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So if not Note 5. What phone?

Okay, I'm still playing close attention to see if Microsoft pulls off a surprise at their 10/6 event. While I don't think they'd overshadow the Lumia phone announcements, it could be to their benefit if they at least teased people with a Surface Phone

http://www.forbes.com/sites/tonybra...rosoft-unveil-surface-phone-at-october-event/

Ever since Windows 10 was released, I'm back to considering Windows for my phone again...especially after getting a Surface Pro 3. The only hesitation I'd have is the lack of important apps, to me, for use on Windows 10 Mobile. The biggest one missing would be Poweramp and after trying Bluestacks (Windows Android Emulator) and having Poweramp consistently freeze and close, I realized that I'd rather have something more stable. I actually loved my experience with Windows Mobile w/ exception to there not being an "easy" way to get compatible apps without digging through the internet.

Some of the Android protocol changes, where accessing the microSD is a little more cumbersome than in past years, has made me seriously consider a move back to my roots (pre-Android). That is, if Microsoft puts up an enticing enough reason. What would have me sold 100% would be if they truly make it so that developers could port over their Android apps w/ little to no effort, similar to what Blackberry had done. Either that, or make it so that side-loading Android apps would be possible.
 
Went to BestBuy today to check out the Moto X Pure which they were supposed to have according to their online mumbo jumbo. Well, they didn't have all they said they did and didn't have a display one, but they did have a Note 5 on display and man, that screen is beautiful! I'm kicking myself for wanting the Moto X, but I simply cannot get past the meager 64gb when I've got a total 160gb's on my Note 3! WTH was Sammy thinking?!? I'd love to kick their @%@# for not including a sd card, dangit! Really want that phone but I simply cannot do it!
 
Sportster said:
Went to BestBuy today to check out the Moto X Pure which they were supposed to have according to their online mumbo jumbo. Well, they didn't have all they said they did and didn't have a display one, but they did have a Note 5 on display and man, that screen is beautiful! I'm kicking myself for wanting the Moto X, but I simply cannot get past the meager 64gb when I've got a total 160gb's on my Note 3! WTH was Sammy thinking?!? I'd love to kick their @%@# for not including a sd card, dangit! Really want that phone but I simply cannot do it!
Click to expand...

Well, if the rumors are right about them supposedly having it on the folding phones, then I'll be happy.
 
Sportster said:
Went to BestBuy today they did have a Note 5 on display and man, that screen is beautiful!but I simply cannot get past the meager 64gb when I've got a total 160gb's on my Note 3! WTH was Sammy thinking?!? I'd love to kick their @%@# for not including a sd card, dangit! Really want that phone but I simply cannot do it!
Click to expand...

From what I understood, the reason they got rid of the SD card was due to overheating issues during multitasking especially while charging, the processor needed to be slowed down. Now without the SD card we get a faster working operating system w/o an overheating potential.

Lack of an SD card was also my concern, my solution is to get an OTG adaptor with an external micro SD card and dump all my memory taxing vids and pics on it and if I need it, I'll plug it in to view, just like I do with ear buds, plug and play, bam and the issue is solved, for ME!
 
SteamStarter said:
From what I understood, the reason they got rid of the SD card was due to overheating issues during multitasking especially while charging, the processor needed to be slowed down. Now without the SD card we get a faster working operating system w/o an overheating potential.

Lack of an SD card was also my concern, my solution is to get an OTG adaptor with an external micro SD card and dump all my memory taxing vids and pics on it and if I need it, I'll plug it in to view, just like I do with ear buds, plug and play, bam and the issue is solved, for ME!
Click to expand...

