Month: March 2014

4 Phones that should work with Straight Talk and the Bring your Own Plan .

Paul

Straight Talk SIM Card Activation Kit

My Options for the Straight Talk : BYOP

RCA A1 4.7” 3G Unlocked Dual SIM, Android 4.1 US Warranty  (Amazon Affiliate Link)

List Price : 299$ (Click image to find the actual price)

  • This unlocked cell phone is compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, Net10, Simple Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Walmart Family Mobile, and Pure Talk USA. No contracts and data plans required;
  • HSPA 3G Smartphone running Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean), with 4.7-inch multi-touch LCD display; 2G Network GSM 850/900/1800/1900, 3G Network HSPA 850/1900;
  • Wi-Fi networking with Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot and tethering capabilities, GPS for navigation and location services; Dual SIM card slot, 4GB storage, Micro SD expansion to 32GB;
  • GPRS, HTML Web Browser, Built-in Apps: Google Play, YouTube, Google+, Google Search, Google Maps, Google Navigation, Voice Memo, Notes;
  • Dual camera, back-5-MP, front 2-MP; HD 720p recording; Bluetooth 3.0 stereo music; FM Radio, MP3 Player, MP4 Player;Up to 6 hours of talk time, up to 360 hours of standby time, High Speed USB 2.0, 3.5mm Audio Jack

As you can see this might work for the price that I am needing.   Currently it is under 200$ and thus it is within my price range.   On a side note, it resembles the Samsung Galaxy S3 from my understanding of it.   It is a cheaper version of it but has the screen size and everything else associated with it.   I’ve heard people say they had problems with getting it to work with Straight Talk, but I am confident that if I get this phone.   I can figure out what the APNS are for the

Google Nexus 5, Black 32GB (Unlocked) (Amazon Affiliate Link)

List Price : $649 (Click to find the actual price!)

Speed and power to spare on a stunning 5” display. Powered by Android 4.4, KitKat®. It’s a 5” phone, and so much more. Built with precision, Nexus 5 delivers an intelligently simple design and showcases a stunning full HD display. Plus it comes in black and white. All-new photo and video features help you capture moments in fresh new ways. And thanks to the latest from Android, Nexus 5 is fast, powerful and truly yours.

I asked this question on Twitter and I got this respons:

 

 

Although this is more expensive for those who might be able to buy this phone, it isn’t in my price range but  I still had to suggest it for those who might want the best possible experience with straight talk.   

Motorola Moto G – Global GSM – Unlocked – 16GB (Amazon Affiliate Link)

List Price: $199 (actual price Varies)

  • US Compatibility: All GSM Networks including AT&T and (2G) T-Mobile
  • Optimized to work with 3G (UMTS/HSPA+) networks when roaming outside the US. Only supports 2G coverage on T-Mobile.
  • 4.5 inch 720p HD TFT display
  • Quad-core 1.2GHz processor with 450MHz graphics processor
  • 5MP rear camera, plus front facing camera

It looks to be promising to say the least.   I have heard some much great reports of this phone being used on every possible network and have heard of very little bad reports.  I would also like to point out that it is a smaller display for those who are looking for the largest BYOP phone.   It however comes with many features and it is an actual Google Phone from Google.   It used to be sold by Google directly but seems the Nexus 5 is the new one they are promoting, so this one is behind in times but still has so much functionality that it might be a good Straight Talk phone.

 

HTC A9192 Inspire 4G Unlocked Phone with 8 MP Camera, Wi-Fi, and GPS—(Black)  (Amazon Affiliate Link)

List Price :$799 (click on image to see actual price)

  • This unlocked cell phone is compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile. Not all carrier features may be supported.
  • Ultra-fast, 4G-enabled smartphone running Android 2.2 with 4.3-inch multi-touch Super LCD display.
  • Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (with optional Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot and tethering capabilities)
  • 8-MP camera, HD 720p camcorder, Bluetooth stereo music, microSD memory expansion, HTML web browser, corporate and personal e-mail
  • Up to 6 hours of talk time, up to 372 hours (15.5 days) of standby time, released in January, 2011
  • 8-MP camera; HD 720p camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; microSD memory expansion; HTML web browser; corporate and personal e-mail
  • GPS for navigation and location services
  • It will not work with CDMA carriers like Verizon Wireless, Alltel and Sprint.
  • Up to 6 hours of talk time, up to 372 hours (15.5 days) of standby time; released in January, 2011
  • Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (with optional Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot and tethering capabilities); GPS for navigation and location services

