Google Nexus 4 by LG

[S4GRU]

I'm thinking of picking up the Nexus 4 and getting a cheap prepaid GSM SIM card for a few months. Maybe Straight Talk running on Tmo. Maybe not even activate it and just run it on my VZW hotspot. I'm not sure yet. I finally got paid on an old invoice that I never expected getting, and I'm thinking of doing this with that money.

 

Robert via Nexus 7 using Forum Runner

[irev210]

I'm thinking of picking up the Nexus 4 and getting a cheap prepaid GSM SIM card for a few months. Maybe Straight Talk running on Tmo. Maybe not even activate it and just run it on my VZW hotspot. I'm not sure yet. I finally got paid on an old invoice that I never expected getting, and I'm thinking of doing this with that money.

 

Robert via Nexus 7 using Forum Runner

 

If you have DC-HSPA+ in your area, the 30/month prepaid 4G plan with 5GB data + 100 minutes plan on T-Mobile is pretty compelling.

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans

 

 

There was an interesting article on The Verge on why Google elected to omit LTE. After reading it, it made total sense. $299 unclocked for a flagship device would never happen if the carriers were playing interference.

 

 

I am really eager to try out the Nexus 4.

[S4GRU]

 

If you have DC-HSPA+ in your area' date=' the 30/month prepaid 4G plan with 5GB data + 100 minutes plan on T-Mobile is pretty compelling.

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans

 

There was an interesting article on The Verge on why Google elected to omit LTE. After reading it, it made total sense. 299 unclocked for a flagship device would never happen if the carriers were playing interference.

 

I am really eager to try out the Nexus 4.[/quote']

 

That's a great deal. For me, it would not be my primary phone. Tmo HSPA+ service is pretty spotty in my area. But for $30 a month, it's affordable for a second account to play with.

 

Robert via Nexus 7 using Forum Runner

[nova46]

For those who have been noisily clamoring for a quad core smartphone, the performance gains are underwhelming and at the expense of battery life. Watch what you ask for -- you just might get it.

 

 

 

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6425/google-nexus-4-and-nexus-10-review

 

AJ

The Nexus 4 has done very poorly on benchmarks for some reason. The Optimus G which has the same internals has dominated everything. The S4 Pro in the G typically scores 7500 in quadrant, making it much faster than the exynos 5. Battery life doesn't seem to take a hit either, as most sites say they are getting a days use out of it which is average.

[irev210]

The Nexus 4 has done very poorly on benchmarks for some reason. The Optimus G which has the same internals has dominated everything. The S4 Pro in the G typically scores 7500 in quadrant, making it much faster than the exynos 5. Battery life doesn't seem to take a hit either, as most sites say they are getting a days use out of it which is average.

 

Newer version of Android is probably to blame.

[S4GRU]

I think I have talked my wife into allowing me to get the Nexus 4. She says it will be my Christmas gift if I do it. And I'm OK with that.

 

If I pull the plug on Tuesday and proceed, I will likely do the Tmo $30 off contract SIM card. AT&T has much better service in my area, but I hate those bastards. I really won't be using the phone much except perhaps in slow data areas of ABQ and Santa Fe. And I will likely only pay for service a few months. This is just for fun.

 

Robert via Nexus 7 using Forum Runner

[supert0nes]

GAH I have a meeting at exactly 11! I really want this phone and can live on T-Mo $30 for a few months while Sprint catches up in my area.

[WiWavelength]

If I pull the plug on Tuesday...

 

I do not know how this post escaped my watch. No, Robert, do not pull the plug. We would miss you too much!

 

 

AJ

[S4GRU]

 

I do not know how this post escaped my watch. No' date=' Robert, do not pull the plug. We will miss you too much!

