Brian & Anand Hate SD Card's in Phones

[pandemonium]

Not having an option for a microSD card slot is one of the reasons I still haven't upgraded my phone.

Being required to use internet traffic for things that I own locally is absurd. I don't care how you argue against it.

The quality of videos and pictures stored is increasing with the advancements of micro camera technology and so is the boon of people wanting to document every second of their lives through visual capture due to the increased availability. This means the requirements for local storage will be higher, or the amount of data transfer will be higher.

I'm seeing data caps on cellular phones decrease in amount and increase in cost and data caps and throttling coming to wired data (which means WiFi access).

All things considered, we should be moving toward more external/expandable storage, not away from it.

 

[StrangerGuy]

So when other companies see this, what do you think they will tend to? What vocally tech savvy customers say we want, or what the actual sales numbers show?

That's why Samsung and countless other Mediatek devices is failing so hard at Android...Oh wait. The fallacy is assuming Apple and Android are the same audience when it comes to mobile when they aren't even close to what they expect from their desired device.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Not having an option for a microSD card slot is one of the reasons I still haven't upgraded my phone.

Being required to use internet traffic for things that I own locally is absurd. I don't care how you argue against it.

The quality of videos and pictures stored is increasing with the advancements of micro camera technology and so is the boon of people wanting to document every second of their lives through visual capture due to the increased availability. This means the requirements for local storage will be higher, or the amount of data transfer will be higher.

I'm seeing data caps on cellular phones decrease in amount and increase in cost and data caps and throttling coming to wired data (which means WiFi access).

All things considered, we should be moving toward more external/expandable storage, not away from it.

Yes, but there's a segment here that seem to chose to ignore the costs for using bandwidth instead of local storage. For whatever reason they scoff at the idea that uSD cards should be in phones.

It appears that the higher ups on this site think it's a good idea to not have uSD so that you can pay the telecomms more money -- wonder where their bread is buttered...


Brian

 

[cmdrdredd]

Yes, but there's a segment here that seem to chose to ignore the costs for using bandwidth instead of local storage. For whatever reason they scoff at the idea that uSD cards should be in phones.

It appears that the higher ups on this site think it's a good idea to not have uSD so that you can pay the telecomms more money -- wonder where their bread is buttered...


Brian

True...some people are still on a carrier or plan that is unlimited though.

 

[openwheel]

Yes, but there's a segment here that seem to chose to ignore the costs for using bandwidth instead of local storage. For whatever reason they scoff at the idea that uSD cards should be in phones.

It appears that the higher ups on this site think it's a good idea to not have uSD so that you can pay the telecomms more money -- wonder where their bread is buttered...


Brian

Sounds like you may tolerate the ridiculously low and limited amount of tiered data from carriers, yet you don't want to tolerate limited on board storage. A bit out of sinc with the priorities. I keep repeating this in this thread, you guys are barking up the wrong tree.

 

[CZroe]

True...some people are still on a carrier or plan that is unlimited though.

Like me with grandfathered Unlimited AT&T data?...yet I constantly find myself in places with poor WiFi and cellular. Year after year since signing up for Unlimited in 2008 I've ended up working underground or in storm shelter with no signal or at truck gates far away from WiFi. Even now my employer offers free WiFi for our customers that is essentially unusable. I hit my throttle cap every month and it's painfully obvious that there is not such thing as "Unlimited." Screw you, AT&T. I loves me some SD cards.

Guess who just ordered a 128GB mSD card for his 32GB phone?

 

[TerryMathews]

Sounds like you may tolerate the ridiculously low and limited amount of tiered data from carriers, yet you don't want to tolerate limited on board storage. A bit out of sinc with the priorities. I keep repeating this in this thread, you guys are barking up the wrong tree.

Its not the wrong tree when only one is climbable.

I think its pretty telling that the last post-paid carrier offering unlimited data just stopped.

 

[ControlD]

Sounds like you may tolerate the ridiculously low and limited amount of tiered data from carriers, yet you don't want to tolerate limited on board storage. A bit out of sinc with the priorities. I keep repeating this in this thread, you guys are barking up the wrong tree.