Early on when I first started this with Straight Talk, I used this phone which was locked to AT&T and then I unlocked it and went to Straight Talk.  Then I broke the screen and did not want to fix it.   So I put it away and went to Virgin Mobile, but I have had much success with this phone with wifi teethering and other good games on android but I am wanting to watch movies and shows on my phone more and more so this is a good option for the price which right now it is cheaper than it used to be.   I am guessing because it is an older phone that is not getting as much updates as the newer ones.   This is good for those who want to know which phone that will work with Straight Talk.   I made it happen with not much effort and was really pleased with it.

I have given you at least four phones to consider when you decide to go to the Straight Talk BYOP option but for me, I might either get the Motorola or the RCA myself and do a tutorial on how to set it up on Straight talk successfully!  

Need ideas on the next Unlocked Phone? Switching Carriers!

Paul

Androids And Friend — Flickr

I’ve Pretty Much Decided!

I’m going to probably go buy an Unlocked Cell phone from Amazon.  They have some Great selections of phones unlocked Cell Phones for under $200 (Amazon Affiliate Link).   I still have my old AT&T straight Talk sim that was used for the HTC Inspire 4g Phone.   Even though the LG Optimus F3 is not a bad phone, I was tempted to unlock it fully to use with Straight Talk.   I honestly thought it was better to go buy an unlocked phone that can be used for any carrier that I choose to use it with.

I’ve loved Android phones since, I started using them and will continue to use them but I have yet to enjoy the idea of Virgin Mobile US reducing my speed by a half to 2g speeds.   I’m really not happy with the idea of reducing my speed to that extent and I’ve been one of those that love Unlocked Cell Phones and no contract plans.   If the Sim from the HTC inspire can’t be used, at least Straight Talk still has options available to buy new sim cards for!!

Which Phone!

I’m calling all readers on which phone I should buy under a 200$ and I’m really interested in which one you want me to review on this site!   Please leave a comment and tell me what you want to see me review.   I’m like the Motorola Moto G that is nice!  I am up in the air on this but I will have to decide soon! 😉

Truths in Dating and Why most men need to read this book!

Paul

save the date, side a

Truths In Dating (Amazon Affiliate Link)

The simple truths that people rarely ask themselves or others.  Truth In Dating which captivates me to the extreme.

Some of the common questions that I have asked while reading this resolves around a certain young lady that I have been talking with the last few weeks:

  • Is it wrong that I think your Cute?
  • Is it wrong that I simply enjoy seeing your texts or you when you call? 
  • Is it wrong that when your sick, I just want to wrap my arms around you and try to help.
  • Is it wrong that I See a picture of you and the first thing I see is your eyes and that makes me smile? 
  • Is it wrong to want you to be happy? 
  • Is it wrong to ask God to bless you as much as he blessed me with just having you as a friend? 
  • Is it wrong that I enjoy listening to the sound of your voice when we talk on the phone? 
  • Is it wrong that you have been my muse the last few weeks with writing? 
  • Is it wrong that I just want to hold you and never let go? 
  • Is it wrong that I’m over joyed when you do something fantastic? 
  • Is it wrong that I want to help you get the best job possible?

Not that it matters what people think about what I am writing because this blog has always been a way to put my thoughts in words and possibly help a few people if at all possible.   This book has already had an almost immediant impact in what I am doing in search for the right person.   I expect nothing to change in the next week or months but I am finally giving up the control of how to find a date.   I am going to be an open book to everyone who is my friend and hopefully I find that special someone.

When I started my journey on understanding about Singleness, I found that I needed to learn about being single and thus, I became single in one aspect and my heart grew even better because I started to see all these possiblities.   




