epp

I believe you would have to purchase the phone at Walmart for them to activate it there on any plan. I don't believe they will activate a phone purchased elsewhere, I don't think any retailer would.

__________________
T-Mobile customer since 2005.

chong67

Never in my lifetime would I do contract + will always get stock phone like the N4 unless Goo ask someone to make horrible phone.

Kamau

I did give the N4 some thought, but maybe its just me, but I'm not into ordering things. I'd rather just buy it, activate it and be good to go. Also, non-removable battery and limited storage is not my thing. , I may never use all the memory, but I'd like to know that if I wanted to go up to 64g, I could. I'm all about choices.

Edit: As far as stock goes. I'm rooting whatever puppy I get within an hour.

acegolfer

I love my VoIP setup.

Piaf on aws ec2 using g729 codec.

Excellent call quality and smallest lag over 3g

Edited: my set up is not an app. Just realized that this thread is about android app. It may be too complicated for average user but here is the guide.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=37168371

Last edited by acegolfer; February 11th, 2013 at 07:13 PM.

chong67

How do you set this up?

chong67

Non-removable battery might the only thing that will be on new phone. I guess to make it smaller n thinner? One way to deal with this is always keep it plug in.

For space storage, I have a ftp server at home. Anything I want is download on the fly. Even at home I use ftp thru wifi and dont even plug my phone thru USB.

acegolfer

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=37168371

chong67

Good grief. That is complicated.

runtmms

My experience... VOIP via wifi has been very good. I have my GV number going to an obi100 box for my home phone. GrooveIP worked fine at home - but was not good enough off wifi for me. It was too difficult to carry on a conversation.

Since I had to step up in plans anyway, I decided to gamble on getting an unlimited plan for effectively $30 a month. I went with Solavei which is $49 unlimited talking / text / data (4GB unthrottled) on the T-Mobile prepaid network. They're doing referral sign ups. For every three people who sign up through your link you get paid back $20 /month. (Assuming they're still customers.) It's another option if you can't make that $30 plan work.

chong67

Wifi at home on GrooveIP is the best for me, just like making regular phone call.

What mbps upload speed do u have at home?

runtmms

Me? Wifi is about 3 mbps up. Off wifi is 1.6 up. Where GrooveIP really failed was when my husband tried to drive around the block while talking.

acegolfer

3 factors that adversely affect VoIP are latency, jitter and packet loss. 3g mobile connection suffers from all 3.

Latency, jitter, and packet loss and how they affect my calls Primus TalkBroadband VoIP FAQ | DSLReports.com, ISP Information

OTOH, Speed has less impact on call quality.

For example, Tmo's 3g is faster than my cable internet at home. But the VoIP quality over 3g is not as good as at home.

chong67

When I talk on 4G and goes to 2G, GIP just hang up.

tube517

That is one thing that doesn't work with VoIP . Driving while on the phone. Bluetooth, hands free of course

__________________
HTC Amaze 4G • ROM • Speed ROM 9.0 Beta 1/TOSHIBA Thrive • Pio's Team Baked BlackBean ROM 4.1.2/Samsung Galaxy Nexus (GSM) • JBSourcery ROM 5.1 (4.2.2)/HTC EVO 4G • Decks Reloaded ROM/EVO Shift• JellyBelly ROM/Samsung Galaxy Note I (i717)• BeanStalk Build 1.225 (4.2.2) or The Collective ROM (4.2.2) or Padawan JB
Get 15GB of cloud storage here

Kamau

Well, I went with their Galaxy S2 on the $30/month plan. I don't normally talk but about 100 or so minutes a month anyway, and I've set up my GrooveIP for keeping even that under check. I stay on WiFi at home, so data is no problem either.
So far, I'm loving the screen over the Ego V I'm coming from. The camera is nothing to sneeze at either. Nice pics coming from it. Just can't wait though to get this crapware off of it.I'm gonna root in a day or two, to give myself time to get acquainted with the phone.
All in all, I'm happy with this.

chong67

I get into the habit of hanging up on everyone's call these days. :-) This is better than do not call list.

When I am in office I would just google that # to see who it is.

chong67

I am using an app : my data manager to keep track of my data. Should have done it the first day. Its pretty good.

epp

I think that is because the data actually disconnects between HSDPA and EDGE when it switches.

epp

Avast Mobile Security includes a Network Meter, but I disable it to save on phone memory.

finndo77

Onavo will tell you what app is using how much data, I believe it also allows you to limit the data usage of any individual app, or block it entirely

__________________
LG Spectrum -- Rooted and running CM10.1 official M2 thanks to TDM (and too many others to list).
B&N Nook Tablet 16GB -- running CM10.1 with 10 finger multitouch

chong67

Was there a study on which VOIP is good for Android phone without doing all the technical stuff?

