Android Phones - Defend Your Purchase - The Something Awful Forums

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Kafka Esq.: Jan 1, 2005; "If you ever even think about calling me anything but 'The Crab' I will go so fucking crab on your ass you won't even see what crab'd your crab" -The Crab(TM)

I ordered a 16gb Nexus 5 on November 12th. The card it was ordered on was lost and cancelled. I ordered another one on the 18th when I got my new card because it wouldn't let me change anything on Google Play. I phoned in to make sure the Nov 12th order was cancelled and they told me that both had been cancelled. I raised a fuss and they said to order a new one and they'd give me a credit for the trouble. So I ordered the 32gb.

Now I have emails saying ALL THREE have shipped.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 15:37

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# ? Jun 2, 2024 12:35

Roundboy: Oct 21, 2008

welp time to order a new phone, as i just broke my current one in the most unusual way possible.

It apparently dropped (moto razr) screen side down from 3 feet onto something hard, which cracked the digitizer but left the screen intact. I can see a few cracks UNDER the screen, but it feels smooth to the touch from the outside.

Maxx is 99$ at amazon vs $50 for the x. I love my wife's G2 battery life (listed @ 1092 min) vs the maxx DOUBLE, and only 760 some for the x.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 15:46

Combat Pretzel: Jun 23, 2004; No, seriously... what kurds?!

LastInLine posted:

That's why there's no way to force LTE only. It has to idle on 3G/HSPA to receive calls.

I suppose this is something a baseband update can enable?

# ? Nov 26, 2013 15:48

SB35: Jul 6, 2007; Move along folks, nothing to see here.

DrBouvenstein posted:

Eh, if you use Google Voice for texts you could still get those. vv

Cross-posting from the Pre-paid thread so it gets more notice:

I decided to get AT&T GoPhone, because StraightTalk completely stopped working for me entirely yesterday. Maybe they got pissy because I canceled my recurring charge or something, and knew I was bailing so hosed me over preemptively. So I needed something right away so I could, you know...have a usable phone.

Only...it's slow as death. Slower than my ST connection was (well...when it decided to connect properly and not be a whiny bitch,) despite using the SAEM towers and service (I had ST on AT&T network.)

Anyone else have a speed problem with GoPhone? I'm getting less than 2 Mbps download, and like 0.3 Mbps upload. I've tried it in three places:

1) When I first activated the service in the downtown area, which should be the fastest and, in theory, if there's LTE I wold expect it there. The AT&T guy said they activated a couple LTE towers in town recently. Nope.
2) My home, which is maybe a half mile from the downtown area.
3) Work, which is a few miles from the big downtown hub, but still in a well populated "commercial" area that I got 5-8 Mbps on ST.

Oh, and sometimes it just loses all service intermittently. Just now, I looked at my phone and it had no bars with a little "x" near them for a minute or so.

Before I go back to the AT&T store (for all the good that'll do, since they will probably just pull the "well, the advertised speed is the maximum, no guarantee!" bullshit) I was just wondering if maybe there's some better APN setting I could use. I was skeptical of the one the guy in the store gave me, since it only had, like, three things for me to input...a lot of blanks in the APN settings fields.

You could try getting a new ST SIM and starting a new account altogether. Or get AIO

# ? Nov 26, 2013 15:50

Wayne Knight: May 11, 2006

I would recommend getting a major carrier rather than being treated as second-class on some prepaid garbage service.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 16:05

asecondduck: Feb 18, 2011; by Nyc_Tattoo

Upgraded my converted GPE HTC One to 4.4 today. One thing that I don't think anyone mentioned was that Toast notifications have a new look. Still not a great UI choice, but it's better. Most apps are working fine with ART (Falcon Pro's settings take about ~5 seconds to load, and tweets are bolded if you don't have "Use device font" selected). Multitasking is the fastest it's ever been, and there's next to no scroll lag in apps that use webview. And with the new GPE launcher thing installed I even get a transparent notification bar!

Very happy with the update.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 16:07

r0ck0: Sep 12, 2004; r0ck0s p0zt m0d3rn lyf

I have been using my new nexus 5 on wifi only while I wait for my free T-mobile sim to arrive. So far the phone is awesome, using the ART vm its so snappy I dont know what to do. I only hope the cell service is equal to the phone's great performance.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 16:18

DrBouvenstein: Feb 28, 2007; I think I'm a doctor, but that doesn't make me a doctor. This fancy avatar does.

SB35 posted:

You could try getting a new ST SIM and starting a new account altogether. Or get AIO

Well I've already paid $60 for a month's worth of service, so unless it becomes entirely unusable, I'm going to at least keep it for this month.

But if it doesn't get better, I'll probably get AIO...it doesn't make sense that an MVNO would get better speeds then the pre-paid account from the company that actually owns and manages the cell network, but that was the case on ST so it wouldn't surprise me if AIO was the same way.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 16:19

kitten smoothie: Dec 29, 2001

RZA Encryption posted:

I would recommend getting a major carrier rather than being treated as second-class on some prepaid garbage service.

