We'll be in our bunk.

Wash ,'War Stories'


Buffistechnology 3: "Press Some Buttons, See What Happens."

Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!


javachik - Feb 15, 2012 8:28:28 pm PST #19467 of 25501
Our wings are not tired.

javachik, are you keeping the old phone but company just isn't paying for it anymore? Or did they take the phone back? If you're keeping the old one, you could just get it unlocked and use that one for foreign travels with new SIM cards?

Yep. I bought the actual phone but work picked up the tab for all bills (iPhone 4). At&T has really crap coverage at my house, so thinking of porting the number to Verizon. I was going to give my old phone to a friend and buy an iPhone 4s with Verizon. I hadn't thought about keeping it and unlocking it.... (I've found that changing out sims is annoying enough that I just don't. Also, the most important thing for me when I've traveled is being in contact with US friends and my god teaching them how to call a foreign number to reach me? A pain the ass. LOL!)

Between texting, computers, skype, headsets, etc., I have come to absolutely detest holding something (*anything*) to the side of my face to communicate with someone.

I totally feel you on this. Add to that that I really just dislike talking on the phone in general? Yeah...


meara - Feb 15, 2012 8:33:09 pm PST #19468 of 25501

(I've found that changing out sims is annoying enough that I just don't. Also, the most important thing for me when I've traveled is being in contact with US friends and my god teaching them how to call a foreign number to reach me? A pain the ass. LOL!)

Well, there is that. Maybe Google Voice and a sim card for local calls?


javachik - Feb 15, 2012 8:39:36 pm PST #19469 of 25501
Our wings are not tired.

Google voice has definitely been recommended, at least for a phone number to place on my website. So many things to think about. But I think Cass has allayed any fears about the inability to multitask. And maybe I won't give my old iPhone 4 away - unlocking it and using it for travel makes more sense. Thanks for the advice, y'all!


NoiseDesign - Feb 15, 2012 9:01:42 pm PST #19470 of 25501
Our wings are not tired

It's hard to get an iPhone unlocked, the carriers are very reticent about doing it. You won't be able to move the AT&T iPhone to Verizon, so that's out. Your plan of giving the phone to a friend and buying the 4s is the best option.

As for international, with the iPhone 4s, that's not a problem. All of them now have CDMA and GSM built in. You'll be able to get a Verizon SIM card and use GSM on international roaming, and CDMA while you are in a domestic area with Verizon coverage.

I'm still on AT&T so I can't speak to the multitasking issue.


javachik - Feb 15, 2012 9:40:59 pm PST #19471 of 25501
Our wings are not tired.

Yeah, I knew I wouldn't be able to switch my current iPhone to Verizon. Thanks for the other info.


Consuela - Feb 16, 2012 6:26:45 am PST #19472 of 25501
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix

So I've got a T-Mobile MyTouch and I'm going to Spain next month. I will be bringing my Kindle, so I can access my email and so forth in the hotels; should I bring my phone as well? And if so, how should I go about using it? I don't think I'll need web access, just phone & texting ability.


Polter-Cow - Feb 16, 2012 8:09:25 am PST #19473 of 25501
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!

When I went to Europe, I think texts were a little expensive, but less expensive than calling. I didn't have a smartphone; I don't know if data coverage is international. I guess if you can pick up WiFi, it doesn't matter.

Oh, but oh my God. Call T-Mobile and tell them to disable your voicemail for the time you're gone. Because if someone calls and leaves you a voicemail, you get charged for it as if you'd picked up the damn phone.


Consuela - Feb 16, 2012 8:10:18 am PST #19474 of 25501
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix

Call T-Mobile and tell them to disable your voicemail for the time you're gone. Because if someone calls and leaves you a voicemail, you get charged for it as if you'd picked up the damn phone

YIKES. Okay.


§ ita § - Feb 16, 2012 8:32:55 am PST #19475 of 25501
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.

Can you make phone calls over Wifi? I can do that for free whatever country I'm in, if my phone supports it (Nexus does not, G2 does).


Jessica - Feb 16, 2012 9:13:35 am PST #19476 of 25501
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset

Other than not actually having $900 to spare, is there a good reason not to buy this?