Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=Daseal;979849]I'm in a similar situation. I got the shitty Thunderbolt phone when they told me if I signed up now I could be grandfathered in under the unlimited plan. My data use isn't that high, but it's the peace of mind I like. You can keep unlimited if you buy the phone out-right. Sprint is rolling out real LTE in the DC area over the next couple months, I'm leaning that way myself.[/quote]

Before you get Sprint make sure you identify where you are and if the 4g LTE is imminent. It's very spotty- and they've been WAAAYYY behind schedule on the roll-out. Don't bank on them prioritizing certain areas, it will drive you mad.

That being said, once you do land the LTE- it's blazing fast. I recently purchased the Galaxy Note 2 and it is incredible. I went into the store thinking I should get the new Iphone, and thank god I didn't. This thing blows it out of the water.


[url=http://www.sensorly.com/]Cartes de couverture | Sensorly[/url] <--- this is a crowd sourced app that uses user info to determine where coverage is on a particular network, and if you look at the 4g lte coverage, you'll noticed it's pretty hurting here in D.C.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

i've grown less fond of my htc one v.

one thing that drives me crazy is that there is no way to silence the camera shutter sound when taking a pic *w/o root access. it's virtually impossible to record my neighbor's pets w/o making him aware, he's making such a huge stink about it.
i told him "look buddy, if you don't want your pets to be recorded, don't put them out"

also, the alarm clock does not always work. i've tried other alarm clock apps, but those have failed me as well. if i didn't use my alarm clock radio as backup, i would have been late to work on more then one occasion. no no no

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=los panda;983659]i've grown less fond of my htc one v.

one thing that drives me crazy is that there is no way to silence the camera shutter sound when taking a pic *w/o root access. it's virtually impossible to record my neighbor's pets w/o making him aware, he's making such a huge stink about it.
i told him "look buddy, if you don't want your pets to be recorded, don't put them out"

also, the alarm clock does not always work. i've tried other alarm clock apps, but those have failed me as well. if i didn't use my alarm clock radio as backup, i would have been late to work on more then one occasion. no no no[/quote]
What alarm clock are you using? I use the built in clock(alarm feature) on the HTC Amaze, and never had any issue.

I don't know about the shutter sound, again seems odd though since the amaze has a toggle for the shutter sound.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

Here is an android forum link, might help although it requires a paid app(tasker):
[url=http://forums.androidcentral.com/htc-evo-4g-lte/176814-here-how-turn-camera-shutter-sound-off.html]Here is how to turn that camera shutter sound off. - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com[/url]

From the sound of it Shush! might work too, just turn the volume off and let Shush restore it in 15 minutes.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;983661]What alarm clock are you using? I use the built in clock(alarm feature) on the HTC Amaze, and never had any issue.

I don't know about the shutter sound, again seems odd though since the amaze has a toggle for the shutter sound.[/quote]first i used the stock clock app, then alarm clock xtreme free, now alarm clock plus.

i'm on another android forum, it's a well documented problem w the one v.
apparently htc is aware of it, whether they're doing anything about it is a different story.

same w the shutter sound, htc has told me point blank that it's not possible. i asked them if it will be possible, waiting on their response.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;983662]Here is an android forum link, might help although it requires a paid app(tasker):
[url=http://forums.androidcentral.com/htc-evo-4g-lte/176814-here-how-turn-camera-shutter-sound-off.html]Here is how to turn that camera shutter sound off. - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com[/url]

From the sound of it Shush! might work too, just turn the volume off and let Shush restore it in 15 minutes.[/quote]thank c-red, but i made a vow to myself that i will never pay for an app.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=los panda;983665]thank c-red, but i made a vow to myself that i will never pay for an app.[/quote]

Some apps are worth being paid for.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=FRPLG;983666]Some apps are worth being paid for.[/quote]idk, which ones would you say are worth it?

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=los panda;983654]also, fd, which iphone did you get? 4, 4s, or 5?[/quote]

It's one of the 4 iphones but I'm not sure which one.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=firstdown;985509]It's one of the 4 iphones but I'm not sure which one.[/quote]if it has siri, it's the 4s.

how are you digging it?

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=los panda;983665]thank c-red, but i made a vow to myself that i will never pay for an app.[/quote]

did you try using Shush! (free app, basically put phone on silent, and it will restore volume after x minutes) ? or more basic, did you try turning the volume on your phone all the way down, and does the shutter still make the sound.

