Cell Phone Insiders

[CHONGS]

So cell phone experts and enthusiasts, what next phone should I get?  I have a GSIII now, but honestly I am thinking Nexus 5.  Pros? Cons? Something else? Probably won't be moving to the iOS or Windows world. 

[WillieWatanabe]

So cell phone experts and enthusiasts, what next phone should I get?  I have a GSIII now, but honestly I am thinking Nexus 5.  Pros? Cons? Something else? Probably won't be moving to the iOS or Windows world. 

i say get the Nexus 5 and GS5, and do the whole dual hoslters thing that is catching on.   

[Emo EMAW]

So, here's why I liked google voice (I no longer have it because the MMS thing was such a pain.)

Can text internationally w/ only wifi
can text from computer
can check voicemail from any device (and it's much better than any other VM service)
can send/receive calls from computer and it's the same number as my cell phone
easy to record calls
can make VOIP calls from phone (or at least you could, I think google since blocked this)

Yes I know there are ways around most of these but google voice was a pretty easy way to do it.

There's talk that they'll merge google voice with hangouts, which is such an awful application. Couldn't they have just copied what the iphone does? Apparently not, and it's terrible if you try to make it your primary SMS app.

What don't you like about Hangouts?  I think it's better than Apple Messages or whatever they call it.  The Apple one is like bare bones.

[michigancat]

So, here's why I liked google voice (I no longer have it because the MMS thing was such a pain.)

Can text internationally w/ only wifi
can text from computer
can check voicemail from any device (and it's much better than any other VM service)
can send/receive calls from computer and it's the same number as my cell phone
easy to record calls
can make VOIP calls from phone (or at least you could, I think google since blocked this)

Yes I know there are ways around most of these but google voice was a pretty easy way to do it.

There's talk that they'll merge google voice with hangouts, which is such an awful application. Couldn't they have just copied what the iphone does? Apparently not, and it's terrible if you try to make it your primary SMS app.

What don't you like about Hangouts?  I think it's better than Apple Messages or whatever they call it.  The Apple one is like bare bones.

the fact it's separate from the standard android messaging app. So people like my parents who are used to getting texts get hangouts instead, and are like, "what's a hangout???" And now they have to use two separate apps for messaging.

For pure chat, I'm sure it's fine, but they either needed to go all the way with SMS implementation or not even bother.

[Emo EMAW]

So, here's why I liked google voice (I no longer have it because the MMS thing was such a pain.)

Can text internationally w/ only wifi
can text from computer
can check voicemail from any device (and it's much better than any other VM service)
can send/receive calls from computer and it's the same number as my cell phone
easy to record calls
can make VOIP calls from phone (or at least you could, I think google since blocked this)

Yes I know there are ways around most of these but google voice was a pretty easy way to do it.

There's talk that they'll merge google voice with hangouts, which is such an awful application. Couldn't they have just copied what the iphone does? Apparently not, and it's terrible if you try to make it your primary SMS app.

What don't you like about Hangouts?  I think it's better than Apple Messages or whatever they call it.  The Apple one is like bare bones.

the fact it's separate from the standard android messaging app. So people like my parents who are used to getting texts get hangouts instead, and are like, "what's a hangout???" And now they have to use two separate apps for messaging.

For pure chat, I'm sure it's fine, but they either needed to go all the way with SMS implementation or not even bother.

You can select SMS from the Hangouts part.  My SMS/chat messages merge seamlessly. 

[michigancat]

So, here's why I liked google voice (I no longer have it because the MMS thing was such a pain.)

Can text internationally w/ only wifi
can text from computer
can check voicemail from any device (and it's much better than any other VM service)
can send/receive calls from computer and it's the same number as my cell phone
easy to record calls
can make VOIP calls from phone (or at least you could, I think google since blocked this)

Yes I know there are ways around most of these but google voice was a pretty easy way to do it.

There's talk that they'll merge google voice with hangouts, which is such an awful application. Couldn't they have just copied what the iphone does? Apparently not, and it's terrible if you try to make it your primary SMS app.

What don't you like about Hangouts?  I think it's better than Apple Messages or whatever they call it.  The Apple one is like bare bones.

the fact it's separate from the standard android messaging app. So people like my parents who are used to getting texts get hangouts instead, and are like, "what's a hangout???" And now they have to use two separate apps for messaging.

For pure chat, I'm sure it's fine, but they either needed to go all the way with SMS implementation or not even bother.

You can select SMS from the Hangouts part.  My SMS/chat messages merge seamlessly. 

I just checked and I guess they've improved it. I remember it being a pain/confusing when they first merged them. I'll give it another shot, I guess.

[michigancat]

So, here's why I liked google voice (I no longer have it because the MMS thing was such a pain.)

