fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #3135 ]

[ SECRET POST #3135 ]

⌈ Secret Post #3135 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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[Supernatural]

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[Floraverse]

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[Star Trek: The Next Generation]

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[Bryan Cranston: Breaking Bad vs. Malcolm in the Middle]

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Notes:

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Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0- too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
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Backstory: I have never owned a smartphone. For years I used a hand me down flip phone, I am using a better but still cheap gophone at the moment. Its beginning to really become a problem in the real world that I don't have a smartphone, so I am looking into it. My girlfriend said if I could get an iPhone she might be able to get me into her families Family plan, and then I would only be paying a little more per month than I am now, not counting data.

But I know nothing about smartphones. So I could use some advice? I don't want the newest version (I think an iphone 5 would work fine for me) so is it a good idea to buy used, like on Craigslist? Or should I get a new one anyway, and if so how do I buy one without buying a plan, since I am trying to get put on someone elses? What kind of price is actually reasonable to pay used (Im seeing a wide variance)? I assume I need to get one for the network they have (ATT) but what is "unlocked"? Please just... smartphone buying advice. Any you can give me, because I know nothing.

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/smartphone-buying-guide,review-1971.html

When you add a line to an account, they give you options for buying a phone there. Check places like Amazon or Best Buy, see what they're running for new lines of service. Though, depending on your area, you might be able to get a solo plan for relatively cheap if you wanted to go that route (I pay $53 a month on Sprint for unlimited minutes/2GB of data, but shop around, you might find a better deal).

I would absolutely avoid buying a used iPhone. It's so very easy to be scammed there thanks to the OS it runs on (if it's locked by the previous owner, congrats, you bought a brick).

If I'm not the one adding the line though, how do I go about buying the phone/seeing how much a new line is? I don't actually live near the family that offered me onto their plan, and I've pretty much been told I would need to get the phone myself for them to add me. (Its 30 a month on their plan which I could definitely afford, I am not sure if I could find a solo plan that good...). I am confused by this whole thing tbh.

If you order online (or have them order), most of them can be shipped to an address that isn't the account address. As for checking, just hit up the main carriers (Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, ATT) on their websites and shop the plans for new users.

But I have gotten the impression that they want me to have the phone before they add me in? Is that possible, or did I misunderstand? (I know my girlfriends mom is the one who specifically said something about me getting a used one, which you said was a bad idea, so idk) I keep trying to research these things but its all very confusing and frustrating to me...

It's definitely possible, as long as it's compatible with their carrier! I'd just personally avoid second-hand iPhones. Androids don't come with the same lock-down feature that an iPhone does.

Consider getting a Windows Phone. They're a good smartphone for beginners and extremely cheap because nobody wants them. If you're paying more than $50/mo for unlimited voice/text and at least 1gb data you're getting ripped off.

I would rather an iphone cause I have tiny hands (literally they are the smallest of any non-child I have met) and I generally use Apple products for other things (computer, I had an ipod touch for a while before I dropped it from a long height, etc). Thanks though. I definitely can't afford more than 50 a month...

My Windows phone is pretty small -- it's not much bigger than my last phone. (it's a Nokia Lumia numberican'tremember -- kind of a crap phone with limited memory and the browser tends to crash easily, but it's a smartphone!)

If you get an iPhone make sure you get a strong case. I'm constantly dropping my phone and it's designed to blow apart on impact as a safety feature (meaning I gotta collect the case, the back of the phone, the battery, and the phone itself, but it still works once it's been reassembled) but the iPhone can shatter if you look at it too hard.

Dude. They said they want an iPhone. Stop trying to sell them on the virtues of non-iphones.

NA They also said they didn't know much about smartphones, so possibly could be open to new information.

The best part is I didn't even push anything. I even straight up went into "if you get an iPhone." But facts don't matter, vote Daily Mail.

She didn't specifically say she wanted an iPhone, but thanks for playing kid.

You're right. They only said what they would prefer and gave Apple-specific reasons why. Pardon me for using my brain to pick up on context, old man.

Awesome. Why don't you use your brain to go fuck yourself?

How charming and adult of you. No wonder people troll you when you get riled up so easily.

I love it. You get started right in with hostility and condescending but I tell you to go fuck yourself and you call me immature. No wonder my fanclub is such a joke, you can't troll for shit.

You expect me to be mature and civil to a moron at 6am? You straight tripping.

What part was hostile and condescending prior to being insulted by you? Or can you only dish it but not take it?

dethtoll was snippy with the "kid" bit but then anon (you?) escalated by calling him stupid. dethtoll is obviously on a short fuse but he's also constantly trolled which would piss me off after a while.