I am sure you know, but it looks like it's a case where a company is being overly sensitive to privacy concerns of others, rather than the rights of the phone owner who may have valid reasons for not wanting a distraction during the taking of a picture.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;985571]did you try using Shush! (free app, basically put phone on silent, and it will restore volume after x minutes) ? or more basic, did you try turning the volume on your phone all the way down, and does the shutter still make the sound.

I am sure you know, but it looks like it's a case where a company is being overly sensitive to privacy concerns of others, rather than the rights of the phone owner who may have valid reasons for not wanting a distraction during the taking of a picture.[/quote]tried shush!, no dice. yes, i tried going silent.

now htc just let me know:
"Regarding the shutter sound on you HTC One V, you can mute it by opening your camera and on the “Settings” icon, scroll down to camera interface and tap it, then you will be able to find the “Shutter Sound” checkbox, please tap it to disable it."
[B]BUT[/B]
"Regarding the shutter sound on the camera of your HTC Device; you're carrier is able to remove some features of the OS, as they are the last customizing filter before it's pushed to the devices under their network, and this customization it's fully at their discretion, therefore if you're missing a feature, I would advise you to contact them, they will be able to guide you through their policies and terms regarding this matter."

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=los panda;985597]tried shush!, no dice. yes, i tried going silent.

now htc just let me know:
"Regarding the shutter sound on you HTC One V, you can mute it by opening your camera and on the “Settings” icon, scroll down to camera interface and tap it, then you will be able to find the “Shutter Sound” checkbox, please tap it to disable it."
[B]BUT[/B]
"Regarding the shutter sound on the camera of your HTC Device; you're carrier is able to remove some features of the OS, as they are the last customizing filter before it's pushed to the devices under their network, and this customization it's fully at their discretion, therefore if you're missing a feature, I would advise you to contact them, they will be able to guide you through their policies and terms regarding this matter."[/quote]

Yeah that's what I was seeing in regards to the legalities issue. Sorry bout that Los.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;985710]Yeah that's what I was seeing in regards to the legalities issue. Sorry bout that Los.[/quote]no worries. whenever something like this is one of my biggest fish to fry, i sit back and think "man, my life is rough."

i am so thankful for everything i have

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

also not thrilled w the speed. the best i've gotten on the mobile network was 0.8 mbps down/up, and that's rare, usually it's closer to 0.15 mbps down/0.3 mbps up (in my home).

i'm on the cheapest home internet plan verizon has, maxing out at 1.0 mbps, so when i have my phone on my wifi, it's in the 0.9 mbps down/up ballpark.

i just checked my connection speed at work (on my laptop, not my phone) and got 91.1 mbps down/ 73.4 mbps up. that's insane, on my phone it was only 12.4 mbps down/up

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

I got the Samsung Galaxy S3 for Christmas and boy am I loving it. Screen is huge, its faster than that old 3G pos I was using before. Best gift my dad could've gotten me. No issues with it so far. Glad I got this over the iphone. Never really been an Apple fan anyway.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

most of the cardio machines at my gym have charging stations... but only the damn apple adapter.

can i get a micro usb up in hurr?

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

about silencing the camera shutter sound when taking pics...

downloaded [URL="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=soft.kinoko.SilentCamera"]silent camera[/URL], it works, but the max resolution is not good.

i'll keep looking for similar apps in hopes of finding one that gets full use of my 5 mp camera. but at least a can record my neighbor's pets in silence now, at a lower resolution

[IMG]http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6883/tullyp.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

Did you call the fire department after this picture? I think Fido could use a hand in that tree.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;988515]Did you call the fire department after this picture? I think Fido could use a hand in that tree.[/quote]i couldn't fit it into the frame, but he's got a whole tree house up there. he rarely comes down anymore, they only make him come down when the santa ana winds act up.

now you see why it's so much fun to record his pets?

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

WTF. That dudes dogs have something I always wanted as a kid. LAME!

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=Daseal;988595]WTF. That dudes dogs have something I always wanted as a kid. LAME![/quote]me too, i wanted one that had a zip line down, how awesome would that be?!?

