Monthly Archives: February 2011

TracFone, Net10 or Straight Talk Browser or MMS not working

Posted on by
9

This is a guest post from contributor “Otis 226,” regarding his recent activation of a TracFone CDMA handset (specifically, the LG 231c, although this advice could apply to any Trac, Net10, or Straight Talk device with a model number that ends with “c”). I think it may be helpful to others in troubleshooting their phones:

When I first activated this handset online, I was given a local area code number, but the phone indicated it was roaming. Even after multiple attempts at updating the phones PRL, (preferred roaming list), it still indicated ‘ROAM’ at the top of the internal screen.

I decided to contact Tracfone customer service, to see if they’d correct this for me, since I needed to be able to access the MMS and browser in order to complete this review. Some people may be aware that with the phone in roaming mode you cannot usually access your browser.

Well, the person I spoke to assured me that since this handset was a single rate model, meaning I would only be charged 1 unit of time per minute used, even when the phone was roaming, I shouldn’t worry about it and just go ahead and use it the way it was. At any rate, I explained to this customer service representative that I needed the phone to not be roaming so I could use my MMS and browser functions. After this, he had me input 3 strands of codes into the phone, and I got the indication on my main screen, ‘HOME’, (this is the first Tracfone handset I’ve used that actually said HOME when in my local area code).

My point in relating this story is that if I hadn’t known I needed to get the phone out of ROAM mode in order to use the browser, I’d have no idea why it wasn’t working, and would probably be spending more time than I wanted to with other Tracfone CSR’s trying to figure out the problem.

LG 231c Review Part 3

Posted on by
7

Below is part 3 of the LG 231c Review, including the conclusion. If you are looking for previous parts of the review, consult the LG 231c index page, here.

Extras

This phone does have a web browser, which you can access from the main menu via the right soft key. You can also go into the menu and #6 will open the browser. Unfortunately, there is no way to disable the browser access on this phone as there was on the LG100c, 220c, or 290c. On the bright side, you do have several seconds, before any units are deducted, to close the phone or hit ‘end’.

LG 231c for TracFone, Net10, and Straight Talk

I’ve already gone over the capacities of the organizer features and as for ease of use, they are typical of what are available on most Tracfone LG handsets. You’ll find the alarm clock, calendar and notepad features here in the ‘Tools’ menu, instead of the ‘My Schedule’ menu as on the LG220c.

There is a voice recording option where you may record up to 1-minute memos, ringtones, ect. I assume the number is only limited by the amount of the 30 mb internal memory remaining. There is also a ‘voice command’ feature that allows you to speak one of six different commands into the phone, such as, ‘call …’ or ‘time and date’, ‘missed calls’, ‘messages’, ‘voicemail’, and ‘help’, and it will give you that information verbally.

Additional ringtones may be purchased on line through the Tracfone website via this handset as well. There is no mp3 player here.

Conclusions

To conclude, the LG231c is a nice little entry level CDMA handset that I feel many people would enjoy owning and using. Its compact size and weight, along with its basic features should suit the average Tracfone customer well.

But, if you were hoping for a model that was a step up from the LG220c, I’m afraid this phone will probably disappoint you. Rather than an improvement on the 220, I think the 231 is about its equal. The photos taken with the vga camera cannot be retrieved through any means other than MMS messaging, so it will cost you minutes (which means, money) to get any pictures off your phone.

The bluetooth functionality is almost completely disabled by Tracfone, and you are unable to disable the browser function as you were on the earlier LG models. Unless someone comes up with an FTP workaround, as happened for the LG290c, I feel the LG600g with full bluetooth capabilities and a vga camera would be a better choice.

If you need CDMA service, then the LG290c would still be my first choice from Tracfone.

We need to remember here that Tracfone is and will most likely remain the low cost alternative in the America Movil family. For folks like me, who require less than 200-300 min a month. It is the most cost effective choice, but it will probably never have handsets with as many bells and whistles as Net 10, and especially Straight Talk, which seems to be getting as expensive as many post-paid providers. At least it’s good to still have a choice. I’d like to thank Patrick for again giving me an opportunity to review this Tracfone selection for his blog.

