chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,622
|
Post by chiver78 on Dec 29, 2015 16:21:12 GMT -5
no, not yet. still stewing over the trip to Best Buy and all the contradictory info I've gotten from the various people I've spoken with from VZW. I did look up Consumer Cellular today, and it looks like the phones they offer are pretty basic. I don't need much, but I do want a Samsung. I'll take another look at T-Mobile tonight, thanks for the reminder CL. I looked at Sprint online earlier today and it doesn't look like they are going to be that much better of an option for me than where I am right now (er, where I will be with a new phone) with VZW. whatever I do, I need to get on it. the busted S4 I have is starting to do strange things with the screen, like reacting as if I'd hit a button when I haven't.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Dec 29, 2015 16:33:50 GMT -5
I don't think there's an "access fee" or whatever it was Verizon called it with T-mobile. You can pay for the phone over 24 months or buy it outright, like everyone else now. I have noticed recently that there's no such thing as a "cheap" phone anymore. There used to be some Lumia phones for $100 or $200, no longer there. But the free music streaming may help you need less data. Good luck!
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,622
|
Post by chiver78 on Dec 29, 2015 16:39:33 GMT -5
^that is very true. but one of the things about VZW is that because I'm coming *from* an unlimited data plan, I am eligible for that plan that charges $30 for 6GB of data. that's pretty hard to beat.
as far as the "access fee" or whatever, that's just horseshit like the activation fee for a new phone. I think VZW calls it an "upgrade fee" instead, but it's the same BS. I noticed Sprint and AT&T both have that, too. I think if I went with the 32GB S6 from AT&T, the pay upfront price for a 2yr contract was $129, but then they tack on a $45 activation fee. if you pay full retail over the contract period, there was no activation fee. seriously, just charge one price.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Dec 29, 2015 16:45:36 GMT -5
I have a family plan so I have no clue about their individual ones work, so can't tell you if that's a great price for data or not. I agree about all the fees for this that or the other. I hate the gibberish and having to parse everything with a fine tooth comb to make sure they haven't tacked something stupid on.
|
|
Baby Fawkes
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 6, 2011 15:39:53 GMT -5
Posts: 812
|
Post by Baby Fawkes on Dec 29, 2015 18:35:38 GMT -5
Did you ever figure out your phone issues chiver78 ? If you didn't, I just wanted to toss out that T-Mobile lets you stream your music without charging you data. And Netflix for free if you are happy with 480p quality.
|
|
Knee Deep in Water Chloe
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 21:04:44 GMT -5
Posts: 13,850
Mini-Profile Name Color: 1980e6
Member is Online
|
Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 29, 2015 18:53:52 GMT -5
any VZW customers in here? I'm having it out with a CS agent via chat right now, very unimpressed with some hinky stuff they have going on. I happen to have unlimited data on my plan, as I was grandfathered in when I bought my last phone (which was an ordeal in and of itself) since it was no longer offered on new contracts. starting last month, they have increased the data package charge by $20/month for those with unlimited data - without having to sign new contracts. how is that okay?? I haven't read past this OP yet. This happened with Sprint three or four years ago, but they connected it to an upgrade per phone. DH and I had Palms; we were ready to go to iPhone. When I got DH's iPhone 4S, Sprint informed me that the bill would go up $10/month. They had one or two LG phones that would stay under the original agreement, or we could go back to dumb phones. My issue was I ran five lines on the plan, so as we each upgraded, the phone bill increased by $50 total. I actually charge my children out of their allowance for that $10/month. I don't need them to have smart phones. The 13 yo I don't even need her to have a dumb phone, but I gave in on that part. They choose to have iPhones, so they choose to pay the $10 per month to me.