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;985919]I got the Samsung Galaxy S3 for Christmas and boy am I loving it. Screen is huge, its faster than that old 3G pos I was using before. Best gift my dad could've gotten me. No issues with it so far. Glad I got this over the iphone. Never really been an Apple fan anyway.[/quote]

I love my S3. I like the big screen and it is super fast. Never liked the iPhone and I will probably never get one.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

I'm going to copy and paste what I wrote on FB here in regards to my queries for getting a new phone, and if anyone could help that would be awesome:

I need some advice. Planning on getting a new phone sometime in the next couple months, and I'm undecided between Verizon/ATT/Sprint. I currently have the Iphone 4 with an unlimited plan with Verizon, but if I upgrade they're going to make me pay $10 more for a 2gb plan instead of unlimited data. I'm not happy about paying more for less, but I'll manage.

I do have an upgrade credit if I stay with Verizon, but I checked out their website and it didn't change the price for anything (it said 200 for a Galaxy S3 with a new 2 year plan, and the price didn't change even after I applied the credit, so I'm not entirely sure what that's good for). Also I'm torn between waiting for the latest and greatest (i.e. the Sony Xperia Z that probably won't be out for 3-4 months, and not sure what carriers yet, or the next Iphone) or just buying an older model phone that works fine, like an Iphone 5 or the Galaxy S3. Anyways, any of my techie friends wanna weigh in? I've always had Verizon so I'm not sure how much different the main two competitors (ATT or Sprint) are in terms of network, plans, charges, etc. If I do switch it'll be to either of those two.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

wish i could offer some good advice, sorry moobs.

all i can say is that i rarely use mobile data, i use wifi at home, and wifi at work. i use mobile data in my commute for waze, that's pretty much the extent of it.

if you're able to use wifi at home and at work, don't sweat the 2 gb limit too hard.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

As someone who is phone crazy. I've used about 500mbs of data in almost a month.

As Los said, anywhere that has wifi, USE IT. This is from someone who checks facebook religiously, posts pictures, uses instagram, surfs the web in bed (since I don't have a laptop), I was afraid that 2 gigs wouldn't be enough. But so far it looks like I may not even make 1 gig before the end of my cycle.

As long as you don't live on your phone outside of places that don't have wifi, 2 gigs is plenty.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

i should add that my current cycle started on 12/23/12, i've used 180 mb mobile data so far.
it would normally be higher than that but i didn't use it much while i was back in maryland for just over a week. still, multiply it by 5 and it's still not even 1 gb.
wifi is a shitton faster anyways

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=mooby;988644]I'm going to copy and paste what I wrote on FB here in regards to my queries for getting a new phone, and if anyone could help that would be awesome:

I need some advice. Planning on getting a new phone sometime in the next couple months, and I'm undecided between Verizon/ATT/Sprint. I currently have the Iphone 4 with an unlimited plan with Verizon, but if I upgrade they're going to make me pay $10 more for a 2gb plan instead of unlimited data. I'm not happy about paying more for less, but I'll manage.

I do have an upgrade credit if I stay with Verizon, but I checked out their website and it didn't change the price for anything (it said 200 for a Galaxy S3 with a new 2 year plan, and the price didn't change even after I applied the credit, so I'm not entirely sure what that's good for). Also I'm torn between waiting for the latest and greatest (i.e. the Sony Xperia Z that probably won't be out for 3-4 months, and not sure what carriers yet, or the next Iphone) or just buying an older model phone that works fine, like an Iphone 5 or the Galaxy S3. Anyways, any of my techie friends wanna weigh in? I've always had Verizon so I'm not sure how much different the main two competitors (ATT or Sprint) are in terms of network, plans, charges, etc. If I do switch it'll be to either of those two.[/quote]
Before making the switch, get the [url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/4g-cdma-gsm-wifi-carrier-info/id544269103?mt=8]Sensorly app[/url] and compare the different carriers near where you'll be.

Verizon seems to still have the upper hand on LTE in the DC Area. Sprint might have unlimited data, but their coverage is the weakest of the 3 you mentioned. I've never been a big fan of AT&T, but then again I've been a Verizon customer since 2000.

The thing about phones is as soon as you buy one, it's obsolete. So it's a matter of being able to live with what you buy for 2 years. I'm seriously contemplating jumping from iPhone to Android this fall when I'm eligible to upgrade. I love my iPhone, but I'm getting more into Android development and would be nice to be able to use what I'm building.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;988667]Before making the switch, get the [url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/4g-cdma-gsm-wifi-carrier-info/id544269103?mt=8]Sensorly app[/url] and compare the different carriers near where you'll be.

Verizon seems to still have the upper hand on LTE in the DC Area. Sprint might have unlimited data, but their coverage is the weakest of the 3 you mentioned. I've never been a big fan of AT&T, but then again I've been a Verizon customer since 2000.