Editor’s note: I’d like to once again thank Otis 226 for sharing his valuable time to write this review. To sum it up in my own words, I guess I’d have to say that the LG 231c is basically a 220c with a camera, but it’s costly to get pictures off the phone. If you need a basic handset, this is a safe choice and a decent value for the money.

Also note that this model SHOULD have Double Minutes for Life included at activation. If you add a minutes card and don’t receive the bonus minutes for the doubling, call TracFone executive resolutions department at 1-800-876-5753. You ARE entitled to DMFL, and they have the power to fix it.

Finally, Otis 226 took a little more time to carefully explain what to do if your CDMA TracFone (or Net10 or Straight Talk device) is having issues with connecting to the web or sending MMS. That article will be posted later today.

TracFone

Net10

Straight Talk

LG 231c Review – Part 2

Posted on by
12

Following is part two of a three-part LG 231c review. To view other parts of the review, check out the LG 231c review index.

General Phone Function

In 2-3 weeks of testing this phone I’ve very rarely had less than 5 bars on the signal strength indicator. I would rate reception as good to excellent, on a par with the LG 290c or 220c. Call quality to both other cell phones and landlines has been really excellent and I have no complaints here at all.

volume rocker buttons

In-call volume has been very good and is easily adjusted with the side buttons. I’ve noted very little difficulty using it outdoors even in moderately noisy situations.

The ringtones seem adequate at level 3 and are quite loud to my hearing at levels 4 or 5, and can be heard anywhere in my home. The speakerphone functions very well; as a matter of fact, it sounds clearer than the cordless landline house phone we usually use. The speakerphone button is just below the left soft key and functions well.

Just to touch on the external display for a moment, it shows the usual information: signal strength; 1X (for CDMA technology); type of ringer notification in use, and battery meter, then there’s the date and time. If different features are employed, such as ‘vibrate only’, etc., these will also be displayed.

One last point regarding phone function – specific ringtones can be assigned to each contact, or to groups of contacts.

Internal display/Keypad

Not to put too fine a point on it, but as for this display, if you liked it on the LG220c, you’ll like it here. I can discern no differences at all.

LG 231c

On any phone I’ve used that has a camera, one of the first things I do is take a photo of a black object in a darkened area, and use that for my wallpaper. This gives a high contrast black background on the view screen. I find this makes viewing it in sunlight much easier than a lighter colored background.

The menu is fairly intuitive and if you’ve ever worked with any of the LG handsets, this should work well for you. I really don’t text very much or often, but I would have to say that texting on this phone seems to work well for me. Some might find it a bit off-balance, being a flip phone design, but when keeping an index finger behind the hinge area and using a thumb, you can move right along, and it doesn’t seem to have any lag time at all, which should be good news for the quicker texters among us. Also, I must say that after using the LG290c as my primary phone for the past 6 months or so, I found the lightweight and small size quite nice for a change.

The keypad has individual keys that are slightly raised at the bottom of each, making for a very positive click with each button press – (once again, if you liked the 220c, you’re going to love the 231c!) The center, directional keypad shortcut keys cannot be customized on the LG231c.

Connectivity

This is where some of the disappointment I mentioned earlier comes from. As far as I can tell, there is no way to connect this handset to your pc, either via a cable or bluetooth. Why does Tracfone disable these functions when the manufacturer obviously intended them to be used? Simply put, it’s good for business.

The only way to send photos taken with the camera is through MMS messages, which will cost you from 1.5 to 2 units per photo. This phone no more has ‘bluetooth connectivity’ than the Motorola w376 ever did. You can pair it with a bluetooth headset for hands free use, period. Although I’m unable to test trying to connect to a vehicle bluetooth system or a stand-alone gps bluetooth device, I’m pretty certain that it just won’t work.

There is an interesting point, for those who follow the Howard Forum Tracfone discussions on line. One or two of the more tech savvy folks who write there have come up with a way to access the hidden services menu on the 231c, (as well as the LG 100, 220 and 290). But as yet, I’ve seen no mention of a work around to get the bluetooth or usb functions to work on this phone. So, like many other TracFone handsets, the only way get pictures off this phone is via mms.

That’s all for part two of this review – tomorrow I’ll be back with the third and final installment, covering the LG 231c’s “extras” and recapping it all with my final conclusion.

