Apple Products i.e Iphone

[liamy1]

2G...

Yes one day I am sure 2G will go (as 1G [analogue] did).

At the moment though, 2G is still by far the widest network for basic call/sms access, covering 99.9 of the landmass - without it, you'd have no mobile access at all in a lot or areas, especially rural.

Also, it's a back up for when 3G is busy in your location, so if your call cannot be done on 3G, your phone will kick you back over to 2G.

When 4G is capable of carry calls/sms as well as data (I dont know if that has changed yet since I left the industry). Then of course, you'll have 3G/4G spectrums, so the need for 2G will gradually reduce.

I'd say by the time of this happening, the "basic" phones will be 3G capable anyway (more and more low end handsets (£30-80 range) are touch screen, data capable etc etc now) and should imagine this will only continue.

 

[liberatordeluxe]

That's what I thought myself. Three I believe is 3/4G only. I'm with EE and find the network reliable for rural areas.

 

[liamy1]

Three I believe is 3/4G only...

Ah, they're are now. But a little hidden fact was at one time, they had an agreement with a "partner network" to allow customers to "roam" onto the partners 2G network, when at times, it was needed.

 

[foraloysius]

I just got myself an iPhone SE. I've had an iPhone 4 for many years, never had problems with the battery. It still has the original battery.

The synchronisation went flawless, never had so little problems to get things from the old to the new phone. Yay!

 

[mieleforever]

Well I have had my IPhone 4S now for about 4 years, and it is still going oh well rather strongish. There have been instances were it will go a bit off kilter, for example it is much slower then when I got it, and sometimes the battery will show 50% charged and the moment you start using it, it will shutdown. So I guess the battery is on its way out, but I simply love my Iphone and will have to get a new battery and maybe have it serviced or something other than that it works rahter a treat.

As for me, I can for the love of *** not understand why some people will dump themselves into debt or saddle themselves with a two year contract just to have the newest phone, whilst their car is falling apart or their clothing is in tatters. As a matter of fact I have read somewher that people now on average spend less on stuff like clothing and spend their money on electronics. OUr lives have become entangled in chargers, we have so many chargers for so many stuff at our house its rediculous.

Further to that there seems to be a plateau with regards to smartphones and the like as most older smart phones can still do what a new one can do, maybe just not as fast, and features are all downloadable.

But all in all this world is going touch screen and led crazy, it gets on my nerves. Good now let me focus on getting this new tablet figured out in order to post it on here.

Regards,

 

[warmsecondrinse]

I'm not sure about the UK, but in the US the 4 nationwide networks are converting a large % of the capacity of their 2G service to 4G. They WERE talking about shutting them down, but now the trend seems to leave it in place (with the current coverage) with reduced capacity.

 

AFAIK, all recent flip phones are 3G. Many also include the capability of e-mail, web browsing, and GPS navigation. Those services tend to be on a pay-as-you-go basis with flip phones.

 

Me, I'm sticking with BlackBerry as long as I can. Part of my income depends on fast response to e-mails so a physical keyboard is a must for me. I also like the fact that they're very 'droppable'. I've NEVER had a BlackBerry suffer more than cosmetic damage due to physical abuse. I do NOT take any precautions other than adding a screen protector and a thin neoprene case.

 

All the newer BlackBerries can run Android apps, btw. I've downloaded Grindr & Scruff from Google Play and they run perfectly. 

 

Jim

 

[henene4]

Grindr

The only reason I don't like my Windowsphone: No Grindr avaible :/

 

[vacerator]

Henrik,

Can't you access Manhunt, or another site? Now, don't go thinking I'm a pig. I'm married, but I'm sure single guy's looking for more than a hook up do meet on those sites.

 

[davetranter]

Smartphone?????

I am still enjoying the Nokia 3410 experience. It makes and receives calls and texts, and (as Retro-Man points out), when dropped the worst that happens is that the back flies off and it loses the battery pack. Usually, unless the drop is from an exceptional height, the battery stays 'put', and the two parts clip back together in an instant ;-)

All best

Dave T

P.S. On the odd occasions that I wish to access the Internet, I use a 'computer' ;-)

 

[kb0nes]

Funny thing is I have dropped my nearly 4 year old iPhone 5 hundreds of times, mostly on the concrete shop floor. It has worn a Speck Candyshell Grip case since day one. I'm on the third case now as the corners will crack eventually. I find this case to be the perfect blend of protection vs size. The OtterBox and Lifeproof cases offer better protection, but they are just too bulky.

I have also felt the tip of a screwdriver smoothly glide down the screen when I slide it into my back pocket that my phone resides in (done this a few times dammit). I have no mars at all on the screen, glass is very hard to scratch. I don't mess with the film screen protectors cause they really don't do anything but make the display look crappy. A full replacement LCD/Digitizer screen is only ~$70 and it only takes a few minutes to install so I'll save the money from the screen film just in case...

 

[gusherb]

I've been using a Candyshell Grip for a bit over two years now and they're by far the best case I've ever had. They last the longest (I went a year before replacing the one on my 6 just because I felt like it and it was just starting to show wear), the grip makes the phone much easier to handle, and they offer great protection in a thin package. I've bounced mine off of tile and hardwood floors many times and it has always protected the phone.
I also use a tempered glass protector, I like those because then I don't need to worry about where I put my phone and scratching the screen. (The 6 seems to scratch easy). I hate the plastic ones because they just smudge up instantly.

 

[revvinkevin]

Protective case / bumper / guard

 

 

I first learned about the RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper about a year ago and was extremely impressed when I first saw this video!    When I ordered my iPhone 6S in November, I also ordered this bumper at the same time.   I did initially install the screen protector, but I agree with Phil, it makes the screen look terrible, so I peeled it off after a month.

 

BTW, for those who don't know, David Pogue is the tech editor for the New York Times.

 

 

[vacerator]

I have

also seen phone jackets with nano tech suction cups. They cushion the phone if dropped, and can hold it onto a car roof at high speed.

 

[xraytech]

My first smart phone was an iPhone4, I used it for 3 years and loved it until the phone would only work on speaker.
It was replaced with the iPhone5s, from day one the battery life was terrible and I couldn't wait for my contract to end so I could get a new one.
Last October I upgraded to an iPhone6 which was great then after 6 months started getting dark spots in the screen and the battery would drop 50% in 3 hours even when not used, luckily Apple replaced it for free. Now today out of nowhere I have a huge dark spot in the screen and battery life has dwindled some so it's back to the Apple Store again.

 

[warmsecondrinse]

Grindr, etc.

I believe Scruff is available on Windows phone.

 

I only have a half dozen or so apps on my BlackBerries, but Grindr and Scruff are two of them. I would NEVER buy a phone that didn't support them

 

Jim

 

[foraloysius]

Thank you Liamy1 for those tips, I adjusted my settings accordingly. Amazing, after 24 hours after I charged it, my battery is still almost full! Quite a difference, the day before I did it the battery was almost empty with about the same use. So thank you very much! I'll spread the word!!