Technology Get the latest on technology, electronics and software…

Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread

Thread Tools
 
Old 09-13-2017, 01:31 PM
  #13441  
Be Strong AND Courageous!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
DarkSithCL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Joshua 1:1-9
Age: 58
Posts: 9,305
Received 43 Likes on 34 Posts
^ betcha you go with the Spigen ... the phone has alil heft to it, so you cannot add too much w/o making it feel... heavy IMVHO
Old 09-13-2017, 01:36 PM
  #13442  
Be Strong AND Courageous!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
DarkSithCL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Joshua 1:1-9
Age: 58
Posts: 9,305
Received 43 Likes on 34 Posts
^^^ we have jump plus on the last 4 phones ( iphone 6 / s8+ / note8 x 2 ) we bought and Jump! on the older two iphones .. i believe...
The following users liked this post:
TeknoKing (09-13-2017)
Old 09-14-2017, 07:26 AM
  #13443  
Team Owner
 
Doom878's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Miami, FL
Age: 45
Posts: 27,947
Received 1,307 Likes on 960 Posts
If Jump is requiring you to repay the down payment a la a car lease and you don't want to have a backup phone then yeah go insurance. Insurance is the reason I've gotten new/refurb Note 2, and Note 4 (twice), and S7 Edge for $100. However, I dropped insurance because premium went up and I don't mind a beater for the price of a deductible.
Old 09-14-2017, 08:31 AM
  #13444  
Race Director
 
TeknoKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,497
Received 275 Likes on 159 Posts
Originally Posted by Doom878
If Jump is requiring you to repay the down payment a la a car lease and you don't want to have a backup phone then yeah go insurance. Insurance is the reason I've gotten new/refurb Note 2, and Note 4 (twice), and S7 Edge for $100. However, I dropped insurance because premium went up and I don't mind a beater for the price of a deductible.
Yes, the whole thing with Jump is paying another down payment if you'll get another phone in a year, it's truly win - win for Tmobile.

Regarding the insurance, it's $12 a month, plus at least $200 deductible if something happens to the new phone, so that's $344 bux if something happens withing the year. My Note 4 will be my back up. I don't know if the risk to go without insurance is worth it, and if something happens to my Note 8, I'll be screwed on my $1K purchase? I never bought insurance on any of my electronics as it's always seemed like a waste of money, but this thing is all glass, so should I get insurance?

PS I use to replace screens myself, but after seeing the effort required for Note 8, I don't think I want to even try, even though I have all the necessary skills and tools.
Old 09-14-2017, 12:43 PM
  #13445  
Team Owner
 
Doom878's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Miami, FL
Age: 45
Posts: 27,947
Received 1,307 Likes on 960 Posts
$344 is less than half of a Note 8 price new. Plus a year from now, it'll still cost more than $344. Granted you lose if you don't claim it.
Old 09-14-2017, 01:30 PM
  #13446  
Race Director
 
nfnsquared's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAGA country
Posts: 12,474
Received 1,794 Likes on 1,347 Posts
Battery life seems fine, if not excellent. 37 hours and at 40%, but with minimal talk time.
The following users liked this post:
is300eater (09-14-2017)
Old 09-14-2017, 02:35 PM
  #13447  
Team Owner
 
Doom878's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Miami, FL
Age: 45
Posts: 27,947
Received 1,307 Likes on 960 Posts
^How bright is the screen? My phones don't last a day and I dim the screens
Old 09-14-2017, 03:29 PM
  #13448  
Race Director
 
nfnsquared's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAGA country
Posts: 12,474
Received 1,794 Likes on 1,347 Posts
full bright
Old 09-14-2017, 04:11 PM
  #13449  
Race Director
 
nfnsquared's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAGA country
Posts: 12,474
Received 1,794 Likes on 1,347 Posts
The Whitestone Dome Glass tempered glass protector is getting some good reviews. It doesn't play well with all cases, so hit up the various Utube vids to find out which cases are best with this screen protector:

Old 09-14-2017, 06:53 PM
  #13450  
Race Director
 
nfnsquared's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAGA country
Posts: 12,474
Received 1,794 Likes on 1,347 Posts
I think I'm sold on the Whitestone Dome Glass. It survived the key and wire brush test and it protected the phone screen on multiple drops on to a tile floor (10:36):

Old 09-15-2017, 09:43 AM
  #13451  
Race Director
 
TeknoKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,497
Received 275 Likes on 159 Posts
Those who went with Samsung, what are you getting as a freebie? And why?