 

AJ[/quote']

 

I'm not going anywhere. It would just be a superfluous device. Tmo coverage is so poor in my area outside of Santa Fe and ABQ, that it will not even be remotely tempting to leave Sprint. But I am curious about this whole "buy unlocked from Google" concept now that there are viable ways to get inexpensive prepaid data plans via SIM only. I probably will only pay for prepaid service for a few months, and then my Nexus 4 will go into my dusty device bag.

 

I'm even considering a Sprint LG Optimus G purchase and doing a side by side comparison article. But don't tell my wife. She is just barely on board with the Nexus 4 idea. She thinks I have a device problem. I can quit anytime I want.

 

Robert via Nexus 7 using Forum Runner

[WiWavelength]

I'm not going anywhere.

 

Oh, I know. I am just riffing on your use of "pull the plug," which has become associated with dying. I think the idiom you intended more was "pull the trigger."

 

 

AJ

[S4GRU]

Oh, I know. I am just riffing on your use of "pull the plug," which has become associated with dying. I think the idiom you intended more was "pull the trigger."

 

 

AJ

 

Hmmm. I always find it amazing how many people screw up common expressions. I usually laugh at them. I think in this instance, I am the idiot. I have often used that expression "pull the plug" in this manner. It is stuck in my mind that way, even though not proper. DOH!

 

On another note, I tried buying the Nexus 4 the moment it went on sale at 10AM MST. It would let me put it in my cart, but not check out with it. I tried about 5 times. I gave up and came back 30 minutes later, and then it says it is not available and to put my name on a notification list. Now there are news reports that they are selling out. Bummer.

 

Robert

[WiWavelength]

On another note, I tried buying the Nexus 4 the moment it went on sale at 10AM MST. It would let me put it in my cart, but not check out with it. I tried about 5 times. I gave up and came back 30 minutes later, and then it says it is not available and to put my name on a notification list. Now there are news reports that they are selling out. Bummer.

 

I guess Google and all the other interested buyers happened to "pull the plug" on your plans.

 

 

AJ

[S4GRU]

I guess Google and all the other interested buyers happened to "pull the plug" on your plans.

 

 

AJ

 

Actually, I just got through and made the purchase. However, Tmo will not allow me to buy a Micro SIM card online from them. They don't like my physical address, they say it's not a real address. LOL

 

Looks like I will have to go to Walmart and pick up a Tmo SIM card today.

 

Robert

[WiWavelength]

I kid, I kid. I have had the same thoughts about the Nexus 4. I am currently down to just my longterm Sprint line, but I would like to add another carrier for diversity. I refuse to do business with anti competitive asshats VZW and AT&T, so that leaves me with T-Mobile or various MVNO/prepaid carriers. The price is right, and the Nexus 4 could be a nice fit for a 3GPP based MVNO/prepaid. However, it reportedly lacks access to any RF engineering screens. That rules it out for me.

 

AJ

[S4GRU]

However, it reportedly lacks access to any RF engineering screens. That rules it out for me.

 

AJ

 

WHAT???? That's just stupid. YEEARGH!!!

 

Robert

[WiWavelength]

WHAT???? That's just stupid. YEEARGH!!!

 

Yep, I asked Brian Klug at AnandTech last week. No dice. I was disappointed.

 

 

AJ

[irev210]

Hmmm. I always find it amazing how many people screw up common expressions. I usually laugh at them. I think in this instance, I am the idiot. I have often used that expression "pull the plug" in this manner. It is stuck in my mind that way, even though not proper. DOH!

 

On another note, I tried buying the Nexus 4 the moment it went on sale at 10AM MST. It would let me put it in my cart, but not check out with it. I tried about 5 times. I gave up and came back 30 minutes later, and then it says it is not available and to put my name on a notification list. Now there are news reports that they are selling out. Bummer.

 

Robert

 

I ended up ordering two (only because the checkout thing was freezing and I didn't know if my first one went through).

 

If you want it, let me know.

 

I also ordered two sims (one needs to be cut down though). I can send that along as well, I have no use for it.

