What phone now?

[Dantheman]

Nexus 6

Nope, don't want a phablet. Even the 5.2" screen on the 5X is pushing it for me.

[doughboyshredder]

a few dev type google fanboi's I work with have tried it and bailed within weeks due to shitty service. INTL usage was a selling point for them as well.

Interesting. It looks like Intl. is all on T-Mobiles roaming network anyway. Might as well get T-Mobile international plan and then I can still get a rugged phone like the Sonim. Although, T-Mobiles network in the US is garbage compared to At&T.

[RShea]

Interesting. It looks like Intl. is all on T-Mobiles roaming network anyway. Might as well get T-Mobile international plan and then I can still get a rugged phone like the Sonim. Although, T-Mobiles network in the US is garbage compared to At&T.

The US service is Sprint or T-Mobile from what I have read still gaps in coverage in many places. http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...hed-Project-Fi is a good read too if you are considering it as many others switch and then end up with coverage problems.

I thought about trying it until the above discussion, even received my invite but after reading others comments that T-Mobile was mostly international and domestic was Sprint and sometimes T-Mobile but never AT&T or Verizon networks. The small month savings after taxes are included with my present use of Verizon network towers (if I used the same talk minutes and data as presently) was not worth it. That did not include the cost of the new phone, so $ toward the phone would be more than 2 years payback if I did a Nexus 6.

[Skidog]

Fi = infancy. Like 1st gen new bindings. You get what you get for being and early adopter.

[Dantheman]

The US service is Sprint or T-Mobile from what I have read still gaps in coverage in many places. http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...hed-Project-Fi is a good read too if you are considering it as many others switch and then end up with coverage problems.

I thought about trying it until the above discussion, even received my invite but after reading others comments that T-Mobile was mostly international and domestic was Sprint and sometimes T-Mobile but never AT&T or Verizon networks. The small month savings after taxes are included with my present use of Verizon network towers (if I used the same talk minutes and data as presently) was not worth it. That did not include the cost of the new phone, so $ toward the phone would be more than 2 years payback if I did a Nexus 6.

Not exactly a scathing indictment. Did you read the recent posts? He's using Fi again and says it's been great recently. The thread also seems to say the opposite of what you said and T-Mobile is the primarily used network.

There are clearly some groups of people that Fi is not a good fit for. If you're a heavy data user there is no money to be saved with Fi, and it's not for you if need Verizon or AT&T's rural coverage. But I use <1 gig of data per month on average, and I'm already a T-mobile customer who spends >90% of my time on the Wasatch Front so the rural coverage issue does not concern me.

Here's how the math breaks down for me. I currently pay $95/month for two lines and 3 gigs data each ($30/ea for talk/text, $10/ea for the lowest tier data plan, then about 20% in taxes/fees). Between the wife and I we average 2 gigs of data per month. So on Fi we'd average $60/month, and since Fi has no carrier-specific fees the taxes/fees drop to ~10% of the bill and we are out-the-door for $66. We can probably get that even lower with the phone actively hunting for wifi networks to use. Add in free mobile hotspot usage (requires buying a larger data plan on T-Mobile) and seamless wifi calling (not available on non-TMobile branded phones) and it feels like a no-brainer. Seems like a better option than a discount carrier like Metro.

[RShea]

Not exactly a scathing indictment. Did you read the recent posts? He's using Fi again and says it's been great recently. The thread also seems to say the opposite of what you said and T-Mobile is the primarily used network.

There are clearly some groups of people that Fi is not a good fit for. If you're a heavy data user there is no money to be saved with Fi, and it's not for you if need Verizon or AT&T's rural coverage. But I use <1 gig of data per month on average, and I'm already a T-mobile customer who spends >90% of my time on the Wasatch Front so the rural coverage issue does not concern me.

Here's how the math breaks down for me. I currently pay $95/month for two lines and 3 gigs data each ($30/ea for talk/text, $10/ea for the lowest tier data plan, then about 20% in taxes/fees). Between the wife and I we average 2 gigs of data per month. So on Fi we'd average $60/month, and since Fi has no carrier-specific fees the taxes/fees drop to ~10% of the bill and we are out-the-door for $66. We can probably get that even lower with the phone actively hunting for wifi networks to use. Add in free mobile hotspot usage (requires buying a larger data plan on T-Mobile) and seamless wifi calling (not available on non-TMobile branded phones) and it feels like a no-brainer. Seems like a better option than a discount carrier like Metro.

I did not say the discussion was scathing just a good read about the service, expectations, etc. Like always coverage can be different for your area. I had a prepaid burner phone years ago (on Tracfone) that was won at a charity ride. Came with T-Mobile sim, gave it to my Dad that did not have a cell phone at the time. It would roam on AT&T if there was no T-Mobile signal. But it would pick T-Mobile first and drop calls regularly. He eventually moved to a to Verizon prepaid and has been much happier. There are some prepaid plans pretty close in pricing to the Project Fi - but do not offer the VPN connection security that Project Fi offers on public Wifi networks. Many of the prepaid also include all the taxes (some you pay sales tax and maybe the 911 fees and varies though by state and the companies policies). So there are advantages to using your existing phone and going to one of the prepaid offerings like discussed here specifically for T-Mobile (there are others on AT&T and Verizon for similar budgets with better coverage maps they offer): http://bestmvno.com/t-mobile-mvnos/ when you are spending $600 or more for 2 new phones for each of you to activate the Project Fi. Unless you need new phones anyway and would be spending that money no matter what.

