patrick.net

Sniper says

Using a needle in a haystack to make an obscure point?

Nope. Individuals in a workplace environment are far more capable of theft. Hell, it's human people that try to hack your information in the first place. Most accounts are covered when shit gets stolen anyway. So while you don't hear about it, it's definitely not a needle in the haystack situation.

Sniper says

Duh... really?? It's about eliminating as many "holes" in the security as possible.

What holes have I opened up by completing a banking transaction on my phone? No different then an ATM, someone would have to put a gun to my head to get access to my "digital" account instead of said ATM. My phone can't print cash though. I can't "Chase" pay the guy holding a gun to my head either, because then we know who he is. I installed the app on my phone with a username, password and additional code to even make the app work. What am I giving up and what hole have I created?

I got rid of the teller in the deposit, that's more secure. I can pay with credit card (all insured for fraud) and then pay that card off monthly without having a human involved, that's more secure. No one can access my account online or on my phone without my phone password, fingerprint or face, that's more secure.

I don't 100% trust tech, but it's more trustworthy and more in my control then the fucking bank teller thief. You haven't given a counter example to something that is more "safe" then the phone tech we have currently. I could give you my phone tomorrow and without the help of the FBI or NSA, you couldn't get into my phone. Even if you could, anyway to transfer money to yourself would be traceable. So not sure I get the point.

Patrick says

BayArea says

How much truth is there to security between apple vs google? Is one really more of a concern than the other?

@BayArea Yes, I think Google is much more of a privacy violator than Apple is.

Apple just sells you a phone or laptop, phone apps, and maybe some music. Google's business is to spy on all your searches, all your email, where you physically are at all times, and what is being spoken near your phone, and then to sell your private info to the highest bidder. All to show you advertising.

Very different business models.

Thanks for your take Patrick, given the products offered (and not offered) between the two, you are probably right.

HEYYOU says

Thank goodness no one's data is stolen from their phone like the data they give away to Facebook.

As you can see by this thread, very few are concerned with all their personal information going to FB or Google from their phones. After all "I need my sport scores NOW".

Sniper says

HEYYOU says

Thank goodness no one's data is stolen from their phone like the data they give away to Facebook.

As you can see by this thread, very few are concerned with all their personal information going to FB or Google from their phones. After all "I need my sport scores NOW".

Oh spare me with the lecture. You mean to tell me you never got a JCP catalog back in 1980? I'm sure you still read the sports section and look at the old box scores which are barey still in business.

I've carried an iPhone 6 Plus for the last 3 years. I have no complaints and have no intention of paying to upgrade. It more than handles anything I need it to do and it is still in perfect condition.

APOCALYPSEFUCKisShostikovitch says

BayArea says

I've been reading that this is the best budget smartphone on the market. The only thing it doesn't do yet is give handjobs.

On an LTE network the sound quality is really impressive - but the US so compresses the fuck out of everything to squeeze the last fucking billionth of a fucking penny from fucking everything in the fucking universe, you can only really appreciate it outside of the states.

Woke up with the thing ringing in Brisbane - not far from center of town and, first call I got on that trip, holy fuck, it sounded like she was talking in front of my about 9 inches away - from her landline in the states.

Same experience in Netherlands and Estonia. It was striking and the background silence, the black space, was just astounding. You could lean into an interview or a discussion for extended periods without fatigue.

The phone is, in its own right, a compet...

Used to have Motos with my previous carrier, they are really good phones.

Malcolm says

I've carried an iPhone 6 Plus for the last 3 years. I have no complaints and have no intention of paying to upgrade. It more than handles anything I need it to do and it is still in perfect condition.

My iphone 6 shit on itself a year ago. Wouldn't react to swiping or touch. I would still be using it if it didn't die.

mell says

Used to have Motos with my previous carrier, they are really good phones.

That's what we have. They have to be good. Wifey can screw up any type of electronics, and so far, she hasn't detonated her Moto. That's a MAJOR win, since she can make a basic calculator go totally wonky.

Whatever phone you buy, delete the facebook app asap!

What prepaid plans are you guys using?

I'm leaning towards the Moto G5 Plus... reading that this phone works best on Verizon, Sprint, Tmobile, and has some limitations on ATT.

BayArea says

What prepaid plans are you guys using?

Why prepaid and not a regular plan?

I had an iPhone 6s and loved it until Apple degraded performance, so I caved and bought an iPhone X. I absolutely love it, including Face ID.

PrivilegedtobeWhite says

I had an iPhone 6s and loved it until Apple degraded performance, so I caved and bought an iPhone X. I absolutely love it, including Face ID.

You cool with the face ID? Not sure I'm boarding that ship yet.

PrivilegedtobeWhite says

bought an iPhone X. I absolutely love it, including Face ID.

