xerxes
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Post by xerxes on Jan 20, 2012 1:42:23 GMT
I don't use a mobile phone much, so for years I've always bought a fairly cheap, basic one. However, I've always found texting a pain because I just can't get used to using the numeric keypad and the [abc], [def], etc. When I had a play with a friends iPhone I liked the little touch qwerty keyboard, I could type a message much quicker. Given my limited mobile phone usage I wasn't going to pay the £500.00 or so to get an iPhone or one of the other top end models, so I had a look around some of the review sites for something cheaper. I eventually picked up a used Huawei U5810 for £65.00, which is only twice what I'd normaly pay for a cheapy "dumb" phone. I'm impressed, the screen is a bit smaller than the top end models, but that makes the phone a bit smaller and more trouser pocket friendly, which suits me. It can be used as an MP3 player and can play WAV files, which my MP3 player can't, you can also connect it via USB to a PC and just drag and drop music, and any other type of files to it. It comes with an 8GB micro SD card, so I picked up a 32GB card for £15.00, which is more capacity than my MP3 player and the sound is perfectly acceptable, although probably not as good as some of the best dedicated MP3 players. The phone uses Google Android operating system and there are loads of apps available for it on the Andoid Marketplace. I'm not particularly interested in playing games on a phone, but I did isntall the Kindle app and I'm half way through a book I downloaded for free. The icing on the cake was the Gizmo app for J.River Media Centre, with this I can access all the music on my PC and play it through the phone via WiFi. Alternatively, I can use the phone as a remote control for J.River, it shows album covers, tracks, list by atrist, album, etc. so I can play files on my PC through my Hi-Fi and don't have to have the TV/Monitor switched on, which I find slightly distracting as I tend to look at the screen, even though I'm just listening to musc. All in all, chuffed.
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jan 20, 2012 2:21:00 GMT
Actually you can nowadays pick up a 2nd hand iphone 3gs for a song. Some of the outlets are even clearing new 3gs at slightly higher price.
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xerxes
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Post by xerxes on Jan 20, 2012 2:28:29 GMT
To be honest, I'm in the anything but Apple camp. If it were Apple I'd have to use the dreaded Itunes and all the other crap like the Bonjour Service that Apple installs in the background when you install one of their applications, thanks, but no thanks.
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Post by gommer on Jan 20, 2012 6:50:09 GMT
Actually, I also was in the same situation for a long time. Always thinking: better have dedicated toys that do one thing good instead of everything at once in a mediocre way.
But I've also changed to a smartphone now, a top end Android version. Given the fact it has a high resolution touch screen, more processing power than my first (and probably also my second) PC, wireless data communication, it can be used for endless remote control and utility duties. I love it for that. As you say, it also replaced my need for a dedicated rockboxed mp3player. I listen to music from my phone for hours on end at work and the quality is very acceptable.
My only major gripe so far is -ironically- that simply answering an incoming call is terribly cumbersome: slide it out of it's leather pocket (yeah, it's too expensive to scratch the screen), then use 2(!) hands to hold the phone and slide the green touch button from left to right. By the time i get there, the call has usually been diverted to voicemail.
But hey, given the fact that i don't phone that much, i'll settle for the benefits of all other purposes: calender, mail client, pocket torch, audio remote control, mp3 player (playing 24bit/192kHz flac), barcode scanner, HP48 scientific calculator, still and video camera, game console, GPS, memory storage medium, ...
I'll just need some more time to figure out how much Google inc. is the equivalent of Big Brother.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2012 7:53:17 GMT
Yay! Another recent convert. I'm finding pretty much the same on all counts, mine's getting used for things I hadn't even considered previously, very, very handy piece of tech. I have to admit to being a tad anti-Apple too The touch screen on the iPhone is superior to mine though, as is the rather supa doopa Samsung AmoLED. For the "dig it out before it rings off" problem you need either, a protective (often rubberised) sleeve that allows access to all the necessary or a wallet type case that just flips open There is also a "shake to answer" app available for some 'phones...
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Post by gommer on Jan 20, 2012 8:57:35 GMT
Well, when i bought my phone it was the absolute thinnest on the market. I also bought the thinnest available leather sleeve on the market, since i don't want to spoil it's sleek appearance. It's very thin body is one of the things i love about my phone.
I've tried protective screen cover, but that was removed within 24h, hate them.
But... I'll look into the gesture answer thingies, like the idea. Stupid i didn't think of that before.
Cheers, Marc
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Post by PinkFloyd on Jan 20, 2012 9:32:36 GMT
I was so anti mobile phones you wouldn't believe it, I REFUSED to be "contactable" when I was out and about... absolutely hated the concept. I now have an iphone and don't know what I would do without it, it goes everywhere with me Fantastic piece of "kit", it's like having a mini "everything" in your pocket... shit, you can even use it as a torch... the touchscreen is SUPERB, text messaging is a breeze (another thing I used to hate the idea of).... I can whack out a few paragraphs in a couple of minutes.... awesome
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2012 10:52:55 GMT
Try the HTC Sensation, i have the HTC desire HD, superb phone, both in build quality and performance.
