[Us burros]

AT&T is offering me new Nokia Lumia 900 4G LTE phones with Windows OS for the great price of $0.

Is anyone using this recently introduced phone or any wireless phone with Windows operating system?

It appears to me this deal might be a gamble, but AT&T is pushing it.

Thanks for any comments.

Harold

[Indy-hp]

Try reading the reviews at CNET.com. As I understand it, in the smartphone world the iPhone rules, with Android-powered phones by Motorola, HTC, and LG a distant second. Way, way behind those two are Blackberrys, and bringing up the really distant rear are Windows-powered phones.


I'm sure Windows Mobile works at least as good as Windows 95 did, but there are just way, way better options out there. If you can't or don't want to pony-up for an iPhone, which I understand as a Blackberry user myself, you should at least get an Android phone, IMO.

[Bobinyelm]

Indy-hp, on 20 April 2012 - 03:35 PM, said:

Try reading the reviews at CNET.com. As I understand it, in the smartphone world the iPhone rules, with Android-powered phones by Motorola, HTC, and LG a distant second. Way, way behind those two are Blackberrys, and bringing up the really distant rear are Windows-powered phones.


I'm sure Windows Mobile works at least as good as Windows 95 did, but there are just way, way better options out there. If you can't or don't want to pony-up for an iPhone, which I understand as a Blackberry user myself, you should at least get an Android phone, IMO.

The people I know say iPhone 3 is nearly as good as iPhone 4s and most telephone networks are giving them away FREE, so nothing at all to pony-up for.

I have friends in business who still think Blackberry is superior in some ways, though I know they are in the minority now.

Bottom line, check 'em all and see what works for YOU.

Also check Costco. The phone ATT charged my wife $100 for was only "9 at Costco with the SAME contract.

This post has been edited by Bobinyelm: 20 April 2012 - 04:22 PM

[pseabolt]

About the only thing the 4S does extra is Siri, it pretty impressive to be able to ask just about anything and get a answer. It is quite useful at times and entertaining. To be honest, the only time i remember to use it if when I am trying to impress a friends. I would stay clear of a windows phone at present. Microsoft is paying developers to develope app to try and compete but at present, your iPhone friends will be showing you all kinds of app that will not be available on the windows phone. If Microsoft is willing to spend enough money, they will be competive in a few years. Nokia makes the phone and lost 1.6 billion.

[Samarai]

usburros, on 20 April 2012 - 12:41 PM, said:

AT&T is offering me new Nokia Lumia 900 4G LTE phones with Windows OS for the great price of $0.

Is anyone using this recently introduced phone or any wireless phone with Windows operating system?

It appears to me this deal might be a gamble, but AT&T is pushing it.

Thanks for any comments.

Harold

Always be wary of anything that a salesperson is pushing. Do your homework and research what you want a phone to do for you. I have a Motorola phone because I wanted the large screen for the Internet and maps as I drive a lot. As I used the phone, I found so many other benefits to it that I have never regretted buying it.

[simpleman]

I have that phone.Mine was $49.99 at amazon.I did alot of research and watched many videos on phones,before deciding on the new Lumia.I found it easy to setup nd use.It loads data very fast.I'm using it as a hotspot right now. I'm on 4G network,If your in a market that has the new 4G LTE (not available on IPhones)It should blow away most phones on the speed test.This is my first smart phone and have no other to compare it with,so take it for what its worth.Battery charge is not as good as my old voice only phone,so I allways make sure to have a charger with me.

ave

[Bobinyelm]

On poor battery life w/ Androids, my wife found her battery was dying after less than 12 hours of mostly "standby" time until she found and disabled the Internet data feature on her ATT compatible phone.

Now the phone will last 24hrs with some phone use, and she turns the Internet on and off as she needs to access it.

Another friend with a different phone was only getting about 6 hours per charge, and found that because he lives where 4G is spotty, the phone was using lots of battery power searching and trying to connect to 4G when it just wasn't reliable.

