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forkushV
forkushV
May 9, 2013
9:19am
Block User
I can't imagine you won't have your choice of phones. I'm with AT&T and I had my choice between iPhone and Android and I just chose the new Samsung Galaxy S4.here's why:

  • Installing the SwiftKey swipe keyboard I can type as fast as the average teenager, and more accurately. One handed.
  • If I open a particular Web page on my phone it's automatically available on my laptop's Chrome browser and vice versa.
  • I can operate it one handed. The iPhone 5 puts the control buttons at the top where your thumb can't reach.
  • Google Now predicts my next move. If I look up an attraction in the Web with either my phone or laptop it automatically has a map ready for me on my phone, so I’m usually only one click away from turn-by-turn GPS directions. When I'm away it always has a map home ready. If I google or map search a different city, it has the weather there displayed automatically.
  • I can ask if when the next Dodger game is - out loud - and it answers out loud. So can the iPhone. But then without any other promoting, it automatically sends me game updates. Works the same with airline flights.
  • For an extra $7.23, I carry a spare battery. But the standard battery life is great.
  • It works as a TV remote with no additional equipment, and remembers my choices so it can make suggestions.
  • Google maps instead of Apple maps.
  • I can have two apps open on the home screen. So I can text and look at a map at the same time.
  • It has widgets so, for example, I can control music without opening the music app.
  • It has a slide out drawer so I have 13 of my favorite apps accessible from every home screen instead of just five.
  • Beautiful bright 5" screen, great sound.

    Digging into the weeds a bit, I was able to get it to automatically start Pandora every time I plug in my earbuds, and to disconnect wi-fi to save battery life every time I leave my home base.

    For me, it was an easy choice.
    • esteskefauver
    esteskefauver
    May 9, 2013
    2:28pm
    Block User
    Quote
    Originally posted by: Blade
    Need a phone that will fit in my front pants pocket. Don't carry to clip on a belt or use a man purse. My Blackbery Bold is a good fit alongside the family jewels.


    I always carry my phone in my front pocket.

    esteskefauver
    esteskefauver
    May 9, 2013
    2:35pm
    Block User
    Quote
    Originally posted by: Roulette Man
    Quote
    Originally posted by: esteskefauver
    Quote
    Originally posted by: Blade
    Quote
    Originally posted by: esteskefauver
    A smartphone is indispensable for me. Having internet, audio, video, voice typing, gps, camera, etc. on such a small device is awesome. I've had a Motorola Razr Maxx HD for about 6 months and love it. I was hesitant to switch from my qwerty keyboard Blackberry because I do a lot of typing with my business while away from the office. But, voice typing is even faster. Consumer Reports rated the Razr Maxx HD the best smartphone, but I know other sites have rated Iphone or Samsung Galaxy S3 as tops. The Razr Maxx HD battery life has no equal though.

    Hey thanks for the info. Been using a Blackberry for a few years and a little hesitant about smarting up. About time to make the jump thanks for the push.


    You're welcome! The Razr Maxx HD is only available with Verizon and it was rated by CR as the best phone on their network. The Samsung S4 just came out and I think it is available with all the major carriers.

    Btw, I'm also loving my new smart tv. The last tv I bought was in 2009 and I guess they didn't exist then. Downloading movies and tv shows directly to my tv is so convenient. I've actually only downloaded directly from Amazon so far, but I know there are additional options.


    I just bought a smart tv for my bedroom and have yet to have it installed. I only have a DSL connection at home. Is that fast enough for the tv or should I look into getting cable internet? I would assume a wireless router can still be used.


    I think your DSL should have the bandwidth to stream movies. Make the change to cable if it doesn't.
    jatki
    jatki
    May 9, 2013
    5:13pm
    Block User
    Quote
    Originally posted by: forkushV
    I can't imagine you won't have your choice of phones. I'm with AT&T and I had my choice between iPhone and Android and I just chose the new Samsung Galaxy S4.here's why:

  • Installing the SwiftKey swipe keyboard I can type as fast as the average teenager, and more accurately. One handed.
  • If I open a particular Web page on my phone it's automatically available on my laptop's Chrome browser and vice versa.
  • I can operate it one handed. The iPhone 5 puts the control buttons at the top where your thumb can't reach.
  • Google Now predicts my next move. If I look up an attraction in the Web with either my phone or laptop it automatically has a map ready for me on my phone, so I’m usually only one click away from turn-by-turn GPS directions. When I'm away it always has a map home ready. If I google or map search a different city, it has the weather there displayed automatically.
  • I can ask if when the next Dodger game is - out loud - and it answers out loud. So can the iPhone. But then without any other promoting, it automatically sends me game updates. Works the same with airline flights.
  • For an extra $7.23, I carry a spare battery. But the standard battery life is great.
  • It works as a TV remote with no additional equipment, and remembers my choices so it can make suggestions.
  • Google maps instead of Apple maps.
  • I can have two apps open on the home screen. So I can text and look at a map at the same time.
  • It has widgets so, for example, I can control music without opening the music app.
  • It has a slide out drawer so I have 13 of my favorite apps accessible from every home screen instead of just five.
  • Beautiful bright 5" screen, great sound.