Very easy to use even with my banana fingers with a case made from a solid block of Ali, does everything an iphone does but better IMHO( i had one of those a while back).
The Sensation has replaced the HD and by all accounts is better still.
Mick. ( A HTC LOVER )
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pagan
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Post by pagan on Jan 20, 2012 11:57:28 GMT
I have to admit it, I do have an iPhone 4 But it was supplied by my work.
My choose would be android based. Apple is just too "We know what you need so don't argue with us" type.
BTW Samsung make the display's for Apple. and I think processors too..
Might be interesting in the future to see what Apple does after there failure in court about the Samsung Galaxy...
Allan
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jan 25, 2012 2:07:40 GMT
Try the HTC Sensation, i have the HTC desire HD, superb phone, both in build quality and performance. Yeah, I was also about to buy another HP and that HTC is under consideration togather with a Samsung Note. So how will you rate that against the Samsung Galaxy or Note? I was about to try an Iphone but the new Iphone 4S stopped me as it's not a 5. So what you guys think? Should I wait for the quad core HPs to be released this year of the Dragon? Or should I buy one with 3D digi cam?
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xerxes
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Post by xerxes on Jan 25, 2012 15:59:19 GMT
I'm not sure about the relative merits of the Samsung or HTC, but many of the non Apple products have some advantages over the Apple products:
1. Replaceable batteries. Rechargeable batteries lose their potency and ability to hold charge with use. It seems silly to me that you can't replace a £10.00 battery yourself in an item worth several hundred pounds. Not all of us discard products for the latest model every six months and may actually be happy to use the same product beyond the life of a single battery.
2. Upgradeable storage. Apple seems reluctant to provide memory card slots in it's mobile products, wheras most of the alternatives do. I can't think of a good reason for this, other than to force you to pay more up front to Apple for a larger capacity model in the first place.
3. Standard connectors. Most of the alternatives to Apple use standard mini or micro USB connectors, so you can pick up cables and chargers cheaply almost anywhere. Once again, the only reason I can think of for this is to force you to buy proprietry cables and chargers from Apple themselves, at greater cost to you and greater profit for them.
A friend has a Samsung Galaxy SII, nice big clear screen, but it does mean that it's quite large overall and not particularly pocketable. I think it's a bit of a problem with smartphones, the larger and more useable the screen, the less pocket friendly they become and more they get towards tablet size.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2012 16:54:24 GMT
I have a Galaxy SII (which I love) and find it quite pocketable, it is certainly big but also very thin a light. I'm 6'4" so maybe my pockets are bigger than other's
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jan 26, 2012 5:02:11 GMT
I'm 6'4" so maybe my pockets are bigger than other's Wow, never did even a glimpse of me ever imagine you are that tall being a Spaniard. Jesus, you will always have the upper hand when you come to arguing anywhere. Btw, is that a traid in your family tree of being so tall?
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jan 26, 2012 5:20:02 GMT
1. Replaceable batteries. Rechargeable batteries lose their potency and ability to hold charge with use. It seems silly to me that you can't replace a �10.00 battery yourself in an item worth several hundred pounds. Not all of us discard products for the latest model every six months and may actually be happy to use the same product beyond the life of a single battery. 2. Upgradeable storage. Apple seems reluctant to provide memory card slots in it's mobile products, wheras most of the alternatives do. I can't think of a good reason for this, other than to force you to pay more up front to Apple for a larger capacity model in the first place. Yup, totally agreed. On top of that there is not Flash for youtube. But connector wise I'm ok with that as there are some "cheap" Apple style cables from China. As for the charger, it don't always spoilt easily unless you abuse it. Also, nowadays we don't need connector much as it's smarter now. Wireless. Yup, even charging. See the Samsung 3D glasses. Wireless charging. I think it's coming for the HP too. I think it's a bit of a problem with smartphones, the larger and more useable the screen, the less pocket friendly they become and more they get towards tablet size. Actually, I don't mind big as we can do things much more easier. But please not as big as a tablet. That's why I'm also looking at the Samsung Note. To me, it's superior than the S2.
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Post by gommer on Jan 26, 2012 6:40:06 GMT
Javier, are you Spanish or are you an immigrant in Spain? Spain didn't use the imperial system, did it? So why are you 6'4" and not 193cm (had to calculate that!) ?
Oh, and my phone is also an SGS2. I find it more pocketable with it's 8mm thickness than my previous smaller brick that was more than 20mm thick.
Cheers, Marc
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jan 26, 2012 7:02:55 GMT
Oh, and my phone is also an SGS2. I find it more pocketable with it's 8mm thickness than my previous smaller brick that was more than 20mm thick. S3 quad core with 3D speculated to come out around 2nd quarter 2012. Then how can they be still called smart HP? It's a computer HP already!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2012 7:30:16 GMT
Marc, I'm 100% Spanish but I made I mistake, it should actually say a little over 6'3" (1.90m). My father is 1.87m and my mother 1.77m, many of my uncles and anties from both sides are about the same height, others a little shorter. I used imperial because most members are British and I though they are more confortable with it than they are with metric.