One more person found his phone would burn through the battery in only a couple of hours while at our place. Come to find out, the reason is that while we're only 20 miles from Dallas, we only have access to ATT wireless service (and amazingly NO Internet services except a microwave provider), so the fellow's Verizon phone was trying to connect to a legacy analog system, draining HIS battery fast. Same here for Sprint, but those users only lose service-no reports of fast battery drain, so all systems may be a tad different.

Not sure the basis of these-I'm no cell phone guru (and rarely even turn my 7 year old phone on because I dislike being that accessible). Just observations of those who seem to become Smart Phone Zombies, you know, the ones walking around looking down at their phones in their hands constantly as they walk, or at their phones on the table next to their plate as they eat at restaurants, oblivious to everything, and everyone around them.

As an aside, it amazes me that we have adopted Social Media to stay "connected" with those far away from us, while we ignore the social contacts closest to us. One often knows where each of his distant friends are via Facebook, Twitter and such (and what they are eating/doing), but has no idea where his/her own kids or spouse are or what they're doing. But then that's a whole other matter.

This post has been edited by Bobinyelm: 22 April 2012 - 07:01 AM

[Vince and Gretchen]

Bobinyelm, on 20 April 2012 - 04:21 PM, said:

The people I know say iPhone 3 is nearly as good as iPhone 4s and most telephone networks are giving them away FREE, so nothing at all to pony-up for.

I have friends in business who still think Blackberry is superior in some ways, though I know they are in the minority now.

Sorry to be late to the discussion. That'd be the iPhone 3GS, not the 3. Big improvements were made between the 3 and the 3GS.

As to the Blackberry, RIM are finding themselves up against the wall, and may exit the hardware part of the business completely if their new phone doesn't work miracles for them. Plus you need to go through their proprietary email server.

[Ron B.]

Bobinyelm, on 22 April 2012 - 07:01 AM, said:

On poor battery life w/ Androids, my wife found her battery was dying after less than 12 hours of mostly "standby" time until she found and disabled the Internet data feature on her ATT compatible phone.

Now the phone will last 24hrs with some phone use, and she turns the Internet on and off as she needs to access it.

Another friend with a different phone was only getting about 6 hours per charge, and found that because he lives where 4G is spotty, the phone was using lots of battery power searching and trying to connect to 4G when it just wasn't reliable.

One more person found his phone would burn through the battery in only a couple of hours while at our place. Come to find out, the reason is that while we're only 20 miles from Dallas, we only have access to ATT wireless service (and amazingly NO Internet services except a microwave provider), so the fellow's Verizon phone was trying to connect to a legacy analog system, draining HIS battery fast. Same here for Sprint, but those users only lose service-no reports of fast battery drain, so all systems may be a tad different.

Not sure the basis of these-I'm no cell phone guru (and rarely even turn my 7 year old phone on because I dislike being that accessible). Just observations of those who seem to become Smart Phone Zombies, you know, the ones walking around looking down at their phones in their hands constantly as they walk, or at their phones on the table next to their plate as they eat at restaurants, oblivious to everything, and everyone around them.

As an aside, it amazes me that we have adopted Social Media to stay "connected" with those far away from us, while we ignore the social contacts closest to us. One often knows where each of his distant friends are via Facebook, Twitter and such (and what they are eating/doing), but has no idea where his/her own kids or spouse are or what they're doing. But then that's a whole other matter.

