Phone

[BobnBev]

Just ordered a new Samsung Galaxy S7. Any clues, good or bad?:MOJE_whot:

[retiredguy123]

I have a Galaxy S8. Great phone. I don't understand why people buy Iphones. Samsungs are better and cheaper, and they have a removable micro SD card slot.

[BobnBev]

I have a Galaxy S8. Great phone. I don't understand why people buy Iphones. Samsungs are better and cheaper, and they have a removable micro SD card slot.

Do you have the charger where you don't have to plug the phone into, I guess it's wireless charging. Wonder what it costs?

[retiredguy123]

Do you have the charger where you don't have to plug the phone into, I guess it's wireless charging. Wonder what it costs?
I have several of them. They are only about 12 dollars or so on Amazon, and a little more expensive at Best Buy.

[biker1]

If you have never owned an iPhone then I know why you don't understand why people buy them. If you have previously owned an iPhone then I assume your interest is in the lowest cost possible. It is the little things that make the iPhone the best phone available. For example, completely transparent backups to iCloud and seamless integration with other Apple products. While they are not the lowest cost, you do get what you pay for. As always, opinions vary.

I have a Galaxy S8. Great phone. I don't understand why people buy Iphones. Samsungs are better and cheaper, and they have a removable micro SD card slot.

[retiredguy123]

Both Apple and Samsung have cloud backup systems. However, I have found that most non-technical people have no clue how they work or how to access and use them. I often try to help someone and find out that they don't even know their password or that they even have a cloud backup. However, they do understand how to use a portable hard storage device, such as a thumb drive or an SD card. I think the computer industry needs to do a better job of educating users how to use cloud systems.

[ureout]

Just ordered a new Samsung Galaxy S7. Any clues, good or bad?:MOJE_whot:


aren't you suppose to get the review before you ordered it :shrug:

[biker1]

If they can't figure out cloud storage then they probably can't figure out card storage on their phone. I have never had a need for card storage on my phone. It simply is not an issue. Apple offers classes on how to get the most out of your phone. The information is out there. The issue is not the industry. People just need to take advantage of what is available and in the case of Apple products it is well advertised. What I find ironic is that iPhones, in general, seem to be the choice of the most technically savvy people I know but they are the easiest to use. Before I retired from a computer manufacturer, almost everyone I worked with in the company had an iPhone. Android phones simply did not have a footprint.

Both Apple and Samsung have cloud backup systems. However, I have found that most non-technical people have no clue how they work or how to access and use them. I often try to help someone and find out that they don't even know their password or that they even have a cloud backup. However, they do understand how to use a portable hard storage device, such as a thumb drive or an SD card. I think the computer industry needs to do a better job of educating users how to use cloud systems.

[BobnBev]

aren't you suppose to get the review before you ordered it :shrug:

Normalcy was not always my strong suit,,,,:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::clap2:

[JoelJohnson]

The computer club in The Villages have talks on phones and workshops. Google Connected Computer Club and go to meetings and presentations. We meet at 1pm at Eisenhower Mondays. There will a workshop on July 23rd and one of the tables will be for Android stuff.
I'll have a table on the chromebook.

[valuemkt]

I have the Samsung Galaxy Edge, a brother of your phone. I added the micro SD card before my recent trip to Hawaii, as I was running out of space. it takes great pictures, and then they all get populated to Google Photo, where you can create albums, collages etc .. Reception and clarity (Verizon) is great .. both in the US and abroad (via partners). What I don;t like about it is its SWYPE capability. I text a lot, and have used SWYPE forever. It is the worst when it comes to that, if SWYPE is important to you. Voice recognition for input is also marginal. Those are features I'll try out more extensively when I'm ready to upgrade

[Nucky]

Normalcy was not always my strong suit,,,,:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::clap2:

Absolutely one of the best phones we ever owned. We did have the S7 Edge, just about the same as your selection but the Edge thing was a marketing ploy. You should be happy. Great choice.

We went full Apple all around. Should have done it years ago. But like with everything else time will tell.

[ColdNoMore]

aren't you suppose to get the review before you ordered it :shrug:

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. :oops:

[B-flat]

I have a Galaxy S8. Great phone. I don't understand why people buy Iphones. Samsungs are better and cheaper, and they have a removable micro SD card slot.

Because everything works and if you have other Apple products the integration works very well. If for no other reason security is much better with iPhones than with Androids.

