That feeling when you get a new phone

[boagman]

So it should be noted that I'm far, *far* from being a technology nut. I don't know how to code, I'm pretty computer-stupid, I don't worship at the altar of Apple (though I am typing on a MacBook Pro right now, it's the only Apple product I own), and I'm certainly not "that guy" who drools over the newest, latest, greatest phone that comes on the market, no matter the manufacturer. That's just not my bag. Not saying it's a bad thing or a good thing, but it's just not how I tick.

Having said that, within the past week, I changed wireless carriers and went in a completely different direction than I ever have before: I dropped away from all the major carriers in the US and went with a relatively small upstart company whose proprietary software runs on a select few phones that you must buy from them, and their phones' missions in life are to find, connect to, and utilize Wi-Fi for everything (calling, texting, data, whatever).

I have never been someone who upgrades their phone every year or two. Fact is, I've been known to keep a working phone for 4-5 years at a shot. The last phone I had was dying (faster than I thought, even!), and I needed something new, anyway. It was bogging down, the battery was losing it...had I stayed with the former carrier, I would have needed a new phone anyway.

So I got my new whiz bang machine within the last week, and I'm hoping to get 3-4 years out of it, so I went with the whizbangiest phone they offered (Motorola Moto X 2nd Gen). It was expensive, relatively, but I'm hoping it'll be worth it in the long run, being amortized each month it's in use.

Holy *crap* is this thing sexy. It's got a better screen than my Vita (AMOLED), and man...everything this thing does, it does lightning freaking fast (for now...we'll see how it's bearing up in two years, of course), and it's freaking big compared to my old one. It's so stinking intuitive as well, and it's by far the easiest smartphone I've used.

You guys ever get geeked up a bit like this? It's kind of new to me, and it's primarily a business tool, but I find myself marveling over it a bit.

[Xyga]

I used to work for a phones retailer so I've tried most models from 2010 to early 2014, and I must say if there's one thing I was unimpressed with is the damn battery life.

Most models couldn't handle a full day of use, exceptions like the RAZR MAXX with a bigger battery could do a couple of days but that's it.

Of course disabling some transmitters like BT, GPS, high-bandwith networks, lowering brightness, plus a few other tips with apps etc can halve battery usage, but then it becomes a pretty normal phone which requires 'smart' stuff to be reactivated every time you freaking need it.

Also aside from amoled and special tuned iPhone IPS screens... I'd say 99% of smartphones screens suck.
And absolutely none do well in full daylight.

I'll be interested in smartphones again the day they make some with immensely better batteries, and screens really readable in full daylight.
I understand a 2014 smartphone must be awesome for someone who hasn't changed his in years, but in the eyes of someone like me who has lived the 'boom' somewhat from the inside, I feel the industry has been stuck in a basic range renewal loop for over two or three years.
People are starting to lose interest for premium phones, and pretty good Chinese alternatives are available for about half the price of a Galaxy or an iPhone.

If 'phone technology' doesn't leap forward in 2015, the market will shrink significantly (at least for the big ones it will).

[nasty_wolverine]

Got a Motorola Moto G 2nd Gen, its supposed to be a budget phone, its good. Its fast enough, screen is 720p and bright enough, battery backup is awesome, lasts an entire day with data on and the night with wifi.

The problem with phones is they get outdated so fast, like 6 months. Either you join the rat race and upgrade phones every year. Or be a square and stick it with a old phone.

Random Guy TM: "What your phone doesnt do this? Look at my phone and all the cool things it does..."
Me: "Its a phone, lets me make calls and send message, I can listen to music, watch youtube, and surf the web, what else do you need?"
Random Guy TM: "But does it have all the fancy new features of my phone?"
*queue baby punching rage*

[Xyga]

Oh I forgot: you're lucky if your Android phone gets more than one firmware upgrade ever.

Life of a smartphone;

technology: 6 month
firmware: 1 year
battery: 2 years

[BPzeBanshee]

My new phone's pretty awesome. Deadly weapon when thrown, dropproof, rainproof, doesn't warp when I sit on it and the battery lasts for at least a week! Oh and it has a built-in torch!

[Udderdude]

I'm intentionally not upgrading my phone because it has a slide-out keyboard. Screw touchscreens. :3

[railslave]

I'm intentionally not upgrading my phone because it has a slide-out keyboard. Screw touchscreens. :3

That , + doom rpg 1/2 . Your as happy as anyone

[Udderdude]

I never played the Doom RPGs .. they looked a little wacky with palette swapped Arch-viles and Mancubus.

[boagman]

I'm intentionally not upgrading my phone because it has a slide-out keyboard. Screw touchscreens. :3

Actually, I'll fully cop to the fact that a physical keyboard is one thing that I'm having to sacrifice to get this new phone. My previous phone was a Droid 4, with a *fantastic* slide-out keyboard. None of the phones with the new company offer that, so it's kind of a pipe dream for me now.

Nothing's perfect. Upward and onward!