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,622
|
Post by chiver78 on Dec 29, 2015 20:03:31 GMT -5
Did you ever figure out your phone issues chiver78 ? If you didn't, I just wanted to toss out that T-Mobile lets you stream your music without charging you data. And Netflix for free if you are happy with 480p quality. I don't use Netflix now....but that's good to know sent from my electronic distraction
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Dec 30, 2015 10:55:29 GMT -5
Did you ever figure out your phone issues chiver78 ? If you didn't, I just wanted to toss out that T-Mobile lets you stream your music without charging you data. And Netflix for free if you are happy with 480p quality. Can you see the picture? It has to be extremely crappy quality for me to even notice on a phone. Of course, my eyes would make me suffer if I watched too much TV on the phone.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Dec 30, 2015 10:56:50 GMT -5
And Netflix for free if you are happy with 480p quality. I don't use Netflix now....but that's good to know sent from my electronic distraction There are other sites that they also let you stream free, just FYI. I don't do much of that, but the program is called Binge On.
|
|
Baby Fawkes
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 6, 2011 15:39:53 GMT -5
Posts: 812
|
Post by Baby Fawkes on Dec 30, 2015 11:24:34 GMT -5
And Netflix for free if you are happy with 480p quality. Can you see the picture? It has to be extremely crappy quality for me to even notice on a phone. Of course, my eyes would make me suffer if I watched too much TV on the phone. Absolutely. Unless you want to project I doubt many would notice. 480p is regular DVD quality. It's actually a really smart move on T-Mobiles behalf because it's more likely to reduce the data load on it's network overall as a result.
|
|
wvugurl26
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:25:30 GMT -5
Posts: 21,723
|
Post by wvugurl26 on Dec 30, 2015 11:52:41 GMT -5
I know someone who runs all their TV through the phone. They have unlimited with Verizon and eat up 40 gb a month. The phone is their only internet.
|
|
ArchietheDragon
Junior Associate
Joined: Jul 7, 2014 14:29:23 GMT -5
Posts: 6,363
|
Post by ArchietheDragon on Dec 30, 2015 11:55:57 GMT -5
I know someone who runs all their TV through the phone. They have unlimited with Verizon and eat up 40 gb a month. The phone is their only internet. Genius. and the reason it is ruined for the rest of us.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Dec 30, 2015 11:57:30 GMT -5
Can you see the picture? It has to be extremely crappy quality for me to even notice on a phone. Of course, my eyes would make me suffer if I watched too much TV on the phone. Absolutely. Unless you want to project I doubt many would notice. 480p is regular DVD quality. It's actually a really smart move on T-Mobiles behalf because it's more likely to reduce the data load on it's network overall as a result. Yep. My DH watches a lot of stuff on his phone, but his eyes are better than mine. They've been doing a free streaming of everything recently and his usage is insane. He's generally on wifi without the free stuff. Not WVU's friend insane, but up there.
|
|
wvugurl26
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:25:30 GMT -5
Posts: 21,723
|
Post by wvugurl26 on Dec 30, 2015 12:13:23 GMT -5
I know someone who runs all their TV through the phone. They have unlimited with Verizon and eat up 40 gb a month. The phone is their only internet. Genius. and the reason it is ruined for the rest of us. He didn't start burning that much data until after they took away the unlimited plans. I don't even know if he could get cable and internet at his house. It's new construction not in a development. He had to do electric, drill a well, etc.