Can text internationally w/ only wifi
can text from computer
can check voicemail from any device (and it's much better than any other VM service)
can send/receive calls from computer and it's the same number as my cell phone
easy to record calls
can make VOIP calls from phone (or at least you could, I think google since blocked this)

Yes I know there are ways around most of these but google voice was a pretty easy way to do it.

There's talk that they'll merge google voice with hangouts, which is such an awful application. Couldn't they have just copied what the iphone does? Apparently not, and it's terrible if you try to make it your primary SMS app.

What don't you like about Hangouts?  I think it's better than Apple Messages or whatever they call it.  The Apple one is like bare bones.

the fact it's separate from the standard android messaging app. So people like my parents who are used to getting texts get hangouts instead, and are like, "what's a hangout???" And now they have to use two separate apps for messaging.

For pure chat, I'm sure it's fine, but they either needed to go all the way with SMS implementation or not even bother.

You can select SMS from the Hangouts part.  My SMS/chat messages merge seamlessly. 

I just checked and I guess they've improved it. I remember it being a pain/confusing when they first merged them. I'll give it another shot, I guess.

yeah, looks like they just made this update in April:

http://www.greenbot.com/article/2145823/google-finally-adds-integrated-messaging-to-hangouts-in-latest-android-update.html

[pissclams]

you guys i use my phone all the time and never have any of these problems.  seems like you're just creating problems for yourselves but who knows, maybe i'm just not an advanced user.

[CHONGS]

you guys i use my phone all the time and never have any of these problems.  seems like you're just creating problems for yourselves but who knows, maybe i'm just not an advanced user.

which phone my main man clams?

[kso_FAN]

So, here's why I liked google voice (I no longer have it because the MMS thing was such a pain.)

Can text internationally w/ only wifi
can text from computer
can check voicemail from any device (and it's much better than any other VM service)
can send/receive calls from computer and it's the same number as my cell phone
easy to record calls
can make VOIP calls from phone (or at least you could, I think google since blocked this)

Yes I know there are ways around most of these but google voice was a pretty easy way to do it.

There's talk that they'll merge google voice with hangouts, which is such an awful application. Couldn't they have just copied what the iphone does? Apparently not, and it's terrible if you try to make it your primary SMS app.

What don't you like about Hangouts?  I think it's better than Apple Messages or whatever they call it.  The Apple one is like bare bones.

the fact it's separate from the standard android messaging app. So people like my parents who are used to getting texts get hangouts instead, and are like, "what's a hangout???" And now they have to use two separate apps for messaging.

For pure chat, I'm sure it's fine, but they either needed to go all the way with SMS implementation or not even bother.

You can select SMS from the Hangouts part.  My SMS/chat messages merge seamlessly. 

I just checked and I guess they've improved it. I remember it being a pain/confusing when they first merged them. I'll give it another shot, I guess.

Yeah, I wasn't sure what you were talking about. Hangouts is all I use and it's great.

[pissclams]

i'd say the LG G3, the Nexus 5, the Note 3.  depends on if the bigger phones bug you.

[star seed 7]

Went from s3 to s5 last week chings, I like it. I liked the s3 a lot too

[CHONGS]

I don't mind a larger phone (I am a very tall person, so a big phone sits better in my hands).

[pissclams]

the G3 is a really good phone but if you're a purist, the Nexus

[michigancat]

nexus is like half as expensive

[michigancat]

Also, Nexus 6 rumored to be announced soon, and Nexus 4 got a $100 price drop right before Nexus 5 was announced. Hopeful Nexus 5 gets a similar drop.

[Mikeyis4dcats]

sprint/tmobile merger dead?

[ew2x4]

I love my Nexus 5. The G3 looks like a powerhouse, though. I don't like the Samsung interface.

[bonercat]

sprint/tmobile merger dead?

Today will be an interesting one on the compound...

[raquetcat]

I'm looking for a new phone, does anybody have anything good/bad to say about the samsung galaxy 3 or motorola droid razr maxx (I realize I'm a couple years behind)

[Phil Titola]

I'm looking for a new phone, does anybody have anything good/bad to say about the samsung galaxy 3 or motorola droid razr maxx (I realize I'm a couple years behind)

I had the S3 prior to getting the Nexus 5...it's a fine phone...nothing great.

[star seed 7]

i would say for it's age, the s3 is still a very good phone

[Jabeez]

sprint/tmobile merger dead?

Today will be an interesting one on the compound...

Having a billionaire playboy CEO living in kc is gonna be fun.  Paris on the plains part two

[Phil Titola]

sprint/tmobile merger dead?

Today will be an interesting one on the compound...

Having a billionaire playboy CEO living in kc is gonna be fun.  Paris on the plains part two

Singlehandedly get JetBlue in!!!

[Pete]

RIP Framily.   

http://www.cnet.com/news/sprint-fires-framily-offers-new-shared-data-plans/