This looks interesting

This is Verizon's new completely insane Droid Turbo - Oct. 28, 2014 (http://money.cnn.com/2014/10/28/technology/mobile/verizon-motorola-droid-turbo-phone/index.html)

But this certainly doesn't

Secretive, unblockable Verizon perma-cookies kick up privacy concerns | PCWorld (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2839816/secretive-unblockable-verizon-perma-cookies-kick-up-privacy-concerns.html)

Thanks for the info..... I wonder if other carriers do this as well?

Unfortunately I checked my phone using the info in that link and my browser use is being tracked :(

Thanks for the info..... I wonder if other carriers do this as well?

Unfortunately I checked my phone using the info in that link and my browser use is being tracked :(

I don't know. It's scary on one hand that they set it up and incredibly stupid and lazy that it can't be turned off and is usable by anyone. My wife worked for Verizon on the land line side for years after they bought MCI/Worldcom it was a terrible, terrible company. When she was finally laid-off it was a relief.

We need laws to protect our privacy, maybe even an amendment, but there's big money that likes the status quo. For now, you have to do what you can to choose the least evil options.

I don't know. It's scary on one hand that they set it up and incredibly stupid and lazy that it can't be turned off and is usable by anyone. My wife worked for Verizon on the land line side for years after they bought MCI/Worldcom it was a terrible, terrible company. When she was finally laid-off it was a relief.

We need laws to protect our privacy, maybe even an amendment, but there's big money that likes the status quo. For now, you have to do what you can to choose the least evil options.

I wonder if there is anything in the fine print of the contract.

So related to this thread... I picked up the new Microsoft Band yesterday. It's their foray into the wearable/smartwatch/fitness device arena. It came from out of nowhere, which is interesting. I haven't had it long enough for an evaluation, but there are some interesting things.

It's compatible with Windows Devices, Android, and iOS. As far as I know, that's unique. The only thing that doesn't work on the non-Microsoft devices is the Cortana integration (duh).
It has UV sensors to warn about sunburn. It also has a "galvanic skin response sensor" to measure stress, although I haven't found the output for it.

Other than that it has pretty much all the standard features of the smart watches/apple watch, etc. Texting, email, phone calls, calendar, Facebook and such all display notices. Sleep monitoring, GPS run tracking, heart rate monitor, calorie tracking, etc on the fitness side. The big selling point for me was the price point, which is almost 1/2 of what the apple watch will run.

So related to this thread... I picked up the new Microsoft Band yesterday. It's their foray into the wearable/smartwatch/fitness device arena. It came from out of nowhere, which is interesting. I haven't had it long enough for an evaluation, but there are some interesting things.

It's compatible with Windows Devices, Android, and iOS. As far as I know, that's unique. The only thing that doesn't work on the non-Microsoft devices is the Cortana integration (duh).
It has UV sensors to warn about sunburn. It also has a "galvanic skin response sensor" to measure stress, although I haven't found the output for it.

Other than that it has pretty much all the standard features of the smart watches/apple watch, etc. Texting, email, phone calls, calendar, Facebook and such all display notices. Sleep monitoring, GPS run tracking, heart rate monitor, calorie tracking, etc on the fitness side. The big selling point for me was the price point, which is almost 1/2 of what the apple watch will run.

Interesting. I'll have to check this out. I don't know why but I am just not impressed by any wearables right now. I mean I think the Moto 360 looks nice but when it comes down to it I really have no use for that.

Keep us up on how it's working, sounds interesting.

Windows Phone for me. Ya, I'm a homer since it was free for employees - thanks S. Ballmer!

So related to this thread... I picked up the new Microsoft Band yesterday. It's their foray into the wearable/smartwatch/fitness device arena. It came from out of nowhere, which is interesting. I haven't had it long enough for an evaluation, but there are some interesting things.

It's compatible with Windows Devices, Android, and iOS. As far as I know, that's unique. The only thing that doesn't work on the non-Microsoft devices is the Cortana integration (duh).
It has UV sensors to warn about sunburn. It also has a "galvanic skin response sensor" to measure stress, although I haven't found the output for it.

