Smartphone for Mom

[rootlesstree]

you can just go for iphone. android and windows have too many functions.

 

[AstroManLuca]

The 5C is a great phone, it's a repackaged iPhone 5.

For most big carriers the buyout is <$300 usually if you cancel.

The androids have similar costs.

Yeah but unlike the iPhone, there are actually Android phones available for reasonable prices new off contract - see Moto X, Nexus 5...

The Nexus 5 is better than the iPhone 5C and costs $200 less.

 

[BladeVenom]

you can just go for iphone. android and windows have too many functions.

You get upper case letters with an Android phone.

 

[dma0991]

Despite iPhone being the obvious choice due to its ease of use for all ages, I would suggest against getting it. It costs too much and has too many usage possibilities that would overwhelm an older user and be of no use to them who mainly will use it to text and call.

A better choice would be to get cheap ones like Moto G or Nokia Lumia 630/635. The Moto G needs initial setup by you before giving it to her. Set it to have all her frequent contacts on the first homepage, something that I did with my dad's phone to make it easier. Windows phones are pretty straight forward and I don't think setup is necessary as the tiles are quite visible.

 

[number29ag]

No its not, its a cheap plastic version of the iphone 5. Who in their right mind would get it over the iphone 5?

The iPhone 5 was discontinued. I've just got a 5C to replace a Moto G and it feels great in the hand.

The Nexus 5 is better than the iPhone 5C and costs $200 less.

Woah, let's not be too hasty with the rash statements here! The 5C runs a far better OS than the Nexus 5 so you have to factor that into the equation too.

 

[dbk]

I wouldn't say it's far best..maybe more dumbed down or basic - great for tech challenged people. Go for it! But make sure she can read off that tiny screen.

 

[Athadeus]

So, I have been doing more research, and it appears that we may have a crappy family plan contract still. I have been using my work phone for a year and gave her that Razr V3 as an upgrade a while ago.

They are still paying $153.57/month for 5 lines, 4 of which seem to have 500MB and one with 2.5-3GB. Apparently when my sister got her phone it locked in ALL the lines, and they have had to keep paying for the line I haven't been using for a whole year. It is listed as Simple Choice VAL FAM UNL T+T and 500MB Data SMHS Value.

It seems like they should only be paying $110/mo before taxes and fees for four lines each with 1GB and one with 3GB from what I priced online. I didn't know all T-Mobile plans now included data, so that changes things somewhat. It also sounds like there is no way to get overage charge on data now, just slowdown which is good. Roaming data charges probably would not be a concern considering coverage around here.

So my final questions are if I am still good to get that Lumia 521 prepaid, is it really SIM card compatible with the artifact SIM card in the V3, and will it work with a contract plan even though it is repaid?

 

[zerogear]

Woah, let's not be too hasty with the rash statements here! The 5C runs a far better OS than the Nexus 5 so you have to factor that into the equation too.

No it doesn't. I had a iPhone 5S and Nexus 5 in hand, I can barely tell the difference of scrolling/speed. Arguably, Nexus 5 much better when you customize it to yourself.

 

[WelshBloke]

How likely is it that your mum will need help with the phone and are you available in person all the time?
I ask because you can set up "remote controls" on some android phones and remote desktop into them to sort out any problems.

 

[Ichinisan]

The 5C is a great phone, it's a repackaged iPhone 5.

No its not, its a cheap plastic version of the iphone 5. Who in their right mind would get it over the iphone 5?

Yes it is.

They discontinued the iPhone 5 and they sell the 5c instead. It really is just a repackaged iPhone 5. You get a better price for the exact same internal hardware. It's a great phone.

[edit]
People who want a newer iPhone with a warranty and continued support without a questionable history will get an iPhone 5c.

 

[quikah]

How likely is it that your mum will need help with the phone and are you available in person all the time?
I ask because you can set up "remote controls" on some android phones and remote desktop into them to sort out any problems.

If that is a concern then i would suggest iphone or Windows phone if there is a local Microsoft store. They can go to the store to get any help they need. Much more hit and miss with android going to the carrier stores for help.

 

[Athadeus]

How likely is it that your mum will need help with the phone and are you available in person all the time?
I ask because you can set up "remote controls" on some android phones and remote desktop into them to sort out any problems.

I am very frequently available. I find it funny how some people think they know my mother better than I do after living with her for more than 25 years. I will be moving soon, but our businesses share the same campus.

 

[dguy6789]

Lumia 521 or Moto G are the best budget options for Windows Phone or Android. There isn't a device that runs iOS used or new that is good for what you get vs what you pay compared to those.

 

[WelshBloke]

If that is a concern then i would suggest iphone or Windows phone if there is a local Microsoft store. They can go to the store to get any help they need. Much more hit and miss with android going to the carrier stores for help.

