I know this question has been asked many times, but I cannot understand the answers! They use terms like CDMA and other stuff that I don't get. I am an old woman (53) who thinks she's tech savvy, but is not really.
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posted by primate moon
on Jun 11, 2013 -
17 answers
My husband and I are traveling to London later this week for a 10-day trip (yay!). For part of the trip I'm going to be at a conference, and he will be doing some work things, so we need to be able to get in touch with each other, either via voice calls or text. I'm trying to figure out the cheapest way to accomplish this.
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posted by DiscourseMarker
on Jun 10, 2013 -
10 answers
First things first: I'm not a stalker and I won't do anything illegal. I've found the person who is almost certainly my birthmother. I need her cell phone number. I believe it's an iPhone. I also have an iPhone, for what it's worth.
Please note: this question is not about whether it's a good idea to contact this person. Nor is it about whether I should contact her via an alternate method.
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posted by ImproviseOrDie
on Jun 4, 2013 -
20 answers
I have two separate marketing lists on spreadsheets, both of which were originally opt-in, but have been residing on different systems - System A for email marketing and System B for SMS marketing. List A has the users' email addresses, cellphone numbers and names. List B just has the users' cellphone numbers (plus a column called "unsubscribed" for those people who. I want to combine the two spreadsheets to create one spreadsheet while keeping the column called "unsubscribed" so I know which people to keep permanently removed. Can you advise me on how to synchronise these two spreadsheets using the cellphone number as the common data? Thanks!
posted by skylar
on Jun 3, 2013 -
4 answers
Just called a friend with a severed tendon to see how his visit to the doctor went and he was still in the exam room. He said he had to get off the phone because there was a sign saying "no cell phones in exam room." I'm wondering why the sign is there. He was alone at the time, waiting for the doctor to return. Is the rule due to an equipment issue, or is it because of doctors being annoyed by rude patients talking on cell phones while the doctor is examining them, or something else?
posted by mediareport
on May 31, 2013 -
24 answers
Transform Ultra with an overheating, fast-discharging, spontaneously-turning-off battery.
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posted by Snyder
on May 1, 2013 -
1 answer
My mom moved to Mexico recently, and I have had a hard time contacting her via phone. She's staying with relatives of her boyfriend, but it seems like she's not able to use their phone to make international calls. I'd like to get her a mobile phone that she can use to call me and her other kids (or anybody else), but I'm a bit overwhelmed by what I'm finding with google - a lot of which seems targeted to making international calls from the US to other countries or just seems spammy.
What is a good way to buy a phone here and send it to Mexico?
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posted by jeoc
on May 1, 2013 -
5 answers
Previous AMF questions have discussed walking into various mobile providers in Italy and just buying a SIM card. Glancing around internet currently suggests that SIM card sales are (more?) heavily regulated in Italy than previously, even to the point of not offering them for sale to someone showing a passport. Curious if any current Italy residents, expats, or students can provide info for the following:
US unlocked GSM smartphone owner heading to Italy for 10 days and would like to have reasonable phone and text options to call/text back to states to check on house and pets with housesitter. Data a plus but absolutely not necessary.
Any advice to smooth the process of buying a SIM card in Italy would be greatly appreciated.
posted by teg4rvn
on Apr 23, 2013 -
9 answers
We're driving from NY to Montreal for a short 5-day trip, and we'll need to be able to make a few calls and/or send and receive texts while on the road. I've found a bunch of older answers to very similar questions (
for example) but surely things are better by now? What are my cheap prepaid (I assume) options for a short trip to Canada? Is there a simple way to pick up a prepaid SIM card over the border and use it for the trip?
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posted by RedOrGreen
on Apr 15, 2013 -
7 answers
My best friend is currently insanely busy. She is in the U.S and I am in Europe. Texting is the best way to stay in touch with her, but I need some help doing it across the Atlantic.
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posted by colfax
on Mar 21, 2013 -
9 answers
I have a service/sales job for which I drive
a lot. Between Spotify, podcasts, and using GPS to locate various places, my cell phone gets a workout in the car. Add to that the steady stream of phone calls I make and receive while not driving and the typically fidgety gadget nerd surfing, app-using etc. I do all day long, and my Android phone's battery has a lot of work to do every day. I end up leaving it charging pretty much whenever I'm driving. The problem is, I burn through chargers at a rate something like one every three to five weeks. It's expensive and I need a better solution. Ideas?
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posted by DirtyOldTown
on Mar 3, 2013 -
13 answers
I have a broken cell phone that I dropped. I have insurance, so they will replace the phone. However, the phone was logged into my Google account, so once it gets fixed, I am afraid that somebody might get it and be able to do bad things to my account.
How do I handle this?
posted by Irontom
on Feb 16, 2013 -
6 answers
So I broke the screen on my new Nexus 4 and just mailed it off yesterday to be repaired, and I realized too late that the daily alarm clock may go off while it's in transit. What will be done with the package if that happens?