I am now trying Skype for $3 unlimited a month and see how it is also. Maybe paying a little would help?

Is GrooveIP and Talkabout using Google Voice is good and the same instead of paying?

I use Vonage so other people can see my phone number. Others are routed thru the usual Cali number.

acegolfer

I have compared 12 free VoIP solutions in xda forum. Will update the link later.

chong67

I think I am done with my 1 month playing of $30 with VOIP.

I am trying to figure out the science of VOIP like doing it during the night or day, standing still vs moving, playing phone tag n hang up and "bunch of hello hello hello" "can you hear me now?" with my family, etc etc

In the end I think I am going to give up and I am getting sick and I just want to go home to die.

OK, in the next few days I am going to get the $70 plan. I like talking on the phone while I am driving. I dont have a home phone. I need something reliable. I have save money on other things already. I cant be really this poor.

I know I cant come back to this plan anymore.

This is a great secondary plan. It could just be great hotspot plan + the bonus 100 minutes. It is not for every body.

runtmms

Wow, you must use a lot of data to be stepping up to the $70 plan.

chong67

I use My Data Manager app and it is projected I will use 4.10GB this month. And 26% was on Wif which doesnt count.

I also dont know I end up with so much data use. I do use Skype and watch my home webcam and I did tether 2 times.

Is it normal to consume this much data? I didnt do YouTube streaming.

I was just frusted with the phone call on VOIP. The data I have no complaint.

lightsleeper23

I'm gonna do the $70 plan I think when I can get my N4. Which should be next month. I like that idea because due to the storage limitations I'm going to have to be streaming all my music from google play, using google drive and dropbox and stuff. Plus, with the hspa+ 42, it should be faster than my home Wi-Fi, which I'm matching right now with hspa+21. So I might just use mobile data exclusively if it's unlimited unthrottled.

The voip didn't work out for me either.

mogelijk

I'm curious how many minutes you use? If you only use 200 or 300, it seems like it would be cheaper to stay on the $30 plan and just pay for the extra minutes, at 10 cents per minute. For example, if you use 300 minutes you would only be paying $20 extra, for a $50 total.

Granted, if some months you will use 500 minutes or if you need more than the 5 GB data, then you are better going to the total unlimited plan.

chong67

I have never seen H+ on my phone. Only H. I live in ATL.

chong67

The thought of this did cross my mind. 5GB of data is enough. I might use 300-500 minutes.

I am also thinking of 30% off using the refill card I get from ebay which means I can get a $70 plan for $50. But this thing may or may not be here next time?

mogelijk

Typically "H" is HSPA+, or 4G. If you are only getting HSPA (or 3G speeds) the phone shows "3G".

chong67

My N4 show 3G in everyday mode. When data kicks in, I see H. Then it fall back to 3G. Maybe only on this phone?

Someone said the N4 has another mode called "H+" which I have never seen.

Out in the country I see E. I thought it stands for Efficient.

runtmms

I know I mentioned it before, but if 4GB of 4g data is enough you might consider Solavei. ($49 before taxes / unlimited plan.) I managed to get three people to sign up through my referral link so they pay me back $20/month. I can't beat that deal - unless I get more sign ups. But 4GB of fast data is enough for me.

mogelijk

Many HSPA+ phones stay in 3G mode, while in standby, as a power saving feature. When you use data, it turns on the 4G antenna and "H" appears. It doesn't make a difference if the phone shows "H" or "H+" -- in both cases it means the phone is using HSPA+.

From what I've read, the Nexus 4 still shows "H". There apparently are some custom ROMs for the N4 that say "H+", instead of "H", but it still means the same thing.

lightsleeper23

I'm pretty sure you're right. On the N4 you get the "H", which is HSPA+. On my L9, I get either 4g, or 2g. When I look in settings at my network info, when idle it says HSPA, while downloading files it changes to HSPAP, which would be the + I'm guessing.

chong67

I switch to the $70 unlimited plan today. I call in to CSR as I want the switch right away as I am at 99mins. No point in paying more per mins n another 3 days go effect.

Here is how I did my math:

I need data. I choose data over voice mins. I need to pay this $30.
I need voice. I can easily do 400 mins. Thats another $30.

