My 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Paul, you are getting my line of thinking, I think. :)

It don't have to be the most inexpensive one though (my budget is up to $500). I want performance, good size screen, ease of operation (Wi-Fi with my PC and Windows), and value for the money (it don't matter at all if it costs $100 or five times more).
Battery life is a good thing, and I don't want one that gets too hot, and that would break down eventually (OS and upgrades). ...So longevity (durability) is a great attribute.

Another thing; I wont be dropping it on the street's pavement (I got some' else for that).
So I don't think that I would ever break the screen, from any touchscreen phone.
 
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