Electronics

[Marp]

@x Hedge, I want to say a very sincere thank you for the NoLED recommendation.  It isn't quite as good as the dedicated light on my Ultimate but it is working well now that I've got the settings the way I want them.

Overall I am very happy with the Samsung Galaxy Sky and now that I've had time to tweak the settings the biggest thing I miss (after the flashing LED) is being able to tap to wake the phone, but that is minor.  The home button is just as efficient.

There are so many new controls in the settings with Marshmallow I feel like I am in control not the OS.

[lulu2]

I've been a Tracfone user for a number of years and my husband became one recently.  If I were to change phones every time I saw an upgraded phone, I'd have a bazillion minutes. (and a half dozen old phones)

My phone time expires in June, so I won't be tempted I will not look at a presentation until spring

[x Hedge]

You are welcome @Marp.

Finding a substitute for that little blue light was the first thing I did when I bought my own, less sophisticated smartfone. 

[sueinsf]

@Marp @Julius Seizure @x Hedge  How are you liking the phone now that you've had it for a bit?  I haven't activated mine yet and still need to charge it up and go over the manual.  Took a glance at it so far and was happy to see that the minutes are already programmed in and don't need a separate activation.

Any suggestions before I activate?  Anything I need to know to set up?  I remember reading some reviews on the Luna (similar phone) where someone said they lost most of their data right away based on the setting being on "mobile" -- so that doesn't happen to me, how should I have that set?  And perhaps I have to make sure the Wifi is set to off too?  I don't want to automatically be using data unbeknownst to me.

Also, I don't have a gmail account.  Guessing I have to set one up right away before I can go in to the Google Play store?  I do want to download the TracFone app to see my time and minutes.

[Marp]

Hi @sueinsf, I have a couple of questions for you.  Do you already have a Tracfone account?  Have you had an Android smartphone before and if so what version?

As far as data and wifi goes there are settings that you will likely want to change.  I turn wifi off if I am not using it.  That is a real battery saver.  I keep data turned off unless I absolutely need to conserve battery and data.

At first I found that even though I know I turned wifi off I would find it back on.  I solved this problem by going into settings, battery, power saving mode and at the bottom is restrict all background data.  Turn that on.  You will still be able to get calls and texts but apps will not keep checking for updates, etc.

There are so many settings with this version of Android that you can tailor to the way you want the phone to work it can be confusing and overwhelming but once you get the phone to work the way you want it I think you will be very happy.

I do suggest that you download the full manual from Samsung to your computer.  http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/201607/20160726002127375/TFN_SM-S320VL_SKY_EN_UM_FINAL_...

Once you start setting up the phone if you have any questions just ask and I'll do the best I can to help.

Oh, if you had and Android phone before and have a google account your contacts, etc. will automatically be transferred to the new phone.  If for some reason you do not have a google account you might want to set one up from your old phone so the information is uploaded.

Have fun.  I am really happy with the phone now that I have it working the way I want.

[Julius Seizure]

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@sueinsf I really like the phone a lot. There is definitely a difference in color and clarity of the screen compred to my last phone which was a Galaxy Grand Prime.

You draw from your data time when you have "mobile data" turned on. You should try and use wifi whenever possibe to access the internet, as wifi does NOT draw from your data time. I only use data if for some reason I'm somewhere I can't access wifi. I leave my wifi on pretty much all the time. Again, wifi does NOT draw off your data time.

You have to have a Google account to access the play store. Google account and Gmail account are the same thing. You don't need 2 accounts.

The thing HSN never says in the demos is that when you buy a TracFone through them, AFTER the phone is activated (just follow instructions on the blue card), AFTER activation and the phone is working, you then need to call *22890 from your phone to get the 1350 promotional minutes, data, and texts. If you don't do that, you won't get them. I've had TracFone for years and this was the first time my promo minutes didn't activate after I dialed the *22890. I went to tracFones website and started a live chat and she had the promo minutes there in 2 minutes.

I think you'll really like the phone!

[sueinsf]

Thank you both!  Very helpful!

@Julius Seizure The card does say that the service plan PIN will be automatically added during the activation.  I thought that meant the minutes but apparently it means the code/pin will show up on the phone after I activate, which is fine.  Easy enough to then punch that in to get the minutes.  I do remember with past phones there was a separate instruction/phone number to activate the promotional minutes.

I neither have a google account nor gmail, so I will have to create one. Should I do this ahead of time or can I do it from the phone during set up?  Too bad this doesn't come with headphones.  I'd rather have headphones than a car charger but I guess most would not.

@Marp Yes, I already have a TracFone account but not an Android smartphone. It is an LG 840g.  This is also why I will probably have a bunch of questions to get it initially set up.  But since I'm using this phone primarily for calls and texts and not so much for internet and pictures/video,  I suspect I won't need to worry about some of it.  I guess I will have to add my contacts manually.  

[Julius Seizure]

@sueinsf a service plan pin is different from the promotional minutes.In the old days a card came with a new phone with that number on it that you had to enter to activate the phone. On the newer phones that is built in to the phone. You'd also enter a service plan pin if you bought an airtime card to activate it. You MUST dial the *22890 to get the promo minutes.

Another thing I forgot to mention in regard to the data. In the wi-fi settings on this phone is something called "Smart network switch". Make sure that is set to "off" or the phone will automatically connect to data if a wi-fi connection is unstable.

[Marp]

@sueinsf, you can set up a gmail/google account from the phone but I think you will find it faster on a computer keyboard than the phone keyboard.  Also, you can add your contacts in your gmail account from the computer and they will download to the phone.

Of course whether to use the phone or a computer is a personal choice, I just find a large screen and standard keyboard easier on my old eyes and hands. 

Don't hesitate to ask any questions.  Going from your LG to a smartphone with Marshmallow is equivalent to culture shock but worth the adjustment.

[sueinsf]

Thanks for the help you guys!!  I think I will charge it up tonight and activate sometime this week.  I will definitely implement your suggestions.