New phone

[cptwhite_uk]

peterb. A couple of recommendations

Textra - Recently became a paid for app if you want it ad free (61p) but it's a fantastic text message app and allows you to send group messages (which last time I checked Hangouts couldn't do, even though it's such a basic feature)

QuickPic - Image browse that uses the entire screen to show thumb nails (as opposed to around 3/4 the screen in the default "Photos" app. Also allows you to temporarily rotate the photo with 2 finger rotate motion on the screen when browsing photos (without altering the original file) - very useful when the photo didn't save in the correct orientation.

[peterb]

Thank you! I don't'the think I'm using hangouts for text messages, just the regulat messaging app that's built in, but I'll have a look at both those apps.

[peterb]

Well, a week in and I'm finally warming to it. It has taken a while to get it to where it's an acceptable substitute.

The basic messaging function is fine for texts, and allows for multiple recipients. The mail client is OK, although the notification bit is a bit odd, why not just change the icon?

Having three soft keys do do the job of a hardware button saves some real estate, but seems clunky, but I guess that's just something to get used to.

Google is still a bit intrusive, but I can ignore that.

Smoothsync is brilliant.

As a phone the receiver seems insensitive compared with the blackberry, but the audio quality is good, and tethering means I connect my iPad when required.

So all in all, I'm happier with it than I thought three days ago. There have been loads of updates, but I don't know if it those that have made it feel smoother, or just my adapting to it.

Again, thank you to all who contributed to the thread!

[Biscuit]

No worries mate, glad things are working out.
Always happy to offer more assistance if you need it

[peterb]

Thank you for this ^.

I will stick with the current version, I'm not really inclined to faff with it any more as it is now doing most of what I want. However I will look at the apps you suggested.

I am finding battery life good, but some things like the (I think) Motorola security features like find my phone and remote lock/wipe just don't work at all, but most other things do. It's just how they work that takes some getting used to! EDIT: just discovered Android device manager, which does work.

There doesn't seem to be an option to display e mails as HTML, or to open a URL or hyper-link from an e mail, and I haven't found a way of cutting or copying a link to paste into the browser. Must be me, I can't believe it's not possible to do that, but it isn't obvious.

[peterb]

Yes, I can select the text, just can't copy it. Not had any luck with hyperlinks though.

EDIT got that done. Just used to expecting to see copy and cut as text over the selection, not an icon. Yet bizarrely, paste shows as text. I think the lack of standardisation between apps doesn't help. No joy with hyperlinks though.

And no way to move mail from 'trash' to inbox! (The help only applies to mail I'm gmail accounts, not normal pop3 mail accounts, but there is on IMAP accounts. Bizarre!)

And have selected always, how do you go back and change the default? And I've accidentally selected 'always show pictures from this sender', but no obvious way to reverse that? And I can't edit the 'me' setting in the address book.... I'm sure there must be a way, but intuitive it is not! It feels like a set of beta applications on a beta version of the OS.

Or just ''clunky'.

[MerxFM]

I recommend either the Moto E or Moto G. I've had the Moto G for a year and a half now. Fantastic phone which only set me back £160 back in Jan 2014 for the 1st gen 16GB model. Only issue I have is with the headphone jack, which wears over time and causes my music to cut out, if the headphone jack is put under the slightest amount of stress. Otherwise brilliant phone for the price.

[peterb]

I recommend either the Moto E or Moto G. I've had the Moto G for a year and a half now. Fantastic phone which only set me back £160 back in Jan 2014 for the 1st gen 16GB model. Only issue I have is with the headphone jack, which wears over time and causes my music to cut out, if the headphone jack is put under the slightest amount of stress. Otherwise brilliant phone for the price.

You haven't read the thread have you?

[Biscuit]

Post count hound

[MerxFM]

Ah man I'm such an idiot. Didn't realise there were 5 pages and jumped the gun. Kinda new to forums and stuff.

[Biscuit]

Ah man I'm such an idiot. Didn't realise there were 5 pages and jumped the gun. Kinda new to forums and stuff.

If you click 'settings' at the top of the page, then general settings on the left hand side menu, you can set how many posts there are per page. Might make things a bit easier for you.

[pp05]

I would grab a BB Z10 off Gumtree if you're open to that. Can be had for less than 100 quid.

If you want Android based phone via same means then have a search for Xperia T. Again for 100 or less.

I'm looking for a cheape few frills phone to replace my failing Blackberry.

Found this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Karbonn-A5S-...ywords=Karbonn

And this

http://www.7dayshop.com/products/yez...k-UPYEA35EINUK

I had never heard of either, but the Karbonn is made in India and is dual Sim, the other, yezz, I've not heard of at all. But at under £70 they seem worth a punt.

Any comments? (The low res camera and lack of 4g are not issues for me)

[peterb]

I would grab a BB Z10 off Gumtree if you're open to that. Can be had for less than 100 quid.

If you want Android based phone via same means then have a search for Xperia T. Again for 100 or less.

*cough*

http://forums.hexus.net/android/3385...ml#post3466786

[pp05]

*cough*

http://forums.hexus.net/android/3385...ml#post3466786

I felt that clunky feeling going back that to the LG G2 when I had it briefly.

[peterb]

I felt that clunky feeling going back that to the LG G2 when I had it briefly.

I'm getting used to it. I find the notification area a bit tedious, I prefer the IOS method of indication the number of unread e mails by changing the icon, and the double click of the hardware button to display all running applications, but I think that is just a matter of familiarity. There are some nice touches, keeping unlocked when driving or at specified locations. The mail app is a bit clunky, but there have been at least three updates in the last week, so maybe those are being sorted out. The Google integration feels a bit intrusive, it picked, unasked, a picture of a contact from their Google+ account, an account not connected to me at all. It could be argued that IOS is tightly linked to iCloud and is equally intrusive, but I have never had something picked up from another unconnected user, so I think Apple's privacy is better than Googles, and of course Google's revenue stream is based on advertising and data mining.

The phone itself feels fine, quite solid and well built. It doesn't seem quite as sensitive as my BB Bold, but then signal strength indicators aren't calibrated, so that could be subjective.

My BB bold was quite a good phone in its day, but a major software upgrade about three years ago killed it really. The browser would die through loss of memory, so it was only really good for email and txt, and while I looked at the Z series, it didn't really offer anything over the Android platform.

But if this lasts me 6 years, as my Bold did I'll be quite happy, and I have reduced my monthly plan costs by getting rid of a data only Sim as I can use the hotspot facility, and upgrading my Sim only plan, which includes 4G.

[pp05]

If you get 3 years out of it then it's paid itself off.

Went back to BB Z10 from the G2, I find myself missing the hub too much. Hopefully they will make it available to Android at some point.