I Need An Android or Smartphone and Advice.

[tina1rules]

I am just a bit clueless on the ins and outs of all these phones. I need a no contract phone. I am not sure hoe to get the best deal. This is why I am posting to ask for everyones advice. Do you use a no contract provider? How do you like them? Do you have a fav place to find deals on a cell??? Help. I have been to Wal-mart a couple phone stores and I just dunno, most of them seem a little expensive to a cheap skate like me. Oh and what is the diff between a Droid and a Smartphone. And what about 'Window' phones? So ty in advance to any replies. I am just trying to do my homework before I make this purchase. Ty.

[mwaters50]

Is there a reason you want a no contract phone? Do you have a certain budget you need to stay within? Is it possible for a family member to put you on their contract so that the phone cost per month is minimal? Just thinking of a few other possibilities for you.

A smartphone is basically a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone (per Wikipedia.) A Droid fall under the category of a smartphone.

I have no idea about 'Window' phones though...maybe they run using windows. Not 100% on that though. I have a blackberry. It does what I need it to do, but my husband is getting an iphone next week. The iphone is almost like a computer. So, basically, you need to figure out how much phone you need. Most times, a smartphone is going to cost more monthly because of the network needed for it to run. A simple phone with no internet capabilities is going to be much cheaper (like the flip phone.)

I hope I helped a little! Not really a phone guru. Just speaking from experience!

[HAdrian1239]

Yea, personally, I would never buy a "Windows" phone, because I hate windows PC's so why would their phone OS be any better, especially in comparison to iOS and Android. I have a Motorola Droid Bionic now through Verizon. I like it OK, but I don't love it like I did my other first generation droid. If I had it to do all over again, I would have gotten an iPhone for so many reasons...

BUT I am also starting to consider a no contract phone in the future. I bought one for my best friend the other day, and while she specifically did NOT want a smartphone for a very specific reason... so many of the pay as you go ones were smartphones... and honestly, it didn't seem like you paid anymore up front for the phone than you would if you were going with a major contract provider.

The monthly option on the no contract phones is usually awesome too... $45-60 per month for unlimited talk, text and data in many cases... and let me tell you that is much less than what I pay now, with a cap on data.

All three phone platforms (Windows, iOS and Android) have pluses and minuses... so that's where I would start researching, to see what functionality you would like in a phone, what you need, how easy each of those are to use, and which way you want to go.

[cmkstar - closed]

My whole family swears by their Android phones. My step-father is the only one on a non-contract plan. He uses Virgin mobile and pays $45/mo for unlimited text, data and web + 1200 minutes. I think they got his phone at Target for around $100. Here's more info: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phone-plans/beyond-talk-plans.jsp

[turkturk7]

I have an HTC Incredible Droid phone and I really like it!

I do have one tip - don't log onto MTurk on your smartphone! I had my account suspended once and never found out why, but I suspect it was from logging onto MTurk on my laptop, not logging off, then logging on on my smartphone (therefore logged in on two devices at once). Just a heads up!

[Jazz]

I recently went in a different direction after having a Blackberry for years. I was unexpectedly given an iPod Touch for Christmas - which has the functions of the iPhone without the actual phone function. In addition to traditional iPod stuff, you can browse the web and get email from multiple accounts on the iPod Touch through wi-fi. I remembered reading an article about how many people were getting rid of their high cost smart phone plans and relying on the free wi-fi in the iPod Touch or various wi-fi tablets to meet mobile data needs. It got me thinking about whether I really still need a smart phone for data since wi-fi is available in so many places these days. I decided to get rid of the Blackberry and go to a no-contract flip phone for actual phone calls. Walmart had a nice Tracfone flip phone package (with camera) for just $15 (accessories like wall charger, car charger and case included). Nothing so fancy as my Blackberry of course, but very functional as a phone. I got "triple minutes for life" with the package and after buying the 3 month activation card (200 minute card), I had 600 minutes and 3 months usage for a total cost (including the phone itself) of $48. In 3 months I have to add another card, which is going to cost me $30-35 or so. And I always get triple minutes as long as I have the phone plan. I am not a really heavy cell phone user - 600 minutes will last me through most 3 month periods, but there are larger minute options for heavier users.

I was really surprised at how well it has worked out. I haven't missed the Blackberry nearly as much as I expected because there is so much wi-fi around me to connect free through the iPod Touch. And the iPod Touch has a better browser and email interface then my Blackberry Curve. The phone connection is actually a little better because Trac Fone uses a wider set of towers (I was previously with AT&T). So - my estimate is that my mobile phone/texting/data costs dropped from $900 year ($75/month) to about $125.

It isn't the right approach for everyone of course, but I was surprised to find it suited me quite well. But it only worked because I did have the iPod Touch (or something with similar data functions like the Kindle Fire or various smart tablets) to handle mobile data through free wi-fi.

[Project 2501]

A bit off topic, but an interesting claim about Android owners. Match.com survey results says Android owners will put out on the first date.


http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2399714,00.asp


If you just want to get some this Valentines's Day, perhaps you should consider making plans with someone who owns an Android phone. A recent Match.com survey found that Android users are most likely to put out on the first date.