Bobinyelm
I must agree with you on your opinion of some or most cell phone users.
I worked at a medical clinic until Friday and I was required to carry "The Companies Cell Phone" 24/7...
I witnessed almost all of the employees either looking at their phone or having it next to them at the work station.
I was constantly texted while I was driving and if I didn't immediately reply back, I would get another text.
I drove a van and picked up patients for rehabilitation. The people who would text me could have just called me
and I would have been able to speak with them at that moment. Instead, while sitting at their computer, they would IM
me on the cell and expect me to immediately answer. I was always trying to get patients picked up in a timely manner and didn't
feel that I should try and text or pull over to answer their message.
People at work were constantly on facebook or other site's and did very little work. Even those who were supposed to be in charge
constantly used the cell phones. We would have monthly meetings in the morning and it was not uncommon for the person who was supposed
to be having the meeting, pause and answer his cell phone.
You could be in conversation with someone and their phone would vibrate and they would just answer the call and leave you hanging.
I was taking a patient home one afternoon (yound lady who just turned 19) and she was on facebook. She met someone and got their phone
number and called them. She not only gave them her name but, she told them where she lived and all about her life. I could not believe
this. She said she had a new friend. Apparently friend has a new meaning.
I myself after having a cell phone since they came out, use a tracphone. I find that it is all that I need. Since I need the phone only when I want it,
I am in charge and the phone isn't in charge of me.
I go to the YMCA and I witnessed a man taking a picture of another while in the dressing area. I approached the man and told him that what he was doing
was not only against the law but it very wrong. He got upset and told me to f off. The man who he took the picture of heard the comment and asked what was going
on. He asked to see the mans cell phone and the man said NO! The man said he was going to call the main desk and have him removed from the facility and press
charges on him for taking pictures without permission. The man with the phone got very loud and said it was his phone and he could do with it what ever he chose.
The front desk was called and the man was escorted to the front. The police were called and they asked to see his phone. He said NO and they took him away.
I understand that he had several pictures on his phone that were not of good taste and he has been charged with a crime.
So, you don't know what people are using their phone for...
Didn't mean to be so long winded...
I mostly use my phone for voice calls and I don't pay the $100.00 bill that most people pay. My phone gives me the option of buying one minute and getting three minutes.
I can just go every three months and purchase a phone card for $19.99 and have enough minutes.
I am afraid we as a society are becoming less and less social. We had rather talk on the phone than carry on a conservation with someone next to us.
Ron B

[Casita de Glenritas #1002]

One thing to consider is when traveling who offers the best coverage in rural areas.

Starts with V

[Rand]

Hi Harold,

We have had At&T twice. We originally had it...wasn't able to get calls inside the house...we live in the country. Two years went by and we switched to Verizon. Walked into the house, sat in my chair and started to set up the Verizon phone...all of a sudden it was working and I had bars and I could call and receive calls IN THE HOUSE. Years went by and we decided to do a family plan with my daughter and her husband. We started with At&t for the first two years...signal in house but not near as good as the old Verizon phone...then there were the constant dropped calls which never happened on Verizon. We switched family plans to Verizon a year ago...great service in the house and no dropped calls. Using the Verizon wireless hotspot for the internet...works great where ever we travel...using it here in Oklahoma tonight. As an aside our wired phone is At&t...had some problems with the wire to the house...technician comes out and finds the bad spot...digs it up and fixes it...calls back to the office...on which phone??? His Verizon phone! The At&t tech says he rarely uses his AT&t phone because of all the problems with it.

Now this is only my version of things and I am sure that people have had awful problems with Verizon too...just saying how it has worked for me so far...

Rand

[CHThursday]

Rand, on 12 May 2012 - 05:26 PM, said:

Hi Harold,

We have had At&T twice. We originally had it...wasn't able to get calls inside the house...we live in the country. Two years went by and we switched to Verizon. Walked into the house, sat in my chair and started to set up the Verizon phone...all of a sudden it was working and I had bars and I could call and receive calls IN THE HOUSE. Years went by and we decided to do a family plan with my daughter and her husband. We started with At&t for the first two years...signal in house but not near as good as the old Verizon phone...then there were the constant dropped calls which never happened on Verizon. We switched family plans to Verizon a year ago...great service in the house and no dropped calls. Using the Verizon wireless hotspot for the internet...works great where ever we travel...using it here in Oklahoma tonight. As an aside our wired phone is At&t...had some problems with the wire to the house...technician comes out and finds the bad spot...digs it up and fixes it...calls back to the office...on which phone??? His Verizon phone! The At&t tech says he rarely uses his AT&t phone because of all the problems with it.