Free Gear 360 camera ($180), or free 128GB memory card ($58) and Fast Wireless Charging Convertible ($70)
Old 09-15-2017, 04:12 PM
  #13452  
Moderator
 
Costco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Received 3,489 Likes on 2,089 Posts
The following 4 users liked this post by Costco:
CCColtsicehockey (09-27-2017), EvilVirus (09-18-2017), is300eater (09-15-2017), oonowindoo (09-20-2017)
Old 09-18-2017, 09:42 AM
  #13453  
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (4)
 
EL19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DC
Age: 37
Posts: 5,340
Received 194 Likes on 151 Posts
Originally Posted by TeknoKing
Those who went with Samsung, what are you getting as a freebie? And why?

Free Gear 360 camera ($180), or free 128GB memory card ($58) and Fast Wireless Charging Convertible ($70)
Got my Note 8 this weekend. Amazing phone. Huge upgrade in performance from my Note 5, and was able to move everything seamlessly with Samsung Switch (did the same going from S4 to Note 5). Went with the clear Spigen that nf suggested. I have another Spigen on the way that became available on amazon today. It has a kickstand and is the "midnight clear". I found the kickstand very useful at work with the Spigen that protects my Note 5.

I opted for the Gear 360. I already have a couple of wireless chargers and a 256GB SD card I used in my S4 before I got the Note 5.

Last edited by EL19; 09-18-2017 at 09:47 AM.
The following users liked this post:
TeknoKing (09-18-2017)
Old 09-18-2017, 11:51 AM
  #13454  
Race Director
 
TeknoKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,497
Received 275 Likes on 159 Posts
^ I'd only consider the Gear 360 to resell it, I don't have any use for it. In regarding a case, I like boring black cases, I'm not into clear showy cases
Old 09-18-2017, 01:03 PM
  #13455  
Race Director
 
TeknoKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,497
Received 275 Likes on 159 Posts
Got my Note 8 just now, this phone is impossible to use without a case. Why did they make it so slippery? Holy sh*t.

Question, t-mobile included a new micro sim card with Note 8, I don't need it right? I can just port my current micro sim card from note 4?
Old 09-18-2017, 01:17 PM
  #13456  
Race Director
 
TeknoKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,497
Received 275 Likes on 159 Posts
Well, these ruined my appetite. I'm def going with another wireless charge pad and an microSD card, at least those work well


Old 09-18-2017, 01:21 PM
  #13457  
Race Director
 
nfnsquared's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAGA country
Posts: 12,474
Received 1,794 Likes on 1,347 Posts
Originally Posted by TeknoKing
Those who went with Samsung, what are you getting as a freebie? And why?

Free Gear 360 camera ($180), or free 128GB memory card ($58) and Fast Wireless Charging Convertible ($70)
Card plus charger, don't think I'd use the camera.

Originally Posted by EL19
Got my Note 8 this weekend. Amazing phone. Huge upgrade in performance from my Note 5, and was able to move everything seamlessly with Samsung Switch (did the same going from S4 to Note 5). Went with the clear Spigen that nf suggested. I have another Spigen on the way that became available on amazon today. It has a kickstand and is the "midnight clear". I found the kickstand very useful at work with the Spigen that protects my Note 5.

I opted for the Gear 360. I already have a couple of wireless chargers and a 256GB SD card I used in my S4 before I got the Note 5.
Was the kickstand case this one?

Amazon Amazon

In for your review of it. I like the clear case and the idea of the kickstand, but the reviews have me hesitant...and it appears to lack the corner "bumper" protection of my Spigen clear case.

Originally Posted by TeknoKing
Got my Note 8 just now, this phone is impossible to use without a case. Why did they make it so slippery? Holy sh*t.