For now, you can check out the LG 231c on any of the three America Movil brands:

TracFone

Net10

Straight Talk

LG 231c Review Part 1

Posted on by
8

LG 231c Review

[Editor’s note: I have asked longtime reader and valued contributor to this blog, “Otis 226,” to write up his thoughts in an LG 231c review. He graciously agreed, and the following review is made up primarily of his thoughts on the phone. However, I have also tested and researched this model, and added my insights where appropriate. I feel that this review presents a very fair and accurate evaluation of the LG 231c.]

General Overview

LG 231c

LG231c is available for TracFone, Net10, and Straight Talk, all of which are brands owned by the same parent company, America Movil. The phone is a basic CDMA clamshell device that is very similar to the earlier LG220c device. However, this handset does sport a vga, (0.3 mp 640×480) camera that the previous model lacked.

The 231c weighs 83 grams, (2.93 oz.), and closed measures 3.5”x 1.8”x 0.7”. When flipped open it measures approx. 6 ¼”. The full color external display is approx. 22 x 18 mm and the internal display measures 28 x 35 mm or 1.77” diagonally, with a 128 x 160 pixel resolution.

I was at first really happy that America Movil had allowed LG to release a full users manual for this model, but the excitement was short lived when I read through the manual and found that America Movil had, as usual blocked many of the more desirable features built into this handset (bluetooth, for one). But before we get into that, let’s take a look at the features it does have.

You can store up to 1,000 contacts in the phone book. There is room for 400 messages and 300 individual calendar events, as well as 100 notes in the notebook, which are limited to 150 characters each. There are 30 mb of internal flash memory, but no external memory card slot.

The LG 231c comes with 36 polyphonic ringtones, (8 of these are message tones). The 800mAh, 3.7V LG battery is rated for 2.5 hrs. talk time and up to 10 days standby time, which may be a bit of a stretch, but should be pretty close. I’ve used the bluetooth and other features quite a bit for most of the last week and only recently had to recharge the battery. The TracFone version of the 231 does come with the DMFL feature, which allows all purchased minutes to be doubled for the life of your handset.

External Appearance

The phone is a glossy black with rounded edges and has just a bit of gray around the camera lens, external screen and the LG logo. This model is very similar to the previous LG 600g and LG 220c.

For those who hate finger smudges on their phones, this one will be a disappointment. For me, it was the most ‘slippery’ phone I’ve handled to date. This makes it great for slipping into pocket or purse, but really hard to hold onto at times. I can foresee a lot of dropped handsets with this model. Opening with one hand should be as easy or difficult as it is with the 220c or 600g.

The LG logo is repeated inside above the main screen, and just below the screen is the Tracfone swirl. The LG logo is repeated a 3rd time on the back battery cover. On the left side are external volume up/down buttons and a covered 2.5mm headset jack above these.

There is an external camera button on the opposite side that allows you to take photos with the phone in a closed position, but you must first push this button and hold it. Then you are instructed to ‘press side vol key to take photo’. I needed to hold down the camera button while pressing the vol key at the same time in order for a photo to be taken, which is a bit cumbersome, but I guess you can get used to it if you use this feature much.

LG 231c Review image - charging port

LG 231c Charging Port

Finally, at bottom is the covered charger/usb port. The usb function is disabled. One nice thing about this, though, is that it’s the micro USB connector that is fast becoming a standard in the industry, making it easier to find replacement chargers and car chargers.

The layout and functions of the keypad are identical to the  LG220c, even down to pressing and holding the star(*) key to put the phone into vibrate-only mode. The individual keys have a nice, tactile feel that most should like. I would say the build quality of this phone is on a par with other Tracfone models in this price range and should easily last the two years and beyond most users keep a phone.

That concludes the first segment of the LG 231c Review. I’ll be back with another installment later this week. In the mean time, you can check out more specs and pricing info on this phone by visiting the America Movil brand websites using the links below:

TracFone

Net10

Straight Talk

Samsung r335c Review

Posted on by
Reply

Samsung r335c Review

I haven’t conducted an in-depth Samsung r335c review, but I have assembled some other info about the phone. This model is available for Net10 (click here for more info) and Straight Talk (click here for their site).