I dig it so far too. Face ID creeps me out a bit, but I love it. It's massively better then the finger print or typing in a code. You just pick the phone up and it unlocks essentially. It's awesome with text messages. Someone can grab your phone and not read the message. You look at the phone and you can see the message in the notification. Put it down and it's locked again. You don't realize how nice the features are until you have them. I don't think I've even discovered half of what this phone can do.

If anyone here gets the X. Get a gimbal and set the video to 4K. Choose the FPS that you prefer or have the storage space for. The quality is stunning. I think most high end phones are at this level, but I didn't realize if you get a bit of extra equipment, you can shoot some crazy good video with a fucking phone.

BloodyBhole says

PrivilegedtobeWhite says

I had an iPhone 6s and loved it until Apple degraded performance, so I caved and bought an iPhone X. I absolutely love it, including Face ID.

You cool with the face ID? Not sure I'm boarding that ship yet.

I was worried about it at first, but it has been awesome actually. It even recognizes me with sunglasses on or with a hat, but not both.

PrivilegedtobeWhite says

It even recognizes me with sunglasses on or with a hat, but not both.

I'm 50/50 with the sunglasses and hat recognition. It does work though about half the time. Must be something with your face ;) Just joking.

BayArea says

I've been reading that this is the best budget smartphone on the market. The only thing it doesn't do yet is give handjobs.

I understand that if you pay for an upgrade it will do handjobs AND blowjobs - but at a cost, like $300 - $350.

Goran_K says

My iphone 6 shit on itself a year ago. Wouldn't react to swiping or touch. I would still be using it if it didn't die.

Sorry to hear that, I guess I have been lucky with mine. It performs like new. It was recently that I was thinking, wow, it has been quite some time since I got a phone.

Well, after all that, my wife got a new IphoneX and passed down her old Iphone-6 to me LOL.

If that one ever craps out, I'll be back here and again hunting for the best budget smartphone - Perhaps a Moto G5 Plus like AF.

I like my iPhone 5 form because it's small enough to hold and text with my thumb. They still sell this form iPhone I believe.

I like iPhone 6 for the larger size for looking at the web and the camera is very good. I think this is my favorite piece of phone hardware.

i have a Motorola G4 which is ok, it's not as nice as the iPhones. The larger screen is nice for looking at pictures and google maps, etc.

Motorola's are good choices. I've had the G5 and now use the Stylus. Both budget friendly, and run pretty much everything needed.

If it gets lost or stolen or damaged, a few hundred bucks will replace it.

I like the Google Pixel phone and recommend it.
I had a Motorola that was not as good.

I own an iPhone for use in Mexico, but I prefer the Pixel.

Go to Best Buy and pick the phones up and hold them, you will probably prefer the Pixel to the other Android phones.

My pixel has a fingerprint reader on the back where Apple has a logo; as I pick up the phone my finger naturally hits the reader and unlocks the phone.

I’m an Apple fanboy since 1982 and a shareholder, but I recommend the Pixel.

I bought a used Samsung Note 3 for Verizon several years back. It has worked well for me. Now Verizon wants to discontinue providing service on 3G phones effective end of 2022. I need to find a new phone. I liked the Note 3 because its battery could be changed. Are there phones that have replaceable battery? I am open to changing carrier.

I'm trapped in the Apple ecosystem. So I'm biased. Never had an issue with iPhones since I switched over in 2009ish. Obviously expensive, but it started off a work phone so I didn't care and we started marking more and phone costs aren't really a big deal for us. We have Apple TVs, I have the Apple watch, we own over 200 movies in the App store, we have Music, iMacs, MacBooks, etc.

It's kind of sick now that I think about it. We've given Apple $10k over our lifetime, maybe upwards of $20k. Whatever, I'm happy, the kids are and the wife is. I don't play video games, but we have 3 fucking Xboxes. That interface and how you load gift cards, money, accounts, is beyond retarded. Will never personally use a Microsoft product again. Ever.

Also have never had computers, phones or any related product crash or have issues with Apple. My early iPhone slipped of the bathroom counter into the toilet (no shit or piss in there...) and just kept chugging along. Had no water resistance rating at that time. I've snorkeled with my newest phone and watch. Still working. I know other brands can do the same, but I frankly don't care what other people use. Find something and if it makes you happy stick with it. I do hate Microsoft though. Not gonna lie.

Microsoft sucks, it’s no secret.
Thank you for your purchase of Apple products and services.

I ended up with 12 for business and 8 for personal

Both are splendid

I'm using a Samsung's own knock off of a Samsung phone, that was in the less than $200 price point, when I got it almost 2 years ago.
Now with several cracks on the screen, and Android updating it twice a week to speed up its demise, I'm looking for a new phone.
like in true Android fashion, it's reached the 2 year mark, now the charge has gone from lasting days and days to just hours, and the reception and general quality is going to shit.
I've looked at comparable models at Metro PCS, but now their Samsung cheap phones start at $400 and up.