You act as if 90% of the cellular customers in the US have any choice in the matter.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Like me with grandfathered Unlimited AT&T data?...yet I constantly find myself in places with poor WiFi and cellular. Year after year since signing up for Unlimited in 2008 I've ended up working underground or in storm shelter with no signal or at truck gates far away from WiFi. Even now my employer offers free WiFi for our customers that is essentially unusable. I hit my throttle cap every month and it's painfully obvious that there is not such thing as "Unlimited." Screw you, AT&T. I loves me some SD cards.

Guess who just ordered a 128GB mSD card for his 32GB phone?

That sucks...I am on unlimited still from Verizon and I suppose I am lucky that I have no throttling and such. I really don't use that much data mind you...I will have to see when I upgrade (since they will drop me from unlimited) if I save anything on my bill.

 

[openwheel]

You act as if 90% of the cellular customers in the US have any choice in the matter.

Why give in? Why take that pretty new iPhone with $199 plus tax plus upgrade fee and sign away 2 years of your life? Why be the 90%? Well, 50% in US are stuck with iPhone without uSD, why don't you want to be in that 50%? Sounds even more exclusive to me

If consumers are so willing to bend over backwards to carriers who are trying hard to shoot down net neutrality, then why not manufacturers? The argument for uSD comes down to "data". Why limit yourself to a 64gb uSD? Why not more? What we should "want" is more build in data and more carrier allowed data. uSD argument is regressive imo. That's like saying: "you can stick it in my @$$ as long as you give me a cookie afterwards".

Wouldn't you rather be in my situation? Verizon unlimited everything and not have to worry about uSD card? I can choose whether to bypass uSD card or not. My Note 3 has a 16gb uSD card, but I hardly ever use it because I've gotten used to "not using it". I can switch between G2 and Note 3 without issue. I can test and experience with ALL phones, not just a select few. True freedom. Why limit yourself?

 

[ControlD]

Wouldn't you rather be in my situation? Verizon unlimited everything and not have to worry about uSD card? I can choose whether to bypass uSD card or not. My Note 3 has a 16gb uSD card, but I hardly ever use it because I've gotten used to "not using it". I can switch between G2 and Note 3 without issue. I can test and experience with ALL phones, not just a select few. True freedom. Why limit yourself?

Sure, I would like to be in your situation. However, there is no such thing as Verizon unlimited anymore as far as I know. I guess you can try to buy a plan from someone on ebay, but that is a limited option in the grand scheme of things (there are only so many plans out there for sale and once they are gone they are gone). There is also no guarantee that Verizon doesn't just come along one day and kill all unlimited plans. Looking big picture, unlimited data plans are going away or already gone for almost all carriers.

 

[openwheel]

That sucks...I am on unlimited still from Verizon and I suppose I am lucky that I have no throttling and such. I really don't use that much data mind you...I will have to see when I upgrade (since they will drop me from unlimited) if I save anything on my bill.

Don't give it up when you upgrade. You CAN upgrade without giving up unlimited data. I just did. Just search around other android/phone specific forums.

 

[ControlD]

Don't give it up when you upgrade. You CAN upgrade without giving up unlimited data. I just did. Just search around other android/phone specific forums.

I never had it to start with. My first phone that required data was purchased after Verizon had already killed the unlimited plans. I imagine there are a lot of people out there like me that never had the option and thus are looking for ways to stay under the data cap (such as using uSD cards for storage ...).

 

[Cerb]

Even if you have unlimited data in total amount, you're not likely to have unlimited data bandwidth, after the first few GBs, if you use either carrier with decent coverage.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Even if you have unlimited data in total amount, you're not likely to have unlimited data bandwidth, after the first few GBs, if you use either carrier with decent coverage.

Well last month I used 6GB and it never felt throttled. A lot of that was streaming video and such.

 

[CZroe]

Well last month I used 6GB and it never felt throttled. A lot of that was streaming video and such.

You must have a 4G LTE device that gets throttled to 3G speed at 5GB instead of a 4G HSPA+ device that gets throttled to Edge speeds at 3GB like I've had to live with for years. Actually, they used to be even worse: they've throttled me at significantly less than 2GB once despite me paying MORE than those with 2GB plans ($30 Unlimited vs $25 just before they changed it to $30 for 3GB). You know, by saying I was in the top 10% of whatever sample they chose to look at. As a techie with an Unlimited plan that I pay extra for, I expect to use more than 9 of 10 average users! That's use, NOT abuse!

 

[Zaap]

Sounds like you may tolerate the ridiculously low and limited amount of tiered data from carriers, yet you don't want to tolerate limited on board storage. A bit out of sinc with the priorities. I keep repeating this in this thread, you guys are barking up the wrong tree.

