I am considering getting a mobile phone and I am after some sugestions and I know little about such things. I have so a avoided them like the plague as it seems a large percentage of users of such things become slaves to the device, something I have absolutely no intention of happenning to me. The problem for me (I am recovering from a long illness) is It is becoming clear it would be nice to have some kind of communication for emergency use. I live in a remote rural area and I cannot at the moment walk any distance so if I am stranded, say my Greenspeed Magnum (Note 1) gets a flat rear tyre (thats happended 3 times this year) I have to wait till someone comes along and can give me assistance, this is NOT real satisfactory. Something like the Librem 5, mentioned in a previous post, would be ideal as I really believe in Linux having been using it now from very early on (kernel 0.96d, early 1994), but supply being something like a year away may be an issue. So some thing else may be needed in the interim, any sugestions will be most apreciated. Note 1: I have fitted my Magnum with a rear hub electric motor (a Golden Motor Magic Pie 4), this has made the rear wheel VERY difficult to remove its a real bench job, The front wheels are NOT an issue one can remove the wheel, change a tube and refit the wheel in less than 2 minutes, with the CO2 cartridges one can be one ones way in no time. Lindsay
Hi Lindsay If you're not interested in most smartphone aspects, check out the new Nokia 3310 3G. It's a revamp of the original Nokia bestseller. It has a very long battery life, which may be quite important to you. You'll need to be on the Telstra mobile network to be sure of a signal in rural areas. You can get the phone on its own from Harvey Norman and JB Hi-fi, both also online, but Telstra or a dealer may also have some bundle arrangement that includes the phone and a mobile plan. I have a Nokia 6 myself (runs straight Android) and am very pleased with how HMD Global has rebooted the trusted Nokia brand and quality. Not altogether surprising though as HMD was founded by some of the original Nokia people in Finland. I'd prefer a fully OSS device too, however battery life is important, as is availability. I did have an early Ubuntu phone from BQ, before I sadly killed it (my fault entirely). It was good, but Canonical has dropped their mobile phone explorations. I think that if you don't need the smartphone stuff, not having a full smartphone is probably best as it keeps you away from a big proprietary stack with tracking apps, and NOT having a big screen and lots of apps does wonders for the battery of course. Regards, Arjen.
----- Original message ----- From: Arjen Lentz <arjen@lentz.com.au> To: Lindsay W <lindz_wolf@fastmail.com>, "Lindsay W via luv-talk" <luv-talk@luv.asn.au>, luv-talk@luv.asn.au Subject: Re: [luv-talk] Mobile phone Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2018 09:09:01 +1000 Hi Lindsay If you're not interested in most smartphone aspects, check out the new Nokia 3310 3G. It's a revamp of the original Nokia bestseller. It has a very long battery life, which may be quite important to you. You'll need to be on the Telstra mobile network to be sure of a signal in rural areas. You can get the phone on its own from Harvey Norman and JB Hi-fi, both also online, but Telstra or a dealer may also have some bundle arrangement that includes the phone and a mobile plan. I have a Nokia 6 myself (runs straight Android) and am very pleased with how HMD Global has rebooted the trusted Nokia brand and quality. Not altogether surprising though as HMD was founded by some of the original Nokia people in Finland. I'd prefer a fully OSS device too, however battery life is important, as is availability. I did have an early Ubuntu phone from BQ, before I sadly killed it (my fault entirely). It was good, but Canonical has dropped their mobile phone explorations. I think that if you don't need the smartphone stuff, not having a full smartphone is probably best as it keeps you away from a big proprietary stack with tracking apps, and NOT having a big screen and lots of apps does wonders for the battery of course. Regards, Arjen. --------------Reply--------------- I do not know what the "smartphone" stuff is, never having used the things at all, all I need is something I can use to call for a taxi (there are 2 local companies serving the area), it does cost around $50 or so, its still though the cheapest option and its unlikely to be needed to often. Access to a signal is not an issue here, There is good coverage from Telstra and Optus. I have Mobile broadband at home using GVtelco (Optus 4G), They a have a 1 gig a month plan $11.50 a month. I assume I need a phone thats not locked to a particular network (thats a problem with 3/4G broadband modem dongles) . Hmm JB Hifi has the Nokia 3310 for only $89. LIndsay
On 29/04/18 09:54, Lindsay W via luv-talk wrote:
I do not know what the "smartphone" stuff is, never having used the things at all, all I need is something I can use to call for a taxi (there are 2 local companies serving the area), it does cost around $50 or so, its still though the cheapest option and its unlikely to be needed to often.
Access to a signal is not an issue here, There is good coverage from Telstra and Optus. I have Mobile broadband at home using GVtelco (Optus 4G), They a have a 1 gig a month plan $11.50 a month. I assume I need a phone thats not locked to a particular network (thats a problem with 3/4G broadband modem dongles) . Hmm JB Hifi has the Nokia 3310 for only $89.
http://staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=Nokia%203310&spos=6 I think I've seen them under $40 though...... It's a basic mobile. If you have broadband, perhaps you want a long range cordless, possibly a VoIP phone or even a CB radio if you are close enough to someone at the other end. Cheers A.
