Can you buy an Optimus, never activate the VM account, and still use it for wifi?

garybeck · Nov 27, 2012

my kids are asking for ipod touch. i don't like apple and prefer android.

i have an LG Optimus and I like it. It seems to me that if I bought them the same phone (or really any android phone) without a carrier account, it would basically be the same thing as an ipod touch.

i thought about getting them a tab, but they're a bit bigger than i think they need, and they seem to be more expensive with less features (except the bigger screen).

so i'm wondering, can I buy an Optimus and just never activate the VM account? If I do will it still work on wifi, google play, gps, ....? will it force me to activate the phone? will it be constantly searching for the VM signal and popping up an error because I don't have an account?

related questions... what's the new Optimus Elite? it's also VM, about the same price, but looks a little different.

thanks

Rxpert83 · Nov 27, 2012

I'll admit I don't know what your device is currently selling for, but have you considered a nexus 7?

It's $200/250, very portable in the 7" form factor, running jellybean 4.2, and updates straight from google the same day they are announced.

If you want something smaller, you could pick up just about any smartphone that's 1+ year old around $50-150 on craigslist. It'll work as a WiFi device and still have GPS.

You wouldbt need anything too powerful for what they want

garybeck · Nov 27, 2012

Rxpert83 said:
I'll admit I don't know what your device is currently selling for, but have you considered a nexus 7?

It's $200/250, very portable in the 7" form factor, running jellybean 4.2, and updates straight from google the same day they are announced.

If you want something smaller, you could pick up just about any smartphone that's 1+ year old around $50-150 on craigslist. It'll work as a WiFi device and still have GPS.

You wouldbt need anything too powerful for what they want

thanks, FYI the optimus is going for ~$100 on amazon, brand new. since Ihave twins, going to a nexus at $200 or more would be a lot more cost (two units, not just one). and the 7" devices just seem a bit big.... you can't really stick it in your pocket or clip it on your belt. I think a 4" screen would be OK for what they want.... listening to music, web surfing, games, texting with daddy...

I think $100 for one of these is an amazing deal. i'm sure they knock the cost down a bit because they assume you're going to pay them $35/month for a couple years. but if I don't activate the VM account I get an amazing tiny tablet for $100.

Phil42 · Nov 27, 2012

I got my Optimus V for $40 on eBay (used obviously).

From what I recall the phone did work as a WiFi device before I activated, but I'm not absolutely sure. In addition I don't know if there are any 'nag screens' which would continue to pop up over time asking you to activate.

If you do decide to go with a used phone try to get one with the Novatek screen, it's more pure colors from what folks have said.

OTOH, if you're just interested in a cheap tablet-like toy for the kids, why not get a color eBook reader, either one which has a bunch of functionality or one which can be rooted. I seriously considered a $40 7 inch reader which could be rooted. The main factor which made me decide not to was the lack of a camera or microphone. There are lots of $100-ish low-power tablets with some decent capabilities.

350X · Nov 27, 2012

Yep Ive done that with 2 of them myself but I got used one off ebay for $25-$30 shipped, gotta root them to get link2sd setup to have enough room for apps n games, but you don't have to install a custom rom. [ I didn't]

make sure and get the larger battery
http://androidforums.com/lg-optimus-v/645864-finally-did-3600mah-battery-upgrade.html

it will depend greatly on how well they take care of things.
GF 12yr old boy keeps his in good shape and use, GF 7yr old girl, battery is always stone dead and it full of addware cause she downloads every crappy game without reading reviews.

garybeck · Nov 27, 2012

350X said:
Yep Ive done that with 2 of them myself but I got used one off ebay for $25-$30 shipped, gotta root them to get link2sd setup to have enough room for apps n games, but you don't have to install a custom rom. [ I didn't]

thanks for the info. it sounds like there are no problems or issues with having no active VM account? no annoying popup reminding you to activate the account?

i'm thinking about getting the Optimus Elite.... still only $99 on Amazon, bigger screen, faster processor, camera flash, and a couple other things.

since you have kids involved can I ask if you have any idea if they are playing Minecraft on theirs? It's a really popular game and my kids want to play it on whatever device I end up getting. I see there is a version in Google Play, but I don't know if it will work on this phone, or if the screen is too small, or...

TX-Dennis · Nov 27, 2012

My son is using my old one as an "Android ipod". It works just fine on wireless. Just put it on airplane mode, then turn on wireless. Works great.

RazoE · Nov 27, 2012

TX-Dennis said:
My son is using my old one as an "Android ipod". It works just fine on wireless. Just put it on airplane mode, then turn on wireless. Works great.

As far as I know, this is how 2.2 and up phones work. Previous versions would require service before you could continue through setup, but eclair introduced setup via Wi-Fi, or the option of just using it as a Wi-Fi device.

350X · Nov 27, 2012

garybeck said:
thanks for the info. it sounds like there are no problems or issues with having no active VM account? no annoying popup reminding you to activate the account?

i'm thinking about getting the Optimus Elite.... still only $99 on Amazon, bigger screen, faster processor, camera flash, and a couple other things.

since you have kids involved can I ask if you have any idea if they are playing Minecraft on theirs? It's a really popular game and my kids want to play it on whatever device I end up getting. I see there is a version in Google Play, but I don't know if it will work on this phone, or if the screen is too small, or...