    Digging into the weeds a bit, I was able to get it to automatically start Pandora every time I plug in my earbuds, and to disconnect wi-fi to save battery life every time I leave my home base.

    For me, it was an easy choice.


    • All great info, thx forkie. I think you're right , I will prob be able to choos and android if I want.

    J

    jatki
    jatki
    May 9, 2013
    5:14pm
    Block User
    I can certainly say I'm a bit more knowledgable when I go to the ATT store tomorrow. Thx again.

    J
    CowboyKell
    CowboyKell
    May 10, 2013
    1:52am
    Block User
    I just recently entered the 21st cetury and switched from a plain talk and text to a smartphone. I chose the Iphone 5 because it is small and slim and someone I trust told me it had a great camera.
    I try to keep my phone in my pocket as much as possible. I see the other "moms" at gym class, dance class, swim class, etc with their faces down glued to their phones. I tell myself I would rather watch my child. I admit, the lure of the phone is strong.
    I like siri but use the google map app for navigation. The apple/mac picture and movie editor is really easy for me to use but I'm sure their are android apps just as easy.
    The wife has the latest Galaxy and swears by it. She needs the larger screen for work and likes the swipe to type now that she has gotten used to it. I do wish she had the iphone too or the galaxy was as small as mine so we could both have the samee for seamless picture and home movie sharing. Its not that big a deal though.
    snidely333
    snidely333
    May 11, 2013
    12:14pm
    Block User
    Quote
    Originally posted by: esteskefauver
    Quote
    Originally posted by: Roulette Man
    Quote
    Originally posted by: esteskefauver
    Quote
    Originally posted by: Blade
    Quote
    Originally posted by: esteskefauver
    A smartphone is indispensable for me. Having internet, audio, video, voice typing, gps, camera, etc. on such a small device is awesome. I've had a Motorola Razr Maxx HD for about 6 months and love it. I was hesitant to switch from my qwerty keyboard Blackberry because I do a lot of typing with my business while away from the office. But, voice typing is even faster. Consumer Reports rated the Razr Maxx HD the best smartphone, but I know other sites have rated Iphone or Samsung Galaxy S3 as tops. The Razr Maxx HD battery life has no equal though.

    Hey thanks for the info. Been using a Blackberry for a few years and a little hesitant about smarting up. About time to make the jump thanks for the push.


    You're welcome! The Razr Maxx HD is only available with Verizon and it was rated by CR as the best phone on their network. The Samsung S4 just came out and I think it is available with all the major carriers.

    Btw, I'm also loving my new smart tv. The last tv I bought was in 2009 and I guess they didn't exist then. Downloading movies and tv shows directly to my tv is so convenient. I've actually only downloaded directly from Amazon so far, but I know there are additional options.


    I just bought a smart tv for my bedroom and have yet to have it installed. I only have a DSL connection at home. Is that fast enough for the tv or should I look into getting cable internet? I would assume a wireless router can still be used.


    I think your DSL should have the bandwidth to stream movies. Make the change to cable if it doesn't.


    I can stream great with Comcast Cable except from 6pm to 10pm when it slows down. A lot of these "features" as Forkie listed are great but not very robust. They work most of the time but not all of the time.
    forkushV
    forkushV
    May 11, 2013
    2:06pm
    Block User
    Quote
    Originally posted by: snidely333
    I can stream great with Comcast Cable except from 6pm to 10pm when it slows down. A lot of these "features" as Forkie listed are great but not very robust. They work most of the time but not all of the time.
    And you know this...how?

    Eleven of the fourteen features that I mentioned are independent of bandwidth, and are only dependent on processor speed. And with a quad core 1.9Ghz processor and 2 gigs or ram on my phone, everything is smooth and very fast, and objective benchmarks say the same thing.

    And the bandwidth requirements for the other features are less than trivial. How long does it take to transmit latitude, longitude, and a line of text? Maybe one or two milliseconds. Probably about the same to sync a list of urls between a laptop and a phone browser.

    I understand that Android fans put down iPhones, and iPhone fans put down Androids, but I really don't get it. I chose the Samsung, but I'm sure I'd be impressed with the new iPhone. They each have positives and negatives, and it's up to each of us to figure out which features are most important.
    jatki
    jatki
    May 11, 2013
    2:45pm
    Block User
    Well I ended up with an android phone, a pantech flex something or other. I'm not real thrilled with but I suppose I'll adjust. I can't imagine doing all the crap it's capable of and don't need any of it, but I said that about other things. Anyway, thx again for all the input.

    JOHN
    forkushV
    forkushV
    May 11, 2013
    3:51pm
    Block User
    Quote
    Originally posted by: jatki99
    Well I ended up with an android phone, a pantech flex something or other. I'm not real thrilled with but I suppose I'll adjust. I can't imagine doing all the crap it's capable of and don't need any of it, but I said that about other things. Anyway, thx again for all the input.

    JOHN
    It's a very good phone; it's the one I would have gotten in January if my contract allowed it. PM me if you have any questions.

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