Smartphones

basilbuster

Hi everyone. Was thinking of getting a new phone as the old Nokia is just about knackered. Was looking at smartphones and was wondering what smartphones the general farming/outdoors people are using. Had kinna picked the new Motorola Defy out for its waterproof / dustproof and scratch resistent screen as a possible canditate. Have any of you used this phone and if so whats it like. Is the loudspeaker loud. Very important in a farming enviorment methinks. Maybe there are other rugged smartphones that you are using and find they stand up to our working conditions. All opinions will be greatfully accepted. Thanks in advance.

moy83

I have a samsung galaxy and I find it great .
It must be nearly a year old now and not a bother on it , there are no buttons on it so I find it doesnt gather dust or cow hairs .
The only down side is that they need charging every day

Username John

basilbuster wrote: »

Hi everyone. Was thinking of getting a new phone as the old Nokia is just about knackered. Was looking at smartphones and was wondering what smartphones the general farming/outdoors people are using. Had kinna picked the new Motorola Defy out for its waterproof / dustproof and scratch resistent screen as a possible canditate. Have any of you used this phone and if so whats it like. Is the loudspeaker loud. Very important in a farming enviorment methinks. Maybe there are other rugged smartphones that you are using and find they stand up to our working conditions. All opinions will be greatfully accepted. Thanks in advance.

Hi basilbuster,

I always had nokia phones, but found dust got into em under the screen, and they always got scratched to hell.
I got an iPhone about 18 months ago - now, I prob minded it a bit more, got a proper case for it, but I wouldn't use anything else now.
Few friends of mine have iPhones (in cases);) and they work as plumbers & electricians and they are happy with the iPhone as well...

Having said that - I am not a full time farmer, so the phone would have an easier life due to this I guess.

Just my two cents...

johngalway

I'm using a Samsung Galaxy SII, it's not what I'd consider robust at first looks. I got a leather flip case for it and keep it in my jeans pocket working, no damage so far. Loudspeaker is plenty good, I've got some hearing damage from shooting. I also got some screen covers for it which are essential. I see Moy got in ahead of me, agree about the charging.

pburns

I have a Samsung Galaxy S I, over 18 months old at this stage. Hardy enough - fell out of my hand while cycling, bounced on road and just needed the back cover clicked back on and a reboot!

(No case either - I don't believe in 'em. Make phones too bulky. Screen covers a waste of time too - just keep phone away from coins, keys etc.).

greysides

I have a Nokia Lumia 710 I got recently after the speaker in 'old trusty' retired.

It has the Windows Phone operating system. Overall it's not a bad phone. For someone coming from the old Nokia Symbian OS, the Nokia 701 might be an easier transition. Does virtually everything mine does but with a more familiar feel. Just less apps for it.

The Windows OS gives me the impression of being not fully thought-out. Microsoft coming at it from a computer POV rather than a phone users POV. Little things like... you can no longer send Business cards, or receive them; bluetooth: won't connect to my old phone, my sons Blackberry or my wife's Nokia 701 (also a new phone). Luckily it does connect to my old car kit although I need to keep the volume down or the caller gets an echo.
There is no facility to accept a memory card- quite a boo-boo- as it's a very easy way to transfer data from your old phone.
Back ups need to be done via internet to Google or Skydrive. No Ovi Suite on your own computer.
Camera is so-so, acceptable, 5 MP.
Virtual keypad is a real pain, too small, can't use a pen, has to be a finger. Mine are normal sized but too big nonetheless. Son's Blackberry has the QWERTY buttons and despite their size they are easier to use.

Samsung smartphones are said to be the best. However any friends that have Samsung phones have all had stupid problems with 5c pieces breaking or constantly turning off etc.

A friend who has a Samsung smartie says it has better reception than his iphone had.

Overall I'm happy enough with my phone, I had no preconceptions of them before I bought it, so it's good enough but if Nokia wish to retain my custom they'll have to step up before I buy my next.

munkus

Greysides,

Use microsoft zune to backup, sync data and update phone. Have HTC radar with windows OS for last six months and absolutely love it. Perfect for Outlook mail and calendar.

MikkaD

Id go for the samsung galaxy or iphone. (newest model) both are good and you can get very good covers for each that are water proof and unbreakable almost to the point where you could drive a fully laden artic over them!:) good speakers on both aswell..

dar31

got an iphone 4s before xmas, find it great.
take photos of everything, more photos of cows than family, embarrassing when townie mates get a hold of it
have it in a otterbox defender case, it has taken a few knocks sofar and no problems, you do have to make a bit more affort to mind it, but it becomes natural quickly, phone always in the left pocket on its own and always with the screen to my leg.
it does take a bit of getting used to if comming from old nokia phones, but worth it.

td5man

dar31 wrote: »

got an iphone 4s before xmas, find it great.
take photos of everything, more photos of cows than family, embarrassing when townie mates get a hold of it
have it in a otterbox defender case, it has taken a few knocks sofar and no problems, you do have to make a bit more affort to mind it, but it becomes natural quickly, phone always in the left pocket on its own and always with the screen to my leg.
it does take a bit of getting used to if comming from old nokia phones, but worth it.