[supert0nes]

Whew got it ordered by DDoSing google. I'm not proud of my actions

[WiWavelength]

Whew got it ordered by DDoSing google.

 

DDoS'd is the new "rained blows upon him."

 

 

 

AJ

[pyroscott]

Hmmm. I always find it amazing how many people screw up common expressions.

 

Robert

 

I used to have a boss that used to screw up every common expression. In his defense, he was not born in the United States...

 

He used to say things like:

 

Ain't no nothing fo free, no even lunch.

We need to literally jump through our asses on this one.

It is a big dog gentlemen, it will eat our lunch.

 

Then when we would laugh at his utter butchery of these common expressions, he would respond with:

 

You are treading the fence!

[S4GRU]

 

I ended up ordering two (only because the checkout thing was freezing and I didn't know if my first one went through).

 

If you want it, let me know.

 

I also ordered two sims (one needs to be cut down though). I can send that along as well, I have no use for it.

 

I picked up one at a Tmo store earlier today. Thanks for the offer.

 

They tried to get me to activate at the store. I explained I was doing the web only $30 per month plan with 5GB of data. They said there was no prepaid plan like that. I had to show them online. They were blown away. They were mad that they are not allowed to sell it. They said with a deal like that they cannot compete in store.

 

Robert via Samsung Note II via Tapatalk

 

 

[irev210]

I picked up one at a Tmo store earlier today. Thanks for the offer.

 

They tried to get me to activate at the store. I explained I was doing the web only $30 per month plan with 5GB of data. They said there was no prepaid plan like that. I had to show them online. They were blown away. They were mad that they are not allowed to sell it. They said with a deal like that they cannot compete in store.

 

Robert via Samsung Note II via Tapatalk

so what's the verdict on the phone???

[nova46]

 

 

I picked up one at a Tmo store earlier today. Thanks for the offer.

 

They tried to get me to activate at the store. I explained I was doing the web only $30 per month plan with 5GB of data. They said there was no prepaid plan like that. I had to show them online. They were blown away. They were mad that they are not allowed to sell it. They said with a deal like that they cannot compete in store.

 

Robert via Samsung Note II via Tapatalk

It blows my mind how little store employees know. Not just T-Mobile, but all the carriers. When I was at ATT a few weeks ago, I asked the guy if they happened to have a demo unit of the Optimus G and he had no idea when it was even going to launch. I told him Nov 2nd because it was like publicized knowledge. And I'm always having to explain things about phone/network specifics because they just don't know.

[WiWavelength]

It blows my mind how little store employees know. Not just T-Mobile, but all the carriers. When I was at ATT a few weeks ago, I asked the guy if they happened to have a demo unit of the Optimus G and he had no idea when it was even going to launch. I told him Nov 2nd because it was like publicized knowledge. And I'm always having to explain things about phone/network specifics because they just don't know.

 

I am not surprised. Most store employees do not eat, drink, and breathe wireless the way that many of our members do. For most store employees, it is just a job, and one that they may not particularly like. But it is a means to a paycheck.

 

AJ

[S4GRU]

so what's the verdict on the phone???

I ordered the phone from Google. Should be here Thursday. I'm sorry I wasn't more clear. I was only speaking about activating the SIM card.

 

One thing I was kind of blown away by the Tmo store was how it focused on a brand experience. I felt like I was in a trendy place and Tmo was the coolest club in town. You felt immersed in the brand everywhere, from the lighting to the displays. It was like I walked into a Tmo smartphone. It seemed like Carly was going to pop out of the back at any moment and everyone was going to cheer her and a round of drinks were on the house. Music would start pumping and the disco ball would drop from the ceiling.

 

Nothing like going to a Sprint store at all. Sprint stores are boring vanilla and very corporate feeling. I assumed all wireless carriers were that way. The Tmo store set up doesn't really appeal to me, but I can see why it would to so many. It definitely is more "cool."

 

Robert via Samsung Note II via Tapatalk