Hi Andrew, ----- On 29 Apr, 2018, at 3:11 PM, luv-talk luv-talk@luv.asn.au wrote:
On 29/04/18 09:54, Lindsay W via luv-talk wrote:
Hmm JB Hifi has the Nokia 3310 for only $89.
http://staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=Nokia%203310&spos=6
I think I've seen them under $40 though...... It's a basic mobile.
Two things to mind: 1) there was also a 2G version which is useless in Australia because the 2G mobile networks have been phased out. So if you were to buy a 3310 from anywhere in not a mainstream shop, you want to be very careful you don't end up with a 2G model. I expect there are plenty of 2G models flying around for only a few dollars, everybody will be trying to get rid of them. 2) the $59 from your search (Officeworks) is actually an Optus Prepaid plan that includes the phone. Can be ok, but there will be costs involved with the plan. Depending on your needs, a specific prepaid plan can be either exactly what you need, or end up very expensive. Also it may be locked to Optus - which may again be acceptable, depending on needs. I mentioned the $89 JB Hifi and Harvey Norman, because I know they're 3G, unlocked, and generally in stock. Seems like a decent price for a decent phone. Regards, Arjen.
Hi, Yes, I know there is an old 2G only version; I have seen the new one at under $30, brand new; but I never got one and I can't recall exactly where. These mobiles 3310G I think they really are, actually it looks like there are 3 new models. https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_3310_3g-8876.php https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_3310_%282017%29-8597.php https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_3310_4g-9046.php Cheers A.
One of those new 3310s is 2G only, but there are 3G and 4G versions....
https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_3310_3g-8876.php https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_3310_%282017%29-8597.php https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_3310_4g-9046.php
The cheaper one I saw may have been the 2G one, but I cannot be sure. A.
Hi Lindsay
I do not know what the "smartphone" stuff is, never having used the things at all
A smartphone is a tablet computer with mobile phone capabilities. Runs [for instance] Android (developed by Google, Linux based) with Apps (Java based). A smartphone will use mobile broadband while out, and wifi while in the house. Most phones sold now are smartphones, and if you don't need those capabilities it's wise to stay well away from it as the magic obviously chews battery.
all I need is something I can use to call for a taxi (there are 2 local companies serving the area), it does cost around $50 or so, its still though the cheapest option and its unlikely to be needed to often.
Righty, so just a phone. That's what I thought which is why I suggested something like the Nokie 3310. You want it to just do a phonecall without surrounding fuss, and you want a battery that lasts so you don't have to worry about recharging it all the time.
Access to a signal is not an issue here, There is good coverage from Telstra and Optus. I have Mobile broadband at home using GVtelco (Optus 4G), They a have a 1 gig a month plan $11.50 a month. I assume I need a phone thats not locked to a particular network (thats a problem with 3/4G broadband modem dongles) . Hmm JB Hifi has the Nokia 3310 for only $89.
Ya sounds about right. Perhaps you can get a good deal from Optus for a mobile SIM card for the phone (or even a plan with Phone+SIM), given you already have another monthly gig with them. Regards, Arjen.
Hi Lindsay, I agree/understand with Arjen and can add that as ALDI use Telstra you can get an ALDI SIM and benefit from their services - which includes a handy web based usage portal. I think the main issue for people living in remote areas is the coverage. Vodafone were not very good in that regard a few years ago but that has changed dramatically. Telstra, I think have always been the best in that regard but you may not want to use them for some reason. have fun Mike On 29/04/18 09:09, Arjen Lentz via luv-talk wrote:
Hi Lindsay
If you're not interested in most smartphone aspects, check out the new Nokia 3310 3G. It's a revamp of the original Nokia bestseller. It has a very long battery life, which may be quite important to you.
You'll need to be on the Telstra mobile network to be sure of a signal in rural areas.
You can get the phone on its own from Harvey Norman and JB Hi-fi, both also online, but Telstra or a dealer may also have some bundle arrangement that includes the phone and a mobile plan.
I have a Nokia 6 myself (runs straight Android) and am very pleased with how HMD Global has rebooted the trusted Nokia brand and quality. Not altogether surprising though as HMD was founded by some of the original Nokia people in Finland.
I'd prefer a fully OSS device too, however battery life is important, as is availability. I did have an early Ubuntu phone from BQ, before I sadly killed it (my fault entirely). It was good, but Canonical has dropped their mobile phone explorations.
I think that if you don't need the smartphone stuff, not having a full smartphone is probably best as it keeps you away from a big proprietary stack with tracking apps, and NOT having a big screen and lots of apps does wonders for the battery of course.
Regards, Arjen.
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participants (4)
-
Andrew McGlashan -
Arjen Lentz -
Lindsay W -
Mike Hewitt