Samsung galaxy s II here no problems yet there supposed to be better than an iphone

bbam

Have an iPhone 4 for about a year now. Ok you have to mind them more but you get used to that.
If you can get a data package it really brings them to life.
I'd hate to go back to a regular phone now.

grumpyfarmer

Had a HTC wildfire for 16 months before it gave up. now have a Samsung galaxy s plus only have it a couple months so far but so far so good... data package is essential especially for the boards app

kevthegaff

iphone 4 about 8 months ago, you have to charge it everyday but great for the net-banking, dep of ag etc. i have a flip cover which keeps it right. their great when your bored or for the soccer results:D

I had an Iphone 4 for about 18 months with an "OtterBox Defender Series" case. A good case is everything and there are lots available for the iphone. The phone got dropped on concrete several times climbing in and out of tractors, got dropped into muck, got water splashed on it. Never a days trouble. Gave it to my brother, when i upgraded and he is still using it now.
Biggest downside with ta durable case is, makes the phone a bit bulky.
Having a smartphone on the farm is great for:
Checking Met.ie for the weather.
Checking ICBF.com.
Had an app, for checking acreage. You just walk around the field giving it a few gps locations and it calculates the area. Fairly accurate as long as the field is fairly flat.
One of the handiest things, is just being able to look up phone numbers and the like, on he internet, on the go.

Bodacious

dar31 wrote: »

got an iphone 4s before xmas, find it great.
take photos of everything, more photos of cows than family, embarrassing when townie mates get a hold of it
have it in a otterbox defender case, it has taken a few knocks sofar and no problems, you do have to make a bit more affort to mind it, but it becomes natural quickly, phone always in the left pocket on its own and always with the screen to my leg.
it does take a bit of getting used to if comming from old nokia phones, but worth it.

Same as ,

Had iPhone 3 in half case but when I got 4s I got otterbox off of eBay 18stg great job, agree with webtext below a small bit bulkier but great comfort and safe I broke 3 screens on iPhone 3

Ginja Ninja

Like a lot of the lads here, I've a Samsung Galaxy SII myself and take no care of it whatsoever but its grand the battery doesn't last well so putting it on charge daily is definite but apart from the its grand,the screen stays clean and (thus far) scratch free,I usually leaving it beside my bouncing around the cab if im getting a lot of calls and just this morning it took a kick from a calf straight to the front of it and is still kicking.
It might not matter but the lack of buttons and a good strong back to it stops it gathering dust and is easy to wipe off any sh!te that gets onto it.

Does anyone use the "smart" part of the phone for anything farm-wise? Using apps or anything like that to use the software

Arrow in the Knee

I have the Nokia E71 'business phone' since October 2009 and still going strong except my PDF isn't working which is a pain.

I intend to get the new Samsung Galaxy S III when it comes out fairly soon.

What I don't like about the iphone is that it doesn't have a radio.

grumpyfarmer

Ginja Ninja wrote: »

Like a lot of the lads here, I've a Samsung Galaxy SII myself and take no care of it whatsoever but its grand the battery doesn't last well so putting it on charge daily is definite but apart from the its grand,the screen stays clean and (thus far) scratch free,I usually leaving it beside my bouncing around the cab if im getting a lot of calls and just this morning it took a kick from a calf straight to the front of it and is still kicking.
It might not matter but the lack of buttons and a good strong back to it stops it gathering dust and is easy to wipe off any sh!te that gets onto it.

Does anyone use the "smart" part of the phone for anything farm-wise? Using apps or anything like that to use the software

Apps i use on the smart phone for the farm are;
Weather pro, for the weather...
GpsArea, for measuring field and padlock etc ...
Boards app for venting...
Converter app for all unit conversions, ac to ha , cubic meters to gls etc
Done deal app for browsing stuff
and of course Google app for everything else...

Lofty0990

nokia lumia 800 a bit of a brick ,screen cover, input serve/bulling to Kingswood cloud and check email, weather and most importantly spurs stuff in parlour or while cows are crossing road:)

greysides

munkus wrote: »

Greysides,

Use microsoft zune to backup, sync data and update phone. Have HTC radar with windows OS for last six months and absolutely love it. Perfect for Outlook mail and calendar.

Thanks Munkus. Zune and I are barely on speaking terms...............


Another thing that could work more simply and be more intuitive.

I had a pocket computer a while ago, an Axiom. Worked fine with a windows pocket PC OS and ActiveSync. Just not a phone, although some were. Very easy to use and swap microsoft documents back and forth. Then out comes Zune, Windows Live, Skydrive................. and it's all a ball's up.

Min

Arrow in the Knee wrote: »

I have the Nokia E71 'business phone' since October 2009 and still going strong except my PDF isn't working which is a pain.

I intend to get the new Samsung Galaxy S III when it comes out fairly soon.

What I don't like about the iphone is that it doesn't have a radio.

I have wunderRadio on my iPhone, uses the internet and works well, can listen to local, national or international radio stations.

My iPhone 3GS was bought in December 2009, got no case for it, it had many falls but it works fine, has some scratches on it but then it is 2 and a half years old, though might get the newer model soon.

redzerologhlen

Have an iphone 3gs, couldnt go back to an old phone now. I bought an iphone4 for the girlfriend last year too....should have kept it for myself

djmc

I lost my new iphone 4s in a load of cow sh1t

johngalway

djmc wrote: »

I lost my new iphone 4s in a load of cow sh1t

Is there an app for that?

vanderbadger

redzerologhlen wrote: »

Have an iphone 3gs, couldnt go back to an old phone now. I bought an iphone4 for the girlfriend last year too....should have kept it for myself

the 3 is a better phone, i have had a few varieties of iphone at this stage, 4 is a pile of sh1t i reckon, constantly dropping calls and dont start about o2, most of the way home from galway i have no coverage

redzerologhlen

She has the 4 a good while now and no problems so far. All meteor pay as you go around here, my 3GS has been playing up a bit lately with the speaker, sometimes I have to put it on loudspeaker when making calls, annoying when someone is around.