Well, that was part of the "excuse" made. The other part was in accordance with a new process that Samsung added, where the software was supposedly "not compatible" with microSD cards. To me, it was just a b.s. PR statement, so that it would hopefully be enough justification to the masses. If that were really the case, they wouldn't have put a microSD on their newest tablet...but, it's there, so not sure what the difference would be. And if the concern was truly overheating issue, then their tablets should've followed the same format as the phones (e.g. losing microSD). I don't buy any of Samsung's PR. They just wanted to make a change that would hopefully appeal to the masses, just to gain back ground on Apple. It's all about profitability to them. If they can charge extra for higher storage versions, and still sell the same amount as they had when they became #1, then it would be worth the risk for them. The risk/reward for Samsung was worth the shot, but it definitely alienated the folks that used the Note series of phones and tablets as true powerhouse multi-tasking mobile devices. At first, I thought it would be different, but when browsing the internet, it was shocking to see just how many people actually hate the fact that they got rid of the microSD slot.

Even looking back at all the years that people were begging Samsung to start using metal to make their phones. They had all kinds of b.s. PR excuses, trying to justify why they chose plastic vs. metal. And yet, they eventually did move in that direction. There were excuses of "decrease in signal" and "plastic is more sturdy than metal"...etc, etc. And here we are, they have a combination metal/glass phone. Why all of a sudden a change of heart from their justifications...errr...excuses only 2 years ago? Again, just trying to throw things at a blank board until something sticks, just to increase profit margin again.

I've always had an OTG adaptor, even back to the days of the HTC Evo, before everybody started talking about using those. While I love using my OTG for quick file transfers, problem with that is, it takes away the ability to charge as well, so if you're running media from the OTG, at some point you'd need to charge. Wireless charging is not going to be available majority of the time that one would actually use media, away from home or the car (and even in the car, my qi wireless car dock only trickle charges, so the battery actually slowly drains, even while charging and using navigation/media).
 
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If Blackberry had made this move 3 years ago, I would have been all over it, trying to choose an upgrade from my original Motorola Photon http://phandroid.com/2015/09/16/blackberry-venice-custom-android-ui-leak/

The more and more I think about it, the main area I think this could gain popularity is enterprise use. I still might just pick one up, off conract, just to see if it increases my email responses for work purposes, when away from the office.
 
drexappeal said:
While I love using my OTG for quick file transfers, problem with that is, it takes away the ability to charge as well, so if you're running media from the OTG, at some point you'd need to charge.
Click to expand...

That's a valid point, I did not think about that angle. Hope the internal battery can hold it's own!
 
Okay, I'm actually playing closer attention to the Blackberry Venice now. That biometrics scrolling on the physical keyboard is pretty darn cool. Knock on (hopefully knock off too) feature, like LG phones. And the physical form factor, for a phone with a physical qwerty...that thing is pretty darn thin! Depending on how much this thing is, off contract, I might just pick one up, just to have it! Worst case scenario, for me, is that I end up using it for connecting to my Harmony hubs at home. Having that physical qwerty keyboard, to use with devices connected to my hubs...Perfect!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=4&v=a2-bR5zFbzw
 
drexappeal said:
Well, that was part of the "excuse" made. The other part was in accordance with a new process that Samsung added, where the microSD was supposedly "not compatible" with microSD cards. To me, it was just a b.s. PR statement, so that it would hopefully be enough justification to the masses. If that were really the case, they wouldn't have put a microSD on their newest tablet...but, it's there, so not sure what the difference would be. And if the concern was truly overheating issue, then their tablets should've followed the same format as the phones (e.g. losing microSD). I don't buy any of Samsung's PR. They just wanted to make a change that would hopefully appeal to the masses, just to gain back ground on Apple. It's all about profitability to them. If they can charge extra for higher storage versions, and still sell the same amount as they had when they became #1, then it would be worth the risk for them. The risk/reward for Samsung was worth the shot, but it definitely alienated the folks that used the Note series of phones and tablets as true powerhouse multi-tasking mobile devices. At first, I thought it would be different, but when browsing the internet, it was shocking to see just how many people actually hate the fact that they got rid of the microSD slot.
Click to expand...

Or something like, the Samsung microSD is supposedly not compatible with Samsung microSD cards....yeh OK.

Frankly, I don't really have much time for Samsung these days. IMO they really have become too much like Apple now.
 
mikedt said:
Or something like, the Samsung microSD is supposedly not compatible with Samsung microSD cards....yeh OK.

