Author Topic: Smart phone for non-smart-phone person  (Read 2695 times)

dantownehall

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Smart phone for non-smart-phone person
« on: November 04, 2015, 06:04:19 AM »
Hi,

I'm still using a flip phone and loving it.

However, there are some things I would like to have a smart phone for.  For instance, Amazon sent me an e-mail earlier this week offering me a $5 gift card just for signing into their app.  Or Bing rewards would give me a bit more cash every day for doing mobile searches, etc.

Is there a free to cheap way to get a phone that could do these things over Wi-Fi (i.e. without a plan/cell service)?  I don't mind cracked screens or outdated phones, just want something that will get me from here to there.  I clearly don't pay much attention to phone technology so I'm not even exactly sure what I would need.

Suggestions?

thd7t

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Re: Smart phone for non-smart-phone person
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2015, 06:46:41 AM »
You'll need to make sure you get something that is compatible with your network (particularly if you're in the US).  I think that Best Buy frequently has very deep sales on prepaid Motorola Moto G and Moto E phones that include rebates that bring them to $20 or even free.  Checking out used phones on Craigslist could also work for you, if you're just looking for Wifi (stolen phones can't be activated, but I think you can check them before buying to make sure they aren't stolen).

Daley

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Re: Smart phone for non-smart-phone person
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2015, 07:51:33 AM »
My first question is, do you actually need a smartphone, or are you just manufacturing an excuse to spend the money to get one because the advertisements to get you to spend more money is working? The reasons you cite are for trinkets and baubles to manufacture further spending and to normalize being datamined. Frequently, using a smartphone will up mobile phone bills needlessly through feature creep and hedonic adaptation with people who are susceptible to being convinced they need something they don't.

Is there a free to cheap way to get a phone that could do these things over Wi-Fi (i.e. without a plan/cell service)?

Android tablets would work, but again, don't spend money on technology just to try and squeeze a few extra pennies. That's being cheap, not frugal. The time, money, effort and electricity used aren't going to actually be worth it in the bigger picture.

Suggestions?

Ignore the spam and don't needlessly complicate your life for a few extra pennies.

dantownehall

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Re: Smart phone for non-smart-phone person
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2015, 08:29:17 AM »
My first question is, do you actually need a smartphone, or are you just manufacturing an excuse to spend the money to get one because the advertisements to get you to spend more money is working? The reasons you cite are for trinkets and baubles to manufacture further spending and to normalize being datamined. Frequently, using a smartphone will up mobile phone bills needlessly through feature creep and hedonic adaptation with people who are susceptible to being convinced they need something they don't.

Is there a free to cheap way to get a phone that could do these things over Wi-Fi (i.e. without a plan/cell service)?

Android tablets would work, but again, don't spend money on technology just to try and squeeze a few extra pennies. That's being cheap, not frugal. The time, money, effort and electricity used aren't going to actually be worth it in the bigger picture.

Suggestions?

Ignore the spam and don't needlessly complicate your life for a few extra pennies.

Yep, you're right.  Never mind everyone (but thanks for the replies anyway)!