Especially because it will only get worse when AT&T completes their planned acquisition of Cricket's parent company and merges Aio (with its customers) into Cricket like they intend to do. If you don't already feel like you're getting treated like a dealer with a burner phone, you definitely will later.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 16:34

Roundboy: Oct 21, 2008

well Amazon wont get a phone to me until after thanksgiving, and vzw still wants $texas for phones.. so i guess i have to wait on a new phone anyway.

This was the worst time to break it.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 16:39

bull3964: Nov 18, 2000; DO YOU HEAR THAT? THAT'S THE SOUND OF ME PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK.

Motorola has jumped street date on their own phone.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/26/motorola-now-selling-unlocked-moto-g-in-the-us/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedly

Moto G unlocked is now available for purchase in the US.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 16:43

TheBuilder: Jul 11, 2001; Can't post for 41 hours!

I just RMAed my Nexus 5 because of a camera problem. The camera was showing a dark spot in all images, but the lens was clean and free of anything that might cause that. Anyone else have this issue?

# ? Nov 26, 2013 17:33

Dr. Video Games 0050: Nov 28, 2007

Hey guys

I have a Moto X and my Apple earpods kinda work but the volume control doesnt. How can I fix that?

# ? Nov 26, 2013 17:49

nimper: Jun 19, 2003; livin' in a hopium den

Dr. Video Games 0050 posted:

Hey guys

I have a Moto X and my Apple earpods kinda work but the volume control doesnt. How can I fix that?

What do you mean by "kinda work"?

# ? Nov 26, 2013 17:55

lags: Jan 3, 2004

Kafka Esq. posted:

I ordered a 16gb Nexus 5 on November 12th. The card it was ordered on was lost and cancelled. I ordered another one on the 18th when I got my new card because it wouldn't let me change anything on Google Play. I phoned in to make sure the Nov 12th order was cancelled and they told me that both had been cancelled. I raised a fuss and they said to order a new one and they'd give me a credit for the trouble. So I ordered the 32gb.

Now I have emails saying ALL THREE have shipped.

I will take one of your free phones off of your hands :P

Hope it all works out this kind of thing can turn into a real pain in the jockal-area.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 17:57

Dr. Video Games 0050: Nov 28, 2007

nimper posted:

What do you mean by "kinda work"?

I'd like the volume buttons to work if possible.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 17:58

nimper: Jun 19, 2003; livin' in a hopium den

Dr. Video Games 0050 posted:

I'd like the volume buttons to work if possible.

Probably not likely. Apple uses a different headphone jack layout than everyone else, so you're sending a signal to the phone but it's received on the wrong pin of the jack on your new phone.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 18:01

Tedronai66: Aug 24, 2006; Better to Reign in Hell...

So I got my N5 in last night. Holy hell it's so nice having a phone that can switch apps without reloading them entirely (looking at you, iphone 4s).

My power button seems to rattle if I shake the phone like a screaming baby, but I don't know if I should really concern myself with it. Phone's in a decent/cheap TPU case (this one, if you're curious) already, so :shrug:

# ? Nov 26, 2013 18:14

Tunga: May 7, 2004; Grimey Drawer

Tedronai66 posted:

My power button seems to rattle if I shake the phone like a screaming baby, but I don't know if I should really concern myself with it.

Is it definitely the power button? The N4 and N5 both give off a small rattle if shaken which is the image stabiliser on the camera and not something that you should be concerned about.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 18:18

Tedronai66: Aug 24, 2006; Better to Reign in Hell...

Tunga posted:

Is it definitely the power button? The N4 and N5 both give off a small rattle if shaken which is the image stabiliser on the camera and not something that you should be concerned about.

Maybe it's that. I honestly didn't investigate. And I do have to shake it more than just walking would do to even hear it.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 18:50

Ashex: Jun 25, 2007; These pipes are cleeeean!!!

There's a few videos out there about the power button rattle, it's a really minor first world problem.

I ordered a Spigen case and really don't like it. Ordered the Neo Hybrid and the phone just feels huge now. I planned to return it so I ordered the Slim case instead and the power button was constantly being triggered, plus it turned out to be the same size as the Neo Hybrid.

I'm probably going to return the Slim Case, but if anyone wants to buy it off me at discount (It's the white one) send me a PM.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 19:00

Grumpwagon: May 6, 2007; I am a giant assfuck who needs to harden the fuck up.

Tedronai66 posted:

Maybe it's that. I honestly didn't investigate. And I do have to shake it more than just walking would do to even hear it.

I seem to remember reading in a review that some of the buttons are a little loose back and forth. I doubt it's something to be concerned about.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 19:01

AlexDeGruven: Jun 29, 2007; Watch me pull my dongle out of this tiny box

Dr. Video Games 0050 posted:

I'd like the volume buttons to work if possible.

The buttons from my Samsung headset don't work either. I'm investigating a good pair that will work.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 19:03

ClassActionFursuit: Mar 15, 2006

Combat Pretzel posted:

I suppose this is something a baseband update can enable?