Since I make most of my calls while moving like in car, VOIP is not that great. I try VOIP. Its like eating rice with chop stix instead of using a spoon. Yes it can be done picking one grain at a time but life would be miserable.

So that is $60. Its another $10 more to get it unlimited. I can easily get a $100 refill on ebay for $91. Do the math and that is $63 a month. Another $3 more than the $60 plan.

And I dont have a home phone and that is $20 in saving. And I dont have cable/dish TV. Thats another $70 off? Where did all my time go?

So how is my reasoning?

Last edited by chong67; February 28th, 2013 at 09:52 AM.

new optimus

Did they stop offering the $30 100min unlimited text and web(up to 5gb at 4g speed).
That is the plan I currently have as well. I like it as I have a boost mobile everything unlimited for $35 but at home data speeds are terrible.

__________________
If you care to buy me a Coke click here
In other News Ron Paul 2012

colnago

Wait, are you paying $70/mo for T-Mo acct., and you don't have unlimited minutes? I'm on a "no-contact" account, with unlimited voice, text, and "True Unlimited" (no throttling) data, for $70 or $74.99/mo (I forget...customer service said I could save $5/mo by going from 5GB to unlimited). :screwy:

mogelijk

You misunderstand. He had the $30 plan, which gives a 100 minutes, and has now switched to the True Unlimited $70 plan. He decided, for the number of minutes and data he uses, that the True Unlimited plan is what will work best for him.

chong67

The $30 100min 5gb is a one time promo that you can ONLY do when you sign up for this new plan the VERY FIRST TIME and you can only do it on the 3 website. Go to Tmo and see.

Now I am not sure if you can port your number to else where and come back again and create another new account. Has anyone try this?

chong67

Sorry you dont understand my english as I am a product of ESL(English As 2nd Language) + I go to public school here.

colnago

Figured as much, from other threads, but it's not your English as much as its me not following the whole thread.

I've tried to go the VoIP over cellular route, as I'm a VoIP engineer by trade, using various methods from Skype, to configuring my own PRI and using a SIP client. My best experience was with Skype on my Nokia N900, for audio quality and ease of use, as Skype was actually integrated with the phone app. However the cost, and dealing with two different phone numbers (make/receive), drove me to just spend the extra $20/mo vs. the 500 minute plan. Plus, T-Mo added the $10/mo "international calling plan", which only charges "plan minutes", instead of $/minute...no brainer at that point "for me".

lightsleeper23

I'd love to try solavei but I've already paid $13 for a simple mobile sim before I realized it was a 2GB cap. There was a Solavei dealer who had free sim cards he was giving out to people if they used him as their referral, but he didn't have any micro sims. I said if he got one for me by the first I'd do it, and he said he would, but that was 3 weeks ago and I haven't heard from him. I can't buy another sim right now so I'm just going with simple next month. Sad story.

runtmms

I know they periodically run free sim deals - and they haven't for a while. (I signed up during the last time they were doing it.) I'll let you know if I see the offer again.

FYI - as a member you can buy sim packs so you can hand sims to your friends so they can sign up without waiting for one in the mail. It is my understanding that if you sign up this way you still have to pay Solavei $9 for the sim when you enroll.

chong67

You know you can cut a regular SIM into a Micro SIM right? Follow the pattern on the printout paper or get a real SIM clipper for $4 on ebay.

lightsleeper23

I know. But I'm terrible at things like that. I can't even cut paper straight, let alone plastic.

lightsleeper23

Oh cool thanks. I'll definitely get one and try it then.

new optimus

get the $4 cutter, it is simple, I saw a video on it, not personal experience.

All you do is put the normal sim in the cutter it only orients one direction so you should not have problem doing it. then you squeeze the cutter and the micro sim is cut out.

video I found.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zDjraWrDWM
found a better video
I dont know why but the video goes to the cut nano sim the micro sim video only pulls up if you click on other videos.

Last edited by new optimus; February 28th, 2013 at 08:40 PM. Reason: found a better video

chong67

I already spent a good 200 mins on the phone since yesterday after changing plan.

It could not come at a better time spending about 80 mins arguing with my mom on the phone just now.

chong67

I am now doing timer recording on Rush show and do Hannity recording also later using Tunein Radio so I can listen on my BT car while driving 70 mins home after work.

I did alot of skype video this past weekend.

My GB is really adding up.

Dont hold back. Get unlimited everything. :-)

lightsleeper23

Why would you purposely listen to the sideshow acts of Rush and Hannity? Aren't you worried about your mental health?