Even if everyone had unlimited data I'd still want plenty of onboard storage. Carrier data isn't going to store large game files, offline GPS data, self taken video and photos, etc. Over reliance on data is the equivalent of a smartphone emulating a chromebook more than emulating a full laptop. There's simply no good technological reason for this other than someone else's corporate wishes.

 

[JEDIYoda]

rofl if you need more than 16 gb...perhaps you should also carry around a laptop..well....duh....common sense has spoken!!

 

[Cerb]

Well last month I used 6GB and it never felt throttled. A lot of that was streaming video and such.

Do you walk along the interstate with a Sprint phone, have a grandfathered plan, or...? Every carrier that throttles, TMK, now has their limits out in the open, so there's no need to check about feeling throttled. You can check your data usage, and measure your speeds. Both carriers that I can reasonably choose throttle, whether I have a bill with them or not.

You must have a 4G LTE device that gets throttled to 3G speed at 5GB instead of a 4G HSPA+ device that gets throttled to Edge speeds at 3GB like I've had to live with for years.

I'm throttled to EDGE, at 2.5GB, officially, regardless of network type. It makes web browsing, and apps that are web front ends, impossible to use, but is OK for music streaming and email reading. Reason being that throttling goes to like 25KB/s, while I never got even 10KB/s back when actually using EDGE.

I usually don't go over, but OTOH, that discourages me from using too much bandwidth away from solid wifi, which I would probably do, were it not for the limit. Without grandfathering, there's no way to keep signal even out as far as the burbs (IE, Sprint is a non-starter), and not have a plan that either throttles or charges for excessive transferred data, AFAIK.

rofl if you need more than 16 gb...perhaps you should also carry around a laptop..well....duh....common sense has spoken!!

Laptops fit in pockets, now, are as cheap as phones, and can piggyback phone service plans?

 

[openwheel]

You must have a 4G LTE device that gets throttled to 3G speed at 5GB instead of a 4G HSPA+ device that gets throttled to Edge speeds at 3GB like I've had to live with for years. Actually, they used to be even worse: they've throttled me at significantly less than 2GB once despite me paying MORE than those with 2GB plans ($30 Unlimited vs $25 just before they changed it to $30 for 3GB). You know, by saying I was in the top 10% of whatever sample they chose to look at. As a techie with an Unlimited plan that I pay extra for, I expect to use more than 9 of 10 average users! That's use, NOT abuse!

He is on Verizon unlimited. There is no throttle. :thumbsup:

 

[Brian Stirling]

Sounds like you may tolerate the ridiculously low and limited amount of tiered data from carriers, yet you don't want to tolerate limited on board storage. A bit out of sinc with the priorities. I keep repeating this in this thread, you guys are barking up the wrong tree.

Using bandwidth (eating data) costs!

It cost folks that have to pay more when they buy a package with more GB/month. It costs folks that have to pay more when they go over the amount of data there allowed per month. And it even costs people that are grandfathered into unlimited plans when the network is bogged down by heavy users that are grandfathered. There is no free lunch!

Beyond that, there are many places where I go that have no cell service at all and many more places with virtually no service (voice only). I don't have to drive very far from home base in the desert southwest to lose cell service so what am I to do there? As it turns out it's not a problem when you already have what you need on your phone.

You and others like you are free to pay more if you wish -- I chose to pay less! The telecomms love it when folks like you encourage others to eat bandwidth -- more money for them!


Brian

 

[dawheat]

Why give in? Why take that pretty new iPhone with $199 plus tax plus upgrade fee and sign away 2 years of your life? Why be the 90%? Well, 50% in US are stuck with iPhone without uSD, why don't you want to be in that 50%? Sounds even more exclusive to me

If consumers are so willing to bend over backwards to carriers who are trying hard to shoot down net neutrality, then why not manufacturers? The argument for uSD comes down to "data". Why limit yourself to a 64gb uSD? Why not more? What we should "want" is more build in data and more carrier allowed data. uSD argument is regressive imo. That's like saying: "you can stick it in my @$$ as long as you give me a cookie afterwards".

Wouldn't you rather be in my situation? Verizon unlimited everything and not have to worry about uSD card? I can choose whether to bypass uSD card or not. My Note 3 has a 16gb uSD card, but I hardly ever use it because I've gotten used to "not using it". I can switch between G2 and Note 3 without issue. I can test and experience with ALL phones, not just a select few. True freedom. Why limit yourself?