Question, t-mobile included a new micro sim card with Note 8, I don't need it right? I can just port my current micro sim card from note 4?
You can for Verizon, not sure about T-M
Old 09-18-2017, 04:06 PM
  #13458  
Burning Brakes
 
Yvuru's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 999
Received 133 Likes on 99 Posts
Originally Posted by TeknoKing
Got my Note 8 just now, this phone is impossible to use without a case. Why did they make it so slippery? Holy sh*t.

Question, t-mobile included a new micro sim card with Note 8, I don't need it right? I can just port my current micro sim card from note 4?
Yeah be careful with the phone. Dropped my s8+ the second day I had it onto concrete. Had the phone on my lap and it slipped onto the ground without me even moving. Cracked the glass on the corner of the back panel. Case was on the way -.-

Swapped my sim card from my VZ iphone to this phone and activated online no problem.
The following users liked this post:
TeknoKing (09-19-2017)
Old 09-19-2017, 09:39 AM
  #13459  
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (4)
 
EL19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DC
Age: 37
Posts: 5,340
Received 194 Likes on 151 Posts
Originally Posted by TeknoKing
Got my Note 8 just now, this phone is impossible to use without a case. Why did they make it so slippery? Holy sh*t.
Yea man, this phone is super slippery.
Originally Posted by TeknoKing
Well, these ruined my appetite. I'm def going with another wireless charge pad and an microSD card, at least those work well
I think I'll just be selling the 360 when it comes

Originally Posted by nfnsquared
Was the kickstand case this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Spigen-Cushio...ct_top?ie=UTF8

In for your review of it. I like the clear case and the idea of the kickstand, but the reviews have me hesitant...and it appears to lack the corner "bumper" protection of my Spigen clear case.
Yup! That's it. I have it on my Note 5 and its taken some nasty drops without incident. (scared the hell out of me though) It should arrive tomorrow, I'll let you know how it is.
Old 09-19-2017, 11:43 AM
  #13460  
Race Director
 
TeknoKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,497
Received 275 Likes on 159 Posts
On Note 8, do you run in default resolution of 1080p? Or do you gamble with battery and go higher?
Old 09-19-2017, 12:09 PM
  #13461  
Race Director
 
nfnsquared's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAGA country
Posts: 12,474
Received 1,794 Likes on 1,347 Posts
Originally Posted by TeknoKing
On Note 8, do you run in default resolution of 1080p? Or do you gamble with battery and go higher?
I've been running full resolution and battery lasts longer than 24-hours for me...
The following users liked this post:
TeknoKing (09-19-2017)
Old 09-19-2017, 09:21 PM
  #13462  
I disagree with unanimity
iTrader: (2)
 
sho_nuff1997's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: WI
Age: 46
Posts: 14,035
Received 27 Likes on 20 Posts
That white looks
Appearance-wise, the Pixel 2 XL looks pretty sharp. It'll come in two colors: "Just Black" and "Black & White." As we'd suspected, the camera lens is positioned inside the glass window, while the fingerprint sensor sits within the metal portion. Our positioning of the camera and flash was slightly off, but it's important to remember that we gave the render an 8/10 score.

We only have pictures of the backs, but the Black & White model brings back the beloved panda look from the Nexus 5 and Nexus 6P. There's an orange power button on the Black & White color, which seems like an odd addition from this picture alone, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some orange accents on the front of the phone as well to go with it. The Just Black model has a regular, black power button. We also get the now-familiar "G" logo near the bottom.

The 64GB model of the Pixel 2 XL will reportedly cost $849, and the 128GB model $949. For comparison, last year's 128GB Pixel XL cost $869, marking an $80 increase in that arena. Google will also offer financing, with the 64GB model costing $35.38/month for 24 months and the 128GB $39.54/month. It's worth noting that the Pixel XL's standard storage was 32GB, and it's nice to see Google's standard coming in line with Samsung's and Apple's.

