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+--- Thread: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thread! (/showthread.php?tid=9507)
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Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - JPolen01 - 08-25-2015
Also worth nothing that while you are financing the phone, I don't believe they are charging you an interest on the payments (unless they bundled interest into the monthly payments and aren't telling you that).
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - BLINGMW - 08-25-2015
JPolen01 Wrote:(unless they bundled interest into the monthly payments and aren't telling you that).Just do the math yourself and the answer should be clear. For Verizon: $45/mo for 1GB prepaid (though ours got upgraded to 2 for some reason) and $30+$20/phone per month + taxes&fees for a 1GB "plan".
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - SlimKlim - 08-25-2015
Verizon is 0% and I checked the math to make sure.
When comparison shopping yesterday AT&T wasn't as clear cut, the prices are a smidge higher and the way the payment plans are named is deceptive. AKA: "AT&T Next 24" (30 payments of $xx.xx, eligible for an upgrade (but you still have to pay the rest of it off if you upgrade at that point) after 24 months). Not sure if they're also charging interest.
That's a fucky way of setting it up compared to Verizon, they're definitely hoping people won't read the fine print.
So this watch is kinda cool, mostly pointless, but cool. I'm loving the travel time/traffic/weather at a glance, I found an app called Pujia Black that lets you design your own watchface and widgets, and another 3rd party thing that hooks into Spotify so i can skip songs from my wrist.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - Sully - 08-25-2015
We got the 10gb plan and two s5's a year ago and at that time I believe, it was the minimum ammount of data you could get where they would "pay" for the phone. We get $25 per month each credit so basically we are not paying for the phones I guess although I'm sure the extra cost for data offsets it. We also added two networked tablets at the same time which has been helpful ever since Comcast "upgraded" out modem and our Wi-Fi is spotty and slow at best.
Back when we did it, at 13 months and like 50% of the phone paid off, we could upgrade. Now I thought I read its 75% so like a year and 6 months. Thats almost equivalent to the old upgrade time so what the hell is the point. I'm waiting to go in and ask if we get grandfathered in but I'm sure we won't. I like the s5 so I'd probably get an s6 and they aren't different enough (and are kinda worse in some areas...like the glass back[plastic feels cheap but doesn't shatter ], no removable storage which lately has been annoying anyway because I'm tech stupid and can't figure how to get the phone to use the most of my sd card and have no space even though I have 14gb free :dunno: , no removable battery and removed features which is probably bloatware I don't use anyway but still don't care enough to upgrade yet)
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - Sully - 08-25-2015
Speaking of tech stupid, I'm thinking of adding a second router to my network. I have two new cheap linksys routers just sitting and our network is currently on a 13 year old wr54g or whatever plus our modem is a Wi-Fi router too but it sucks and will just drop the internet for no reason. Think I'd see better results tacking one of the new routers on or just replacing the old one with one of my cheap new ones or using the Comcast one and a second router.
Whats the best way to add a second router.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - WRXtranceformed - 08-26-2015
I have never added a second router but I have bought my own modem and wireless router for our network. It has vastly improved the quality of our internet, along with the added bump in service because TWC is stressing about Google Fiber
I will have to report back in September once our plan expires and I am eligible for an "upgrade". I will probably keep this GS4 because it's fairly new (recently replaced an old one under warranty) but my wife's S4 isn't fairing so well.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - Ken - 08-26-2015
Sully Wrote:Speaking of tech stupid, I'm thinking of adding a second router to my network. I have two new cheap linksys routers just sitting and our network is currently on a 13 year old wr54g or whatever plus our modem is a Wi-Fi router too but it sucks and will just drop the internet for no reason. Think I'd see better results tacking one of the new routers on or just replacing the old one with one of my cheap new ones or using the Comcast one and a second router.
Whats the best way to add a second router.
I just bought a WRT1200AC and it covers my duplex 100% throughout, which is awesome. Easy to set up, and has a lot of advanced features, should you want it. Also allows you to remotely access it. It's like $120ish on Amazon.
As for adding a second router, if you have hardwires run throughout the apartment, it's pretty easy. Just turn off the DHCP on the second one and just use the wireless - it will use the DHCP from the first (assuming you want them both on the same LAN.)