|
|
Baby Fawkes
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 6, 2011 15:39:53 GMT -5
Posts: 812
|
Post by Baby Fawkes on Dec 30, 2015 12:26:49 GMT -5
Absolutely. Unless you want to project I doubt many would notice. 480p is regular DVD quality. It's actually a really smart move on T-Mobiles behalf because it's more likely to reduce the data load on it's network overall as a result. Yep. My DH watches a lot of stuff on his phone, but his eyes are better than mine. They've been doing a free streaming of everything recently and his usage is insane. He's generally on wifi without the free stuff. Not WVU's friend insane, but up there. If he's getting off of wifi he'll get the full HD streams. Most people on a phone won't be able to differentiate between 480p SD and 720p/1080p HD anyway. If he's using cellular on T-Mobile he has to the option of using the free streaming feature that limits it to 480p or using his regular data allocation which won't cap it. The expectation is that most people will opt to turn on the free streaming feature and therefore the majority of users will be capped at 480p. As a result the overall bandwidth usage for Netflix streaming will improve for T-Mobile as majority of people will likely reduce the quality in exchange for "free" (although I'm not sure how many people read the small print and know that by electing free they are actually agreeing to a lower quality video stream)
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Dec 30, 2015 12:29:25 GMT -5
Yep. My DH watches a lot of stuff on his phone, but his eyes are better than mine. They've been doing a free streaming of everything recently and his usage is insane. He's generally on wifi without the free stuff. Not WVU's friend insane, but up there. If he's getting off of wifi he'll get the full HD streams. Most people on a phone won't be able to differentiate between 480p SD and 720p/1080p HD anyway. If he's using cellular on T-Mobile he has to the option of using the free streaming feature that limits it to 480p or using his regular data allocation which won't cap it. The expectation is that most people will opt to turn on the free streaming feature and therefore the majority of users will be capped at 480p. As a result the overall bandwidth usage for Netflix streaming will improve for T-Mobile as majority of people will likely reduce the quality in exchange for "free" (although I'm not sure how many people read the small print and know that by electing free they are actually agreeing to a lower quality video stream) I don't think he can tell the difference between one and the other, I don't think most people can, especially at phone screen sized. I have serious doubts he read the fine print. I'll have to ask how he's doing it, if he knows.
|
|
Baby Fawkes
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 6, 2011 15:39:53 GMT -5
Posts: 812
|
Post by Baby Fawkes on Dec 30, 2015 12:35:29 GMT -5
If he's getting off of wifi he'll get the full HD streams. Most people on a phone won't be able to differentiate between 480p SD and 720p/1080p HD anyway. If he's using cellular on T-Mobile he has to the option of using the free streaming feature that limits it to 480p or using his regular data allocation which won't cap it. The expectation is that most people will opt to turn on the free streaming feature and therefore the majority of users will be capped at 480p. As a result the overall bandwidth usage for Netflix streaming will improve for T-Mobile as majority of people will likely reduce the quality in exchange for "free" (although I'm not sure how many people read the small print and know that by electing free they are actually agreeing to a lower quality video stream) I don't think he can tell the difference between one and the other, I don't think most people can, especially at phone screen sized. I have serious doubts he read the fine print. I'll have to ask how he's doing it, if he knows. If he hasn't taken any direct action then T-Mobile will have opted him in automatically. It's their feature called Binge-On and they turn on the free streaming for a number of different providers including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now and more: www.t-mobile.com/offer/binge-on-streaming-video.html?cmpid=ADV_PB_p8852736745&gclid=CNmUmOmOhMoCFVCJfgod2ZYJcA&gclsrc=ds ETA: It's called out fairly obvious on their website, so I guess more people will realize than I originally thought
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Dec 30, 2015 12:41:13 GMT -5
I don't think he can tell the difference between one and the other, I don't think most people can, especially at phone screen sized. I have serious doubts he read the fine print. I'll have to ask how he's doing it, if he knows. If he hasn't taken any direct action then T-Mobile will have opted him in automatically. It's their feature called Binge-On and they turn on the free streaming for a number of different providers including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now and more: www.t-mobile.com/offer/binge-on-streaming-video.html?cmpid=ADV_PB_p8852736745&gclid=CNmUmOmOhMoCFVCJfgod2ZYJcA&gclsrc=ds ETA: It's called out fairly obvious on their website, so I guess more people will realize than I originally thought I've seen all that, I just didn't read much of it about quality and such because I didn't care. lol He hasn't complained so I guess all is well.