Unless you're in a plane, or a subway, or a boat, or in the basement of a skyscraper, or anywhere in Manhattan during a normal workday. Connectivity today is not perfectly reliable - sitting on the 39th floor in the middle of Manhattan, my cellular data goes from good, to slow, to completely non-responsive. Same thing with my colleagues - all using current gen phones on AT&T and Verizon.

<edited for clarity>
The problem is consumers have very little ability to force OEMs and carriers to change behavior. The lack of unlimited data plans on the 2 biggest and most reliable carriers in the US is a very testament to that. And no, grandfathered plans that probably are available to less than 5% of consumers is not a 'solution'. And good luck in getting carriers to bring them back.

Same thing with larger internal storage - the better solve everyone agrees is for phones to come with at least 32GB standard and have reasonable upgrade options to 64/128. But OEMs have very little incentive to do so with the rich margins from having 16GB base phones and expensive storage options. Again - good luck in getting OEMs to change in the next several years.

So with a complete lack of ability for consumers to realistically affect the above, mSD is a great alternative, especially with phones like the Note 3 that have 32GB internal, allowing for now 128GB of storage for media.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Do you walk along the interstate with a Sprint phone, have a grandfathered plan, or...? Every carrier that throttles, TMK, now has their limits out in the open, so there's no need to check about feeling throttled. You can check your data usage, and measure your speeds. Both carriers that I can reasonably choose throttle, whether I have a bill with them or not.

I'm throttled to EDGE, at 2.5GB, officially, regardless of network type. It makes web browsing, and apps that are web front ends, impossible to use, but is OK for music streaming and email reading. Reason being that throttling goes to like 25KB/s, while I never got even 10KB/s back when actually using EDGE.

I usually don't go over, but OTOH, that discourages me from using too much bandwidth away from solid wifi, which I would probably do, were it not for the limit. Without grandfathering, there's no way to keep signal even out as far as the burbs (IE, Sprint is a non-starter), and not have a plan that either throttles or charges for excessive transferred data, AFAIK.

Laptops fit in pockets, now, are as cheap as phones, and can piggyback phone service plans?

I am on Verizon and have had unlimited data on this line for around 4 years now maybe. I have been hesitant to upgrade since I would lose that unlimited but when I don't go over 6GB on the highest usage months, I don't think I need to pay more than I have to really. So when I do upgrade this device and they try to switch me off unlimited I will try and see what type of savings I can get on the bill. If I save nothing I will try to keep the unlimited obviously, but I had thought that Verizon was going to be removing everyone from unlimited no questions asked once it was past a certain cut off date and they came in to upgrade a device.

 

[ControlD]

I am on Verizon and have had unlimited data on this line for around 4 years now maybe. I have been hesitant to upgrade since I would lose that unlimited but when I don't go over 6GB on the highest usage months, I don't think I need to pay more than I have to really. So when I do upgrade this device and they try to switch me off unlimited I will try and see what type of savings I can get on the bill. If I save nothing I will try to keep the unlimited obviously, but I had thought that Verizon was going to be removing everyone from unlimited no questions asked once it was past a certain cut off date and they came in to upgrade a device.

The words "savings" and "Verizon" are not compatible with each other. The last time my wife upgraded we were required to switch over to a family share plan. Our combined data went down from 4GB to 2GB a month and the bill increased by about $20 a month. I so wish I could tell Verizon to stick it, but where I live they are pretty much the only carrier with decent (not great) coverage.

 

[openwheel]

I am on Verizon and have had unlimited data on this line for around 4 years now maybe. I have been hesitant to upgrade since I would lose that unlimited but when I don't go over 6GB on the highest usage months, I don't think I need to pay more than I have to really. So when I do upgrade this device and they try to switch me off unlimited I will try and see what type of savings I can get on the bill. If I save nothing I will try to keep the unlimited obviously, but I had thought that Verizon was going to be removing everyone from unlimited no questions asked once it was past a certain cut off date and they came in to upgrade a device.

You CAN use your upgrade and still retain unlimited data. I just did in February. The old plans are cheaper too.

DaveStall: call Verizon and tell them you want to cancel and switch to T-Mo. They'll offer you the loyalty plan and very likely early upgrade.