20 replies to this topic

[Eddie Z]

I got a ruggedized Casio "Commando" phone. Just came back from the Verizon store to have them activate it.

Man, this thing is quite a far cry from the standard cell phone I've been rocking for a while. And it's far more flashy than my work-provided 4 year old blackberry. This things' making me feel like an idiot! Getting used to it's gonna be a trick.

Well, the first of many issues:
Being that it's a touch screen phone, whenever I put it in my pocket, it seems to go haywire...like all the buttons get pressed. But I don't want to power down the phone completely. ???

[unbroken_chain]

well, I have this problem too, but because I don't hit the lil button on the top that "locks" the screen. mostly.

it always calls the person least desired, too.. smot. wicket smot.

[MeOmYo]

there must be a lock feature of some sort?

[scarfire]

on my droid x there's a button on the top to turn the touchscreen off (but not the phone) which is pressed before placing the phone in my pocket.
this resolves that problem.

[Eddie Z]

Found a button on the side that locks the screen. All good in that dept. Thx.

As I explore the apps, I get some error messages. I think I might need to go back to the store for some sort of tweak.

Some of the apps that actually work are asking me to take updates. I'm reluctant to accept these upgrades. Don't wanna be accepting any more costly services, because I didn't read the agreements right.

Verizon offer's a free workshop for my phone. I'm gonna sign up. Sounds like a good way to get my act together on this.

[Dr. Lostreality]

the updates don't usually cost more, they are like software updates to fix bugs and stuff like that.

[jme]

I've read quickly that this phone is typically loaded with verizon bloat ware... those are the only updates I'd be leery of in regards to costs. that's why they are there. to get you to use their shit softwares that you can get from someone else for free.

otherwise apps are very upfront with their costs, and updates to apps that you have downloaded should be free from charge.

download the amazon app store. they offer a paid app for free every day. I've gotten some good apps from there. games, tools, productivity software, all sorts of stuff... note that there is also garbage, but I just leave that for the rest of 'em.

[Mind Left Body]

on my droid x there's a button on the top to turn the touchscreen off (but not the phone) which is pressed before placing the phone in my pocket.
this resolves that problem.

Yep. I have the same phone. Never had that problem.

[Mind Left Body]

Found a button on the side that locks the screen. All good in that dept. Thx.

As I explore the apps, I get some error messages. I think I might need to go back to the store for some sort of tweak.

Some of the apps that actually work are asking me to take updates. I'm reluctant to accept these upgrades. Don't wanna be accepting any more costly services, because I didn't read the agreements right.

Verizon offer's a free workshop for my phone. I'm gonna sign up. Sounds like a good way to get my act together on this.

While I think it is a good idea to take the workshop for the phone, I can't help but think to myself how absurd that is. Look at how far we have come...a workshop to use your telephone.

[deadandgrateful]

smash it

[Eddie Z]

While I think it is a good idea to take the workshop for the phone, I can't help but think to myself how absurd that is. Look at how far we have come...a workshop to use your telephone.

I hear ya on that. The phone has become so complicated, the basic functions are no longer intuitive. Took me a day to figure out how to put the thing on speaker phone! (And It took a question to the Verizon rep to finally figure out how).

[unbroken_chain]

smash it

[deadandgrateful]

perfect

[PeaceFrog]

Amazon has an app store for Android now? I'll have to look into that...

I felt the same way when I first got one about a year ago... but if you have experience with computers, which you probably do, you'll catch on within a week. A guy I know that had no experience at all loved his Droid after about a month.

Then, after a few months the novelty of all the apps wears off and you use it just for a phone, music, pictures, calendar, and a calculator for the most part. Maybe some games if you have time. Try Angry Birds.

[Deadshow Dan]

My Galaxy Nexus has an off button for the screen

Ice Cream Sandwich is nice.

[scarfire]

don't forget to download brightest flashlight app. it's free and uses the flash on the phone's camera to turn your phone into a powerful flashlight which you'll find yourself using all the time.

[Wilson420]

Do all of your updates when you are synced to wifi this way you do not use all of your data.

[Wilson420]

Amazon has an app store for Android now? I'll have to look into that...

They are mostly the same apps as the Android Market.

[Eddie Z]

Things have been going well with it. just took some playing with to get a sense of how things worked. Some of the apps are fun. A tip calculator for going to restaurants. A candle app for concert encores! (Used at "From Good Homes" last night). Figured out how to text message a few people at once. I'm getting the hang of it and working out some of the bugs (settings). I can see the advantages and will probably enjoy the hell out of it.

[jme]

They are mostly the same apps as the Android Market.

i only use it for the "free paid app a day" feautre, really. today it's a piano app. I'll pass.

[seleziaL]

on my droid x there's a button on the top to turn the touchscreen off (but not the phone) which is pressed before placing the phone in my pocket.
this resolves that problem.

I had the same experience too. Talking about android phone I've read about this Voxer walkie-talkie app. Think walkie-talkie apps are boring? Try Voxer. It's the killer social network communication app that has the attention of Silicon Valley VCs right now. Resource for this article: Voxer walkie-talkie app makes big noise for iOS, Android. Send instant Audio, Text, Photo and Location messages to one friend or a group of your friends. Your friends can listen to your message while you talk or check it out later, I find this really cool.