[bagtagley]

Why not Cricket, Dan? Get an in-law on your account and you're down to $30 per line. AT&T coverage.

[RShea]

Also there are a number of ways to do wifi free calling- Google Hangouts, Skype and others- but are limited to other Skype account holders to talk for free or you pay to call standard telephone lines.

http://www.komando.com/apps/325372/h...over-wi-fi/all and other options like MagicJack that requires an app.

[riser4]

Damn. Pretty much stuck with AT&T because they are the only folks with towers in a few crucial rural spots for me. I really wish dual SIM phones were more common and popular here. It is maddening that the dual SIM Moto G is not available in the US market. I would switch to some discount carrier that uses the AT&T network EXCEPT that those plans don't roam in Canada and while it is expensive, it is really useful to be able to make a call or send a text there if I have to. Or make and receive same here in the US in those spots where the strongest signal is from Canuckistan. Hence the desire for a [decent AND inexpensive] dual SIM phone.

[Todds]

Verizon phones dont work on ATT/Cricket

At one point I was considering switching from Verizon to Cricket. When i punched in the IMEI number for my Samsung Galaxy S3 the cricket website said it would work. It was CDMA & GSM.

Damn. Pretty much stuck with AT&T because they are the only folks with towers in a few crucial rural spots for me. I really wish dual SIM phones were more common and popular here. It is maddening that the dual SIM Moto G is not available in the US market. I would switch to some discount carrier that uses the AT&T network EXCEPT that those plans don't roam in Canada and while it is expensive, it is really useful to be able to make a call or send a text there if I have to. Or make and receive same here in the US in those spots where the strongest signal is from Canuckistan. Hence the desire for a [decent AND inexpensive] dual SIM phone.

Doesn't cricket use AT&T towers?

[Dantheman]

Many of the prepaid also include all the taxes (some you pay sales tax and maybe the 911 fees and varies though by state and the companies policies). So there are advantages to using your existing phone and going to one of the prepaid offerings like discussed here specifically for T-Mobile (there are others on AT&T and Verizon for similar budgets with better coverage maps they offer): http://bestmvno.com/t-mobile-mvnos/

I don't see much reason to go with one of the budget MVNOs over Fi. All the options that would be as cheap is Fi have compromises (like only 100 minutes of voice). If I'm missing something, please let me know.

Unless you need new phones anyway and would be spending that money no matter what.

In case it wasn't obvious from my recent failed experiment with a Moto G, yes, I am in the market for a new phone. A new Nexus 5X is more than I was planning to spend, but not that much more. Wife doesn't need a new phone, but her iPhone 5 does need a battery replacement and she seemed a bit jealous of the Moto G while I had it. Looking at local classifieds I think she could sell the iPhone for $150 pretty easily too.

Why not Cricket, Dan? Get an in-law on your account and you're down to $30 per line. AT&T coverage.

I'm not tight enough with my in-laws to want to share a family plan with any of them. My Mom doesn't have a cell phone, Dad lives in the sticks and needs Verizon.

edit: If Fi doesn't work out though, Cricket looks like the next best option to cut my phone bill.

Also there are a number of ways to do wifi free calling- Google Hangouts, Skype and others- but are limited to other Skype account holders to talk for free or you pay to call standard telephone lines.

http://www.komando.com/apps/325372/h...over-wi-fi/all and other options like MagicJack that requires an app.

All a bit kludgy. The (supposedly) seamless aspect of Fi's wifi calling is what's really attractive.

[abraham]

Hey Dan, I'm looking at similar phones right now and also on tmo. My sister said Google folks got upgraded to nexus 6s so there are lots of cheap nexus 5 for sale around her. She's gonna ask around about picking one up for me. Could be an option for you too? If you're interested let me know, I'd be happy to ask

[RShea]

Hey Dan, I'm looking at similar phones right now and also on tmo. My sister said Google folks got upgraded to nexus 6s so there are lots of cheap nexus 5 for sale around her. She's gonna ask around about picking one up for me. Could be an option for you too? If you're interested let me know, I'd be happy to ask

The Project Fi allows for now exactly 3 Nexus phones- Nexus 6, newly released Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, no others. So no matter how cheap the Nexus 5S are, they would for now not even be allowed on Project Fi.

https://fi.google.com/about/faq/

[doughboyshredder]

Damn. Pretty much stuck with AT&T because they are the only folks with towers in a few crucial rural spots for me. I really wish dual SIM phones were more common and popular here. It is maddening that the dual SIM Moto G is not available in the US market. I would switch to some discount carrier that uses the AT&T network EXCEPT that those plans don't roam in Canada and while it is expensive, it is really useful to be able to make a call or send a text there if I have to. Or make and receive same here in the US in those spots where the strongest signal is from Canuckistan. Hence the desire for a [decent AND inexpensive] dual SIM phone.

