Poasters
Computers and Technology => Electronics => Topic started by: Bill on December 10, 2014, 09:06 hrs
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I am about ready to upgrade. I currently have a Motorola Razr which is about the right size for me. VZ presently has Moto X discounted to $99 but in looking at some old poasts here, I have a sense this is older technology .? And before anyone asks, yes, I'm staying with Vz as its really the only game in town that works. Oops, I just looked again and the Moto X is gen 2. Anyone have any suggestions on current models, I prefer Motorola but.....
This is probably not a good time of the year to be phone shopping and I can wait....
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Digging a little further, the Moto X 2nd gen is too big - 5.4 " display. The other one that is of interest is the HTC Desire with a 4.7 display, closer to my existing Razr at 3+. It's also free with a new contract! Both are android O/S.
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I've been using my Moto X will little fanfare for a bit over a year now. Despite the older technology, it continues to do the job quite well.
I often hear great things about Motorola Droid models available through Verizon. Is that a possible option? I don't have too much advice, as personal preferences really play out with smartphones. But I often read the following sites for smartphone news and reviews:
http://www.androidauthority.com/ (http://www.androidauthority.com/)
http://www.androidcentral.com/ (http://www.androidcentral.com/)
http://www.androidpolice.com/ (http://www.androidpolice.com/)
http://www.droid-life.com/ (http://www.droid-life.com/)
http://www.gsmarena.com/ (http://www.gsmarena.com/)
http://www.phonearena.com/ (http://www.phonearena.com/)
http://www.phonedog.com/ (http://www.phonedog.com/)
http://www.phonescoop.com/ (http://www.phonescoop.com/)
http://thedroidguy.com/ (http://thedroidguy.com/)
All of these sites are great. But if you only have time for one or two, I recommend focusing on Phone Dog or Phone Scoop.
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Thanks, those 2 were very helpful. I think I'm down to 2. BTW I think the
Droids are too big for my use and tastes.
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It's unfortunate T-Mobile won't work for you, as they are easily the best deal among the Big 4. The other 3 just keep putting more colorful lipstick on the pig.
Does T-Mo not work in your area at all, or just in your home? If the latter the free router would easily resolve that problem.
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Other than VZ, Tmo included, all work fine along the 2 major highways and in town, but other than that the coverage is less than spotty. This is a very rural area, 10 minutes off the highway or out of town there is very little. The next carrier here is AT&T and last I looked they were almost as expensive as VZ. If it were not for my signal extender even VZ, at least in the house, is poor.
I been down that road and don't want to go back.
But on the positive side the HTC One (M8) and the HTC 612 look promising. There is a VZ store in town and I'm going to look at them, I hope, on Friday.
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I know the HTC One (H8) is a well-reviewed, favored phone. I wouldn't mind one for myself, but I find it rather long in the hand. But it is a very sweet phone and one that I have not totally ruled out for my next purchase. If nothing else it has excellent sound for a smartphone, plus a premium feel.
I'm not very familiar with the HTC Desire (612), other than it's an entry level phone. It seems like you're comparing a Ford Focus with a BMW 5 series. ;D What is Verizon asking for them? Unless the price difference is significant, I'd go for the H8.
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The HTC One is $199 with a new contract, the 612 is free with a new contract. I may go for the One anyway, I generally don't like "entry level" anything.
Kind of like you get what you pay for....... I plan on looking at both tomorrow, there is Vz store in town.
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Something to consider:
Verizon Moto X (2013) 32GB (http://www.androidcentral.com/verizon-moto-x-2013-32gb-developer-edition-drops-just-19999-amazon)
I have the GSM version of this phone.
Here's another great deal to consider:
... on contract Galaxy S5 for just $79 (http://www.androidcentral.com/walmart-offering-contract-galaxy-s5-just-79)
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Thanks for both. A friend has the S5 which is a large phone, lots of features but too big. I selected the HTC One on Friday after also looking at the Droid.
The HTC is about as large as I wanted. Since then it's been through 2 O/S upgrades, now android 4.4.4. The battery seems to be about 3 times the one in the Razr. After a full charge on Friday, this morning it stood at 2/3 of capacity. The new version of the O/S is just different enough to be annoying for a while. And the one feature missing is the Google calendar which I will try and fix today or tomorrow. It does have Google everything else.
Functionally, it is substantially faster than the Razr and seems to gain and hold a signal very well. Phone calls are clear and it has 2 speakers on the front, one of which serves the speakerphone producing lots of volume. Ring tone selection is terrible, that I fixed on Friday using the Zedge web site. Thousands of ring tones, alerts and wallpapers with easy downloads and one button push installation.
So far HTC Ond is a big step up and I am pleased.
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here you go, all free and clean: http://www.zedge.net/
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I would say yes to both, after a while. This version of adroid changes how things are done, like moving an app from a back page to the home page. And activating the screen requires a swipe rather than a button push as on the Razr. The one remaining annoyance is that if you activate the screen using a provided button it remains locked until the screen is swiped. But all in all I like it.
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Same holds true for Vz and android. I have never seen pure android, only the, now 2, versions of Vz has modified.
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Yes
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My wife's Nexus 5 is pure Android, as is my Nexus 7 tablet. My Moto X is very close to pure Android, as Motorola only did minor modifications to the OS.
I have eyed the Samsung Note 4, but I was held back by the severe modifications to the OS. Of course, most other manufacturers do the same. But pure Android phones are limited in choices. The closest to the Note 4 is the Nexus 6, but it's not a phone that appeals to me. So I stick with the Moto X.
I have often read that HTC does the best OS modification, but I still prefer stock Android.
BTW: My wife's phone was recently updated to Lollipop 5, from KitKat 4.4.4. It was quite an adjustment for her and she was not happy. She also cannot stand the newest Google Calendar software. I think she's finally getting used to Lollipop after several weeks of use, but don't mention the calendar to her. My Nexus 7 and Moto X are still running KitKat 4.4.4.
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Well that tells me Vz is slow to push updates if Lollipop is already out there, and that's ok. The last time Vz did an upgrade to android they screwed it up royally. The thing that puzzles me the most is why my phone doesn't seem to have the Google calendar while it has everything else Google. Unless of course I'm not looking in the right place.
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Bill, you should be able to simply go to Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.calendar&hl=en) and download it.
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I'll try that, I was expecting to be on the phone already.
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I would think it would be there by default as well. If it is, but it's hidden somewhere, you'll know when you visit Google Play while you are logged in to your account. Google Play will show "Installed". If it's not already installed, then it will be an easy fix.
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I find an online app that syncs to my desktop but not a downloadable app for the calender. I must be missing something obvious.
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I presume you have a Google Account, which is linked to your phone. When you go to Google play on your PC, you must log in. The account will be synced with your phone. Then it's a simple matter of downloading the app directly to your phone at the page I linked.
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I don't know if I do, guess I should check.
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yes I do, it's managed by my ISP. However I found the calender app and was able to d/l and install. Thanks!
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Glad it worked out.
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On a list I saw this morning, the Moto X and HTC One (M8) are among the top 5 phones listed for 2014.
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PhoneDog has its Official Smartphone Rankings (http://www.phonedog.com/rankings/smartphones), in both People's Choice and Expert's Choice.
As of this writing the site is not fully functioning, but for Peoples Choice the following Top 5 are currently listed on their front page:
1. Samsung Galaxy Note 4
2. HTC One (M8)
3. LG G3
4. Blackberry Passport
5. Apple iPhone 6
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The listing saw was on Fox News, I don't remember whose it was though.
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PhoneDog is back up again if you want to peruse the link.
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Thanks.