LG Thrive @ Amazon.com

[sd_matto]

My issue is I'm not sure what "Network Location" is, what app is using it, or how to get it to stop. BTW, I have the locations settings set to use GPS only, not mobile data.

Not sure either, but it is either the radio, the GPS, or the using WiFi (which you say you dont have for location services).

Best way to find out which is trial and error.

 

[sd_matto]

Are you planning to switch out the back case of the Thrive for the one on the Phoenix? Let us know how that works out.

Swapping phones completely (I don't like the silver finish; it scratches too easily, and the scratches are WAY apparent). I will eat the restocking fee, I know, but on the bright side I got a new Phoenix on eBay for less than the Thrive cost me (even after restocking).

If the Phoenix gives me issues with the SIM card I plan to use (ST), I will unlock it using one of those unlock services (i.e., for <$10). I don't anticipate issues with that, though.

I will let you know how the Phoenix compares to the Thrive.

 

[meowzer]

You obviously know what you're going, and good for you! Hope it works.

 

[dmullens]

I would recommend rooting the phone.

If you are averse to rooting, the other angle would be to get unlimited data on your plan. There are threads out there (e.g., @howardforums.com) that educate you how to use these phones on another ATT-type service (e.g., StraightTalk) which has unlimited (e.g., <5GB/mo) data.

I do both of the above (root & ST).

Thanks for the suggestions. I wasn't really wanting to root it...but...I might have to. Just didn't want to mess it up.

As far as ST is concerned...what I'm really wanting to do is spend as little money per month as possible. With the AT&T plan, I purchased the $25/500 MB plan, but what I don't use rolls over as long as I "top" it off. I can do that for $5/10megs. So, as long as I don't use all my data I won't be spending all that much. If I can use less than 500 megs every three months or so, I would be ecstatic.

Since I'm usually on Wifi, I didn't think I'd be using that much data (It's just when I _need_ it that I would use it). Now I find that something is using up the data even when _I'm_ not using the phone. I was hoping just to shut off the app from sending data, which it seems like DroidWall would do. I would like to know what is going on though (which app is sending all this data and why).

I've just started using the free version of JuiceDefender. I know the ultimate version allows you do do something with the apps. I'm not sure if it would allow me simply to limit the data access for one app (basically not allow it to use 3G). I wonder if it is a system service, if it would even show up in JuiceDefender.

Perhaps the bigger issue is why should individuals pay to get higher data limits when the phone is "sending" data to the company. I'm assuming this data is benefiting the company in some manner and really isn't needed for the general operation of the phone. I know that is a big assumption, but since phone works when 3G is off, I figure it isn't an essential process.

Hey...thanks for the suggestions. I will check out your guide on rooting the phone because I know I can block things with DroidWall. Just didn't really want to go that route though

 

[meowzer]

With the AT&T plan, I purchased the $25/500 MB plan, but what I don't use rolls over as long as I "top" it off. I can do that for $5/10megs.

Really? I was told that any leftover data expires after 30 days no matter what. This is great news! Do you have yours set up for automatic $5 debit every month?

I hope you can get your app issue resolved.

. . . unlimited data on your plan. There are threads out there (e.g., @howardforums.com) that educate you how to use these phones on another ATT-type service (e.g., StraightTalk) which has unlimited (e.g., <5GB/mo) data. I do both of the above (root & ST).

I will need to do some research on StraightTalk, but first a question: Approx. how much does it cost per month to get unlimited data via StraightTalk?

 

[dmullens]

Really? I was told that any leftover data expires after 30 days no matter what. This is great news! Do you have yours set up for automatic $5 debit every month?

My understanding is that the data will roll over up to 1.5 gig. If the data doesn't roll over...well...that's not good. I also understand any unused Texts roll over too, as long as you put money in your account before it expires.

I have an automatic $5 renewal for the data, and the 4.99 for the text. So, hopefully, most months I will only have to spend about $10 (plus the cost of calls). So far for the two weeks I've had the phone I've spent about 70 cents on calls and have used 23 megs of data. I did take a trip to Chicago and had Google Navigation going so that used up quite a bit. I won't normally have to use the navigation.

Yea...if I can get the apps to behave I think I can keep the data under control so I only need to purchase 500 megs every 3 or 4 months. Two weeks in I'm glad I went with the goPhone model!

 

[meowzer]

I am SO glad you mentioned the roll-over of data, dmullens, because I was believing the AT&T people (both in the retail store and via their Chat) who said that the data allotment was only good for 30 days; anything left over would be lost even if the plan was refreshed with funds.

I've been hunting the website and finally found something in a brochure I got with the phone in small print:

"Limited Feature Packages: A package that contains a specific allotment of data (in megabytes) or messages is depleted when you use the entire allotment. Renew package before 30-day period expires and any unused service will roll over to your new 30-day package period."

So, you think the data max is 1.5 GB? I'll make a note of that. I am aware that the basic GoPhone account has a max of $500.

The other thing you mentioned that got me thinking is that you started out with $25/500MB data and will put $5/10MB in each month. I assumed (obviously incorrectly) that whatever amount you started out with, you would have to continue with that amount each month. It's too bad AT&T doesn't have all this basic information readily available. Their own people don't even understand it!

 

[dmullens]

I found the information about the rollover on a couple of other forums. That was the thing that sealed the deal for me. They were also the ones who mentioned the 1.5 gig cap...which is fine. My assumption is that I should be able to add data packages anytime I want. So, if I'm going on a trip and blow through the 500 megs, I _assume_ I could add another $25/500 meg block. Of course, they might not allow this, but I don't know why they wouldn't.

Because of the data rollover (and the text rollover), I think the goPhone can be a really good value. For me, it wasn't much of a choice because all I get where I live is ATT and Verizon.

 

[dpham00]

I just bought one from Amazon. It was a no brainer for me, since I saved $60 buying it from Amazon vs. AT&T.

With regard to data, if you don't need data running in the background, you can go to settings>accounts&sync and uncheck "background data". this will disable background data like e-mail, twitter, weather, stocks, news, and other syncs that you may have. you can still open your e-mail or whatever app you use and manually sync it then.

you can also use "data counter widget" and set it to see how much data is used per day (or whatever time period you choose) so if some day and you didn't use your phone, and it shows some data usage, then you can hunt down the app using data.

 

[n2alltheworld]

If you want to monitor data usage, try 3G Watchdog. I have been using for since I got the phone over a month ago, works great!

https://market.android.com/details?id=net.rgruet.android.g3watchdog&feature=search_result

 

[oldsarge]

If I buy from Amazon will I have to pay an activation fee? I am starting from scratch,
I do not presently have a cell phone. What is the procedure?

 

[dpham00]

If I buy from Amazon will I have to pay an activation fee? I am starting from scratch,
I do not presently have a cell phone. What is the procedure?

no activation fee, you just need to activate your sim card and choose your plan. FYI, choose wisely, AT&T only lets you change the plan once w/o a charge. https://www.wireless.att.com/GoPhoneWeb/goPhoneLanding.do?method=activatePayGo After the sim is activated, you just buy credits, either directly from at&t or from ebay or other sources. https://www.myprepaidrefill.com/MobilityUSWeb/login.do