I guess I'm "normal" now - got a cell

[Toy4x4]

I've been putting off getting a phone since I don't like lugging them around and "always" in contact, no to mention the monthly cost. I have a cell that I use only on trips and it should be in a museum by now it is so out of date.
A friend told me about Republic Wireless - he is just like me not wanting a cell. We're both single so we never had to worry about being on contact all the time with anyone. He has had it for a month and told me about the plans and got my wheels turning. I've always had a lingering worry about not being able to call when I need something around town, let alone a interstate trips (hence the very temporary one).
So, I'm "normal" now. Its a Moto G 3rd gen. and since I won't be texting, FBing, etc., I opted for the .5 gig plan and after partial refunds for not using data, my bill should be around $13.50 to $14 a month. Using WiFi doesn't go against your data usage so I synced it to my home router. If you're out and about, it goes on the Sprint network, unless you find a free wifi hotspot.
I plan on getting an Otterbox case and a Sandisk 32 gig memory card. I'm going to have to play around with it a while to figure all the settings a options. Doesn't seem hard. I called my sister to try it out for the first time and she said I was coming through just fine.
Not too many people will know this new number as I want to keep it for emergency/convenience only and still use the home line as always. The contract with Cox is up in a little under two years (pretty good deal!) so we'll see what happens after that. Hopefully Google fiber is up and running by that time so I have some leverage.

 

[Recalculating]

Congratulations.

We recently had a member who went over the edge not being to play his Elvis collection on his new phone complaining about blood pressure and the sort not being able to get it done in the new age of wanting it right now. The member clearly indicated he wanted to throw his new phone in the lake. Got all bent out of shape when given the requested advice how to do that.

So be careful with the new toy. Normal can be crazy.

 

[CT8]

I like a cell to call out if I break down on the road or take a trip. The convenience is nice. I don't use the phone hardly at all. I wonder about brain cancer.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: CT8
I like a cell to call out if I break down on the road or take a trip. The convenience is nice. I don't use the phone hardly at all. I wonder about brain cancer.


You're probably better off wondering if that person in front of you, next to you or behind you will hit you. No scientific evidence to the whole brain cancer bit. You mind as well wonder if the spaghetti monster is real. But that's only if you're a pastafarian.

 

[Garak]

I still don't have one. I've had in the past, but they're simply "too much" these days. Someone here needs to keep tabs and find out which of us is the king luddite.

My dad was not able use a computer to save his soul. Yet, he had to have every gadget the second they came out. He had a brick phone. He had one of the first GPS systems ever on the market. I rely on maps and landlines and get frustrated with the lack of payphones, yet I prefer a fairly up to date PC.

 

[Jetronic]

Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: CT8
I like a cell to call out if I break down on the road or take a trip. The convenience is nice. I don't use the phone hardly at all. I wonder about brain cancer.


You're probably better off wondering if that person in front of you, next to you or behind you will hit you. No scientific evidence to the whole brain cancer bit. You mind as well wonder if the spaghetti monster is real. But that's only if you're a pastafarian.


If you get hit in traffic that could still count as a phone casualty, just like brain cancer

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Toy4x4
I've been putting off getting a phone since I don't like lugging them around and "always" in contact, no to mention the monthly cost. I have a cell that I use only on trips and it should be in a museum by now it is so out of date.
A friend told me about Republic Wireless - he is just like me not wanting a cell. We're both single so we never had to worry about being on contact all the time with anyone. He has had it for a month and told me about the plans and got my wheels turning. I've always had a lingering worry about not being able to call when I need something around town, let alone a interstate trips (hence the very temporary one).
So, I'm "normal" now. Its a Moto G 3rd gen. and since I won't be texting, FBing, etc., I opted for the .5 gig plan and after partial refunds for not using data, my bill should be around $13.50 to $14 a month. Using WiFi doesn't go against your data usage so I synced it to my home router. If you're out and about, it goes on the Sprint network, unless you find a free wifi hotspot.
I plan on getting an Otterbox case and a Sandisk 32 gig memory card. I'm going to have to play around with it a while to figure all the settings a options. Doesn't seem hard. I called my sister to try it out for the first time and she said I was coming through just fine.
Not too many people will know this new number as I want to keep it for emergency/convenience only and still use the home line as always. The contract with Cox is up in a little under two years (pretty good deal!) so we'll see what happens after that. Hopefully Google fiber is up and running by that time so I have some leverage.


Please post your number so we can call you.

 

[69GTX]

Originally Posted By: CT8
I like a cell to call out if I break down on the road or take a trip. The convenience is nice. I don't use the phone hardly at all. I wonder about brain cancer.


I have a 9 year old flip-top that was my wife's old cell phone. It's very limited use with 12 calls per 3 months...basically $2 per daily use. It doesn't get used for anything else. The computer at home sucks our life force away as it is.

