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SMARTPHONE INFO NEEDED

Posted by JugHead on January 20, 2017 at 1:59pm in News

Hi Everyone

I took a job that requires a Smart Phone that can link to my laptop and I am completely uninformed on the subject. I will be in Panama another couple months and have to return to the US to help a buddy with terminal cancer, so I have that to consider for the phone service as well.

Have not been working and going to school on my GI Bill. Any help would be greatly appreciated and budget is important right now.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

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Replies

noodles January 21, 2017 at 12:48pm

Hi hey l was saddled with ignorance too on operation of the android phone and went to youtube for simple 3 to 23 minute explanation vids which really helped. I am writing this aspect in as that is what l gleaned from your request not so much the hardware. I too am from the north east, in the corner tri states of Vt Nh and Ma.

I concur too that the usa isp monopoly is way obvious and stupidly overpriced by the way. On hardware l bought two samsung unlocked via ebay both had malware included both went back for that reason. I managed a blu 50 bucker which sucks totally but works at least most of the time as intended.

I am wary of these "smart"(?) phones and advise certainly special attention to your information as you will find nearly every application gets you to agree to unwarranted invasion of too much of your data and information in my experience.
Kelvin Schartz January 21, 2017 at 11:39am

I prefer not to have a plan. Others prefer a plan. Cricket is a phone/data company in the U.S. I found them to have the best rates and they have merged with ATT so have good coverage. A good way to go, particularly if you don't intend staying in the U.S. for good. You just pay by the month. No contract. They have different plans depending on what you need. Most decent sized towns have a Cricket store. Just google cricket phone store and whatever town or city you will be in.
Kelvin Schartz January 21, 2017 at 10:37am

I recommend Samsung Grand Neo Duos. You can put two different SIM cards in. I have Mas Movil for voice and texting and Claro for Data. Six Gigs for $15. Last I knew they run about $150. You can buy a cheaper phone, but Samsung are good quality. One year warranty. When you go to the U.S. just put in a Cricket chip. It's great as I always have Internet wherever I go and use it as wifi hotspot for my laptop and iPad.

The is no reason to buy a higher dollar smartphone. I asked a Cricket salesman the advantage of a $4-500 phone. She said there really was none. It's more of an ego thing- same with iPhone.
- JugHead > Kelvin Schartz January 22, 2017 at 10:21pm
  
  Thank you for the information Kelvin. This is very helpful and I appreciate your time.
- Walter Steiner > Kelvin Schartz January 21, 2017 at 4:52pm
  
  The Samsung J1 I got a few weeks ago is a replacement for the Galaxy S4 which now serves exclusively as my motorcycle GPS, camera and MP3 player.
  
  It has Android 6.1, is very fast (even as a hot spot), has a fabulous and very touch-sensitive screen, a good camera and - most importantly for me - fits into my pant pocket much better than the larger S4. And it costs about $400 less than the current "top of the line" Samsung phones.
  
  The only thing I would also like is dual SIM capability. But since I only use my Swiss SIM when I travel, it's no big deal to change it...
- Pets Want Homes > Kelvin Schartz January 21, 2017 at 11:33am
  
  Can you tell me what a Cricket chip is? I googled it, and all that came up is some kind of food item. Regarding iPhones, they cost much less with a plan (in the U.S.), and when a new model comes out, you can trade up for little to no cost to you. So they do not really cost $500 there.
Walter Steiner January 20, 2017 at 2:40pm

You can buy a used or cheap newer Smartphone (e.g. a Samsung J1 - about $120.- in Canada) and use it as a "mobile hotspot" or WiFi modem. Of course your laptop has to be equipped for WiFi and you will have to subscribe to a data plan with your phone provider...

I bought a Chinese 7" "BLU" brand tablet in PTY (at Albrook Mall for about $100) that can also operate as a Smartphone (with a SIM card, of course) and can be used for communicating via Skype & email and has limited PC capabilities.

But before you do anything on the internet via SIM card, check on the cost of Smartphone data plans. Here in Canada they are about 10x more expensive (per GB) than a home PC hookup...

Sorry to hear about your buddy and wishing both of you well in these difficult times.
- JugHead > Walter Steiner January 20, 2017 at 3:12pm
  
  Walter
  
  Thank you for your reply and kind words. I appreciate you taking your time to help out a total stranger.
  
  I grew up just south of the border with Quebec and people are always surprised when I tell them internet is far better here in Panama than in Vermont, lol.
  
  Thank you again and stay warm up there.
  - Walter Steiner > JugHead January 21, 2017 at 4:28pm
    
    JH (don't want to call you "Jughead" - out of respect) - while it is not exactly warm "up here", I can still go sailing in my "backyard":
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKucxqBuFvg
    
    In summer, I often swing by the New England states on my motorcycle. I love Vermont and its people - so much more laid back than in some other States.
    - JugHead > Walter Steiner January 22, 2017 at 10:20pm
      
      LOL; I was kidding you Walter! And JugHead is sort of an inside joke among some Army buddies. Helps me not get too cocky.
      
      Vermont is a beautiful state and was a great place to grow up in. Sort of doomed now as the out of stater's outnumber the locals. But yep; if you are off the road as a tourist in snow, someone will pull you out and not take any money for it and think you are weird to offer it, LOL.
      
      Enjoy it up there and thank you again for your advice.