Frankly, I don't really have much time for Samsung these days. IMO they really have become too much like Apple now.
Click to expand...
Doh...I had a typo on that one. Was supposed to say software. But still funnier, based on what I originally said...hahaha
 
If it's Microsoft that is using LG foldable displays, I may have to hold off on whatever Samsung announces in January, just to consider the "Surface phone", assuming that they'll be using the foldable display technology on that phone.
 
It's times like these, I really consider moving to T-Mobile, even though it wouldn't be a logical decision for me, due to lack of coverage at my house. Even w/ the non-removable battery, having 4GB RAM / 64GB Internal / MicroSD slot...that's a winner for me. And it's not crazy expensive, off contract, either. I don't mind the added height on this one, due to the overall dimensions being smaller than the Note 3 and 4.

http://phandroid.com/2015/09/23/meizu-pro-5/
 
drexappeal said:
It's times like these, I really consider moving to T-Mobile, even though it wouldn't be a logical decision for me, due to lack of coverage at my house. Even w/ the non-removable battery, having 4GB RAM / 64GB Internal / MicroSD slot...that's a winner for me. And it's not crazy expensive, off contract, either. I don't mind the added height on this one, due to the overall dimensions being smaller than the Note 3 and 4.

http://phandroid.com/2015/09/23/meizu-pro-5/
Click to expand...
T-Mobile has the 4g LTE Signal Extender free of charge (no down/deposit required either,the following hasn't been updated to reflect the change):

https://support.t-mobile.com/community/coverage/personal-cellspot/4g-lte-signal-booster
The catch is you need a minimum of one bar,preferably two,for this to work.
 
KOLIO said:
T-Mobile has the 4g LTE Signal Extender free of charge (no down/deposit required either,the following hasn't been updated to reflect the change):

https://support.t-mobile.com/community/coverage/personal-cellspot/4g-lte-signal-booster
The catch is you need a minimum of one bar,preferably two,for this to work.
Click to expand...

LOL...That catch prevents it from working for me. There are no bars for T-Mobile or ATT at my house. It's one of the few places in LA that doesn't get service from either provider. Catch 22 of living in the hills. What's funny is, someone tried to argue with me about T-Mobile's service being great and mentioned that the "only" place signal goes bad was where the person pointed out...LOL...just happened to be my area in LA.
 
So happy that the app was created to allow notes to be taken without turning screen on was created by one of the XDA guys, so my Note 3 can last me through the different announcements. In the meantime, the LG G4 Pro / Note / v10 / Ticker....(too many darn code names) got another leak with a case render:

http://www.androidheadlines.com/2015/09/alleged-lg-g4-pro-case-leaked.html

The rectangular holes at the bottom of the supposed case are quite large. For the center, typically the microUSB port, makes me wonder if it's potentially a water proof phone with a bigger cover for the microUSB. 2nd rectangular hole could likely be the stylus integration. 3rd thinner one likely is a speaker.

The top of the phone with 2 holes, one would be a 3.5mm jack, but I'm thinking the other would be IR blaster.
 
If Analysts are right, and folding phones are still not close to production ready, then I might be using a LG G4 Pro (if it's actually made...and if not the V10) or a Blackberry Venice, for at least a year. Those two are currently the front runners for my next phone. I'm slightly leaning towards the Venice, simply because I do BYOD for work, so I'm very curious if it'll make answering emails (away from my desk or office) quicker and more efficient, having a physical qwerty again. Of course, I'm not ruling out a Surface phone, if it proves to be truly being developed.

http://technology.inquirer.net/44524/samsung-may-not-release-foldable-smartphone-next-year-analyst
 
drexappeal said:
I actually might be getting my first Nexus device, if this is true:
http://phandroid.com/2015/09/28/nexus-6p-specs-microsd/
Click to expand...
It's a good way to go,especially if you don't find yourself using many of the mfgs custom U/I tweaks/features.
I have to admit,I'm tempted,but,I'm good for now,both my keeper phones are still new to me (less than two months).
It's a bit on the big side,I'd have to get an up-close feel-in-hand before deciding/ordering.
 
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