The remote desktop stuff let's you remote into your mum's phone, there's no need to get the store involved. It would seem a bit unnecessary to send his mum to a store because she can't attach a lolcat to an email to aunt Martha.

I am very frequently available. I find it funny how some people think they know my mother better than I do after living with her for more than 25 years. I will be moving soon, but our businesses share the same campus.

That's cool, if you're around a lot then it's probably not too much of a concern.
If your around and willing to set up her phone to suit her then she would probably be OK with any of the major OSs, might be best to go with the one that you're most comfortable with.

 

[RossMAN]

So my final questions are if I am still good to get that Lumia 521 prepaid, is it really SIM card compatible with the artifact SIM card in the V3, and will it work with a contract plan even though it is repaid?

Yes it is but you'll need a micro SIM.

We brought our full size sim card to a local T-Mobile store they cut it down to micro SIM size for free, took about 30 seconds.

 

[Ichinisan]

Yes it is but you'll need a micro SIM.

We brought our full size sim card to a local T-Mobile store they cut it down to micro SIM size for free, took about 30 seconds.

I've cut them down to micro and nano by hand several times (without the little cutting tool -- only heavy duty scissors). Successful each time.

 

[cmdrdredd]

No it doesn't. I had a iPhone 5S and Nexus 5 in hand, I can barely tell the difference of scrolling/speed. Arguably, Nexus 5 much better when you customize it to yourself.

This is my experience as well. To me iOS is good for people with an ipad as well because you can sync your iTunes and app purchases between them, people who are in the iOS ecosystem already. It might also be good for people that don't care much about customization and having things like NFC and the like. Otherwise Android is far more versatile with devices that boast better screens.

I have nothing against the iPhone itself, I could use one and be perfectly happy with it for most of the things I do. There are just a few little nuances to it that feel limited or locked down which for me is not such a good thing, however for some people I can see that as a potential benefit. Less things to ask about when you are learning how to use it.

 

[alkemyst]

This is my experience as well. To me iOS is good for people with an ipad as well because you can sync your iTunes and app purchases between them, people who are in the iOS ecosystem already. It might also be good for people that don't care much about customization and having things like NFC and the like. Otherwise Android is far more versatile with devices that boast better screens.

I have nothing against the iPhone itself, I could use one and be perfectly happy with it for most of the things I do. There are just a few little nuances to it that feel limited or locked down which for me is not such a good thing, however for some people I can see that as a potential benefit. Less things to ask about when you are learning how to use it.

Works good if you know computers and devices. A "MOM" installs a bad app on her android and stuff stops working.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Works good if you know computers and devices. A "MOM" installs a bad app on her android and stuff stops working.

My mom uses a rooted Galaxy Nexus without issues, but she might be on an iPhone next because she uses an iPad Air which seems to me to make more sense to sync her accounts for itunes and the like.

 

[Athadeus]

So, I went to good ol' Malwart yesterday, and got a 'new' phone for Mom. Besides taking a while, it came in the usual condition from there.

There were no other ones available there, but in hindsight, I should have just gone to Target and got it price matched. I cut box down some so it looks better.

Despite it being apparently opened, all of the contents are there, and the serial number of the handset and SIM match the box. However, I did notice that it is logoless, which seems uncommon, but not unheard of http://forums.wpcentral.com/nokia-lumia-521/233309-no-t-mobile-logo.html.

I don't think someone could possibly have replaced the sticker with the serial number or metal plate it is on with one from a MetroPCS version of the phone.

I'll let you all know how it works out later.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Same thing happened when I bought one from Target. My first 521 was bought online and it had the T-Mobile logo, but the second I got from Target - it was a Brightspot branded phone (still identical to other 521s) and it had no logo.

Shouldn't be an issue, the 521 is the same regardless of branding. The 521 itself is a T-Mobile-specific variant of the 520, available on AT&T and internationally and the 520 is slightly shorter (there is no "chin" under the buttons) but otherwise the same.

 

[s44]

Well, we got "kid tested", but is it mother approved?

 

[Athadeus]

I don't know, because I couldn't get it working due to the SIM.
http://smartphones.wonderhowto.com/how-to/cut-your-sim-card-down-mini-micro-nano-size-0149154/
That site describes it as "SIM Card - Not used any more; about the size of a credit card." That is opposed to "Mini-SIM Card - The most common in the previous generation, it's what most people would call a SIM card".

She was still way too excited, so that is good. The flowers will help tide her over until I get it figured out. I'm not sure if T-mobile can just move her number to the prepaid SIM, and then we can just transfer her contacts, if we can have a store do it locally, or if we have to have one sent.

 

[AstroManLuca]

The 521 uses a micro-SIM size. You can have T-Mobile cut it down to size or you can have them just activate a new micro-SIM and transfer her number and plan from the old sim card.