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sharp_stick

(14,400 posts)
13. Good Luck
Tue Sep 17, 2013, 03:44 PM
Sep 2013

You're about to be swarmed by Apple fanboys and Android nuts who smell blood in the water.

Before you get consumed by them take a few minutes and figure out what you need and what you want. When you're looking at apps try to find some that you like and see where you can find them. Some apps are specific for a specific system only but in general the big ones are available for all.

Windows, iPhone and Android simply refer to the operating system of the phone and any of them will provide you with phone service, a GPS service and some apps.

Windows phones seem to be trailing the Apple (iPhone) and Android but all three are easy to find.

IMO your first visit should be to your current providers website or store where you can take a quick look at what's available. Most of the big providers (Verizon, ATT etc.) offer all or most of the phones. If you go into the store you can usually handle the phones and play with them a bit too. Just don't fall for the upsell...you know the "Sure the Samsung Galaxy 3 is available for only $49.00 but if you drop $200 you get an extra 1/8" of screen space.

If you don't like your provider check with some others. Check out a mall kiosk or Costco if you're a member - some pretty good prices there.

Good luck, and for what it's worth I just upgraded to the HTC One (android) last month and I love it, but if all you want is something basic you can do it for a lot less money. For what you mentioned in your OP you could probably do very well with a lot of the "no charge" smartphones. A quick look at my Verizon page shows 8 basic smart phones for less than $10 for the phone itself.

I have the HTC One on Verizon, it's a recent Android phone and it's absolutely beautiful but it's $200 down with a two year contract.

Have fun.

Need some technological advice. [View all] redstatebluegirl Sep 2013 OP
Droid... VanillaRhapsody Sep 2013 #1
As opposed to South Korea's slave labor camps LordGlenconner Sep 2013 #37
I think so sir.... VanillaRhapsody Sep 2013 #43
iPhone Bay Boy Sep 2013 #2
AKA iFraud. cherokeeprogressive Sep 2013 #60
I just went with a not to expensive droid Marrah_G Sep 2013 #3
Which one did you buy? redstatebluegirl Sep 2013 #5
I have an LG my touch Marrah_G Sep 2013 #11
Samsung Galaxy S3 is a solid model that you should get for $50 or less MH1 Sep 2013 #34
I have this model and it is AWWWWWWSOOOMMMEE! VanillaRhapsody Sep 2013 #44
I agree. MuseRider Sep 2013 #65
Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2013 #71
Check Amazon for a deal.. I got a Samsung Galaxy S3 for $30.00 SoCalDem Sep 2013 #45
Someone told me the iphone has charging issues is that true redstatebluegirl Sep 2013 #4
No mine newfie11 Sep 2013 #6
Not sure what they mean but I'm on my third iPhone and love it. NYC_SKP Sep 2013 #7
I have a question. Jenoch Sep 2013 #21
Upgrades, my work covers the costs. Ipads as well, now on my 3rd, a retina 4G. NYC_SKP Sep 2013 #23
I forgot, you're an IT guy, correct? Jenoch Sep 2013 #24
Nope, but I have a Masters in Educational Technology. NYC_SKP Sep 2013 #26
Many years ago, Jenoch Sep 2013 #27
Ah, the facsimile machine. NYC_SKP Sep 2013 #28
It depends on what carrier you're on. Hong Kong Cavalier Sep 2013 #8
I like that it is made here. redstatebluegirl Sep 2013 #9
Unfortunately, they do start at $200 on-contract. Hong Kong Cavalier Sep 2013 #10
I can handle that, I'd rather not but I look at this as a 5 year purchase.... redstatebluegirl Sep 2013 #12
Okay. Take your time, do some research on websites, and don't make a hasty decision. Hong Kong Cavalier Sep 2013 #15
I really like Motorola phones as well MuseRider Sep 2013 #66
Good Luck sharp_stick Sep 2013 #13
Thanks Great Advice!!!! redstatebluegirl Sep 2013 #14
+1 Hong Kong Cavalier Sep 2013 #16
Good post Aerows Sep 2013 #31
you'll find many arguments pro and con demwing Sep 2013 #17
depends on how you use it alc Sep 2013 #18
My advice is not to buy one quinnox Sep 2013 #19
You can get an iPhone 4s for "free" with contract from most carriers n/t FreeState Sep 2013 #20
I'll be the odd one out on a tech thread, again BelgianMadCow Sep 2013 #22
It is like buying a car hootinholler Sep 2013 #25
Android Aerows Sep 2013 #29
I have a Nokia 828 and it works fine for me FarCenter Sep 2013 #30
It's a Windows phone, though Aerows Sep 2013 #32
It doesn't matter whether there are 50K or 100K apps in the store FarCenter Sep 2013 #33
Fair enough Aerows Sep 2013 #35
Put Task Manager on a screen... then hit "stop all" every now and then Motown_Johnny Sep 2013 #39
On Windows 8 phone there is a battery saver option under settings. FarCenter Sep 2013 #41
I have that too, but it is set to kick in below 30% battery life. Motown_Johnny Sep 2013 #42
Droid girl here. RiffRandell Sep 2013 #36
any android phone running 4.0 or 4.1 will do you fine Motown_Johnny Sep 2013 #38
What's your comfort level with non-phone computing? Posteritatis Sep 2013 #40
Make sure you get an battery upgrade - haele Sep 2013 #46
I've had an android for about a year and a half that I like. Waiting For Everyman Sep 2013 #47
Where are you taking it to? nadinbrzezinski Sep 2013 #48
At&t iw my carrier but I can shop since I am up for renewal. redstatebluegirl Sep 2013 #49
Good. Check those contracts carefully nadinbrzezinski Sep 2013 #50
In six months you'll be one of us Boom Sound 416 Sep 2013 #51
. Motown_Johnny Sep 2013 #53
Lol! Boom Sound 416 Sep 2013 #55
Best smart phone is HTC DNA. darkangel218 Sep 2013 #52
It's always the monthly costs that put the kibosh on it for me. What are people REALLY paying?? WinkyDink Sep 2013 #54
You say you can shop around Tien1985 Sep 2013 #56
Probably overloaded by now but here is my 2 cents. Soundman Sep 2013 #57
Overloaded yes but I am reading all of this! redstatebluegirl Sep 2013 #58
People tend to get downright evangelical about their phones A Little Weird Sep 2013 #59
I got my daughter an HTC One (android), with Virgin Mobile service bhikkhu Sep 2013 #61
My cell phone looks like this and I'll be sad when it dies... hunter Sep 2013 #62
Is it one of those 'Obamaphones' that the right wing idiots are yelling about? Koko Ware Sep 2013 #63
If you need me that bad you know what to do and I may be EXTREMELY grumpy. hunter Sep 2013 #67
No problem. I don't want trouble. Koko Ware Sep 2013 #68
No, I'M Old School! Pen, paper, and film 35mm camera! WinkyDink Sep 2013 #72
'Feature phone' here IDemo Sep 2013 #64
Thanks everyone! Great info here! redstatebluegirl Sep 2013 #69
My old 32GB iPhone 4 with a Defender series Otter Box case... Purrfessor Sep 2013 #70
Just to let everyone know redstatebluegirl Sep 2013 #73
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