Android Media Player alternative to smartphone?

November 9, 2011 1:14 PM

Is there an Android -based media player that I could tweak to use as a smartphone?

I know I could grab an iPod Touch and a MiFi device and use that in lieu of an iPhone, but I'd prefer Android if possible. Is there an Android alternative to the iPod (that accesses the android marketplace), that I could use to connect to WiFi and use with Google Voice?

The things I must have: Google search, Gmail, and Google Voice. Maps and/or Navigation would be a plus.

I'm trying to avoid cell phone contracts and hefty data plan fees. Thanks in advance!

posted by SuperErin to technology (8 answers total)

The problem with this plan, at least as far as the iTouch/MiFi configuration goes, is that you can make outgoing calls, but unless you have the Mifi running and the GV/Skype/whatever app open at all times, you can't receive calls.
posted by Oktober at 1:23 PM on November 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

just pick up a virgin mobile phone at any electronics store...i was using mine with just wifi (full access to market, etc) for a full month before activating it...optimus v, here (only $129!)...the motorola triumph looks pretty fancy, too...also, virgin is good about not burdening their phones with a bunch of crapware...and their plans are excellent (sprint service) if you change yr mind and want to activate it later...
posted by sexyrobot at 1:24 PM on November 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

($45/mo for 1200min/unlimited data and texting, no contract) FWIW...
posted by sexyrobot at 1:26 PM on November 9, 2011

@Oktober I actually rarely answer calls anyway. i usually let it go to VM. :P
posted by SuperErin at 1:30 PM on November 9, 2011

@sexyrobot so you're saying i could use a virgin mobile phone w/o purchasing a plan? just turn it on and go? never even occurred to me!!
posted by SuperErin at 1:31 PM on November 9, 2011

You could get one of the wifi-only Samsung Galaxy models such as their Note or cheaper Galaxy S wifi (not the tablet). I use Groove IP to make calls with my Google Voice account on my Tablet, and it would work just fine on any other device.

You could also just buy a used unlocked Android and do the same.
posted by Burhanistan at 1:32 PM on November 9, 2011

yep...picked up the optimus when it was new and hard to find with most of a month left on my old plan...turned it on and found that it all worked on wifi...'activate phone' is just an app...
posted by sexyrobot at 2:02 PM on November 9, 2011

With respect to the Galaxy S Wifi mentioned above, the latest iterations of them are available off the shelf at Best Buy now -- look by the iPods, not the phones -- along with at least one other similar Android device, if memory serves. Spec-wise they are essentially the same as the Galaxy S phones except for having an LCD display instead of AMOLED; this puts them ahead of all of the Virgin Mobile Androids except the Motorola Triumph, and I'd imagine the same is probably true of the other prepaid Androids as well.
posted by robt at 7:27 PM on November 9, 2011