Other than that it has pretty much all the standard features of the smart watches/apple watch, etc. Texting, email, phone calls, calendar, Facebook and such all display notices. Sleep monitoring, GPS run tracking, heart rate monitor, calorie tracking, etc on the fitness side. The big selling point for me was the price point, which is almost 1/2 of what the apple watch will run.


I could see getting a wearable to go with a watch but I have a Hamilton Automatic and I don't see giving that up so I can talk to my watch.

So related to this thread... I picked up the new Microsoft Band yesterday. It's their foray into the wearable/smartwatch/fitness device arena. It came from out of nowhere, which is interesting. I haven't had it long enough for an evaluation, but there are some interesting things.

It's compatible with Windows Devices, Android, and iOS. As far as I know, that's unique. The only thing that doesn't work on the non-Microsoft devices is the Cortana integration (duh).
It has UV sensors to warn about sunburn. It also has a "galvanic skin response sensor" to measure stress, although I haven't found the output for it.

Other than that it has pretty much all the standard features of the smart watches/apple watch, etc. Texting, email, phone calls, calendar, Facebook and such all display notices. Sleep monitoring, GPS run tracking, heart rate monitor, calorie tracking, etc on the fitness side. The big selling point for me was the price point, which is almost 1/2 of what the apple watch will run.

Does it measure Thetan levels?

Only while chanting...

"Owa..... tagoo.... SIAM"

Apple requires CC info UPFRONT before you can even download FREE apps. Google play has no such requirement for FREE apps.

Only while chanting...

"Owa..... tagoo.... SIAM"


Made me LOL, and brought back fond memories of semi-cold, but still good, chicken dinners and fun fellowship

Apple requires CC info UPFRONT before you can even download FREE apps. Google play has no such requirement for FREE apps.

That is technically not correct.

If you go to the App Store and choose a free app then create a new account you can skip the CC info.

I do this often for our foreign exchange students so they may download Facebook and Skype.

So, I'm about to dip my toe into the Android waters for the first time.

I still have an older iPhone which I will upgrade at some point, and I'm leaning towards a Samsung Note 4. But before I make that plunge -- which would include a 2-year contract -- I wanted to test out Android through a lesser commitment.

I've wanted an iPad Mini for a while but can't justify the cost. Right after Christmas, there were some awesome deals so I bought an Asus Memo 8 for just over $100, including tax and shipping. Can return it in 30 days or always sell on eBay for at least what I paid for it.

At this point, I want a tablet I can hold in one hand and use for reading and more mobile use. If I get a Note 4 or iPhone 6 Plus, I would probably just chuck the tablet and go with that as it would probably be big enough for my needs. Also, I will almost certainly buy a new car in the next couple of years and would very much to get either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay at that point.

Very interested to get my hands on the Android tablet. Will go a long way towards deciding my Android/Apple path on much bigger future purchases.

^

I really like the stylus on the Note 4; that would be a big selling point to me.

^

I really like the stylus on the Note 4; that would be a big selling point to me.That's what I like as well.

TouchWiz gets a lot more grief than it deserves, especially the more recent iterations where it's toned down. It's always added more features that made the Android experience better, even if it also added some features that were mere bloat (which can usually be disabled or removed in settings).

Okay, so I finally received my Asus Memo 8 tablet and for the first time really taking a look at Android.

First reaction: Overwhelming. Stuff scattered everywhere... I know part of this is the way Asus sets things up but I remember the first time I got an iPhone I was using it with almost zero learning curve.

I know one of the arguments against IOS is that it's pretty static; but for most (including probably me) that's actually a good thing.

Also, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I need to go with at phablet and a good laptop (probably a convertible 2-in-1 PC) and just forget tablets.

This thing has an 8" screen but it's uncomfortable to hold in one hand for any length of time. Was really planning to use it mainly as a reader but I don't think that is gong to work for my purposes. Way to big to carry around without some sort of bag; fatiguig to hold. Might as well get a bigger screen if that is the case.

I could go down to a 7" but at that point you are fast approaching phablet territory, so might as well have everything I need (phone, cellular data) in one device.


I'm going to live with it a while longer but will likely return. At that point, I'll have to make a call between the iPhone 6 Plus and the Note 4.

I still may go Android but I also know I'm going to have to spend a bunch of time getting everything moved over and configured the way I want. When I've upgrade iPhones in the the past, it's a simple matter of synching to my existing iTunes account, and I'm up and running without missing a beat.