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posted by pete_22
on Feb 14, 2013 -
11 answers
I have been getting annoying and possilby disturbing calls from an old friend. I looked up the number and it's registered as a cell phone with an out of state area code. However, since it is a cell, the person could still be placing those calls from the local area. I called my phone provider and unsuprisingly, they couldn't help. Is there another way to find out the physical location of the caller?
posted by youdontmakefriendswithsalad
on Feb 5, 2013 -
5 answers
I want to replace my cell phone with a mobile data plan and VOIP client. What's the most cost-effective option in the Montreal, Quebec area? Snowflake details inside.
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posted by signsofrain
on Feb 4, 2013 -
1 answer
For the last four months, I've been getting anywhere between 3 and 60 calls per day on my cell phone from (555) 555-5555, at all hours. If I pick up, it's a recorded voice, somewhere between a computer and a british lady saying "one... one... one..." What the hell is going on, and how do I make it stop?
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posted by Jon_Evil
on Jan 23, 2013 -
13 answers
I am traveling to Taiwan for about two weeks very soon. I will be there with about 20 fellow students from my university. Being able to communicate amongst us while about Taipei will be pretty important. What do you recommend to use around the city? Inexpensive and easy would be great.
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posted by Korou
on Jan 3, 2013 -
4 answers
Jumping into smartphone world for the first time.…..i) I would like advice on an android phone that works on T-mobile 4G for email/websurfing/productivity.
ii) Would also like advice on buying used phones in general.
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posted by lalochezia
on Dec 27, 2012 -
7 answers
Sprint Android smart phone question: the phone rings for essentially all calls except those from one specific number.
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posted by sciencegeek
on Dec 24, 2012 -
2 answers
I might go on and then break a TMobile contract to get Nexus 4 phone. Is that a good idea?
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posted by cowmix
on Nov 25, 2012 -
10 answers
I have a Fancy Cousin who uses Virgin Mobile pre-paid, and my Fancy Cousin would like to get a new Android phone during this weekend's sales. A few questions:
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posted by Greg Nog
on Nov 23, 2012 -
12 answers
We are switching from AT&T cell phone to service to Verizon, and I'd like to perform the switch smoothly while also using one of the new phones as a Christmas gift. Your advice on the proper procedure would be welcome.
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posted by Rock Steady
on Nov 20, 2012 -
14 answers
Shopping for a cell phone - new unlocked GSM or t-mobile android smart phone, good camera (at least 5 MP), respectable battery life and under $200 without a plan (ebay ok). Any recommendations?
posted by roaring beast
on Nov 8, 2012 -
5 answers
During the past three and a half hours, I've received ten telemarketer calls on my cell phone. They seem to be from the same company using different numbers and area codes (I stopped answering and they don't always leave a message, so I can't be sure). What can I do, and what did I do?
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posted by gladly
on Nov 8, 2012 -
8 answers
How strongly should I feel about hanging on to my grandfathered AT&T unlimited data plan?
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posted by escabeche
on Nov 4, 2012 -
17 answers
Cell phone plans filter: I want a cell phone-sized Android device to mostly use on WiFi, and the Nexus 4 may be the right one. But I might use occasional cell voice & data - help me get that voice & data as cheaply as possible.
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posted by Tehhund
on Oct 31, 2012 -
17 answers
Hypothetically, what are the practical results of completely cloning a GSM phone-- not just the SIM card, but also the radio fingerprint and any other method used to differentiate two mobile devices?
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posted by shakespeherian
on Oct 24, 2012 -
5 answers
Need some solutions for temporary cell phone re-routing. Thinking Google Voice might be the solution somehow but looking for brainstorms.
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posted by amanda
on Oct 21, 2012 -
6 answers
What is the recommended way to buy a phone on Craigslist, switch to Straight Talk, and port numbers to Google Voice?
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posted by cycleback
on Oct 21, 2012 -
2 answers
Help me write a funny, effective, non-shaming sign asking people to please not talk on their cellphones in the office restroom.
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posted by elizeh
on Sep 27, 2012 -
27 answers
Can you suggest a USB motor / solenoid / actuator that can by activated via the command line on my Windows 8 PC? I would like my front door to automatically unlock every time I approach it. Details are as follows:
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posted by thankyoumuchly
on Sep 21, 2012 -
11 answers
How do I wipe the memory of a bricked Android phone before returning it to the manufacturer?
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posted by LarryC
on Sep 10, 2012 -
3 answers
I'm currently using an iPhone 3GS in Ontario with Fido. With the new iPhone on the horizon, I'm considering buying the phone unlocked through Apple, and switching to a "Pay as You Go" service. I'm hoping the kind folks at Metafilter can help me choose the best plan.
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posted by backwards guitar
on Sep 5, 2012 -
7 answers
How do you use your smartphone to actually improve your life/work? How would you persuade someone upgrading is worthwhile with real-life examples?
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posted by likeyoubutme
on Aug 31, 2012 -
35 answers
Please help me with recommendations for a mobile/cell phone for my hard of hearing Father in Law.
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posted by wwax
on Aug 29, 2012 -
4 answers
I will be travelling a lot to Sweden and I would like to purchase a Samsung Galaxy S3 made for Europe/Sweden while still in the US.
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posted by digividal
on Aug 27, 2012 -
7 answers