 

[Eddie]

My Grandkids shamed me into a smart phone 4 years ago. I use about 1% of its capabilities but, Texting is nice. Ed

 

[supton]

Texting is so much easier on a "smart" phone. Can be nice to use free WiFi when someplace too, like if you need to look something up while shopping.

 

[yeti]

o.p. -- you started it now.you-know-who will chime in ,and rag on,per many posts,about "some" cell phone users, who don't meet his criteria, on proper cell phone use.

the thread promises to be very entertaining, as long as he doesn't go on about gay marriages, and god and the bible, and get the thread locked ... again.
if the thread stays on topic, it will be a good one.
a pool is being set up to see how many times he will post in the thread, to convince all that he is "right". to his credit, he does have a good command of the language.
I haven't won a bitog pool, yet, this year.i'm due.
have a good day/evening, all.

 

[Andrew1972]

I have had a cell since 1999 but rarely used until smartphones came around.

It's stupid not to have one imho in car as you don't need a plan to use 911. I have an old flip inactive in each vehicle charged with charger in the trunk. Just need someone's old flip phone.

 

[supton]

Heh, for the first six or so years I carried a phone that didn't work within 20 miles of home. Didn't know the difference between CDMA&GSM.

I was sad to learn that, then realized that it didn't matter: reception was poor in my area anyhow. Plus, when I was w/in 20 miles of home, I was either headed to home, or to work, and therefore if I had to be reached, I could be reached in a short while.

For a few years I would carry it around in my pocket, turned off. I figured, if I wanted to talk to someone, I'd call them.

Having a smartphone that needs charging every 3 days or so is a step backwards, but my iPad needs charging at that rate too, so I just live with it. And this phone does work at home, and over much of that prior 20 mile dead zone. Although there's still huge dead zones around me.

 

[Trav]

I have one and its going to be the last. I always had one since they were just a novelty item, it was nice when they went small, now they are going backwards.
The things are so big i don't even take it with me anymore. I have a iphone with unlimited data but i find the apps gimmicky and almost useless, as a phone it sucks as far as tone quality goes when compared to an old Nokia, certainly not worth what i pay every month.

 

[Toy4x4]

Originally Posted By: Donald


Please post your number so we can call you.

Yeah, thats a big "No!" I might as well post my SS #!

 

[JustinH]

I have been touting Republic Wireless on here and other forums.

I have had them for a couple years, I have the 3g version of that phone.

The android app that they use for the wifi calling was flakey when I first got the service. But they are constantly putting updates up for it, and they are working on the product.

I have the $10 per month voice/text only plan since I carry an unlimited data work phone as well.

They use some weird ports for the WIFI calling/SMS, and I had trouble getting them unblocked in my router.

This is probably not advised, but I put the phone in the DMZ of my home network and it has been 100 percent perfect. I do not run any apps on the phone, just use it for voice and SMS.

Republic uses the Sprint network, and honestly it has improved GREATLY since I used Sprint last 10 years ago. Drove from Central Texas West to El Paso TX.

Many hours I was in the middle of NOWHERE and had good sprint signal almost the whole time.

The only thing I do not like about Republic is that their phones are way too much money.

My wife needed a new carrier and we ended up getting her a Cricket phone, they sold her a Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime 4g phone for $29 when we ported our number in to them.

She is on a $35 per month plan which gets unlimited voice/text and 2.5GB of data on ATT network.

The ATT network has been great around here also. So if you need data, I think that Cricket deal is smokin right now.

 

[Toy4x4]

Good to hear you've have a positive experience with RW.

I figured with the other carriers and more expensive plans, you end up paying for the phone that way and much more in the long run. Yes, RW charged $20 more for the phone than what I compared to regular retail, but with such an inexpensive plan (as compared to your wife's, for example), the phone will pay for itself after 10 months.

*Weird - I've already received a couple random calls - Uber and someone I didn't know.

 

[yeti]

Originally Posted By: Trav
I have one and its going to be the last. I always had one since they were just a novelty item, it was nice when they went small, now they are going backwards.
The things are so big i don't even take it with me anymore. I have a iphone with unlimited data but i find the apps gimmicky and almost useless, as a phone it sucks as far as tone quality goes when compared to an old Nokia, certainly not worth what i pay every month.


this,re: the size issue.many are way too big.
during the winter, i'll likely replace mine.it's a low end smart phone, about 4 years old,and the only 'fancy' thing that I do on it, is take a few pics, and text, maybe 3 or 4 times a month.it's all about using a phone as a phone, for me.the next one will likely be another Samsung, or an I phone 5, since I don't want a massive sized phone.a couple of friends have the i 5, and the voice quality is excellent.
a cell is necessary, for me, as I have no land line. ( I do have a magic jack unit.)
but, to each his own.