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

(Anonymous) - 2015-08-05 10:53 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

dethtoll - 2015-08-05 10:55 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

(Anonymous) - 2015-08-05 10:46 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

(Anonymous) - 2015-08-05 10:51 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

(Anonymous) - 2015-08-05 10:56 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

dethtoll - 2015-08-05 10:54 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

(Anonymous) - 2015-08-05 10:59 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

dethtoll - 2015-08-05 11:00 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

(Anonymous) - 2015-08-05 11:16 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

(Anonymous) - 2015-08-05 11:31 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

(Anonymous) - 2015-08-05 11:36 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

(Anonymous) - 2015-08-05 11:42 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

dethtoll - 2015-08-05 12:19 (UTC) - Expand

Also: Not part of your fan club. I'll call ypu out on your shit, but beyond that, you're not nearly important enough to waste time on.

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

dethtoll - 2015-08-05 10:56 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

(Anonymous) - 2015-08-05 11:02 (UTC) - Expand

(frozen comment) Re: Smartphones?

dethtoll - 2015-08-05 11:03 (UTC) - Expand

iPhones are for sad Japanese housewives who collect glass cats. Real men vary a 9 inch android tablet strapped to they baggy pants with black snoopy boxers showing, and a real bitch don't need a phone cuz I'll page her ass.

Generally you have a few options:

1. Big-carrier contract. This is often cheaper if you do a family plan or want to get wireless bundled with other services. You agree to pay for service for 2 years, they give you your choice of phones for a "discount." You pay up front to upgrade from a basic to expensive phones. You get the option to upgrade every few years. Usually you pick from their catalog. The carrier can charge fees for early termination of the contract.

2. Service contract/buy the phone. You sign a service contract as above, but buy your phone outright. This is a good deal for early adopters who want to buy a "flagship" phone every year.

3. Service contract/payment plan. Similar service contract commitment, with the added commitment of installment payments on the phone.

4. No-contract/per-minute/data. I think Tracfone does this and some other prepaid carriers. You buy the phone. You pay for minutes, usually a minimum per month. Really cheap if you're not a heavy user. It stacks up quick if you need a lot of minutes or data. Choice of phones is usually very limited.

5. No-contract/monthly or daily. You buy the phone and pay on a monthly basis. Unlimited U.S. + 1 GB data is pretty standard these days. Choice of phones is usually limited.

Types of phones:

A: Android. Ubiquitous, good price range, strong software support. "Flagship" phones usually come down in price after a few years and price competition means there's a good range from $50 on up. Sheer number of versions makes shopping for accessories difficult. It's Google's world, we just live in it.

B: Apple. Great value for the money if you get it on contract. They tend to be a bit expensive if you don't, but prior generations are not quite so bad. It's Apple's world, we just live in it.

C: Windows. Windows Mobile seems to be a love or hate platform. It's less supported by 3rd party developers than either Apple or Android.

D: Others. Blackberry = dead. Kindle = Amazon's Android. Ubuntu = vaporware. Firefox = Just out of vaporware.

Other things to consider:

I: Heartbreak. How expensive of a phone will break your heart if it gets lost or destroyed.

II: What do you really want, what do you really need? I don't get close to hitting my data cap with social networking sites and email. Moving video or audio around can tear through your data limits.

III: Are you likely to move around or switch? Prepaid plans might be worthwhile if you are.

IV: Is there an app for that? Shop around and see what operating systems are supported by your must-have services and web sites.

I use an $80 Android phone with Cricket and pay $35 a month for unlimited domestic and 2.5 GB data. Cricket is nice in that they throttle data if you hit your limit rather than charge you.

EDIT: "Unlocked," means the phone isn't bound to the carrier. It might also mean that the phone has been modified to permit installation of 3rd-party software.

Edited 2015-08-05 04:10 (UTC)

I second the people saying don't buy a used phone on like eBay or Craig's list. If you can get a certified refurbished from a retailer that might be OK.

I don't know anything about contracts and family plans, but I've been using Virgin Mobile since 2005 and have always liked it. I switched to my first smartphone a few years ago, and had to buy it outright. I got a telatively cheap one at first that was OK but as I got more used to it, and wanted to do more, I bought a Galaxy S3.

It was a generation back (nearly 2, I think) at the time and cost a couple hundred bucks, and I paid an extra hundred for an awesome case (otterbox defender). I've dropped it a bunch and never broken it, and once I had the phone, my monthly payment for what was originally 330000 minutes anytime talk-time and unlimited nights/weekends with unlimited data was $35. I've been a customer so long though, that they've upgraded me to unlimited everything.

Their phones range from cheap to super expensive (they do carry iPhones). The catch is the phones ONLY work with Virgin Mobile. Like, I can't leAve VM and sign up with a contract place and still use that phone, and I can't use a phone I bought while part of a different carrier on VM.

But like I said, I've been a customer for a decade with no problems. I'd definitely see if their coverage area is a good fit for you, and give it some consideration.

SA
Wow, something went awry there. That should be 300 minutes not 330000.

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