S6 has been announced. There is no longer an SD slot or removable battery.

Samsung Galaxy S6 release date, news and features | Mobile Phones News | TechRadar (http://www.techradar.com/us/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s6-release-date-news-and-features-1232945)

Your New Galaxy S6 Will Have a Built-In Expiration Date (http://gizmodo.com/your-new-galaxy-s6-will-have-a-built-in-expiration-date-1688853343)

S6 has been announced. There is no longer an SD slot or removable battery.

Samsung Galaxy S6 release date, news and features | Mobile Phones News | TechRadar (http://www.techradar.com/us/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s6-release-date-news-and-features-1232945)

Your New Galaxy S6 Will Have a Built-In Expiration Date (http://gizmodo.com/your-new-galaxy-s6-will-have-a-built-in-expiration-date-1688853343)

BOOOOO! I'll probably still buy one.

S6 has been announced. There is no longer an SD slot or removable battery.

Samsung Galaxy S6 release date, news and features | Mobile Phones News | TechRadar (http://www.techradar.com/us/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s6-release-date-news-and-features-1232945)

Your New Galaxy S6 Will Have a Built-In Expiration Date (http://gizmodo.com/your-new-galaxy-s6-will-have-a-built-in-expiration-date-1688853343)

I found this surprising. A phone that prided itself on being different from the iPhone with expandable storage and a changeable battery.

I bet Android users might switch to a different brand? Maybe HTC or a Nexus?

Now that I've lived with my Android tablet for a while, I am really coming around.

Tons of capability and ability to customize; that's a bad thing at first but better and better the longer you own.

Also, the voice recognition and search is fantastic through Google. I even tried my last name (which is Polish and pretty much nothing but a string of consonants) and it got it perfect the first time. Way better than my iPhone.

Also, I've warmed up to this 8" Asus tablet, which is similar in size to an iPad mini.

It's really a good size for reading and accessing the free and massive book and magazine archives from various libraries. I bought it on Blinq.com for less than $100 and so just as a reader alone it's worth it and I'm finding more and more uses for it.

Still, I'm going to have a phablet and highly portable laptop no matter, so I suspect me tablet use will always be minor.

Just got the Galaxy S6. Was pondering the LG G4 or even going with the G3. Coming out of a Google Nexus which was a solid phone. 5 in my family and I am the only Android user (contrarian?) ha. So far really like the phone - takes a while to delete out all the preloaded junk Samsung puts on these phones - one reason I really liked the Nexus. But a week in and enjoying the change.

After several months with the most budget-friendly (and frustrating) smartphone you can get, the Lumia 520, I'm finally back in an Android with the 2nd gen Moto G. It's a budget phone as well ($180), but all things considered it performs very well, the only complaint being that the low RAM makes itself evident with multitasking. Not a deal breaker, though. It's a hell of a phone for the money.

At least Android offers budget phones. There is no IOS equivalent.

You pair a decent Android phone with Cricket's $35/month unlimited pre-paid plan, and you get about 90% of the functionality of the newest phones at a small fraction of the total cost.

At least Android offers budget phones. There is no IOS equivalent.

You pair a decent Android phone with Cricket's $35/month unlimited pre-paid plan, and you get about 90% of the functionality of the newest phones at a small fraction of the total cost.

Generally an Android budget phone isn't worth getting, up until quite recently. I wouldn't get a budget Samsung for anything. Low specs with any additional UI on top of Android makes for a bad time. Moto G is almost completely stock Android, so the experience is fluid even with 1GB RAM.

In a pinch, the Lumia 520, which cost me $30, is worth a go. Great for making calls, and acceptable for texting and reviewing emails and very light web stuff, but not good for much else. At 512 MB of RAM, apps tend to quit while you're using them, and the app selection in the WP store is slim pickings. The OS itself is quite nice, and I'm super stoked about the recent announcements for the phone variant of Windows 10. I'm still holding out hope for Windows to jump ahead as a mobile OS, and it looks like they're on the right path. Still more at home with Android at the moment though.

EDIT: I'll also add that if for nothing else, the 520 is awesome as a cheap, offline GPS device. Downloadable maps from Here Maps ensure the ability to get from A to B even if you're outside of a coverage zone.