[BobnBev]

I have the Samsung Galaxy Edge, a brother of your phone. I added the micro SD card before my recent trip to Hawaii, as I was running out of space. it takes great pictures, and then they all get populated to Google Photo, where you can create albums, collages etc .. Reception and clarity (Verizon) is great .. both in the US and abroad (via partners). What I don;t like about it is its SWYPE capability. I text a lot, and have used SWYPE forever. It is the worst when it comes to that, if SWYPE is important to you. Voice recognition for input is also marginal. Those are features I'll try out more extensively when I'm ready to upgrade

Can you explain SWYPE? I don't understand.:confused:

[B-flat]

Can you explain SWYPE? I don't understand.:confused:


Swype is a virtual keyboard that usually is installed with Samsung/Android phones but it’s also available as an add on keyboard for the iPhone.

With that said a Swype keyboard allows you to swipe along the keyboard to create a word rather than type it letter by letter. In other words if I want to type the word “letter” I swipe my finger without removing it from the keyboard on the letters that are in the world “letter.” And there you go you have the word letter typed on the screen. The negative side of it is that if some words contain some or all of the same letters you are attempting to type a completely different word my come up on the screen, but you can usually see a choice of words on the screen, then you choose the actual word you want to use.

Not sure how well I explained that but a live demo would clear up the your question.

[BobnBev]

Swype is a virtual keyboard that usually is installed with Samsung/Android phones but it’s also available as an add on keyboard for the iPhone.

With that said a Swype keyboard allows you to swipe along the keyboard to create a word rather than type it letter by letter. In other words if I want to type the word “letter” I swipe my finger without removing it from the keyboard on the letters that are in the world “letter.” And there you go you have the word letter typed on the screen. The negative side of it is that if some words contain some or all of the same letters you are attempting to type a completely different word my come up on the screen, but you can usually see a choice of words on the screen, then you choose the actual word you want to use.

Not sure how well I explained that but a live demo would clear up the your question.

You explained it perfectly, thank you.:beer3:

[B-flat]

You explained it perfectly, thank you.:beer3:

Great, I’m glad to hear that!

[asianthree]

Just ordered a new Samsung Galaxy S7. Any clues, good or bad?:MOJE_whot:

I have the 7 edge, for personal use. Easy to use reliable, and until you add an otter box it is a thin phone.

My iPhone is my work phone, and find it just as easy to use. My parents who are close to 90 do not do well with a iPhone. Can’t tell you why they just prefer a android.

[aninjamom]

I have an S 5 which is about 3 years old, and I love it after I cleared a lot of the extra apps off. The Androids have an advantage over the iPhones; my daughter has an iPhone just about the same age which is starting to act up. She is unable to access the battery without taking the phone apart. I can just pop mine out.

[jedalton]

you can get wireless charger on Amazon for around $20, works great I have s8+

[jedalton]

plenty of good videos on You Tube, people just won't take the time to watch.

[noslices1]

Too late, you already ordered it, good or bad.

[Boomer]

Can someone please tell me what in the heck is Bixby?

I keep telling it to go away.

(And, yes, I know I need to watch a video or take a class.)

[rothbear]

Just ordered a new Samsung Galaxy S7. Any clues, good or bad?:MOJE_whot:

I have the S7 and love it. Have had it for 1.5 years. I do not use my phone for everything but it does a lot. My advice is to get a case and screen protector (use Amazon they have a huge selection) as it can be a slippery little devil! The only thing I have found is that after several software upgrades my battery doesn't last as long as I would like and since this model is water resistant the battery is a bear to replace. I would let a professional do that, and probably will. I do like having the microSD card slot and I have downloaded Chrome and Google Talk to use instead of Verizon's stuff. I also use Norton Security as I have a version that covers 10 different devices.

I have my phone through my daughter's account with Verizon and at one point in time she said she wished that she had gotten the S7 rather than the iPhone, and she is a major geek. Loves her Mac but wasn't impressed with her first iPhone. Does like it better now. Our contract will be up in December but I think I'm going to keep the S7 for awhile as I do like it and it is paid for since Verizon had a great deal back then.

[bfarmer3]

I have an Electrical Engineering degree and designed airplanes for a living before retiring and I have a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge so the notion that technical savvy people only own iPhones is not true. I use my phone more than I use my computer and it works great. I control all of my music myself and don't have to put up with iTunes. I have an SD card for extra memory and only use the cloud for contacts so I don't have to pay extra for cloud space. I don't like iPhones because it is proprietary and you can only use apps that Apple will allow. You picked a great phone and you will be very happy with it.

[willis100]

I have only an associates degree in computer technology but I am savvy enough to know you don't have to use iTunes for anything. There is another program out there that does everything iTunes does. Apps are developed to work with a specific operating system and ios and android are different so each system "allows" only the apps that work on that system. After years of experiencing both types, In my opinion, the iPhone wins hands down. (If you try an Apple, You will probably agree. bought my 5s three years ago at Best Buy for $199 new) You don't have to have the latest model to give a try. I was happy with my androids for many years and I hope the poster will be.