The thing about phones is as soon as you buy one, it's obsolete. So it's a matter of being able to live with what you buy for 2 years. I'm seriously contemplating jumping from iPhone to Android this fall when I'm eligible to upgrade. I love my iPhone, [B]but I'm getting more into Android development[/B] and would be nice to be able to use what I'm building.[/quote]what kind of things are you cooking?

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=los panda;988764]what kind of things are you cooking?[/quote]
Proprietary stuff for my company thus far. I'm still very green. Trying to get my feet wet learning Java first before jumping into Android development.

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[URL="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/01/the-most-ridiculous-law-of-2013-so-far-it-is-now-a-crime-to-unlock-your-smartphone/272552/"]The Most Ridiculous Law of 2013 (So Far): It Is Now a Crime to Unlock Your Smartphone[/URL]

[I]Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in 1998 to outlaw technologies that bypass copyright protections. This sounds like a great idea, but in practice it has terrible, and widely acknowledged, negative consequences that affect consumers and new innovation. The DMCA leaves it up to the Librarian of Congress (LOC) to issue exemptions from the law, exceptions that were recognized to be necessary given the broad language of the statute that swept a number of ordinary acts and technologies as potential DMCA circumvention violations.

Every three years groups like the American Foundation for the Blind have to lobby Congress to protect an exception for the blind allowing for books to be read aloud. Can you imagine a more ridiculous regulation than one that requires a lobby group for the blind to come to Capitol Hill every three years to explain that the blind still can't read books on their own and therefore need this exception?

Until recently it was illegal to jailbreak your own iPhone, and after Saturday it will be illegal to unlock a new smartphone, thereby allowing it to switch carriers. This is a result of the exception to the DMCA lapsing. It was not a mistake, but rather an intentional choice by the Librarian of Congress, that this was no longer fair use and acceptable. The Electronic Frontier Foundation among other groups has detailed the many failings of the DMCA Triennial Rulemaking process, which in this case led to this exception lapsing.[/I]

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

[quote=RedskinRat;991618][URL="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/01/the-most-ridiculous-law-of-2013-so-far-it-is-now-a-crime-to-unlock-your-smartphone/272552/"]The Most Ridiculous Law of 2013 (So Far): It Is Now a Crime to Unlock Your Smartphone[/URL]

[I]Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in 1998 to outlaw technologies that bypass copyright protections. This sounds like a great idea, but in practice it has terrible, and widely acknowledged, negative consequences that affect consumers and new innovation. The DMCA leaves it up to the Librarian of Congress (LOC) to issue exemptions from the law, exceptions that were recognized to be necessary given the broad language of the statute that swept a number of ordinary acts and technologies as potential DMCA circumvention violations.

Every three years groups like the American Foundation for the Blind have to lobby Congress to protect an exception for the blind allowing for books to be read aloud. Can you imagine a more ridiculous regulation than one that requires a lobby group for the blind to come to Capitol Hill every three years to explain that the blind still can't read books on their own and therefore need this exception?

Until recently it was illegal to jailbreak your own iPhone, and after Saturday it will be illegal to unlock a new smartphone, thereby allowing it to switch carriers. This is a result of the exception to the DMCA lapsing. It was not a mistake, but rather an intentional choice by the Librarian of Congress, that this was no longer fair use and acceptable. The Electronic Frontier Foundation among other groups has detailed the many failings of the DMCA Triennial Rulemaking process, which in this case led to this exception lapsing.[/I][/quote]

It's my understanding that the actual law is that you can't unlock a phone which you bought on a contract at a reduced price. If you paid full price for your phone, and/or have satisfied any contractual obligations (ie at the end of the 2yr contract) that you accepted as part of receiving the phone at a reduced price, or pay the early termination fee associated with breaking your contract, then you are free to unlock the phone.

Not saying it makes much more sense, but it's basically a contractual issue between wireless providers and cellphone users

another good article on it:
[url=http://www.livescience.com/26541-unlocking-cellphones-becomes-illegal.html]Unlocking Cellphones Becomes Illegal Saturday | LiveScience[/url]

Re: Smart Phone Help
 

i unlocked (and rooted) my phone. i mainly did this so i could use a task manager that would actually work.

it drove me crazy when a window would pop up telling me "x app is misbehaving, click ok to stop it". i would tell it to stop only to see the same window pop up 30 seconds later.