Another cell phone thread

[glatt]

I started getting annoyed with the battery after a year and a half. But you put up with these annoyances for a while before you do something about it. Replacing the battery was actually fairly easy. Ebay sells these inexpensive battery kits with jewelers screwdrivers included, and there are tons of videos on youtube showing how to do it. If I could go back in time, I would have replaced the battery after a year. File this in the back of your mind for future reference.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Carruthers

There was no 'up front' cost for the phone and £15 ($22.50) per month on a two year contract, buys 500 mins talk time, 5000 texts and 500mb of data.

Keep an eye on that. Coming from a non-smart-phone, 500mb might seem like a lot, but the phone is going to make using that up very easy.

I'm not saying to buy more data, just keep in mind that there are apps that can use it very quickly.

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by glatt

I started getting annoyed with the battery after a year and a half. But you put up with these annoyances for a while before you do something about it. Replacing the battery was actually fairly easy. Ebay sells these inexpensive battery kits with jewelers screwdrivers included, and there are tons of videos on youtube showing how to do it. If I could go back in time, I would have replaced the battery after a year. File this in the back of your mind for future reference.

Done!

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

Keep an eye on that. Coming from a non-smart-phone, 500mb might seem like a lot, but the phone is going to make using that up very easy.

I'm not saying to buy more data, just keep in mind that there are apps that can use it very quickly.

Yes, I'm wary of coming a cropper on that front so my usage will be carefully monitored. No, make that very carefully monitored.

[glatt]

It's easy to just have it run on wifi when you are at a hot spot so you do your heavy lifting with that.

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by glatt

It's easy to just have it run on wifi when you are at a hot spot so you do your heavy lifting with that.

I've got it working on my wifi network OK. In the event of web access being required, and no available wifi network, does it default to the cell phone network and use up data that way?

[Happy Monkey]

Yes, and lots of apps do periodic network access which can use data, but well behaved ones ought not use too much.

But if you get in the habit of using a data-intensive app on your wifi, you might use it without thinking when you're away. I watched a couple of Youtube videos, and it ate into my data limit real fast.

[limey]

You can usually set a "mobile data limit" which should alert you when you're getting close to your data allowance limit. I don't have a large limit and find that as long as I don't watch films (or moving images of any sort) or stream (download) music from I never have a problem.


Sent by thought transference

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

Yes, and lots of apps do periodic network access which can use data, but well behaved ones ought not use too much.

But if you get in the habit of using a data-intensive app on your wifi, you might use it without thinking when you're away. I watched a couple of Youtube videos, and it ate into my data limit real fast.

Thanks for that explanation. I don't think I shall have the need for net access when I'm on the move so I hope to dodge the data bullet.

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by limey

You can usually set a "mobile data limit" which should alert you when you're getting close to your data allowance limit. I don't have a large limit and find that as long as I don't watch films (or moving images of any sort) or stream (download) music from I never have a problem.


Sent by thought transference

Ah thanks for that insight, limey. I'm sure that there's the means to monitor and limit data use but I have yet to find it!

[Happy Monkey]

I have a Samsung, using Verizon, and both Samsung and Verizon provide data monitoring apps. The Verizon one even has a meter that shows how much you've used this month on the icon itself.

See if Apple and/or your provider have similar apps.

[BigV]

another consideration is how you're connecting to the internet.

earlier, up-thread, someone mentioned "wi-fi". in the context of the post, I think they meant internet access via phone while wandering around. strictly speaking, "wi-fi" is wireless internet via a wireless access point, like you might have in your home or at a coffee shop. At least, that's the way is it around here. the other way to reach the internet via your phone is via the cell phone network. It is that network, sometimes called "mobile data", that counts against the 500 MB / month data limit.

Where possible, connect to wi-fi (don't know what it looks like on an iphone, the terms/screen/etc), and save access to the internet via cell phone networks for when local, wireless networks are unavailable. this will help conserve your data usage.

[Carruthers]

Thanks, BigV.

Yes, I've configured the phone to my home wifi network but I until I become used to all the settings I remain a little concerned that I might be downloading huge wedges of data against my 500mb allocation.

I probably won't have too much cause to use the cell phone network for internet access as, due to domestic constraints, I don't wander too far from home.
On the other hand, when the stock market next tanks and my pension fund heads south at a rate of knots, I could have a ringside seat while taking the dog for a walk, courtesy of Bloomberg and Apple!

[xoxoxoBruce]

When you and the dog are out communing with nature, why would you want to watch a carnage? Sure, it would directly affect you, but you couldn't do anything about it.

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

When you and the dog are out communing with nature, why would you want to watch a carnage? Sure, it would directly affect you, but you couldn't do anything about it.

Morbid curiosity!

[xoxoxoBruce]

I see, your living arrangement makes it difficult to practice your masochism.


Hmm, on second thought, maybe not.