I bought clean ESN used phones that were wiped clean like when you get them new, all I did was root them, install programs and start using them. when you use WiFi it has nothing to do with activation, you just can't make calls.

and minecraft is a simple dumb game that works on even a $9 special smart phone

and well a cell phone isn't ideal for games if you ask me, it can be done but you really want a 7in tablet to play games once youve done it, I have no idea how I could even play games before on that 3in screen. I have 2 tablets now.

pick up 2 first gen Kindle Fires, they are on sale for $129 now and all through xmas, even less as they clean out the old stock as the HD version is the new hot one.

AnciusD · Nov 28, 2012

I get the occasional activation notification on wifi but I have an older OV.

Also, I've tried out Google Talk and GrooveIP Lite and it seems to make phone calls well enough.

sammyz · Nov 28, 2012

I have an Optimus V, you can use it as a wifi only device. Mine currently is a wifi only since I don't have service right now. I bought my used Optimus V for only $25 with a bid auction on eBay. To get rid of the activation popping up, you can install a custom ROM.

garybeck · Nov 28, 2012

350X said:
I bought clean ESN used phones that were wiped clean like when you get them new, all I did was root them, install programs and start using them. when you use WiFi it has nothing to do with activation, you just can't make calls.

and minecraft is a simple dumb game that works on even a $9 special smart phone

and well a cell phone isn't ideal for games if you ask me, it can be done but you really want a 7in tablet to play games once youve done it, I have no idea how I could even play games before on that 3in screen. I have 2 tablets now.

pick up 2 first gen Kindle Fires, they are on sale for $129 now and all through xmas, even less as they clean out the old stock as the HD version is the new hot one.

hmmm.... kindle fire doesn't have Google Play. I really would rather have the full on Android OS and access to Play.

350X · Nov 28, 2012

you can root them and side load google play, a tablet is a tablet, they just "blocked" it but its as easy as rooting an OV for my game room.

Phatninja55 · Nov 28, 2012

Before I got rid of my other v, I thought of making a rom with all the phone features hidden making it more like a mp3 player with internet.

Encerspay · Nov 28, 2012

Very interesting idea, as I like both ecosystems (Google's and Amazon's) very much.

a5pe4 · Dec 1, 2012

Virgin was selling the HTC One V on cyber Monday for 50 bucks. Outstanding deal.

ph37rd · Dec 1, 2012

I've been thinking about this very same thing. Tuesday should bring the delivery of my $50 HTC One V. I have two OptiVs, one being my daily driver and the second (with broken GPU) being a backup. My 3yo daughter uses the back up as a media player with a nice Eddie Bauer SmartShield holder. Since both OptiVs are already rooted, it's been suggested on another forum to just remove telephonyprovider.apk, mms.apk and phone.apk from your ROM of choice.

Doing this should disable the modile data side of the house. Killing the possibility of her calling 911 when she's put in timeout.

In order to complete the look and feel, I was thinking of using LeWa or a MIUI ROM. She mainly watches movies I rip and compress or plays some of the Dr Suess titles I found on the Play Store when they were $0.25.

The OV is a beast of a phone in a small package. It's done everything and more I've asked of it. Usually I have around 100 apps installed without any memory issues. I'm hoping my new HTC can step up and fill the OV shoes.

dwappo7851 · Dec 7, 2012

350X said:
and minecraft is a simple dumb game that works on even a $9 special smart phone

it doesn't run on the Optimus V.

Phatninja55 · Dec 7, 2012

If you plan on removing those apks and flashing a rom to use just like an ipod or mp3 player, Maybe look into this rom:
[ROM] [PORT] Modded JOYOS for Optimus V- HUGE UPDATE 11-11-12 - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

Encerspay · Dec 7, 2012

I also believe adamhos on Android Central has some threads about accomplishing the same thing.

h4x0rj3ff · Dec 7, 2012

the Samsung galaxy player is only 100, 130, and up depending on the screen size. maybe you would want to consider of one of these?

iwantbruce · Dec 20, 2012

If you don't want to root, just pay for one month to activate, register a gmail account on the phone, let the virgin mobile account lapse, and never reset the phone. WiFi will always work.

sammyz · Dec 20, 2012

iwantbruce said:
If you don't want to root, just pay for one month to activate, register a gmail account on the phone, let the virgin mobile account lapse, and never reset the phone. WiFi will always work.

Nah you dont have to activate it, there are ways around it.

Phatninja55 · Dec 21, 2012

iwantbruce said:
If you don't want to root, just pay for one month to activate, register a gmail account on the phone, let the virgin mobile account lapse, and never reset the phone. WiFi will always work.

You don't have to activate it to use it as a WiFi only device, all you have to do is add a gmail account and then connect to wifi.

bob60626 · Dec 30, 2012

I still have mine even though I went to T-Mobile. It still works fine as an "iPod touch". Putting it into airplane mode seems to help with battery life.

Can you buy an Optimus, never activate the VM account, and still use it for wifi?

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