Tech Cell phone follies

Discussion in 'Blazers OT Forum' started by crandc, Sep 29, 2022.

  1. Lanny

    Lanny Original Season Ticket Holder "Mr. Big Shot"

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    I wouldn't brag about it. When I bought a Pixel 3 I bragged about it. Some day some ass hole is going to brag about his/her Pixel 9 and won't you feel silly.
     
  2. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Alcatel has had well-documented problems with spyware and malware coming preinstalled on their phones. If you can return your phone you should consider it.

    IMO the best budget phone that will give you tons of features and years of usability is the new Google Pixel 6a. It just came out.

    Pixels are known for their cameras and the quality of their photos. Very easy to use and get excellent results.

    Also when you get a Pixel you get all the latest Android security and feature updates.

    Here is the 6a on Google and Amazon.

    Also check with your cellphone service provider for deals.

    For security, ease of use, photos, and fun features I promise you, you'll be extremely happy with the Pixel 6a. YOU'LL HAVE THE BEST GARDEN AND CAT PHOTOS OF ANYONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

    https://store.google.com/us/product/pixel_6a?hl=en-US

    Pixel 6a for sale on Amazon link.
     
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  3. crandc

    crandc Well-Known Member

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    I got the phone 2 weeks ago!

    Anyway, going back to the store to see if I can get the problem solved.
     
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  4. Phatguysrule

    Phatguysrule Well-Known Member

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    Good luck! Hopefully they offer to let you trade it in. Most places will let you trade it in for a couple weeks if you don't like it...
     
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  5. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Try to return it.
     
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  6. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Dunno,

    That sounds like a pretty big negative right there. Caveat emptor isn't my idea of what we should strive for.

    barfo
     
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  7. Phatguysrule

    Phatguysrule Well-Known Member

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    Bad manufacturers are bad. Absolutely.

    If the alternative is that I'm restricted from doing what I want with the item I purchased, then yes, I'll take caveat emptor nearly every time.
     
  8. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Well, that's perfectly reasonable. I wouldn't buy a product that didn't do what I wanted either.

    But I haven't run into anything I wanted to do but couldn't with the iPhone as of yet. If I ever do, I suppose I'll switch... not really expecting that to happen at this point tho.

    barfo
     
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  9. Phatguysrule

    Phatguysrule Well-Known Member

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    Yep, makes perfect sense.

    I've wanted to do a lot that iPhone doesn't allow, so I haven't bought one.
     
  10. SlyPokerCat

    SlyPokerCat cats rool dogs drool

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    She won't have the best cat photos unless i'm there.
     
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  11. Lanny

    Lanny Original Season Ticket Holder "Mr. Big Shot"

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    And get a Pixel 6?
     
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  12. crandc

    crandc Well-Known Member

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    Not sure if they will exchange it. It's prepaid so the sales person didn't give me options. But tech support said they can program any phone to be prepaid. Both work at same place. No idea who is right.
    If I can use any phone and they won't replace, in a little while before this phone died get a new one and transfer data, much easier when phone alive.
    Got appointment tomorrow so hopefully can at least sort the damn icons.
     
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  13. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    We use Cricket. It's owned by AT&T. Myself, MRS SPD, her mom, and my parents all on the same plan. 5 lines, unlimited 5G, $140 or $28 per line.

    If the phone is unlocked you can bring any phone to Cricket.
     
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  14. crandc

    crandc Well-Known Member

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    Fuck fuck fuck. When nothing worked made another appointment at ATT store. Even with appointment had quite a wait. Turns out there is no way to alphabetize or otherwise organize icons on this phone.
    Also the sales person who said only Alcatel phone can be used for prepaid was wrong. They can program any phone.
    But phones can only be exchanged for 14 days. I bought the phone September 13 so am just over the limit.
    They said I could come in tomorrow and talk to manager. When I asked if he could override 14 day limit they said almost certainly not.
    But I could buy any new phone and they would set it up for me.
    If you can imagine saying go fuck yourself without using any actual profanity that was my response..
     
  15. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    How much did you pay for the phone?
     
  16. crandc

    crandc Well-Known Member

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    Not your business.
    It does work.
     
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  17. donkiez

    donkiez Well-Known Member

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    I feel like relaying my story with my dad and his phone and venting a little bit. I am basically his IT guy, I spend hours every visit fixing his phone, TV, Roku, streaming accounts and anything that is technical. He asks for my advice on tech things to buy like a phone, then he doesn't take my advice and buys the cheapest phone at the store because "why would he pay any extra for all these features that he doesn't understand and won't use." Even though I told him over and over that you don't need to understand the features to benefit from them. He then brags on and on about how much money he saved, even to the point of laughing at how much I would pay for mine. So where does that leave him? With an absolute shit phone that doesn't do anything he wants. Fingerprint scanner doesn't work, face recognition is laughable, apps freeze and crash, camera is just ok, various connection issues, (we share locations) and his updates every 30 minutes if that, the list goes on and on. His take is that tech sucks and is too complicated for him and just never works for him, and I am telling him that he is creating more problems with crappy tech. Guess who gets to fix his phone? Moral of the story, don't buy the cheapest phone available just because your not a tech or phone person. Get something at least mid tier, it will make your life so much easier.
     
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  18. Shaboid

    Shaboid Well-Known Member

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  19. Lanny

    Lanny Original Season Ticket Holder "Mr. Big Shot"

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    Don't take no shit off that crafty dog.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2022
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  20. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Sorry, I truly wasn't trying to get up in your business.

    The reason I asked is that a smartphone is something that you use multiple times a day. It's weird how quickly it has become the average person's most used tool. Every day, for multiple and continually expanding reasons.

    Now your new tool/toy/phone is annoying you.

    Life has too many big and small annoyances to add one more.

    As someone who cooks, bakes, crafts, and gardens at a high level you know literally firsthand what a good tool can do vs putting up with a poor or adequate one.

    If the phone cost $200 and ATT won't let you return it I would wipe it and donate it to a woman's shelter. It is a new phone and it would end up in the hands of someone who could really use it. (Also you get a tax deduction.)

    ...

    I would try to return it. Even if after the 30 days. If you used a credit card I would read the consumer benefits that come with that card. You might have longer than 30 days with the card. If you don't I would tell ATT that you do.
     
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