Looking for advice on android

[s44]

Best VZ Android = Fascinate (Wolfson WM8994), maybe Charge (same, I think)
international (GSM) S3 = pretty good (WM1811, though not as cleanly implemented)
US S3 = eh (Qualcomm DAC)
all other current VZ Androids = eh

Both the US and international Note 2 versions should have a good implementation of the WM1811, though. So that should be the one to get if you care, and if your pocket allows...

 

[Nothinman]

No Wifi at home? I mean... a $20 router eliminates the necessity for the carrier.

Not if you're relying on the carrier for txts and calls...

 

[RampantAndroid]

Correct. Apparently the FCC regs for the 700mhz spectrum VZ is using for LTE require allowing free tether... at least on non-unlimited plans. Not sure if this applies to the corporate unlimited OP is going to get.

Does this also apply to AT&T?

 

[bearxor]

Does this also apply to AT&T?

No, the open access requirements apply only to the frequency block that Verion bid on and won.

 

[RampantAndroid]

I also see stuff about the international version of the S3 - specifically the Korean version (SHV-E210) - it looks like it has CDMA and LTE abilities. Any thoughts on getting the international version with LTE and skipping on contract nonsense?

A quick look on Ebay shows this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KOREA-SAMSU...249?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cb989dc1

Seems like it costs a little too much to be worth it.

No, the open access requirements apply only to the frequency block that Verion bid on and won.

Sad...

 

[bearxor]

Sad...

Not really. The C block license Verizon won was the only block that provided continous nationwide coverage and the most bandwidth than all the other blocks.

And remember that the open access requirement doesn't say:

the FCC regs for the 700mhz spectrum VZ is using for LTE require allowing free tether...

It simply says the provider can not limit the devices that are used on the network (within reason, the devices are allowed to be tested for full compatibility) and that they can't limit applications installed on a device.

So, Verizon can charge you to use their tethering feature with no problem. But they can't stop you from downloading a tethering application and using it.

 

[s44]

I also see stuff about the international version of the S3 - specifically the Korean version (SHV-E210) - it looks like it has CDMA and LTE abilities. Any thoughts on getting the international version with LTE and skipping on contract nonsense?

CDMA and LTE networks aren't really interoperable across carriers.

 

[skyking]

Not really. The C block license Verizon won was the only block that provided continous nationwide coverage and the most bandwidth than all the other blocks.

And remember that the open access requirement doesn't say:


It simply says the provider can not limit the devices that are used on the network (within reason, the devices are allowed to be tested for full compatibility) and that they can't limit applications installed on a device.

So, Verizon can charge you to use their tethering feature with no problem. But they can't stop you from downloading a tethering application and using it.

yes.
We were on a business plan that had an additional $30 charge for tethering, and moved to the 'share everything' plan and now have free tethering. I used it just yesterday for the first time, to test out access at a client from outside the network for some apps. That was sweet!

 

[Raduque]

CDMA and LTE networks aren't really interoperable across carriers.

Korean CDMA carriers use rUIM (I think that's what they're called) cards. Similar to SIM cards, but not the same. The devices won't work on our domestic CDMA networks.

 

[sze5003]

If you can sell you iPhone 4 and find a decent s3 that would be good. I don't gave a shared plan so I have unlimited data still. I'm probably going to be getting a HTC rezound as a small upgrade because the galaxy to buy it outright is too much money right now.

The service and coverage of Verizon is pretty good. Their prices are not the best and I'm not too happy with their billing but if you wanted you could get an unlocked android and just pay month by month.

 

[dagamer34]

Pretty much. Also battery life can be extended with a few tricks in newer roms. Most issues are fixed quickly (within 1 or two days) since there are so many people assisting with finding bugs and figuring out what might fix it and when the dev makes a new build they can toss the fix into the zip. With the carrier's OS updates/firmware some bugs and performance issues will never be fixed.



No Wifi at home? I mean... a $20 router eliminates the necessity for the carrier.

I have WiFi at home, the problem is that because I only get 1 bar of LTE service, it's constantly switching between LTE and 3G, draining battery. And I didn't seem to be getting any push notifications. Plus, when my Internet is down and I want to tether, 3G is terrible.

Regardless, I switched back to AT&T and now get 5 bars of LTE service, with speeds of 50/20 if I'm lucky. I should have never left that. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

 

[boomhower]

I have WiFi at home, the problem is that because I only get 1 bar of LTE service, it's constantly switching between LTE and 3G, draining battery. And I didn't seem to be getting any push notifications. Plus, when my Internet is down and I want to tether, 3G is terrible.

Regardless, I switched back to AT&T and now get 5 bars of LTE service, with speeds of 50/20 if I'm lucky. I should have never left that. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

As always with cell service, location location location.

 

[sze5003]

Yeh location is very important. At work in a different building I would constantly get bad signal on 3g and battery would die quickly.

When I had a 4g battery would drain quick too even in an LTE area.

 

[bearxor]

yes.
We were on a business plan that had an additional $30 charge for tethering, and moved to the 'share everything' plan and now have free tethering. I used it just yesterday for the first time, to test out access at a client from outside the network for some apps. That was sweet!

If you use it for work, pick yourself up a wifi bridge powered through USB. Set it up one day at home and throw it in your bag. You never know when you might need to use your connection on a machine with no wifi card.