Work arounds in sending a text on feature phone (3G, computer, compatible)

[HJ99]

I had been commenting in another thread and since I so rarely use texting, though I better renew my skills. Lucky I did, had forgotten couple little tricks using T9 keypad. Practice makes perfect of course, but I only send text once in a blue moon so forget.



So sent a text to my email, just insert email address rather than phone number. Fine. So then hand wrote note on piece paper and took pic of it and attached that to an MMS text to my email. It worked and handwriting note and taking pic LOT faster than T9 keypad. Be aware MMS texts require data, you cant attach anything to basic text. Though most cell service now comes with some data whether you use it or not.


Oh and when attaching, noticed you can also attach an audio file. So you can just record a short message and attach that file. Hey it beats heck out of typing more than a sentence using T9 keypad.


If I were going to be taking longer car trip, I would just toss in my mini laptop and tether it to the cell phone. SO much easier doing things on laptop than cell phone with tiny screen and black unlit keypad.

[V8 Vega]

Don't you have to have internet to use your laptop?

[Peregrine]

I need to find a different tech forum to hang out on...

Hahahaha
Just teasing.

[HJ99]

Originally Posted by V8 Vega

Don't you have to have internet to use your laptop?

I tether my laptop to my cell phone via usb cable to share its web connection.

[HJ99]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

I need to find a different tech forum to hang out on...

Hahahaha
Just teasing.

There are lot cutting edge forums for those with latest greatest hardware and the deep pockets to buy it.

[Peregrine]

It's not about money. You can get a smart phone for free from many providers. You can get a decent Android for $100. People aren't using "flip phones" because they are poor. They don't WANT smartphones.

So your tip to the 5% of people here (at best) that have flip phones was what my comment was directed at. ANd I'm not trying to be rude. Trying for laughs.

[vision33r]

Sending SMS text is so last decade.

[gguerra]

What's a feature phone?

I had to google it. We used called them Candy Bars.

Really?

NO reason to keep those, at all.

SMART phones are literally free in many cases. They may be too complicated for some very technically challenged people but if you can use a PC...no excuse.

[HJ99]

Wow, figured people here were smart enough to realize NOTHING IS FREE. Some providers may give you a phone, but RARELY is this the best deal for cell service. You pay for the phone more than once with higher cost for service.



And I had a cheap LG smartphone several years ago when Sprint discontinued 2G and I had to buy a 3G phone. That thing overheated if I left it connected to computer to tether. Oh yea the sound sucked, I finally bought an external headphone to plug into it, cause I couldnt understand a thing anybody said trying to talk to me. Oh and it wasnt free, at the time it was cheapest Sprint compatible phone I could find at $80.



I was not amused. I NEVER spent over $25 on phone after that. And I bought used. Had a free Samsung flip phone from MVNO (ATT) that I really liked until I lost it. I really liked that phone. Then couldnt find a flip, the MVNO wasnt doing flip phones anymore at any price, so bought an ancient Samsung Eternity smartphone off ebay for $15 (used) that was loaded with bunch useless ATT software, and used a Samsung proprietary OS no longer supported so no new apps . Popped the replacement SIM in it and used it until recent times and the end of 3G, I think it could have lasted an eternity. Found the used high quality feature phone Sonim XP3. It works great for my needs. I read about the el cheapo crappo low end flip and bar phones that could do 4G LTE. I wasnt impressed, seemed kinda luck of draw if you got one that held up. Nobody much makes a high quality feature phone anymore. Or the couple that do want an arm and leg for them.



The best compromise in new phone seemed to be Pine Phone. Its linux based and you have root access out of box. Still kinda beta far as doing anything beyond voice and text. And $150 new. Seemed bit pricey for my needs. But root access out of box big selling point. Rather have it than cheap new Android phone that really doesnt work very well.

[HJ99]

Originally Posted by vision33r

Sending SMS text is so last decade.

Then you probably shouldnt do it. Wouldnt want to be outed for not being current.


Amazing such opposition to post how to use a feature phone when those in opposition dont own or use one. Do you have stock in some smart phone company? All I am suggesting is for those with a feature phone, how to avoid the super slow typing with T9 keyboard. Cause if you are typing more than a short sentence, its going to take long time. Especially for us old fogeys that send a text once in a blue moon. Back in day some that constantly texted got proficient with their thumbs. I didnt. Anybody that is not constantly texting isnt.