Smartphone question.

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rayonline

1734 posts

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#94002 3-Dec-2011 21:41

I spent some time thinking about phones and re: dumbing the selection process down. Many people don't use every feature but just to serve a purpose, plus that there are so many phones that gets released out. Many average people may also hold onto a phone for a few yrs.

1. Would it be true that Android handsets assuming the CPU is fast enough that it just comes down to screen size? Everything else can more/less adapted by the user re: applications and visual appearance and layout.

2. While I don't have a iPhone and have no intention of getting one - mainly due to the price. Some people say that a Android requires more work to set it up while a iPhone doesn't. Can someone expand on that? If we just wanted to visit a webpage, make a call or send a text, one could just use a Android handset out of the box right?

Thanks.

Finch

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#553305 3-Dec-2011 23:01

In regards to question 2, your correct you can send a txt/make a call/visit a webpage out of the box. If the phone is imported you may (Will?) need to input some settings to PXT. I think what you mean by "Does it need more setting up?" is for personalisation? With an Iphone you cant really customise much, but with an Android phone you can change this, that + even more.

Hope I helped somehow.

nakedmolerat

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#553306 3-Dec-2011 23:12

M_I_C_H_A_E_L: If the phone is imported you may (Will?) need to input some settings to PXT.

all new android phones (including the imported ones), you just need to pop in your sim card and everything is sorted (calls, sms, mms/pxt, internet)

Finch

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#553307 3-Dec-2011 23:16

nakedmolerat:
M_I_C_H_A_E_L: If the phone is imported you may (Will?) need to input some settings to PXT.

all new android phones (including the imported ones), you just need to pop in your sim card and everything is sorted (calls, sms, mms/pxt, internet)

Ahh ok new handsets. My N1 couldnt PXT, had to input the settings myself. Fair enough.

billgates

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#553312 3-Dec-2011 23:34

Have a look at Windows Phone handsets. Easy to use, fast and very fluid OS.

http://www.parallelimported.co.nz/mobile-phones/htc-radar-white-mobile-phone.html

http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/5996/nokia-lumia-800---network-start-up-logo-only--sim-free-unlocked--black-

http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/5511/htc-radar--sim-free-unlocked--graphite-

Do whatever you want to do man.

nakedmolerat

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#553318 4-Dec-2011 00:01

rayonline:Some people say that a Android requires more work to set it up while a iPhone doesn't.

That is not true!!!

In order to help you, I need to know:

1. How much are you willing to spend?

2. You want a 'smartphone' and would like to hold onto it for few years, right?

netspanner

343 posts

Ultimate Geek

#553379 4-Dec-2011 09:45

Until this year I disliked cellphones and had an old Nokia clamshell phone from about 4 years ago that will expire soon. I hardly ever used it and thought texting was pointless (I still do). I couldn't see the point of a smartphone with the tiny screens and huge data costs.

I realized I had to upgrade eventually and thought I would get the best so bought a Samsung Galaxy S2 for cash from overseas and set it up on prepaid I realized I had a computer, that was dirt cheap to run, was immensely fun, and just happened to take phone calls.

Since then I have taught myself to program on it and its became indispensable. My advice? Throw down the cash, buy yourself a computer that fits in your pocket, and get a tool that is really fun. It will be a learning curve, but then you have a new skill, and its enjoyable.

cyril7

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#553389 4-Dec-2011 09:59

all new android phones (including the imported ones), you just need to pop in your sim card and everything is sorted (calls, sms, mms/pxt, internet)

Ummm thats not quite true, there are a few settings that need to be set (ie the APN details) there is a quick guide linked below, its all of 30sec to input those details and all releases of Android have the same layout of these settings not too much to get confused about.

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=67440

Cyril

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rayonline

1734 posts

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#553409 4-Dec-2011 10:48

not buying, just thinking about it. Got a nokia a few months ago when my 3yr nokia i lost. Chose nokia primarily for its free offline maps for my regular overseas travels. Where much of the time not staying long enough to justify a local sim card purchase.

Only regret now maybe the apple or android have better app support like google maps with transit assist. I don't use lot of apps. And larger screen is better, pressing the links on the web browser can be hard i have a 3.2 inch. But is my first touch screen. My old phone was a 2.4 inch slide out keyboard. Plus when you type something and the prediction thingy types it something else for you ... as it is not in the dictionary, when you click that word you actually typed can be v hard. most of the time i just spell a letter each time followed by the right arrow.

maybe is it that ... with Androids at least. just get a 4" screen as a min. and get the cheapest phone out there .... i pretty much just text/call/webpage and use a few apps like AirNZ grab a seat, GPS, eBuddy, Skype and that's about it.

Elpie

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#553430 4-Dec-2011 11:32

I sat on an old iMate JAM for years, thinking that it did everything I needed a phone to do. It was a good PDA but after changing to a smartphone I now wonder how I managed to go so long before making the move.

While calling, txting and occasional Internet use provides the basics, the convenience factor of having a carry-around computer shouldn't be underestimated. This is especially noticeable if you travel.

Last year, for a trip to France, I created a Google map containing locations and opening hours for places I wanted to visit. My map was loaded onto my phone and using navigation I was able to quickly get to all those places. The apps I loaded on were invaluable - Paris metro, forex, translation, bus timetables, etc. Being able to email, tweet, take decent photos without needing to carry a camera all the time, browse the web, and generally take care of business while on the move saved me a lot of time while I was travelling. In the past, I often travelled with a guidebook. Now, I can have the same guidebook in electronic format right on my phone.

If you have a decent data plan then the phone is also really useful as a portable WiFi hotspot.

As to the question of iPhone vs Android - I've used both and personally find Androids beat iPhone hands down. iPhones are more intuitive than some Android phones and there is a good range of apps. The range of apps available for Android is every bit as good as for iPhone but they are not as standardised in their interfaces and appearance. iPhone maps and navigation are nowhere near as good as Android. Android also offers much larger screen sizes.

Hope this helps.

rayonline

1734 posts

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#553445 4-Dec-2011 12:04

Yeah ... I carry a SLR camera with multiple lenses and a tripod :D A more serious hobby.

And re: data plan overseas, unless I am staying for an extended period like where I have family I don't tend to stay that long in a single place and expense adds up too seeing and doing the same things ... Like Singapore, the prepay data plans are about NZ's prices, $1 for 10MB and a $20 odd connection pack. Starhub provide all you can use but it works out about $6/day if you get their 3 day min package ($18). But there are some cheaper places like Thailand.

Which was one reason I went with the Nokia given their offline maps with all POIs. My bro has a HTC Wildlife, he can cache a square area but he hasn't been able to route or search for POIs while in offline mode.

stuzz

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#553462 4-Dec-2011 13:07

I am running a Galaxy S supposedly with 1ghz processor/ 512mb ram. I find I use numerous apps which run services in the background.

They don't seem to "stop" running when the apps are not actively being used. This is probably the same with all smartphones.

I find however that after heavy use the phone can be prone to spontaneously rebooting. I suspect lack of ram? Or is it processor?

My question is, that if I change to another OS/phone with the same amount of ram, will I have the same issue? How much difference does processor power make to my issue?