Advice on an XT compatible android phone $300

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eljefe

99 posts

Master Geek

#71602 13-Nov-2010 14:14

Can anyone give me advice on likely phones running android for telecoms XT network.
I have only been researching for a few days and there is a lot to take in, and lots of contradictory info from different sources.

Would likes
Telecom XT
Capacitive screen
2.0 android plus, or the ability to upgrade (maybe after warranty is over) would be keen to do some hacking on it.
Range $300-600
Looking at Electron-world.com at the moment for prices.
Ability to add an SD card
Good battery life?

Questions
If you have SD card, what gets stored on it? APPS or only music/vids/photos.
Am I being foolish limiting myself to telecom? My main uses will be
1. Texting
2. Checking emails using the wifi at home, maybe a little bit of surfing.
The other 3 members of my family all use XT, so I was thinking this was a good reason to stay with XT.

Any ideas on other things to look for would also be good.
Memory?
Upgradability paths for android.

What do people think about the Motorola Milestone?
Is it fast enough?

Cheers
Jeff

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374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#404237 13-Nov-2010 14:49

I don't know about Electron-world.com, but they seem to be missing the 3G/UMTS specs from a lot of their phones - makes it difficult to tell if they're compatible.

Mobicity is a good site http://www.mobicity.co.nz (or http://www.mobicity.com.au)

As far as the SD card goes ... up to 2.1 apps/games/etc are stored on the handset, 2.2 (and later I assume) will store apps/games/etc on the SD card.

My current phone is the HTC Desire (from mobicity), a very nice phone but more than your $600 limit :)

The HTC Wildfire (A3335) is $489.00 and looks to be a nice handset.

Current Phone:
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Current Tablet:

- Acer Iconia 7" Android Tablet

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kiwijunglist

2981 posts

Uber Geek

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#404287 13-Nov-2010 18:25

What about HTC Legend,you should check it out as an alternative to the wildfire, it's about $550-$650, so it's a bit more pricey. I think there is a telecom version (3G 850; note 3G850=/=GSM850) but you'll need to double check.

If you can go for an android vodafone handset the Vodafone 845 for $199 (usually $400) is a bargain, and if you buy now you get $200 worth of supa prepay credit. This is the best low end android deal that I am aware of. I also got my phone from mobicity.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

eljefe

99 posts

Master Geek

#404294 13-Nov-2010 18:47

kiwijunglist: What about HTC Legend,you should check it out as an alternative to the wildfire, it's about $550-$650, so it's a bit more pricey. I think there is a telecom version (3G 850; note 3G850=/=GSM850) but you'll need to double check.

If you can go for an android vodafone handset the Vodafone 845 for $199 (usually $400) is a bargain, and if you buy now you get $200 worth of supa prepay credit. This is the best low end android deal that I am aware of. I also got my phone from mobicity.

Thanks guys, the 845 is Vodafone only, according to Telecom, and not capacitive, I read the thread on "best cheap fone".
>>3G 850; note 3G850=/=GSM850

Thanks, I will search up the Legend.
Jeff

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

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#404298 13-Nov-2010 18:54

yup it's definitely vodafone only, you can't get anything capactive at that price point, but if you want something cheap + android it's definitely the best there is and it's a steal.

Ceveat re: The Legend, it's so close in price to the Desire you might as well buy the desire. So in that respect i'm not sure if it's a good choice. but definitely worth considering.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

eljefe

99 posts

Master Geek

#404410 14-Nov-2010 09:52

Cripes, theres buggerall selection out there if you want to go with telecom eh?
The wildfire is looking good right now, but how much of an issue is the smaller screen size?
I have read that some apps wont run on it because its too small?

Its it not just a case of panning?

The desire sure looks very desirable : )

aim

247 posts

Master Geek

#404480 14-Nov-2010 14:38

Yes some apps won't work on the Wildfire, a lot of the games etc.

eljefe

99 posts

Master Geek

#404482 14-Nov-2010 14:43

aim: Yes some apps won't work on the Wildfire, a lot of the games etc.

I dont "do" games so that in itself is not a problem.
Maybe I need to do some more research.

Thanks for the feedback.
jeff

PS: I am Linux user (Mint) do any of the phones out there talk to Linux or do they assume XP/7 ?
I guess I am talking drag and drop for music?

kyhwana2

2563 posts

Uber Geek

#404486 14-Nov-2010 14:52

eljefe:

PS: I am Linux user (Mint) do any of the phones out there talk to Linux or do they assume XP/7 ?
I guess I am talking drag and drop for music?

When you plug in the HTC phones you can choose "disk drive mode" and just mount and copy files over.

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

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#404522 14-Nov-2010 17:06

my Samsung Galaxy phone auto scans every media file on the sd card/phone everytime it boots up, then builds a database for video/image files and another one of audio files for the music app. So you just put the mp3 files any where on the phone in any folder structure and it will find them, you can do this in mass storage usb mode. I imagine there is a usb mass storage mode driver for linux, if not you could remove the sd card and use an sd card read to put your music onto the phone.

there are apps that will let you unlock the market to download apps that arn't supposed to work on your phone, and there is also an app that will increase the pixel density (ie, it will run apps at a higher resolution than your phone can support), this can in some cases let you run programs your not supposed to be able to run.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#404527 14-Nov-2010 17:39

Shame you need capacitive screen because (I think) the GT540 from LG is quadband... (please correct if I'm wrong) and it does everything else you need.

eljefe

99 posts

Master Geek

#404529 14-Nov-2010 17:41

blakamin: Shame you need capacitive screen because (I think) the GT540 from LG is quadband... (please correct if I'm wrong) and it does everything else you need.

Yeah, a guy at work has one, goign to try it on monday hopefully, certainly a hell-deal.

jeff

kiwijunglist

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#404530 14-Nov-2010 17:41

Quadband GSM, but not Quadband 3G, telecom doesn't have GSM network. There is a version with 850 3G + 900 GSM. I tried one in the vodafone shop but didnt like typing on the resistive screen. It's quite an attractive phone body and if it wasn't resistive it would be awesome phone. It can be had for $300-$350.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#404531 14-Nov-2010 17:45

kiwijunglist: Quadband GSM, but not Quadband 3G, telecom doesn't have GSM network. There is a version with 850 3G + 900 GSM. I tried one but didnt like typing on the resistive screen. It's quite an attractive phone body and if it wasn't resistive it would be awesome phone.

Cheers for clearing that up, might stick the Mrs XT sim in mine and see what happens anyway.

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

Uber Geek

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#404535 14-Nov-2010 17:50

Unfortunately there is no XT equivalent of the Vodafone 845 deal. I havn't tried an 845, but for $199 or less with $200 credit it seems very good. (Resistive screen)

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

Cymro

283 posts

Ultimate Geek

#404555 14-Nov-2010 18:20

eljefe:
What do people think about the Motorola Milestone?
Is it fast enough?

I'm using a Milestone and it seems plenty fast to me, at least when i'm playing Angry Birds on the bus anyway :)

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