No idea about phones - please help

gwen80

Thanks. I'm looking at the Nokia Lumia 520...

gwen80

Oh would I be able to use it as a GPS? Say when out and about walking around?

grumbler

Any smartphone can be used for this, but it's worth saying (in simplistic terms) that the default Android maps/navigation requires mobile data connection for this while Windows Mobile phones and iPhones have the maps built in.

gwen80

grumbler wrote: »

Any smartphone can be used for this, but it's worth saying (in simplistic terms) that the default Android maps/navigation require mobile data connection for this while Windows Mobile phones and iPhones have the maps built in.

Sorry lost me again. Android? Is that the Operating System? What do iphones use? I was deliberating buying one, but have decided I don't think I can afford to part with that much cash at the moment.

Looking at the Nokia Lumia, is that a Windows phone?

I'm always saying to my Mum to keep up with technology otherwise she'll get left behind and here I am! Once I get the new phone and contract sorted I really need to start paying attention to what's happening technologically. Would I be able to use Skype on the Nokia Lumia as well? I've been using Skype a bit recently and if I persuade my Mum to get a laptop/tablet/smartphone I could Skype her too.

Thanks again

Gwen

grumbler

gwen80 wrote: »

Sorry lost me again. Android?

Yes, one of the three dominating. Other two are iOs and Windows Mobile.

Looking at the Nokia Lumia, is that a Windows phone?

Yes

Would I be able to use Skype on the Nokia Lumia as well?

I am no expert, but I am pretty sure you can: http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/skype/c3f8e570-68b3-4d6a-bdbb-c0a3f4360a51

prowla

gwen80 wrote: »

Thanks. I'm looking at the Nokia Lumia 520...

Do NOT get a Nokia Lumia 520.

Nokia used to make good phones, but the Lumia 520 (yes, it's a Windows phone) is not one of them.

I have one.

My work decided to replace Blackberrys with Lumia 520s and they are not good at all; they are cheap, clunky, don't have a mute button, don't hold their charge very well, there have been issues with a number of them, the default home screen has a pathetic attempt at animation (which fortunately you can get rid of), and the 2-coloured icons don't really make sense. Several people have bought their own phones to use instead of them - seriously they are so bad that in preference to using the one given to them, people are buying their own to use as work phones.

prowla

grumbler wrote: »

WiFi? What are you talking about?

I'm sure you know what WiFi is, so let me know your question and I'll answer it.

grumbler

I thought I made my point very clear by quoting the OP.
The OP had a very basic phone and paid £55 for going over their small allowance for calls.
Explain us, please, how your 'trick' with using WiFi could have helped the OP to save the money?

prowla

grumbler wrote: »

I thought I made my point very clear by quoting the OP.
The OP had a very basic phone and paid £55 for going over their small allowance for calls.
Explain us, please, how your 'trick' with using WiFi could have helped the OP to save the money?

Yes.

The comment about WiFi was aimed at data usage, including Skype, WhatsApp, mails, texts.

My iPhone plan is an "Unlimited" one for £37, where the "Unlimited" refers to calls and texts; my data allowance is 1GB/month, so hopping onto WiFi (especially when doing updates, or if watching movies) offsets any limitations.

But you are right, that wouldn't help plain old phone calls.

gwen80

prowla wrote: »

Do NOT get a Nokia Lumia 520.

Nokia used to make good phones, but the Lumia 520 (yes, it's a Windows phone) is not one of them.

I have one.

My work decided to replace Blackberrys with Lumia 520s and they are not good at all; they are cheap, clunky, don't have a mute button, don't hold their charge very well, there have been issues with a number of them, the default home screen has a pathetic attempt at animation (which fortunately you can get rid of), and the 2-coloured icons don't really make sense. Several people have bought their own phones to use instead of them - seriously they are so bad that in preference to using the one given to them, people are buying their own to use as work phones.

Ok, what other phone would be better?