Lots of inexpensive dual SIM phones on Amazon. Unlocked and decent reviews.

[doughboyshredder]

All a bit kludgy. The (supposedly) seamless aspect of Fi's wifi calling is what's really attractive.

Yep.

I can't verify that if out of the country and calling on WiFi caller I'd still shows a US number ?

I would assume yes, however if calling on roaming it would presumably show the country code ?

[abraham]

RShea good point. My bad

Dbs I know wifi calling with tmobile from other countries still shows my normal number.

[riser4]

At one point I was considering switching from Verizon to Cricket. When i punched in the IMEI number for my Samsung Galaxy S3 the cricket website said it would work. It was CDMA & GSM.



Doesn't cricket use AT&T towers?

Sure. And that would be great. The issue is that I live on the US/Can border. I occasionally go to Canada. We also sometimes hit pockets on our side of the border that are serviced by Can towers, And more importantly, we have my father in law's phone on my AT&T plan. He goes to Canada frequently. And while he has yet to make a call from there, he drives a questionable car and is old. He needs to be able to make calls with a minimum amount of hassle. Unless things have changed, I have yet to find a US AT&T reseller that will roam in Canada.

[riser4]

Lots of inexpensive dual SIM phones on Amazon. Unlocked and decent reviews.

Right. What I want is a dual sim Moto G with a US warranty, English manual, and US power charger. The dual sim Moto G exists. But not for this market. That's bullshit. And on top of that, would it kill them to include all of the frequencies on one phone instead of making region specific versions? That's also bullshit.

[Dantheman]

RShea good point. My bad

Yeah, what RShea said. You can get a Nexus 6 for $300 or less pretty easily if a phablet is your thing but it's not for me.

Right. What I want is a dual sim Moto G with a US warranty, English manual, and US power charger. The dual sim Moto G exists. But not for this market. That's bullshit. And on top of that, would it kill them to include all of the frequencies on one phone instead of making region specific versions? That's also bullshit.

It's getting better, but rampant bullshit is still the industry norm. The only worse offender I can think of is the airline industry. When I needed a micro SIM for the Moto G T-Mobile charged me $15. I was able to call in to CS and get the cost credited onto my bill, but still, their cost on one of those things must be pennies.

[up an down]

I don't see much reason to go with one of the budget MVNOs over Fi. All the options that would be as cheap is Fi have compromises (like only 100 minutes of voice). If I'm missing something, please let me know.



In case it wasn't obvious from my recent failed experiment with a Moto G, yes, I am in the market for a new phone. A new Nexus 5X is more than I was planning to spend, but not that much more. Wife doesn't need a new phone, but her iPhone 5 does need a battery replacement and she seemed a bit jealous of the Moto G while I had it. Looking at local classifieds I think she could sell the iPhone for $150 pretty easily too.



I'm not tight enough with my in-laws to want to share a family plan with any of them. My Mom doesn't have a cell phone, Dad lives in the sticks and needs Verizon.

edit: If Fi doesn't work out though, Cricket looks like the next best option to cut my phone bill.



All a bit kludgy. The (supposedly) seamless aspect of Fi's wifi calling is what's really attractive.

I am using Fi with a Nexus 6p.. after a bit over 2 months, 10 days in Europe, I so far am happy 99.9% of the time. I will be traveling to Chihuahua/Copper Canyon Mexico later this month, hopefully no issues there, but I expect poor to non existent coverage sometimes in some areas of the canyon complex.

[Dantheman]

How long did it take you to get your invite?

[up an down]

I received an invite with no effort on my part...not sure why... I have been a long time Google/account android user... and I was signed up for automatic product updates at the Google store..maybe that's the reason??

[up an down]

Android forums might have a better answer for that question

[doughboyshredder]

RShea good point. My bad

Dbs I know wifi calling with tmobile from other countries still shows my normal number.

Thanks!

[bagtagley]

I'm not tight enough with my in-laws to want to share a family plan with any of them. My Mom doesn't have a cell phone, Dad lives in the sticks and needs Verizon.

edit: If Fi doesn't work out though, Cricket looks like the next best option to cut my phone bill.

I'm on Verizon right now. One of the benefits of the rampant bullshit you mentioned is some interesting deals from the big players as they struggle to compete. Nothing about the service has made me feel that Verizon is in any way worth the additional cost over Cricket. The single exception is roaming, which doesn't factor for me, personally. I never go over 1GB either, but with Verizon, my usage is always a concern. With Cricket, I never gave a shit at 1GB, and REALLY didn't give a shit once they upped it to 2.5. FYI.

Fi wasn't an option when we got on Cricket last year. I'll likely sell my 6S in the next couple months and replace it with a 5X. Initially, I'll be going back on Cricket, but I'd be interested in your Project Fi experience. I like the idea, but traditional coverage give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.