Samsung r335c

It closely resembles the “Samsung Stride” device which is available from US Cellular. The r355c is a CDMA phone, meaning that you will get coverage from Verizon, primarily, as well as smaller local CDMA carriers such as US Cellular. This review focuses on the version that is available for Net10 and Straight Talk.

It shares many similarities with the Samsung r355c, which I liked quite a lot. The big difference, obviously, is the form. The 335 is a flip-phone, while the 355 is a wider slab-style phone with full qwerty keyboard.

Both offer Bluetooth, a 1.3 mp camera, voice dialing and voice recorder. Another big difference is that, from what I can tell, the r335c lacks an mp3 and microSD card slot.

If you’re deciding between this phone and the LG 290c, I think they are pretty equal, so it probably comes down to whether you prefer the slide-up style of the LG, or the flip-phone form of the Samsung.

If you have your own Samsung r335c review, please post it in the comments section below this post. And if you are looking for more info, click here for Net10′s site, or here for Straight Talk.

Nokia 6790 Straight Talk Review

Posted on by
9

Nokia 6790 Straight Talk Review

I haven’t written a full Nokia 6790 Straight Talk review, but here’s some helpful info: It is a touch-screen device with an accompanying slide-out qwerty keyboard. [Editor's note: My mistake! The 6790 does NOT have a touch screen, as I had initially thought. I'm really sorry for the mistake, and thank several readers for pointing it out to me!] The GSM (AT&T and T-Mobile network) phone is available for Straight Talk, for $200. This phone also requires the $45 unlimited Straight Talk monthly plan – they will not let you use it with the $30 plan. Click here to get the full details from Straight Talk.

Nokia 6790

This is a legitimate “smart phone,” enhanced by the fact that Nokia has an app store with some very nice, polished applications. The phone also includes email functionality, instant messaging and facebook apps built in. These apps, as well as the web browser, will benefit from the phone’s 3G network capability.

Other features of the 6790 include the free voice-guided navigation, 2.0 Megapixel Camera and Video Recorder, microSD card slot, mp3 player and FM radio.

At this point, I don’t have specific plans to do a full-length Nokia 6790 review, but I’ll try to add a more detailed summary review at some point. In the mean time, if you have personal experience with this phone, please post it in the comments at the bottom of this post to help others make an informed buying decision.

Samsung t404g Review

Posted on by
6

Samsung t404g Review

Welcome to my Samsung t404g review index page. This model is available for Straight Talk and Net10. I hope to soon do a full critique of this phone, but for now I’ll use this page to publish what info I do have at this time. In the future, it will be an index with links to my full review of this device. (For now, click here to get more details from Net10, or here for Straight Talk.)

I don’t know a lot about the 404 at this point, but I DO know a lot about its closely-related predecessor, the Samsung t401g. They are GSM phones, meaning they operate on the networks of AT&T and T-Mobile. Both models include a qwerty keyboard, bluetooth (capable of transmitting data and files), mp3 player and microSD slot.

The biggest difference I see so far is that the new 404 includes a 2.0 megapixel camera, an upgrade over the 1.3 mp cam on the 401. I don’t know yet whether the video recorder on the new version records at a higher resolution than the predecessor.

Curiously, the newer version is currently selling for $10 LESS than the older model on Straight Talk’s website, and for the same price as the original on Net10′s site.

Keep an eye on this site for a full Samsung t404g review.

BIG New Phone News – LG 500g, LG 800g, Motorola EX124g, and Samsung t404g

Posted on by
70

LG 500g, LG 800g, Motorola EX124g, and Samsung t404g

A lot of new phone news has been cropping up on various message boards like HowardForums.com, and I had to share some with you. I’ll start with the least interesting, then move on to the really big news.

Samsung T404g

The Samsung t404g, apparently the successor to the Samsung t401g, is now available for Straight Talk. It doesn’t appear to offer too much in teh way of upgrades, with the exception of improving the camera from 1.3 mp to 2.0. Click here for more info.

Now, the more exciting info: It appears that both Net10 and TracFone will be getting both a new QWERTY handset and a new touch-screen phone. I always get asked when TracFone will have a QWERTY or touch-screen device, or when Net10 will get a touch screen, so I know this will be interesting to people.