VoLTE will almost certainly require a new phone. There are three standards for it but I don't know how much of that depends on the handset for compatibility.

I'm any case I'm reasonably sure there's only one network in Korea with it at the moment and Verizon should have it by the end of 2014 but that's it for anything approaching the near term.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 19:36

Modus Trollens: Sep 12, 2010

bull3964 posted:

Motorola has jumped street date on their own phone.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/26/motorola-now-selling-unlocked-moto-g-in-the-us/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedly

Moto G unlocked is now available for purchase in the US.

whoop will be my first Android phone

# ? Nov 26, 2013 19:47

kri kri: Jul 18, 2007

I am looking for both a travel battery pack for plane trips and a USB wall wart that has a UK plug, preferably with 2 usb outputs. They will be charging a n7 2013 and a n4. What should I get?

# ? Nov 26, 2013 20:32

Kafka Esq.: Jan 1, 2005; "If you ever even think about calling me anything but 'The Crab' I will go so fucking crab on your ass you won't even see what crab'd your crab" -The Crab(TM)

lags posted:

I will take one of your free phones off of your hands :P

Hope it all works out this kind of thing can turn into a real pain in the jockal-area.

They have completely lied to me at least four times. They do not give a gently caress at all.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 20:53

actionjackson: Jan 12, 2003

I don't know if this happens for anyone else, but when using data out of town my apps registered a lot more background activity, so I decided to restrict background content. I was getting something like 20 MB used after just accessing a few sites on one day.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 20:56

the kawaiiest: Dec 22, 2010; Uguuuu ~

kri kri posted:

I am looking for both a travel battery pack for plane trips and a USB wall wart that has a UK plug, preferably with 2 usb outputs. They will be charging a n7 2013 and a n4. What should I get?

I bought the Satechi 10000 mAh powerbank and it's excellent. Solid build and not too big/heavy. I actually keep it in my purse and carry it around with me every day. Unfortunately it seems to be out of stock on Amazon, but here's a smaller version of it (5200 mAh).

the kawaiiest fucked around with this message at 21:06 on Nov 26, 2013

# ? Nov 26, 2013 21:04

Long Francesco: Jun 3, 2005

Can someone recommend a cheapish bluetooth receiver to plug an fm transmitter into? There's a ton of cheap ones direct from china on amazon but I'd rather get one that I know won't catch on fire or something.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 21:10

The Human Cow: May 24, 2004; hurry up

Looks like the wood-backed Moto X should be popping up in the next couple weeks.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 21:10

bull3964: Nov 18, 2000; DO YOU HEAR THAT? THAT'S THE SOUND OF ME PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK.

Engadget review of the Moto G.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/26/moto-g-review/

It utterly destroys the "budget" category of phones.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 21:24

FogHelmut: Dec 18, 2003

The Human Cow posted:

Looks like the wood-backed Moto X should be popping up in the next couple weeks.

Those backs will be available on eBay right?

# ? Nov 26, 2013 21:30

r0ck0: Sep 12, 2004; r0ck0s p0zt m0d3rn lyf

FogHelmut posted:

Those backs will be available on eBay right?

But I want a turtle shell, made out of real turtles.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 21:48

FogHelmut: Dec 18, 2003

r0ck0 posted:

But I want a turtle shell, made out of real turtles.

There are guys who will make that for you as long as you provide the turtle shell.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 21:55

kliksf: Jan 1, 2003

Got my 32gig LG Nexus just now I have no idea what to do is there somewhere in this thread that is like day 1 stuff for new android/smart phone people?

# ? Nov 26, 2013 22:03

Mu Zeta: Oct 17, 2002; Me crush ass to dust

I would just go on Youtube and find what's new in 4.4 Kitkat. Most of the things I do was self explanatory. Youtube, Maps, Netflix, Chrome, and everything else works the same as on the iPhone. If you already have a Gmail account it's pretty easy to set up.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 22:09

Wayne Knight: May 11, 2006

Just use it. If it was designed good enough you don't need prior knowledge of how it works.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 22:12

butt dickus: Jul 7, 2007; top ten juiced up coaches
and the top ten juiced up players

Anand and Brian of AnandTech wrote an article about some of our favorite things to argue about. I think it would be nice if the OP linked to it.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7543/a-post-about-removable-storage-removable-batteries-and-smartphones

# ? Nov 26, 2013 22:27

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# ? Jun 2, 2024 12:35

Combat Pretzel: Jun 23, 2004; No, seriously... what kurds?!

LastInLine posted:

VoLTE will almost certainly require a new phone. There are three standards for it but I don't know how much of that depends on the handset for compatibility.

Eh, weird. Radios are software-defined these days. I guess manufacturers won't bother updating it, just to sell more phones. To people that care about VoLTE, anyway.

I guess the idea behind wanting it is to reduce power usage, if the radio doesn't need to maintain a 3G connection.

# ? Nov 26, 2013 22:30

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