OT: Which Smartphone should I buy?

[Rich Rane]

Same here. Also, who are reporting the malware, likely the same companies that are pushing the security products. Not saying Android is immune to malware, just saying Google has done a great job in sandboxing the environment.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/221137/g ... hones.html

how do you turn off notification in lookout

When you open the app, hit menu, then settings, notification, and uncheck the box.

When you download some apps. they'll require permissions to access your phone. In this case, Lookout will scan every app you download from here on out and you'll only notice it when you download apps and during a weekly scan.

hey rich what apps can i remove that it comes preloaded with that would take unnecessary space

I know in Gingerbread and anything before it, you couldn't do that without rooting your phone, but I've heard ICS saved everyone the trouble. Usually anything pre-installed by your carrier (in your case, Verizon) is pretty much bloatware.

Has anyone ever tried out the Samsung Focus S.

<span>[url]<a class="smarterwiki-linkify" href="http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Focus-4G-Windows-Phone/dp/B0061QRIFW[/url]">http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Focus-4G-Windows-Phone/dp/B0061QRIFW[/url]</a></span>

I tried it out at the store, and it was pretty good.

It was 200 dollars and that was with the 2 year contract. I could get the Samsung Focus Flash, which is just a smaller version of this one and it is practically free with a 2 year contract.

I kind of want to stick with Windows.

Anyway, here is my main question. This is considered a Windows 7 phone. In the future, will this phone be compatible with Windows 8? Like, where there be an update for this phone from W7 to W8 so I can use W8 features on this?

Most likely. Windows Phone 7s that have Mango installed will receive two updates: a minor one (Tango) and a major one (Apollo). Apollo is said to add NFC chip technology and integrate Microsoft phones, PCs that use Windows 8, upcoming tablets, and some even believe the X-Box 360 with each other. I wouldn't try it until its released and until Microsoft steps up with their apps (which they will sooner or later).

[magnumt]

I was in the same boat this month, and upgraded with my usual new 2 Year plan. What did I decided to do? I left both Blackbery and Android after years of use and FINALLY got an iPhone.

Best. Darn. Decision. I. Ever. Made!

Can't tell you how as an IT person, it is soooo much easier, unified, and streamlined with Apps, iTunes,, and productivity. It's no joke. It's literally like night and day, and iOS5 makes things a breeze.

My only regret is that I didn't make the transition sooner, lol.

--Mags

[knickfan]

iPhone has the best UI on the market but the best phone out now is no longer made by Apple, it's the Nexus that just came out.

[Da_Mane_Man]

guys, i just went to the verizon store at the mall and this chick told me the battery life for the nexus is listed at 6 hours. can't be true.

does anyone have a chart comparing the battery life of all these phones? does the iphone have the best one since it has the smallest screen?

[Stannis]

guys, i just went to the verizon store at the mall and this chick told me the battery life for the nexus is listed at 6 hours. can't be true.

does anyone have a chart comparing the battery life of all these phones? does the iphone have the best one since it has the smallest screen?

If that is true, I will strongly consider switching to Verizon.

Right now, I want to stay away from the iPhone. It is just not me.

I would buy the Galaxy Nexus, but AT&T does not have it. Anyone know when they will?

[Pharmcat]

I was in the same boat this month, and upgraded with my usual new 2 Year plan. What did I decided to do? I left both Blackbery and Android after years of use and FINALLY got an iPhone.

Best. Darn. Decision. I. Ever. Made!

Can't tell you how as an IT person, it is soooo much easier, unified, and streamlined with Apps, iTunes,, and productivity. It's no joke. It's literally like night and day, and iOS5 makes things a breeze.

My only regret is that I didn't make the transition sooner, lol.

--Mags

i had it down to iphone and nexus in the end

we'll see in a few months if i made right decision or not

[AmazingJason]

If you're looking to save money, consider switching over to PagePlus (uses Verizon network) or Virgin Mobile (uses Sprint network). You're guaranteed solid reception and great cost savings.

PagePlus has a $30 monthly plan for 1200 min/3000 text/100 MB data and a $55 monthly plan for unlimited min/unlimited text/500 MB data. There are no extra taxes and fees with these plans. You'll have to research which smartphones will work with PagePlus, but Droid 1, Droid X, Droid 2, and HTC Incredible I know for sure will work. I personally have a used Droid 1 with the $30 plan.

Virgin Mobile has a $35 monthly plan for 300 min/unlimited text/unlimited data, a $45 monthly plan for 1200 min/unlimited text/unlimited data, and a $55 monthly plan for unlimited everything. Many of my friends have this plan with the LG Optimus V (sub-$100) or if you want a better phone, the Motorola Triumph is available.

Yeah, they're not the latest and greatest phones, but they get the job done and for really cheap.

[Pharmcat]

hey rich

when i download an app, it comes to front screen. i just drag and drop them into the google folder, is that ok to do?

[prs]

I love my iphone 4 but its also the first smart phone i've had. I'd definitely suggest it if you already have a lot of friends with iphones since texting is really fast with the messenger ****.

IOS5 is really nice so far, iphone 4s obviously has more **** you can use to.

Phones are really preference though. I like the small screen for the smaller size / more battery life. Might not matter to some people as most people I see use cases. I personally don't cause they make phones too bulky. I'm pretty rough with my phone and only the screen protectors on it have been scratched/cracked.