I may go flip phone now.

S22 , great phone, large screen, pen u can write n convert to actual text. Charges fast , great camera. Got it buy one get one free 24 month contract


Cons large, n heavy.

Ooma VOIP, ATT home phone. Had a problem with Ooma not taking my prepaid cards, and when I called and let them know it was on their end, just like Republic Wireless they refused to fix it. And just like I did with Republic Wireless I don't pay my bill. I get an annoying announcement before every outgoing call telling me my bill is past due, but that's it.

Booger says

Whatever phone you buy, delete the facebook app asap!

If you buy an iPhone it won't even come with a FB app or any Google apps either. Apple's "sandboxing" seems pretty secure. That's the concept of very carefully separating each app from the others. Apps can't read each others' data. Finger taps on the screen only go to the application that is frontmost. Also, if you delete an app, all of its associated data is removed because all of its associated data is stored in a designated directory not shared with anything else.

HeadSet says

Interesting. I noticed that my wife's iPhone pushes storing photos "on the cloud" instead of something like a local sD card or phone memory. Anyone know if some use agreement give Apple rights to photos stored on their servers?

I believe you will find that the user agreement is quite favorable to customer privacy. I'm not sure about the current system of cloud encryption, so government warrants are probably the only real privacy concern.

Full (and continuous) backup to the cloud is really handy if your phone breaks, is lost, or is stolen. Head on down to the AT&T store and get a new SIM card for the old account (if old phone lost or stolen). Then buy a new phone and restore from the cloud. You'll have your contacts, messages, notes, and email very quickly. Photos and videos can take hours, but they'll all be there as well.

My smart phone is a snob and keeps reminding me how stupid I am. I am ready for a dumb phone.

SunnyvaleCA says

Booger says

Whatever phone you buy, delete the facebook app asap!

If you buy an iPhone it won't even come with a FB app or any Google apps either. Apple's "sandboxing" seems pretty secure. That's the concept of very carefully separating each app from the others. Apps can't read each others' data. Finger taps on the screen only go to the application that is frontmost. Also, if you delete an app, all of its associated data is removed because all of its associated data is stored in a designated directory not shared with anything else.

Phones are completely insecure. Do not store data you want to protect on it.

Another issue with security is keeping your phone up-to-date with security patches. This is pretty much automatic with the iPhone. Every once in a while you get a message on the screen asking: Update now / Update when sleeping tonight / ask me later. You hit the option for updating while sleeping, remember to put the phone on the charger if it is low, and then have to type in your 6-digit passcode in the morning because face recognition is prevented from working the first time after a reboot.

Apple fully supports phones for quite a long time. That means you will get security updates for quite a long time. Currently (March 2022) the iPhone 6S is supported by the latest iOS 15.4. That phone shipped in the fall of 2015.

Security updates for Android are a different matter — or at least it used to be. Hopefully, it's gotten better. With dozens of new phones shipping yearly from several different manufacturers, the matrix of support can be a nightmare. Updates have to be coordinated with Google and with the manufacturer, and the manufacturer would really just prefer to sell you a new phone.

When choosing a phone, I figure that I'll use it quite a bit, so prioritize functionality over cost. That said, I'm pathologically cost conscious. When shopping the iPhone lineup 2 years ago, I chose the new iPhone (non-pro) over the previous year's phone or even older phones. While the new release was the most expensive, I figured I would run it for 4 years instead of 3 or fewer years and thus recoup the higher costs with a longer life. Plus, I'd have the better phone for most of those years.

That said, the iPhone SE 3 (released recently) is basically an "ancient" iPhone 8 but with new CPU. It has the same CPU as the $1300 iPhone 13 Pro Max. There's every reason to believe that Apple will fully support it for 6+ years. Biggest sacrifices are small screen, old camera technology, and fingerprint authentication instead of face recognition.

Ceffer says

My smart phone is a snob and keeps reminding me how stupid I am. I am ready for a dumb phone.

Are you sure you want to risk it? Could really dent the old ego when even a dumb phone proves to be your intellectual superior.

SunnyvaleCA says

If you buy an iPhone it won't even come with a FB app or any Google apps either. Apple's "sandboxing" seems pretty secure. That's the concept of very carefully separating each app from the others. Apps can't read each others' data. Finger taps on the screen only go to the application that is frontmost. Also, if you delete an app, all of its associated data is removed because all of its associated data is stored in a designated directory not shared with anything else.

The only phone I know of that does this properly is the Pixel. For that reason it's the only one supported by Graphene OS.