If you don't have hardwire running through, it's a little more tricky. They do have those range extenders but I've never used them. The more techy way of doing it is buying a DD-WRT eligible router (check their site) and configure one as a repeater bridge. I did that at my house at home and it worked great.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - Ken - 08-26-2015
Evan Wrote:WRXtranceformed Wrote:So what happens when you are eligible for an upgrade but haven't "financed" a phone before? Do they just give you a credit towards or a discount off of the new phone?no quotes needed. its pretty easy to understand.
your service cost go down. You can keep the same phone and pay less total, or you can get a new phone and pay about the same, depending on device.
the service and the phone are separate. its a lot more simple, and how it should be.
these plans are really going to drive mid range phones. you can now get a very capable smartphone equivalent to a flagship of a year or 2 ago for $200-$300. Pay that up front (what you were paying for a subsidized phone before) and then your total out of pocket costs go down by $20 or so a month. win win.
It definitely makes a whole lot more sense - but is definitely throwing people for a loop who just thought that all these phones cost $200.
It's also driving up the "used" market - I was trying to get a Lumia 1020 or 1520 and they are definitely more pricey than they were just a little while ago.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - SlimKlim - 08-28-2015
So after a few days with the smartwatch I have to admit it's pretty cool. Would I have paid $350? Naw, but discounted and with store credit to burn it was definitely worth it.
In a well lit room it looks just like a normal watch. The screen is always on, but it has an "ambient" mode that reduces color and brightness and removes the second hand to save battery. If you touch the screen, home button, or hold your wrist up, it goes into "interactive" mode with a more detailed display of the watch face. In sunlight it's a little dim unless you crank up the brightness all the way, and in a very dark room it has a little bit of an unnatural glow (but has a "theater mode" to turn the screen off and disable notifications until you press the home button again)
Most of the features are designed to be used sort of passively. For instance, Google Now will show me how long it'll take to get back home, but if I dismiss the "card" there is no way to get it back in the app list, I just have to wait for google to think I might want to drive home again. Similarly, it'll show you a cute little animation of your steps, but if you dismiss that and open the actual fit app, it shows you a less sexy chart as a full screen app, not the little notification card. Same deal with weather.
I like that I can reply to texts and FB messages directly on the watch by using the voice message feature. Great for when you're puttering around the house and don't want the whole phablet in your pocket. It supposedly lets me pick up phone calls but on the actual phone, no James Bond talking into your wrist stuff, not really sure how that works if the phone isnt in the immediate vicinity, I suppose you just go sprinting for the phone hoping they dont get confused and hang up before you get there...
Another nifty feature is it turns into a music remote control. Even when playing spotify on my PC, the client on the PC tells my phone what's playing, which in turn comes up on the watch, and I can skip songs right from my wrist, pretty nifty.
Ultimately it's just a big and somewhat clunky watch that makes it a bit easier to check weather at a glance and a bit harder to miss a text message. I think my favorite feature is that I can change the watch face every day to suit my mood. Today I'm rocking a 70's look.
"Interactive Mode"
![[Image: XSeeAme3iCjQXb3IiMEVPo3UhDTTLDVWOvr5vwW9...GA=h900-rw]](https://lh4.ggpht.com/XSeeAme3iCjQXb3IiMEVPo3UhDTTLDVWOvr5vwW9tYzXk973X0G-tCESk9I9zjPLfGA=h900-rw)
![[Image: ABEgf9fsYKwBHTwW9OqdS3_rc7KRyMOmXVx0WPl6...6M=h900-rw]](https://lh3.ggpht.com/ABEgf9fsYKwBHTwW9OqdS3_rc7KRyMOmXVx0WPl6obImLU7669THszQprE45U3QfU6M=h900-rw)
One last thing, I prefer the physical design of the motorola in those pictures, but I really like that this LG screen is actually completely round and doesn't have that "flat tire" look that ruins the illusion of a lot of faces.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - SlimKlim - 09-11-2015
So the LG watch will take any standard 22mm watch band. For about $25 on Amazon I got a decent brown leather band and a neat little spring pin removal tool that made swapping it out a piece of cake.
![[Image: ojH27wV.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/ojH27wV.jpg)
Definitely a bit more my style now.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - WRXtranceformed - 09-11-2015
SlimKlim Wrote:So the LG watch will take any standard 22mm watch band. For about $25 on Amazon I got a decent brown leather band and a neat little spring pin removal tool that made swapping it out a piece of cake.Very sharp! Good job on picking up the band tool, it's really easy to do yourself and that gave it a very classy look
Definitely a bit more my style now.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - SlimKlim - 09-11-2015
Yeah that little tool is awesome. I don't even usually like metal bands, but I'm tempted to pick one just because I can, only takes a minute to swap them out once you get the hang of it.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - WRXtranceformed - 09-11-2015
You could also look at a NATO strap, I'm a big fan of them on certain watches
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - SlimKlim - 09-11-2015
Yeah, I'm not a fan of the canvas style but these are cool.