When the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL debut on October 4th, you'll be able to find it on the Google Store

Pixel 2 XL leaks in two colors, will cost $849 for 64GB model and $949 for 128GB
Old 09-19-2017, 11:10 PM
  #13463  
Race Director
 
nfnsquared's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAGA country
Posts: 12,474
Received 1,794 Likes on 1,347 Posts
So I got the Whitestone Dome installed and it looks great!! But..... It's going to be very close if this fits with the Spigen Rugged Crystal case. The corners are going to be the determining factor.

I'm going to let it cure for 24-hours before I even attempt to put it back in the case, so I won't have an answer until tomorrow night.

I absolutely love the case and I love how the Dome fits on the phone. I will really hate it if I have to get another case...
Old 09-20-2017, 04:23 PM
  #13464  
F-C
Senior Moderator
 
F-C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 16,877
Received 1,134 Likes on 816 Posts
Alphabet to announce that they will buy HTC tomorrow. Pretty excited by this. HTC hardware with Alphabet's money.
Old 09-20-2017, 05:18 PM
  #13465  
Race Director
 
nfnsquared's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAGA country
Posts: 12,474
Received 1,794 Likes on 1,347 Posts
Originally Posted by nfnsquared
So I got the Whitestone Dome installed and it looks great!! But..... It's going to be very close if this fits with the Spigen Rugged Crystal case. The corners are going to be the determining factor.

I'm going to let it cure for 24-hours before I even attempt to put it back in the case, so I won't have an answer until tomorrow night.

I absolutely love the case and I love how the Dome fits on the phone. I will really hate it if I have to get another case...
I'm relieved and happy to report that the dome works fine with the Spigen Rugged Crystal case!! As I implied earlier, it is indeed a tight fit. If you screw up the dome install (not exactly centered on the phone screen per the included template), it won't work.
Old 09-21-2017, 08:42 PM
  #13466  
Senior Moderator
 
Yumcha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 167,468
Received 22,837 Likes on 13,994 Posts
Originally Posted by F-C
Alphabet to announce that they will buy HTC tomorrow. Pretty excited by this. HTC hardware with Alphabet's money.
Nice. Looking forward to this. If the Pixel was the start of things, with HTC, it means Google is ready to get super serious in the hardware biz. Look out Apple!
Old 09-21-2017, 09:16 PM
  #13467  
Racer
 
atomlinks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 458
Received 93 Likes on 75 Posts
^Let's hope so! Although I can't stop thinking about what happened with Motorola. They just wanted the patents from Motorola in the end(buy a company for $13 billion, sell for $3 billion shortly after... makes sense). I'm not sure if that's the same story with HTC and am looking forward to some fantastic hardware!
Old 09-21-2017, 09:26 PM
  #13468  
Azine Jabroni
 
kurtatx's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 9,156
Received 2,159 Likes on 1,387 Posts
Originally Posted by Yumcha
Nice. Looking forward to this. If the Pixel was the start of things, with HTC, it means Google is ready to get super serious in the hardware biz. Look out Apple!
Honestly, I'm ready to switch. That being said, I'm uncomfortable with the current price of all the devices. Hopefully Google stratifies their offering to be more affordable.
Old 09-21-2017, 10:18 PM
  #13469  
Senior Moderator
 
Yumcha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 167,468
Received 22,837 Likes on 13,994 Posts
Originally Posted by atomlinks
^Let's hope so! Although I can't stop thinking about what happened with Motorola. They just wanted the patents from Motorola in the end(buy a company for $13 billion, sell for $3 billion shortly after... makes sense). I'm not sure if that's the same story with HTC and am looking forward to some fantastic hardware!
This article by the folks at Verge explains the difference between the Moto purchase and this HTC transaction: https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/21/1...ple-iphone-war
The following users liked this post:
atomlinks (09-21-2017)
Old 09-21-2017, 11:05 PM
  #13470  
Racer
 
atomlinks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 458
Received 93 Likes on 75 Posts
Thanks for the article(I obviously need to read the news more haha). They are not buying them outright, just getting the smart pixel folks and putting some cash in HTC's pocket. It was dumb to bring up Moto (it's just the first thing I thought of). I was wondering how the Apple/HTC settlement-license agreement from a few years ago was going to work out but obviously that does not matter.
https://www.theverge.com/2012/11/10/...0-year-license
Old 09-27-2017, 08:37 AM
  #13471  
Race Director
 
TeknoKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,497
Received 275 Likes on 159 Posts
Note 8 is quite an excellent phone. It's very responsive, beautiful and in the right case, it's just the perfect size. My biggest and only quirk right now is the damn Iris Scanner. If you are trying to unlock your phone in the middle of the night, it shoots blinding death rays at you as the screen lights up like a midday sun. So whats the solution besides keeping the phone unlocked when I'm home? (I believe there is an option to keep phone unlocked if in chosen safe location.)
Old 09-27-2017, 08:38 AM
  #13472  
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
 
justnspace's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,295
Received 16,264 Likes on 11,973 Posts
omg i hate this new google feed bullshit. i honestly dont care about celebrity gossip bullshit.
Old 09-27-2017, 12:40 PM
  #13473  
Be Strong AND Courageous!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
DarkSithCL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Joshua 1:1-9
Age: 58
Posts: 9,305
Received 43 Likes on 34 Posts
Originally Posted by TeknoKing
Got my Note 8 just now, this phone is impossible to use without a case. Why did they make it so slippery? Holy sh*t.

Question, t-mobile included a new micro sim card with Note 8, I don't need it right? I can just port my current micro sim card from note 4?

slick little things .. HUH?
beautiful sans case but I agree... no way to no drop it with normal use...
I jsut used my old sim and went forward... put the new one in the box...LOL
Old 09-27-2017, 12:42 PM
  #13474  
Be Strong AND Courageous!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
DarkSithCL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Joshua 1:1-9
Age: 58
Posts: 9,305
Received 43 Likes on 34 Posts
Originally Posted by TeknoKing
Note 8 is quite an excellent phone. It's very responsive, beautiful and in the right case, it's just the perfect size. My biggest and only quirk right now is the damn Iris Scanner. If you are trying to unlock your phone in the middle of the night, it shoots blinding death rays at you as the screen lights up like a midday sun. So whats the solution besides keeping the phone unlocked when I'm home? (I believe there is an option to keep phone unlocked if in chosen safe location.)
I kept my Nxs 6 unlocked while in the house and it locked itself everywhere else or if not used for 4 hrs ... i will eventually do this with my N8 too...
Old 09-27-2017, 01:01 PM
  #13475  
Be Strong AND Courageous!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
DarkSithCL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Joshua 1:1-9
Age: 58
Posts: 9,305
Received 43 Likes on 34 Posts
Originally Posted by TeknoKing
Well, these ruined my appetite. I'm def going with another wireless charge pad and an microSD card, at least those work well
yup... us too ( x two )
Old 09-27-2017, 02:50 PM
  #13476  
Moderator
 
Costco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Received 3,489 Likes on 2,089 Posts
Do people still use NFC tags?

Just stick one by the front door/garage and tap your phone on it as soon as you get home. Disable screen lock and what not
Old 09-27-2017, 03:37 PM
  #13477  
Race Director
 
TeknoKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 10,497
Received 275 Likes on 159 Posts
I''ll use the Smart Lock with a trusted location, as long my toddler won't steal my phone, I'll be ok.

https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/6093922?hl=en
Old 09-28-2017, 08:05 AM
  #13478  
Team Owner
 
Doom878's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Miami, FL
Age: 45
Posts: 27,947
Received 1,307 Likes on 960 Posts
Dumb question. Is the only way to get ringtones now by using an app like Zedge (might have spyware) or having a song on your phone (not streaming) and using the internal sound cutter? I tried searching for ringtones to buy on the Play store since I have a shit ton of credits and was unsuccessful.
Old 09-28-2017, 08:28 AM
  #13479  
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
 
justnspace's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,295
Received 16,264 Likes on 11,973 Posts
yeah, i was disappointed too that you have to use an app for ringtones..fuuu that
Old 09-28-2017, 08:39 AM
  #13480  
Azine Jabroni
 
kurtatx's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 9,156
Received 2,159 Likes on 1,387 Posts
Does google have a messaging solution? Like, can you answer your texts on a computer like you can on iPhone with a Mac?


Quick Reply: Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:10 PM.