Only thing I don't like about it is a lot of people have iphones. Which it seems like some of you are avoiding it because of that. Kind of stupid imo. The only reason it bothers me that a lot of people have it is because I'm too lazy to get custom ring tones, so you'll start reacting to other peoples phones a lot and it gets annoying. That and I got the white one since it was new when I got it. Dirt kind of sticks out on the white one obviously and with a screen protector it can get to look sort of off whitish.

[Rich Rane]

guys, i just went to the verizon store at the mall and this chick told me the battery life for the nexus is listed at 6 hours. can't be true.

It said some phones came up with a software problem, resulting in a battery drain. Galaxy Nexus users should expect an update soon.

hey rich

when i download an app, it comes to front screen. i just drag and drop them into the google folder, is that ok to do?

Usually, you want your folders to organize things for you. For a Google folder, I'd keep Maps, Navigation, Translate, Sky Map, Goggles, and GMail in that folder (I highly doubt Translate, Sky Map, and Goggles came pre-installed. If they did, good. They can be very useful). On my menus, I have four folders (Games, Music, Shopping, and Utilities). The Google apps I have them out and about.

[froyo]

If you're getting a Droid, get the Nexus. I just got one.

[AndroidMan]

Same here. Also, who are reporting the malware, likely the same companies that are pushing the security products. Not saying Android is immune to malware, just saying Google has done a great job in sandboxing the environment.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/221137/g ... hones.html

Sorry for delayed response. Actually spent yesterday going through my Google newsfeed, I haven't had a chance to read up in a while.

What I meant to imply was that Google is not immune to malware, but they do a great job in sandboxing the environment.

These apps in question appeared to have the same titles as other popular apps(Angry Birds), just repackaged with malware.

Seems like a rogue developer was able to use popular apps to swerve around new security permissions. Someone downloading angry birds probably wasn't scrutinizing the permissions the app wanted.

It may be tough to put the blame on the user in this case, even though they should take the minimum precaution. Angry Birds doesn't need to read your contacts lists or be able to send SMS messages.

Having said that, Google does respond quick enough when these rogue apps are discovered. I have no issue when independent sources claim there's some malware on android. I'm in favor of Google closing down any loose holes that allow Rogue devs to corrupt the market.

What I'm not so favorable to is, is when Secuirty Experts mislead Android users into believing that Android apps are a minefield and that there may be 95% chance you will be infeccted to great danger if you don't use our product type of scenario.

"I just randomly stumbled into one of the apps, recognized it and noticed that the publisher wasn't who it was supposed to be."

"The publisher's been removed entirely from the market, so you can no longer see the list of apps."

List of offending apps that were copied

The offending apps from publisher Myournet:
Falling Down
Super Guitar Solo
Super History Eraser
Photo Editor
Super Ringtone Maker
Super Sex Positions
Hot Sexy Videos
Chess
下坠滚球_Falldown
Hilton Sex Sound
Screaming Sexy Japanese Girls
Falling Ball Dodge
Scientific Calculator
Dice Roller
躲避弹球
Advanced Currency Converter
App Uninstaller
几何战机_PewPew
Funny Paint
Spider Man
蜘蛛侠

also this dev was lazy and didn't even give an appropriate logo for the app itself. I don't want to blame the users, but come on. How are you going to download what looks like suspect app?

[AndroidMan]

I know in Gingerbread and anything before it, you couldn't do that without rooting your phone, but I've heard ICS saved everyone the trouble. Usually anything pre-installed by your carrier (in your case, Verizon) is pretty much bloatware.

If he got a Galaxy Nexus, then the only real "bloatware" are Verizon backup Assistant and the Verizon Pro(looks up verizon profile details/ min used). Google tries to keep the Nexus clean of bloatware.

You can Google specific instructions to disable these 2 apps on the Nexus.

[AndroidMan]

I was in the same boat this month, and upgraded with my usual new 2 Year plan. What did I decided to do? I left both Blackbery and Android after years of use and FINALLY got an iPhone.

Best. Darn. Decision. I. Ever. Made!

Can't tell you how as an IT person, it is soooo much easier, unified, and streamlined with Apps, iTunes,, and productivity. It's no joke. It's literally like night and day, and iOS5 makes things a breeze.

My only regret is that I didn't make the transition sooner, lol.

--Mags

Why? You were so cool before?? JK, not really. You were so much cooler before that tidbit of information was shared with me. You seemed to be enjoying Android when we were chatting it up. What changed?

Is it itunes?

[AndroidMan]

guys, i just went to the verizon store at the mall and this chick told me the battery life for the nexus is listed at 6 hours. can't be true.

does anyone have a chart comparing the battery life of all these phones? does the iphone have the best one since it has the smallest screen?

All these 4g phones can only do data over 4g, so this means if you have 4g on, you must also have 3g on to get voice. Having both radios operate simultaneously is what's effecting the battery. Also likely user has screen on full brightness and screen is on for long periods of time.

New LTE chips that do voice as well, called VOlte, won't be out for a while.(Summer)

What people have been doing is disabling their 4g until they actually plan to do some heavy surfing and pulling in data.

There's a cost to pay with the newest cutting edge tech. Even 3g chips were battery drains when they first came out. Blackjack were even given the extra extended batt by default.

That's the truth about LTE at the moment. I doubt any software enhancement will fix this issue.

I myself am considering waiting till summer for the newer chips, but I'll probably get the Nexus anyways. Should have good resell value either way(Nexus).