Black Friday 2014

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by hwlester

Looks like Amazon has this as the deal of the day today for $19.99.

Thanks for posting that! I just bought one.

I don't need a cellphone, but I'll use the Lumia 520 to play music. After downloading maps, I'll use it as an offline GPS, too. It has a MicroSD card slot. It'll be fun to see what else it can do.

Here's a Microsoft.com link with all the specs: Detailed specifications for the Nokia Lumia 520.

[jj2me]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

After downloading maps, I'll use it as an offline GPS, too. It has a MicroSD card slot.

Be sure to set it up to download maps to the card; see post 476 on p. 32 (or this direct link).

[Blossom]

I just bought one. Why I don't know but it seem like a crazy good deal for the price.

[JoHunt]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I just bought one. Why I don't know but it seem like a crazy good deal for the price.

Windows on your phone What would you like to do?

http://www.trylumiaphone.com/#en-US

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by conan50

That's a good deal on the Windows phone. I'm thinking about an off contract Android phone just to use as an MP3 Player and Chromecast remote. Anyone using an Android phone like that, and do you have any suggestions for a cheap phone like that?
Thanks.

There are more than a few of us on MR who are doing this with no-contract phones. I'm using an LG Volt for streaming music and offline playback of audiobooks, music, and FM radio. I also use it as a remote for my Amazon Echo and Grace internet radio. Occasionally, I'll use it to play games, watch cartoons, and check my email. When I get a chance, I plan to set it up for offline map use.

What you need to decide beforehand is how much you're willing to spend and what your minimum hardware requirements are. Currently, I know of no great deals. The best deals happened during Black Friday. Since then, a few good deals have popped up; but there's no way to predict when that'll happen. You have to check back each day to see if anyone has posted a deal; and then you have to be prepared to jump on it right away if it's what you want.

[conan50]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

There are more than a few of us on MR who are doing this with no-contract phones. I'm using an LG Volt for streaming music and offline playback of audiobooks, music, and FM radio. I also use it as a remote for my Amazon Echo and Grace internet radio. Occasionally, I'll use it to play games, watch cartoons, and check my email. When I get a chance, I plan to set it up for offline map use.

What you need to decide beforehand is how much you're willing to spend and what your minimum hardware requirements are. Currently, I know of no great deals. The best deals happened during Black Friday. Since then, a few good deals have popped up; but there's no way to predict when that'll happen. You have to check back each day to see if anyone has posted a deal; and then you have to be prepared to jump on it right away if it's what you want.

Thanks!
I'm looking at 2 phones right now, my main concern is can I use them without a contract as wifi only devices:
This one looks nicest
http://www.amazon.com/LG-Tribute-Bla...194354&sr=1-34
This one costs a bit less
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N15E6TW/...I1JAB4NDV02B1Y
Edit: I take it there is a way to skip the prompt by the carrier?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by joehunt

Windows on your phone What would you like to do?

http://www.trylumiaphone.com/#en-US

The appstore is a bit weak on book-related apps. Missing-in-action are:

• 3M Cloud
• Axis 360
• Acoustik
• Blio
• Calibre Companion
• EbscoHost
• Google Play
• Hoopla
• Nook
• OneClickdigital
• Oyster
• Scribd
• Tantor

[Barbara1955]

Hummm which is best this of Fire Phone? Tempting. Dose it work with T-Mobile?


O I C its Locked into AT&T

Why you guys need sooo many phones.....

[curtw]

Originally Posted by gabby98

Kmart, Kroger and Meijer have the Tracfone LG Optimus Fuel Android phone for $9.99. I believe Kmart and Kroger are all weekend, Meijer may be for only Saturday. All in-store only

If their not what you're looking for in a no-contact phone, they may be good for media players... they have android 4.4 on them.

I picked up a few for my niece and nephews (little ones) for Xmas.