The survey, conducted by the dating site's "Relationship Insider" Kimberley Moffit, revealed some interesting correlations between smartphone ownership and dating habits, Venture Beat (http://venturebeat.com/2012/01/31/match-com-android-users-are-more-likely-to-have-sex-on-first-date/) reported. Across the board, Match.com's poll found that 75 percent of Canadian singles think their love lives have benefitted from email and texting.

[A2-D2]

I have an HTC Incredible Droid phone and I really like it!

I do have one tip - don't log onto MTurk on your smartphone! I had my account suspended once and never found out why, but I suspect it was from logging onto MTurk on my laptop, not logging off, then logging on on my smartphone (therefore logged in on two devices at once). Just a heads up!

I also have an HTC Incredible Droid phone, and I agree with the above advice, with emphasis on the parts in bold. I frequently Turk from my phone, but I'm always VERY careful to click on the "Sign Out" link whenever I leave MTurk, no matter which device I'm on. I have yet to get a suspension.

[dblandon]

I'm finding myself moving closer to being in the market for a smartphone. I wish data plans didn't cost so much though!

If you're looking at a contract provider, T-Mobile is giving away all their phones for free on valentine's weekend. Of course, you need a new two year contract to do it, but still.

If you're going no-contract, there are a few providers. I think I remember seeing one at my supermarket. If Virgin Mobile is anything like their airline, they're awesome. Also, good note on the suspensions. I will make sure to log out of mechanical turk on my iPod!

[shanmy]

I recently went in a different direction after having a Blackberry for years. I was unexpectedly given an iPod Touch for Christmas - which has the functions of the iPhone without the actual phone function. In addition to traditional iPod stuff, you can browse the web and get email from multiple accounts on the iPod Touch through wi-fi. I remembered reading an article about how many people were getting rid of their high cost smart phone plans and relying on the free wi-fi in the iPod Touch or various wi-fi tablets to meet mobile data needs. It got me thinking about whether I really still need a smart phone for data since wi-fi is available in so many places these days. I decided to get rid of the Blackberry and go to a no-contract flip phone for actual phone calls. Walmart had a nice Tracfone flip phone package (with camera) for just $15 (accessories like wall charger, car charger and case included). Nothing so fancy as my Blackberry of course, but very functional as a phone. I got "triple minutes for life" with the package and after buying the 3 month activation card (200 minute card), I had 600 minutes and 3 months usage for a total cost (including the phone itself) of $48. In 3 months I have to add another card, which is going to cost me $30-35 or so. And I always get triple minutes as long as I have the phone plan. I am not a really heavy cell phone user - 600 minutes will last me through most 3 month periods, but there are larger minute options for heavier users.

I was really surprised at how well it has worked out. I haven't missed the Blackberry nearly as much as I expected because there is so much wi-fi around me to connect free through the iPod Touch. And the iPod Touch has a better browser and email interface then my Blackberry Curve. The phone connection is actually a little better because Trac Fone uses a wider set of towers (I was previously with AT&T). So - my estimate is that my mobile phone/texting/data costs dropped from $900 year ($75/month) to about $125.

It isn't the right approach for everyone of course, but I was surprised to find it suited me quite well. But it only worked because I did have the iPod Touch (or something with similar data functions like the Kindle Fire or various smart tablets) to handle mobile data through free wi-fi.

This.

I also got an iPod touch 4 32g for Xmas. I live in the middle of nowhere and my cell doesn't work at home (or for large chunks of road between here and town) anyway. So I have a no contract tmobile that I only put a $50 card on (440 min) every five or six months.
Almost anywhere I am in town has free wifi. So it works great for me. YMMV

[tjwillturk]

Did you ever figure out which Android phone you wanted? I would think trying to find a smart phone with no contract would be quite expensive. Or the price of the phone will go up drastically. Usually you can get a cheaper smart phone if you commit to a contract.

[ygnd]

We have iPod touches and we use earphones that have mics and are able to make calls using the Talkatone app which connects through you Google voice(just announced free phone calls through 2012) account via wi-fi. Really clear calls and free talk and text through the US.

[Cheapoguy]

I recently switched over to a Google smartphone (running Android) and I got a prepaid plan from T-mobile. It costs like $30 a month and there's no contract so you can cancel whenever you want. There's a site here (https://sites.google.com/site/cheapsmartphone) that gives you step by step on how to set it up. The important thing is to get an unlocked phone. You can get these on ebay or Craigslist pretty easily. It's better to spend a bit more up front and buy the phone outright then to get sucked into a 2yr contract paying $80 or $100 a month. Try to avoid signing a contract if you can. If you do the math you'll see that the free (or cheap) phone they give you isn't really worth it. You end up spending a lot more over the life of you contract.

[dblandon]

Make sure to do research about the network you want to use in the area you live. I know AT&T has horrible problems around Los Angeles and a lot of other larger cities, and many networks piggyback on their towers. Worth looking into.

[fairyface5]

Wow. Thanks for the tip on logging out of the system when you are done for the day. Much appreciated.