Spanish average height has increased quite a bit over the last 50-60 years for both men and women. I used to be considered very tall when I was in schoool but nowadays many teenagers are as tall or taller.
the SGS2 is a very nice phone, the initial firmware (2.3.3) wasn't that good but with the latest update (2.3.5) I'm very pleased. I hope we'll get ICS in this first semester, at least that is what Samsung said.
Cheers
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2012 16:25:57 GMT
Javier, It must be the better diet up your way, down here the general trend is more short-arse, so I feel quite at home ;D At 5'6" and only 25% Spanish I think el equipo de baloncesta will always elude me As for the 'phone mine is a 17mm thick heavy weight but the slide out qwerty keypad is just incredible for working on documents and long texts/emails. Touch screen is also good but much slower. The screen is just a little too small to use ActiveSync extensively but Gremote took care of the bulk of that with other features added, brilliant app.
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xerxes
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Post by xerxes on Jan 26, 2012 17:59:23 GMT
Pocket size is always going to be somewhat subjective. I think the larger phones are OK for jacket pockets, but I find they make an unsightly bulge in my Spandex cat suit.
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jan 27, 2012 4:56:59 GMT
It must be the better diet up your way, down here the general trend is more short-arse, so I feel quite at home ;D So is there a mutation going on in Spain for giant people being more frequent? Hmm, X-Men wihout the supernatural power.
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Post by JohnnyBlue on Jan 27, 2012 7:02:44 GMT
Javier
Since others have started asking you personal questions, and you have had the good grace to answer them, I've got another one for you: how come your English is so good?
I'd assumed, notwithstanding your name (not to mention location) that you must be an ex-pat Anglophone. Your use of English (especially the colloquial) and grammar is excellent, much better than some other native-speakers around these parts (you know who you are!). So how come? You must have spent some time in the UK/US or work for a company where English is the main language or married a native-speaker or ...?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2012 7:53:40 GMT
Javier Since others have started asking you personal questions, and you have had the good grace to answer them, I've got another one for you: how come your English is so good? I'd assumed, notwithstanding your name (not to mention location) that you must be an ex-pat Anglophone. Your use of English (especially the colloquial) and grammar is excellent, much better than some other native-speakers around these parts (you know who you are!). So how come? You must have spent some time in the UK/US or work for a company where English is the main language or married a native-speaker or ...? It's really embarrasing, someone like Javier can learn excellent English in a short space of time. Then you have people like myself, I've lived here nine years and am still falling short of the mark At least I try though, loads of expats here can't be bothered, only being able to mutter a "Hola, gracias, un cerveza por favor" end of. I know my Spanish is iffy but all the same the locals are pretty impressed when a Brit can actually hold a conversation with them!
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Post by JohnnyBlue on Jan 27, 2012 8:26:58 GMT
I always try and pick up a few words and phrases of places I'm visiting. A few phrases I learnt in Arabic went a long way in Egypt: they loved that I was willing to try.
That said, I've never got very far with speaking or more especially understanding spoken Portuguese: the written language shows its Latin roots, but the spoken word sounds like something Eastern European to my ears, what with all the "sh" sounds!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2012 9:16:53 GMT
Thx John, wish it was true!!!
No short space of time Chris, my parents sent me to a boarding school in the UK when I was 10. At that age kids are like sponges and soak in everything with ease and that is how I got the basics, after that I've been over there a few times and also did a semester in a London college (can't remember the name) when I was at the university. Other than that, lots of reading (both work and non work related) and movie watching in English, unfortunately I don't get to speak it as often as I'd like but I can hold a conversation well enough to be understood though as a fast speaker in English I tend to stutter when words don't come to mind as quick as they should.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2012 23:07:48 GMT
Try the HTC Sensation, i have the HTC desire HD, superb phone, both in build quality and performance. Very easy to use even with my banana fingers with a case made from a solid block of Ali, does everything an iphone does but better IMHO( i had one of those a while back). The Sensation has replaced the HD and by all accounts is better still. Mick. ( A HTC LOVER ) Another HTC lover here. Up until earlier today I was using a HTC Touch Pro2 (Windows 6.5). Since we lost our home internet ( over-air, killed by new tall building ) it really came into full use, even wifey has been using it. Anyhoosen, there are features/abilities that the old windows beast cannot quite manage so I decided to finally go Android, meaning wifey gets the old one. As I rated the HTC highly it was top of the shortlist along with Samsung, Sony and even a new look at the iPhone Long story short I chose the HTC One S as it ticked nearly every box for me. ( I'm still an iPhobe! ) Of all the widgets and apps looked into so far the feature that grabbed the biggest wow factor thus far was................ Import all contacts from old phone ;D I was dreading this one as I was going from SIM to microSIM Unbelievebly simple! Import old contacts?..... yes please Select old phone.....done Import all.....not 'alf. KAZAM, done. ( yes I know this an old feature on iPhones ) Lots of playing later, I love this 'phone!
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