cell phone thread

[boxerboxer]

My iPhone 5 just got a speck on the camera sensor. Apple told me if it had happened during the warranty period, they would have given me a new phone. But I am about 4 months out of that, so I am stuck with a speck on the camera sensor. Shows up in every photo. Evidently a problem with iPhone 5 cameras. Oh well. I am really not into post-processing all my phone snaps.

You can buy a replacement camera for like 40 bucks. Repairs like this take a steady hand but they're not rocket science and they're well documented on ifixit, etc. Obviously fix at your own risk, YMMV, etc, but I've done similar stuff. The relative ease of repair and availability of parts is one thing I really enjoy about the iPhones I've had (4s, 5s).

[BShow]

I have one of these as well and I do like it.

I'd like to add an asterisk to my testimony... I like everything except the ultra pixel camera. I can't get decent pics with the thing. This could absolutely be my lack of understanding though, rather than the relative crappiness of the camera itself.

[Chad]

nierman, love the bar tape on your mower!!

Motorola Razr, work device. "gorilla glass" and bullet proof body, it'll take a beating. NOT water proof even with Otterbox case, fell into bathtub once, oops. Function, can't compare, last smart phone was a palm treo, so the razr is quite an improvement. Not a techno guy, just use what I need and it works great.

[deboat]

Have a look at the new Sony Z2...
Water proof... good camera.....battery lasts a very long time.

[Lewis Moon]

Highjack alert: We're thinking of taking a machette and hacking the cord that ties us to Verizon. We're just sick and tired of paying their prices, being bound by their contracts and dealing with a company that's too big to care. Besides Ting, what other quality pay as you go plans are out there? I've heard Ting is pretty much hip deep in Sprint's pocket.
Also, I'm not really well educated on what phones go where, but are there phones that one can use if you move from carrier to carrier? Besides jail breaking, what else needs to be done? Wife has an iPhone that's presently tied to Verizon.

[houston]

Lewis,

I was in the same situation and I called to end my contract and pay the early termination fee. They begged me not to go and offered a "loyalty plan" that makes by bill $68/month for unlimited talk and text and 2GB of data. I was paying $125/month. If you threaten to leave, they offer the plan. I travel for work so I really want to keep Verizon's coverage. Sprint service is laughable in my territory and ATT is not much better.

The Verizon people have the phones locked to the carrier pretty well. Total PITA. Then again, I have a Windows Phone so take my advice with a grain of salt.

[boxerboxer]

Highjack alert: We're thinking of taking a machette and hacking the cord that ties us to Verizon. We're just sick and tired of paying their prices, being bound by their contracts and dealing with a company that's too big to care. Besides Ting, what other quality pay as you go plans are out there? I've heard Ting is pretty much hip deep in Sprint's pocket. Also, I'm not really well educated on what phones go where, but are there phones that one can use if you move from carrier to carrier? Besides jail breaking, what else needs to be done? Wife has an iPhone that's presently tied to Verizon.

I've never used it but Verizon offers a pay as you go service.

[Gattonero]

My two cents:

I've moved form that bloody slow Motorola Defy, to a Samsung Galaxy Xcover2.

Main reason, both are really waterproof, that means a no-hassle for cycling, whatever is rain, sweat, mud. The phone works. But the Samsung just works better
The Xcover2 is not small, but can be used with one hand. I've put a thin rubber-case which gives solid grip with gloves, I can easily take a pic while riding.
Id does have a decent battery, will hold enough for a long ride with a cycling app always running, and a lot more left.
What makes it stand apart form many smartphones is the physical hard buttons on the front. For me is a big deal: wearing winter gloves, without hard buttons on the phone you simply can't pickup a call or check for a msg/missed call/use the camera.

Pros:
-waterproof/dustproof
-physical buttons for main functions and camera (no problems with rain or gloves)
-decent battery life (battery is replaceable, so a 2nd battery is smaller to carry than a charger)
-average good camera
-petty stable OS and good phone construction

Con's:
-like many Android devices, apps are installed in phone's memory and this may slow it down with lots of apps onboard (this can be tricked with an OS mod)
-no Led to remind of missed call/msg/etc
-could be too big to operate one-handed for people with small hands
-camera is a bit slow to turn-up (a few seconds)

[jlyon]

Look at Republic wireless.

You do have to buy a phone from them and there are only 2 choices but for $10 a month without data or $25 with it is hard to beat.

If you are thinking of cutting your internet cord also look at Pageplus cellular. I use their online retailer Kitty Wireless to buy my time from them and they use the Verizon network and offer plans with quite a bit of data and I believe tethering is allowed since you have paid for a set amount of monthly data.
I think since you have a Verizon Iphone you could bring it over.

Also my wife uses Virgin wireless for her Iphone at about $35 a month with limited talk minutes but unlimited text and data.

Highjack alert: We're thinking of taking a machette and hacking the cord that ties us to Verizon. We're just sick and tired of paying their prices, being bound by their contracts and dealing with a company that's too big to care. Besides Ting, what other quality pay as you go plans are out there? I've heard Ting is pretty much hip deep in Sprint's pocket.
Also, I'm not really well educated on what phones go where, but are there phones that one can use if you move from carrier to carrier? Besides jail breaking, what else needs to be done? Wife has an iPhone that's presently tied to Verizon.