I've never bought a non-contract phone--how do these work? I see the Tracphone at Kroger requires the purchase of at least 30 days of talk time, but the Net10 says you can make that purchase after you get the phone home. Do they need phone "activation" to work as an Android tablet, or will they work with Android right out of the box (sign in to Google Plus and start downloading apps)?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by conan50

Thanks!
I'm looking at 2 phones right now, my main concern is can I use them without a contract as wifi only devices:
This one looks nicest
http://www.amazon.com/LG-Tribute-Bla...194354&sr=1-34
This one costs a bit less
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N15E6TW/...I1JAB4NDV02B1Y
Edit: I take it there is a way to skip the prompt by the carrier?

You can. I did that with my LG Volt. After turning it on, it kept doing the ET bit - phone home (Boost Mobile). After x number of failed attempts, it stopped and then put an invalid sim card icon in the status bar. That's it, no more nags, no attempts to activate. My phone is now a 4.7" wifi Android tablet. But, if you power the phone completely down, it'll try to activate again after you turn it back on. I don't power my Volt down; I just let it sleep when not in use.

Between those two phones, go with the Tribute; and check this thread out in the Audiobook Forum:

• No-Contract Phones as Audio Players

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by curtw

Do they need phone "activation" to work as an Android tablet, or will they work with Android right out of the box (sign in to Google Plus and start downloading apps)?

No activation required. Once you eliminate the attempts by the phone to activate itself, set it up like any other Android tablet (Nexus, Galaxy Tab, etc). See my answer in post #505.

[bookmarked]

Re: the Amazon Lumia 520 deal - if you have a Discover Card and have Cashback Bonus money and you haven't used Shop with Points before, you may be eligible to take another $10 off of this deal (or pretty much anything else through 12/31/2014). Use promo code SWP10CBB3. This promotion may be targeted, so YMMV. It worked for me even though I don't recall getting any sort of notice from Amazon.

Promotional Terms and Conditions


From the Slickdeals thread on the Lumia 520 deal.

1. Sign in your Amazon account
2. Link your Discover card
3. At checkout, choose "Pay with Cashback Bonus" (even $0.01)
4. Enter promo code "SWP10CBB3" to see $10 off purchase

[bookmarked]

Not sure if this is a repeat, but for the Christmas music fans - The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has a 5 song sampler for free here. Songs can be downloaded individually or together in a zip file.

♫ Away in a Manger
Sing Choirs of Angels (2004)

♫ One December, Bright and Clear
Ring Christmas Bells (2009)

♫ I Saw Three Ships
Rejoice and Be Merry! (2008)

♫ Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
The Wonder of Christmas (2006)

♫ What Shall We Give?
Home For The Holidays (2012)

[ngrant]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

No activation required. Once you eliminate the attempts by the phone to activate itself, set it up like any other Android tablet (Nexus, Galaxy Tab, etc). See my answer in post #505.

For my LG Optimus, and I think most LG phones you can skip the activation sequence by doing this:
When on the language selection screen --
Press these keys in this order: Volume Up, Volume Down, Back, Home

It worked for me and if you google "Skip activation on LG phone" you will find numerous videos and similar instructions for many different models.

Hope this helps somebody.

BTW I ordered the Lumia 520 @ $19.99 on the Amazon Gold Box Deal, really too good to pass up as an audiobook player etc. It can run all the apps I use regularly: Kindle, Kobo, Audible, Overdrive and of course Windows Media Player. This completes my "phone" collection of iPhone 4, LG Optimus (Android) and now Windows 8. What a Merry Christmas I am having already!

[gabby98]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Kindle US$29 after rebate:

http://dealnews.com/Amazon-Kindle-Pa...g/1235315.html

P.S. Try clicking on Shop Now even if my link indicates deal expired.

Interesting...tempted to check it out

Originally Posted by hwlester

Looks like Amazon has this as the deal of the day today for $19.99. Bought it from Microsoft Store for $10 more the other day...

But thanks to TM for the return suggestion...may help justify the kindle I don't really need

ETA:...who am i kindding of course I did both. Already started the return to MS, which should arrive tomorrow.