[AC Question]

Im considering buying an ANDROID SYSTEM PHONE:::
BUT I don't want to get shafted like i did with the samsung wave 2 running bada with crappy apps and NO SUPPORT FROM SAMSUNG Took a year to get the bada 2 upgrade.. they dont have any decent apps and i cant buy the payable ones with my DEBIT card !!! I have to get a CREDIT CARD ....no i don't think so ....
Im looking to see the complete list of ANDROID apps available ...and a decent support site. and conformation that i can buy apps with a debit card...or im sticking to my windows PDA phone 5 years old that actually has some decent usable apps...
Please help a disgruntled 62 year old...

[Liltahoe]

Android has came a long way and is very user friendly. I recently switched from iPhone to Android. There is an abundance of apps in the app store and you can use your debit card. I'm currently using the Samsung note edge and love it. It's and exceptional device and a powerhouse on the Android market. I can promise you that your Windows pda phone wouldn't be up to par with the current android economy. They also have a simple mode in which elderly people can operate the phone more effectively.

[anon8380037]

Hello. Welcome to Android Central.

I was not familiar with Bada until I looked your 2010 device up on Gsmarena. I am just a few years less mature than your good self.

All your fears will have disappeared. I can purchase from the Google Play Store with my debit card, though only a few cheap apps, and 2 free movies.

Android Market is Now Google Play Store and you can browse to your hearts content.
I have had 2 Samsung's since 2012, and a spare Motorola G.
My current Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is excellent. Android version 4.4 is very polished, and I personally like Samsung's Touchwiz settings and menu's. The next Android version 5.0/Lollipop is rolling out on many devices, is visually and operationally very different, and is causing some settings problems with some Samsung models already updated.
But these will be updated.

Thanks for registering.
Join in the forums and we'll help you choose a device.

(I edit a lot!)

[anon8380037]

Android has came a long way and is very user friendly. I recently switched from iPhone to Android. There is an abundance of apps in the app store and you can use your debit card. I'm currently using the Samsung note edge and love it. It's and exceptional device and a powerhouse on the Android market. I can promise you that your Windows pda phone wouldn't be up to par with the current android economy. They also have a simple mode in which elderly people can operate the phone more effectively.

Good advice. We posted together and appreciate Samsung's.

But watch it with the 'elderly' bit.

85 + is elderly.

[Liltahoe]

Good advice. We posted together and appreciate Samsung's.

But watch it with the 'elderly' bit.

85 + is elderly.

Meant nothing about the elderly I apologize.
I'm getting old myself or at least I feel like it

[anon8380037]

Meant nothing about the elderly I apologize.
I'm getting old myself or at least I feel like it

I know. Of course. No apology needed.

Easy Mode is always suggested for a parent or grandparent.

At 55 I may be more age sensitive than I thought.

[Rukbat]

Elderly is how you feel, not a number. (Some mornings I feel ancient, but I'm only 72.)

I agree with Madd except for TouchWiz (that's the first thing I replace) and Lolliflop, which will probably be buggy until the next major version (6.something, because they never get it right the first few revisions) comes out.

The Play Store now (February 2015) has about 1.4 million apps, probably half of them free.

As far as support for a phone, the more it costs, the longer it's going to be supported. A $50 phone won't get an update, unless it's released when the update is already in the works. A $700 phone will probably get the next 2 major versions. Timing on an update isn't only up to the manufacturer - the carrier plays a large part. If you use AT&T, you'll be among the last to get the update - they're the tortoise in this race. But that's a good thing - if you spend 6 months reading about all the problems an update is causing, you know not to let your phone take it.

The definition of "decent usable apps" varies by user. There are some pretty good, free APRS apps - and they're useful to me. That doesn't mean that they're useful to you. But a pilot's calculator might be, or an app to figure out tacking - but not to me, I don't fly or sail.

[Javier P]

I'm not 62 but I can understand your pains

Plenty of free apps in the Play Store but if you want to buy anything I'd recommend you using a gift card. Easy to redeem and completely safe. That's the way I get my paid apps.

Buy a 10$ one and see how it goes.

[GregMargie]

Along with all the Great advice already mentioned..... A great way to view all the apps to your hearts content...... Go to Google play on your desktop computer. Great way to search and view what is available prior to even having an Android phone. There you can also read reviews people have posted. Good luck!

[Jay Sacks]

We'll, it is a good thing you are not too old… because at viewing say 100 apps a day it would only take about 25 years to get through them all. At that point, what is an app?