[realmoxies]

We just got Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus phones. Amazing phones and the camera in these is the best! Wireless charging isn't expensive at all, they can be had for as little as $10 - $15.

Not sure but weren't the S7's the one with the exploding battery issue?

[realmoxies]

If you have other Apple product, i.e. iPad, then it would be smart to stick with Apple as their software and functionality will be familiar to you.

If you don't own Apple products then the Androids are the way to go. If you have a PC then you're likely to be already familiar with Google and Chrome, the Android phones will be easier to use.

Just be aware that as with all Apple products, you'll pay a premium price to join the "club".

All of this is IMHO of course. 😄

[Madelaine Amee]

The computer club in The Villages have talks on phones and workshops. Google Connected Computer Club and go to meetings and presentations. We meet at 1pm at Eisenhower Mondays. There will a workshop on July 23rd and one of the tables will be for Android stuff.
I'll have a table on the chromebook.

Thank you for posting this information. I wish I had this information when I got my first android I had no idea what to do with it, got a book for old people and taught myself to use it for what I thought I wanted, now I would like to expand my knowledge. Plus there are some great sites online run by Geeks who answer any and all questions.

[Charlie M]

Not sure but weren't the S7's the one with the exploding battery issue?

That was the Galaxy S7 Note not the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge .

[Boomer]

I was an English major.

I have a Samsung 8-something or other.

I can text and talk to people and check the market and take pictures. That is all I care about doing. I do not play games. (It terrified me once though when the screen had flipped around when I was trying to take a picture of something and it took a picture of me. It was a closeup. I was looking down at the screen. I have never fully recovered from the shock.)

Oh but wait! It syncs with my Kindle. That is important to me, too, but I bet they all do that.

It is big. I like big screens. And big though it is, it fits the outside pocket of my Chelsea Hobo 32 — of which I have two, a summer and a winter color.

When I bought this phone, I made sure that it was not that “pants on fire” version.

[retiredguy123]

I have an Electrical Engineering degree and designed airplanes for a living before retiring and I have a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge so the notion that technical savvy people only own iPhones is not true. I use my phone more than I use my computer and it works great. I control all of my music myself and don't have to put up with iTunes. I have an SD card for extra memory and only use the cloud for contacts so I don't have to pay extra for cloud space. I don't like iPhones because it is proprietary and you can only use apps that Apple will allow. You picked a great phone and you will be very happy with it.
I have a mechanical engineering degree and I agree with everything you said. I especially like the SD card slot because I can carry all of my music (14,000 songs) wherever I go. I guess IPhones are fine, but I have never purchased an Apple product because there has always been a less expensive alternative available. Apple seems to have created a cult like following that is a bit scary.

[JGVillages]

Just ordered a new Samsung Galaxy S7. Any clues, good or bad?:MOJE_whot:

Shouldn’t this question be asked before the phone was ordered?

[THUNDERCHIEF]

You must have liked it enough to order it, or did you order with no information

[THUNDERCHIEF]

Love my apple stuff ---- retired usaf-- no cult

[Barefoot]

Both Apple and Samsung have cloud backup systems. However, I have found that most non-technical people have no clue how they work or how to access and use them. I often try to help someone and find out that they don't even know their password or that they even have a cloud backup.Guilty as charged. :girlneener:

[Klein315]

My Samsung takes better pictures than my daughters IPhone. Much more clear and better colors! She couldn’t believe it until we both took the same picture! Love Samsung phones!

[dave042]

Just ordered a new Samsung Galaxy S7. Any clues, good or bad?:MOJE_whot:

sorry... just make sure you tell the girlfriend not to send any pics and you should be fine.

Some Samsung users say their phones randomly sent photos to contacts – TechCrunch (https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/02/some-samsung-users-say-their-phones-randomly-sent-photos-to-contacts/?guccounter=1)

[Schaumburger]

I bought a Galaxy S6 2 years ago, and replaced it with a Galaxy S8 in April. Love the Samsung phones. The battery on the S8 is much better/lasts a lot longer (so far) than the S6.

I downloaded Google Assistant a few weeks ago. Very helpful.

[Schaumburger]

Can someone please tell me what in the heck is Bixby?

I keep telling it to go away.

(And, yes, I know I need to watch a video or take a class.)

Bixby is the virtual assistant on the Samsung phones. Kind of like Siri on the iPhone. I have been using Google Assistant on my Samsung S8 for a few weeks now, and I find it to be quite helpful.