![[Image: BS-strap-in-use-Featured.jpg]](https://bulangandsons.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/BS-strap-in-use-Featured.jpg)
I think my wrist might be too girly to pull it off though, the super chunky smartwatch case isn't helping as it is.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - JustinG - 09-11-2015
Speaking of smart watches....
Sold my Fitbit Surge.
So I pre ordered a new Moto 360.
42mm, Black Steel casing, with black steel band, 46mm 360 was too large IMO, so 42mm with a 20mm band fit the bill.
![[Image: e_Nie_0rIm0xlmNjansdtCvBgzNzhV2NxepAT013...67-h395-no]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/e_Nie_0rIm0xlmNjansdtCvBgzNzhV2NxepAT013sEHSiBUE9F51aUkEO5O5sGhUvcMv89pseYLvtXsN9FVUy5-IAvQonv-aTZGD3x6v3ADmVNh6LPExeV8U6n_5Vn7RRuuyKXRunwOmnvL1yA1iucWrUNICMzy4EZFkLPvhScd4Y74OMHUjMpRzBMsLZakmqxGWtR1aKsXrMyZJQ4oh-I9qJJ7A87v8IYqHBD2XSyGvjzsHTugSGAlA6ejyLwSAqZQpMHDsqRToq3UjVthRkLwkgpGY_09VjAzE8K3C3UEshbUbfojnoebo2FyRJm0KNkQYzsbpTH8b3kt1oV7x-6pRQcuTZhvhenMjt22PQ5VQMtTiziQRYJJqdhLfI7UR3aB-FK1FeQ-x3oQg5mIklqIYT3gho_wWIq8SXEzD6xG3PuOX9tvzSdDrX1Ybpda4L6PUlsxejA9mLjYqpi7MSSOwgzNMOTO4Mxa1-Xff8jEHdrS3PCYsWUMawKvLDdROc2bc7eYuctAHRb4Hb7afZ2_g85dvdorK_qvA0ffTkDGQ=w467-h395-no)
Why?
I wanted to try a smart watch, so with the opportunity to sell my existing one, I figured why not. I really enjoyed the ability to view incoming texts and calls without pulling my phone out mid meeting, but it was limited to that functionality, and it left me wanting more.
The front contenders were the new 360 or the Gear S2.
The "Flat Tire" bothered me at first, until I realized 75% of the watch faces I like are black, and you cant even see it.
2014 vs 2015
![[Image: new-moto-360-vs.jpg?itok=WZ2ntz-m]](http://www.androidcentral.com/sites/androidcentral.com/files/styles/larger_wm_brw/public/article_images/2015/09/new-moto-360-vs.jpg?itok=WZ2ntz-m)
Rumors of the starting price point for the Gear S2 killed it, $400 starting point for a watch with Samsungs Tizen OS, a rubber band and no ability to change bands = nah im good.
Huwaei watch was too high $$ IMO as well.
So this should be in hand in the next week or two, I will report back once I receive it.
I will plan to get a Black or Brown Leather band to compliment it.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - SlimKlim - 09-11-2015
I think you'll like it, it's hard to beat at that price point. A friend of mine has been using one since it first came out and he loves it.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - WRXtranceformed - 09-11-2015
That case would look really good with an oyster or super oyster bracelet too:
![[Image: 270301.jpg]](http://s3media.247sports.com/Uploads/Boards/67/20067/270301.jpg)
![[Image: bracelet10.jpg]](http://alanwatch.homestead.com/files/bracelet10.jpg)
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - SlimKlim - 09-11-2015
Oh yeah I like that, might have to pick one up.
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - WRXtranceformed - 09-11-2015
Sweet! It's a little more of an aggressive look but you could also consider a jubilee bracelet (I actually have this exact watch):
![[Image: SS221817B020_SEIKO_SKX007.jpg]](https://www.strapcode.com/images/blog/SS221817B020_SEIKO_SKX007.jpg)
You can find those pretty easily in the aftermarket
Re: The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thre - SlimKlim - 09-11-2015
Yeah that's alright, the center links would match the finish of the case but it's a little busy for my tastes.
I might pick up something metal if I get bored or want a more formal look but I'm not sold on it, like I said I'm typically not a fan of metal bands. My entire watch portfolio consists of a black/silver Jaques Lemans with a black alligator leather band that I got for high school graduation, a $100 Skagen with a currently broken dark brown leather band, and this thing.