 

[LoneRanger]

Originally Posted By: Toy4x4
I've been putting off getting a phone since I don't like lugging them around and "always" in contact, no to mention the monthly cost. I have a cell that I use only on trips and it should be in a museum by now it is so out of date.
A friend told me about Republic Wireless - he is just like me not wanting a cell. We're both single so we never had to worry about being on contact all the time with anyone. He has had it for a month and told me about the plans and got my wheels turning. I've always had a lingering worry about not being able to call when I need something around town, let alone a interstate trips (hence the very temporary one).
So, I'm "normal" now. Its a Moto G 3rd gen. and since I won't be texting, FBing, etc., I opted for the .5 gig plan and after partial refunds for not using data, my bill should be around $13.50 to $14 a month. Using WiFi doesn't go against your data usage so I synced it to my home router. If you're out and about, it goes on the Sprint network, unless you find a free wifi hotspot.
I plan on getting an Otterbox case and a Sandisk 32 gig memory card. I'm going to have to play around with it a while to figure all the settings a options. Doesn't seem hard. I called my sister to try it out for the first time and she said I was coming through just fine.
Not too many people will know this new number as I want to keep it for emergency/convenience only and still use the home line as always. The contract with Cox is up in a little under two years (pretty good deal!) so we'll see what happens after that. Hopefully Google fiber is up and running by that time so I have some leverage.


Dude, great minds think alike !!

I just signed up with Republic Wireless myself a few days ago. My Moto X 2nd gen was delivered the other day. Coming from a flip phone, I'm in the familiarization process as we speak. I'm not tech aversive, [censored] I supervised the I.T. unit at my work 2007-2010, but never really needed a smart phone.

Republic wireless is way cool. I signed up for the 1 gig plan and my monthly bill is supposed to be $27.90. There is open WiFi in most every spot I find myself in throughout the work week-- at the job, at the gym, and a few other places. So far I've only used around 200mb of actual cellular data, but have been eating it up on WiFi for free.

The Moto X is little glitchy though, to be fair. Not sure if it's the Lollipop 5.whatever OS or something else. I messed with the "Ok Google" voice command stuff and ended up switching it to the Moto voice commands instead ("Ok Moto X"), and it is hit and miss mainly with trying to get it to send a text all by voice command. It gets it done about one out of every 3 tries so far. I am currently making sure the entries for my contacts have the Phonetic name field filled in, and it may have helped some but not a cure. I prefer the ability to do accurate texts by voice command just because my hands are big, and my large thumbs have trouble zeroing in on the tiny qwerty board for texting.

Rainy cold and gloomy here this weekend so likely will spend some time tinkering with the Moto X trying to fine tune everything.

Also, know that your phone number for Republic is aliased off of a Sprint number. To see your Sprint number bring up the phone dialer and dial ##3282#. That pulls up a screen with data related options showing (not sure if editable but don't). The first is Data Profile, tap it to reveal a Sprint username assigned to your phone. It will be a phone number @ a Sprint server text string, i.e. an email address. That number is the Sprint number that your Republic number aliases off of. It may be possible to get some unwanted calls off the Sprint number if it was recycled from a previous user. I have gotten a few from an 800 number that comes back to an aggressive consumer finance company. I just added a contact and named it "Spam" and put that spam number into that contact and then set that contact to go straight to voicemail.

I'm hoping Republic Wireless is all it appears to be as far as an efficient way to shift data useage to free WiFi and not pay much for cellular data.

 

[LoneRanger]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
I have been touting Republic Wireless on here and other forums.

I have had them for a couple years, I have the 3g version of that phone.

The android app that they use for the wifi calling was flakey when I first got the service. But they are constantly putting updates up for it, and they are working on the product.

I have the $10 per month voice/text only plan since I carry an unlimited data work phone as well.

They use some weird ports for the WIFI calling/SMS, and I had trouble getting them unblocked in my router.

This is probably not advised, but I put the phone in the DMZ of my home network and it has been 100 percent perfect. I do not run any apps on the phone, just use it for voice and SMS.

Republic uses the Sprint network, and honestly it has improved GREATLY since I used Sprint last 10 years ago. Drove from Central Texas West to El Paso TX.

Many hours I was in the middle of NOWHERE and had good sprint signal almost the whole time.

The only thing I do not like about Republic is that their phones are way too much money.

My wife needed a new carrier and we ended up getting her a Cricket phone, they sold her a Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime 4g phone for $29 when we ported our number in to them.

She is on a $35 per month plan which gets unlimited voice/text and 2.5GB of data on ATT network.

The ATT network has been great around here also. So if you need data, I think that Cricket deal is smokin right now.


Good info on the DMZ, I need to keep that in mind if I have any issues. So far so good. Most of my issues revolve around fine tuning the Moto X voice command stuff, but have only had the phone a few days so hopefully I'll get it zeroed in for doing what I want to do with it by the end of the weekend. Trained it on my voice and such, but still glitchy when trying to do texts by voice only.

Sprint is all 4G LTE where I live and has excellent coverage.