LG 500g

The LG 500g is appears to be a QWERTY phone, and is showing up on both TracFone and Net10′s web sites – not currently for sale, but under various “support” pages. This model appears to be related to the LG C105, which came out last year and includes Bluetooth, 1.3 mp camera, video recorder, mp3 player, and microSD card slot, to name a few features.

The LG 800g is a touch screen device, also showing up in support pages on Net10 and TracFone’s sites. This one seems to be very similar to the LG C310, aka Cookie Style, aka Wink Style. Based on that connection, it appears that we can expect a quad-band GSM device with a 2.8-inch, 240×320 resistive touchscreen, Bluetooth, 2.0 mp camera, video recorder, mp3 player, video playback and microSD card slot.

LG 800g

Another touch screen phone, the Motorola EX124g (below) has also appeared in some advanced Net10 marketing material. I don’t have much info at all about this one, other than it is a touch-screen device, and I assume that based on the model number that it’s a GSM handset.

Unfortunately, I don’t know when any of these devices will be available (with the exception of the t404g, which is already on Straight Talk). Because the LG’s are already on parts of Net10 and Trac’s site, while the Motorola is not, I think we might see the LG’s first.

Historically, these companies have all released some new phones in the mid-spring, so I hope to see these for sale by May. I’ll be watching closely, and of course I’ll update you with more info when they are available.

Motorola EX124g

One other note for email and RSS subscribers – you might notice I published two other posts earlier today, to serve as index pages for upcoming reviews. In addition to the LG 231c and the LG 900g, I’ve still got work to do on the Nokia E71 and Motorola w408g. After that, I’ll be ready to begin on the models listed in the title of this post. Stay plugged in to the feed; I’ll have a lot of reviews coming at you in the next few months!

In the mean time, you can check in at TracFone, Net10, or Straight Talk to see if you can find any new deals for yourself.

LG 900g Review

Posted on by
87

LG 900g Review Index

This model debuted for Net10 and Straight Talk in early 2011.  I know I’m late on it, but I am still working on an LG 900g review. I’ll sum it up by saying that I can definitely recommend this phone and haven’t found any fatal flaws. I’ll publish my complete review as soon as my busy family life allows me time to do so.

Net10

Straight Talk

.

.

 

Until then, here are just a few bits of info about it: It’s being billed by some as a smart phone (a characterization I disagree with), and Net10’s packaging makes a point to tell consumers that the device is “Appable.” In this case, that means that you can find and download software applications to the phone. These apps are based on the “java” programming language. I’ll cover these apps in a lot more detail in my full review.

Other important features of the 900g include:

  • Full Bluetooth
  • 2.0 megapixel camera
  • Video Recorder
  • Voice recorder
  • FM Radio
  • Mp3 player
  • microSD card slot

As I said, I’ll have more info in future LG 900g review installments. When I have those completed, I’ll place a link to them here.

LG 231c Review

Posted on by
7

LG 231c Review Index

This is my LG 231c review index page. This model is available for TracFone, Net10, and Straight Talk. A CDMA flip-phone, it’s basically a follow-up to the 220c, which was released in the fall of 2009.

picture of the LG 231c for TracFone, Net10, Straight TalkIt’s a lot like a movie sequel, though, in that it has some things in does better, and other things it does worse than the original. And it looks pretty much the same.

The most notable addition on the LG 231c is a camera. It’s only VGA, but better than nothing. The biggest disappointment soon follows, though, because the only way to get the pictures off the phone is by sending an MMS message, which of course will cost airtime.

Another disappointment is that the LG 231 will not allow you to disable the web browser key. Some people feel that the web browser key is a nuisance, since they lose minutes by accidentally activating the browser. On previous LG models, it was possible to disable the browser shortcut key, but not on this model.

Those are a few of the complaints. Admittedly, they are pretty minor. The bottom line is that if you already have an LG 220c, this won’t be much of an upgrade for you (unless you really want the camera). But if you have an older phone, or if this will be your first TracFone, there are definitely some very good things to say about this phone.

To get the full story, check out the LG 231c Review links below:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

TracFone

Net10

Straight Talk