Now this is only my version of things and I am sure that people have had awful problems with Verizon too...just saying how it has worked for me so far...

Rand

In this part of West Texas, Verizon has many dead zones. About 30 miles in most directions from here is a big Black Hole for Verizon. I visit a friend about 1 hour west of Ft. Worth and my Verizon is worthless but AT&T works. As I see it, the only way to have near universal coverage short of a satellite phone, is to have multiple service providers. I don't need or want to be conected all the time anyway.

This post has been edited by CHThursday: 12 May 2012 - 06:57 PM

[Rand]

CHThursday, on 12 May 2012 - 06:56 PM, said:

Rand, on 12 May 2012 - 05:26 PM, said:

Hi Harold,

We have had At&T twice. We originally had it...wasn't able to get calls inside the house...we live in the country. Two years went by and we switched to Verizon. Walked into the house, sat in my chair and started to set up the Verizon phone...all of a sudden it was working and I had bars and I could call and receive calls IN THE HOUSE. Years went by and we decided to do a family plan with my daughter and her husband. We started with At&t for the first two years...signal in house but not near as good as the old Verizon phone...then there were the constant dropped calls which never happened on Verizon. We switched family plans to Verizon a year ago...great service in the house and no dropped calls. Using the Verizon wireless hotspot for the internet...works great where ever we travel...using it here in Oklahoma tonight. As an aside our wired phone is At&t...had some problems with the wire to the house...technician comes out and finds the bad spot...digs it up and fixes it...calls back to the office...on which phone??? His Verizon phone! The At&t tech says he rarely uses his AT&t phone because of all the problems with it.

Now this is only my version of things and I am sure that people have had awful problems with Verizon too...just saying how it has worked for me so far...

Rand

In this part of West Texas, Verizon has many dead zones. About 30 miles in most directions from here is a big Black Hole for Verizon. I visit a friend about 1 hour west of Ft. Worth and my Verizon is worthless but AT&T works. As I see it, the only way to have near universal coverage short of a satellite phone, is to have multiple service providers. I don't need or want to be conected all the time anyway.

Hey Bruce,

We were in West Texas heading for Big Bend a couple of years ago. We were riding along and I saw a high school on the side of the road...no big deal normally until I looked at the parking lot...every vehicle in the lot was either a truck or 4 wheel drive of some sort...mostly trucks...not a car in the lot...wish I had taken a picture of it. Back in the East in South Carolina in the cities you see cars and more cars and maybe a truck or two in the school parking lots. I bet those trucks and 4 wheel drives out in West Texas were there for a reason!! You sure have some beautiful country out there!

Rand
retired from teaching after 30 plus

[CHThursday]

Rand,
Yes, you certainly see plenty of trucks out here. They make them so nice now that they are truly dual purpose vehicles. You may see a truck today in the parking lot of the Fine Arts Museum here in town and tomorrow see the same truck hauling a load of calves to the stock yard.
Staying on the topic of wireless phones, I have seen some interesting changes out here with the service. A friend of mine and I used to take his chuck wagon to a hunting camp in the Pecos River country a couple of miles from the border with Old Mexico. When we first went there only the Outfitters radio telephone and my big Cellular One bag phone would get a signal. Later on, everyone had to drive 12 miles to the main road to get a signal. Eventually, there was spotty coverage and the hunters keep wandering around going "Can you hear me now!" just like the old commercial. When we stopped cooking down there, we had started marking hot spots with surveyor's tape. A fence post with red tape might be for AT&T, blue tape on a mesquite bush Verizon, a patch of cactus for Sprint, etc. My old bag phone still worked anywhere in camp. I still carry a bag phone in the truck as you never know when you'll need the extra power.

Bruce