Telling the truth

As with anything in life, something I have already gleemed from just a few chapters of this book is that you must start honestly with any relationship you have rather it is a friend or the love of your life.   Most people hide behind some reason why they do not want to be honest with someone.   Most of the time it is because they fear rejection and not wanting to loss this sense of control in how they approach this certain relationship.  I’ve learned through God that I have no control what so ever, he’s the only one that has all the control.   I am just doing his will.   

I’ve started reading this book “Truth In Dating (Amazon Affiliate Link) By Susan Campbell” last night and I have yet to finish but it has started me thinking of everything that I could do to make a lasting connection with that one person that I know God has for my life.  I strongly encourage you to read this book and decide for yourself.   You sure not going to regret the insights you learn from reading this book.   It will guide you on how you should be and why it is so important to be honest!

 

Virgin Mobile Did what to my Data Speeds?

Paul

Got this text Message!

VMFreeMsg: Starting 5/6/14, if you use over 2.5GB of data during your mo. plan cycle, data speeds will now be reduced to 2G speeds. Info at http://msg4u.us/vwae

I don’t know about anyone else but when I first got this text message, I was like so How fast is 2g speeds verses 3g speeds on Google Now!  So Here’s is the breakdown of this:

Speeds

 

  • 2g is on average about 115 kilobytes per second  (A little faster than voice calling people)
  • 3g is on average about 614 Kilobytes per second (Good for some streaming media)
  • 4g is on average about 20 Megabytes per Secong (On average it varies from phone to phone)

 

As you can see this doesn’t really explain it very well but let’s try to make it easier to understand this:

1 byte is 8 bits, so 1000 kilobytes(1,024 bytes which is 8192 bits) and you need 65536 kilobytes to make 1 Megabyte of data.   So you can see that the larger the file or anything you do on the phone will be drastically slowed down on the phone.   If yo do the math or at least think about it, you can go to a free wifi hotspot to get better speeds than this.   

Virgin Mobile and Boost is screwing you!

Virgin mobile seems to want you to go to another prepaid service.   Even with Straight Talk, they do something like this on their networks.   They do limit there speeds but I am unsure as to what the speeds are lately but they aren’t unlimited either.

It looks like I have a few options, Straight Talk although they do the same thing but not as bad, T-mobile Which looks to be comparable to Virgin Mobile or Boost.   You could try MetroPCS but I can’t seem to verify that it is truly unlimited and that is what I am looking for.   I am asking for help to find something that isn’t as restrictive as what Virgin Mobile is doing.   I might buy a data plan for my home now.   So I am going to look into this some more but if you know of a prepaid plan that is truly unlimited, please leave a comment and let everyone know!

Why I do not click “Here” in emails and why you should to!!

Paul
 

tools4technow.com

That isn’t going to happen!!

It isn’t like I do not know what might happen, but before I even did anything I check out the link by looking up the domain which if you want to check out what I see you will see the there isn’t really a main site link at the top of the Google search.   Odd isn’t it, well I then looked at the urls that was after the domain name and I found:>

/-wqs-/generallaborer.com/Free/GetStarted.asp?aff=F7288B41-CC5D-4D08-B06C-FB03EF98DEFB

As you can see it looks to be a redirect to “generallaborer.com” with an Affiliate link that means someone gets paid for links that use that link.   You can tell that someone gets paid by the “AFF=”.   I also have my own affiliate links but you will know when I put a link on my site that pays me money when you use my link to buy stuff with.

Spam

It appears to be a scam or a way someone makes money when you sign up with a link to that site.   I do know know what actually happens because I did not click on those links.   I can only assume that it was a link spam and not a scam but I will never truly know and I am not really worried about that type of help from people who try to make money off you without telling you.   

You rarely know what the links really go to from emails.   They can be masked or hidden and you could even get a virus on your computer as easily as you can get one just surfing the net.   It could also make you think your are logging into a site you visit often but in truth you are giving your password away to someone who will use it for all sorts of purposes.   These are the main I will never click on links without some looking up of the domain in question.   You should never click links that your are not expecting or from people who you do not know!   Each one of these should be a first step to prevent something terrible from happening to you or your computer.