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,622
|
Post by chiver78 on Dec 30, 2015 14:20:35 GMT -5
how "old" is the Samsung S5? looks like AT&T is giving them away. link
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,622
|
Post by chiver78 on Dec 30, 2015 16:14:52 GMT -5
well, I think I'm jumping to AT&T. I started a live chat to ask a few questions about the free S5, and this person's been awesome. she has answered every question I've asked, given consistent information, and is actually building my shopping cart for me b/c my browser sucks at life today for some reason. I'm going with the "S6 Active" that seems like it's going to make the most sense. AND, I will get a free LG Android OS tablet. if we can ever get the shopping cart to work......
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,622
|
Post by chiver78 on Dec 30, 2015 16:42:40 GMT -5
aw, well that sucks.....the chat window disappeared before I could save it. and the agent said there would be a survey at the end, and there wasn't. I totally wanted to rave about how awesome she was.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Dec 30, 2015 16:46:03 GMT -5
Did you get your phone though?
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,622
|
Post by chiver78 on Dec 30, 2015 16:48:11 GMT -5
yup, it's ordered. S6 Active. now to find an OtterBox for it!
|
|
8 Bit WWBG
Administrator
Your Money admin
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 8:57:29 GMT -5
Posts: 9,322
Today's Mood: Mega
|
Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Jan 1, 2016 10:28:39 GMT -5
Wow, so the free streaming caps you at standard def... eww! It DOES make a difference even on a phone screen. Always a gimmick...
|
|
Deleted
Joined: May 14, 2024 12:40:28 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2016 12:23:45 GMT -5
well, I think I'm jumping to AT&T. I started a live chat to ask a few questions about the free S5, and this person's been awesome. she has answered every question I've asked, given consistent information, and is actually building my shopping cart for me b/c my browser sucks at life today for some reason. I'm going with the "S6 Active" that seems like it's going to make the most sense. AND, I will get a free LG Android OS tablet. if we can ever get the shopping cart to work...... Careful. NOTHING from a cell phone company is ever free.
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,622
|
Post by chiver78 on Jan 1, 2016 12:35:40 GMT -5
ha, I know. I will be paying $10/month to put it on the network, but it's not leaving the house - which means it will always be on wifi. wahoo.
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,622
|
Post by chiver78 on Jan 6, 2016 11:57:27 GMT -5
ohhkay, so I've just realized that in switching carriers, I'm going to lose access to my voicemails (obviously). but what's bothering me about this is that I have had the same outgoing greeting since my first VZ digital phone - when I was 19. do any of you know how to save an outgoing greeting to some other media, so that I can use it on my new phone?
|
|
8 Bit WWBG
Administrator
Your Money admin
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 8:57:29 GMT -5
Posts: 9,322
Today's Mood: Mega
|
Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Jan 10, 2016 12:44:36 GMT -5
Do you just want a recording of the greeting? My initial thought is that if you had access to a softphone (where the phone is actually a program on your computer) that you could call your phone via the computer and run a recording program at the same time to capture the audio. Alternatively (if your computer can't record audio that it is playing) you could run an audio cable from the headphone jack to the input jack of another recording device.
My work suite has the ability to download voice mail as audio files, but I don't believe it saves the greeting.
I have never checked whether or not there are apps that record phone calls. That might be a possibility.
Worst case: speakerphone + tape recorder.
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,622
|
Post by chiver78 on Jan 11, 2016 10:41:45 GMT -5
Do you just want a recording of the greeting? My initial thought is that if you had access to a softphone (where the phone is actually a program on your computer) that you could call your phone via the computer and run a recording program at the same time to capture the audio. Alternatively (if your computer can't record audio that it is playing) you could run an audio cable from the headphone jack to the input jack of another recording device. My work suite has the ability to download voice mail as audio files, but I don't believe it saves the greeting. I have never checked whether or not there are apps that record phone calls. That might be a possibility. Worst case: speakerphone + tape recorder. I actually found a website that basically started a recording as soon as I logged in to my old vm until I hung up. I downloaded the mp3 file, and can edit as needed. that will likely be next weekend's project. I haven't even set up vm on the new phone yet.
|
|