[chbot] new smart phone

[Mark Atherton]

Hi All,

So last week I posted a request for recommendations associated with 
getting a smart phone. Lots of replies, thanks to everyone who 
replied, and I think Volker asked for an update on progress, so here it is...

Main items on shopping list were
- Support for a free SIP client
- WiFi friendly for appropriate services
- WAN access was secondary
- 3G / WiFi gateway a plus
- unlocked to vendor or service providers

Per Ian's recommendation I went ahead and bought from 
www.chinavasion.com and chose the "ThL W100" based on the reviews and 
ended up with Quad Core, 4.5 Inch, Android 4.2, 1.2GHz, 4GB ROM, 8MP 
R Camera + 5MP F Camera and spare battery. Sounds very similar to 
Ian's. Final price was NZ$189 + NZ$19 shipping - ordered Tuesday, 
arrived Friday of same week.

Having played with it for a few hours, all I can say is that I am 
quite blown away. Had it on the WiFi within 5 mins playing video off 
of Youtube. Also camera photos, camera video and sound are all great.

Loaded a SIP client, GPS toolbox and SSH server without issue within 
a few minutes.

It really was just bought as a SIP client, but I do have the feeling 
that I now need to get another to keep my wife from complaining about 
my new toy. Mind you, as long as she keeps the SSH server running, I 
should be able to load and debug apps remotely :)

-Mark


At 12:10 p.m. 12/08/2013, Ian Tennant wrote:
>Hi.  You do not know me as I never contribute to this forum (being 
>largely ignorant but interested!).  The following may be of interest to you.
>I bought a reasonably high spec phone out of China.  It is dual sim, 
>with Android 4.2, quad core 1.2GHz and a lot of the fruit ( eg: GPS, 
>accelerometer, proximity, magnetic compass, dual sim.etc).  It cost 
>me about $240 and $17 shipping.  I was dubious about it but thought 
>what the hell.  It has been great.  NO issues whatsoever, and I have 
>had it about 6 months now.  The issue with battery life seems to not 
>be a problem.  (In fact the batteries are Japanese and there are two 
>of them, but I have not even opened the second one).  There is no 
>support for this phone, nor are there any after market add ons like 
>a leather cover.  I really like the fact it does not have any 
>particular telco's overblown software on board, and that I can pick 
>and choose whose network I work with via the dual sim card.  The 
>phone may not be suitable for your needs but you might check phones at
>
>http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Cheap_Mobile_Phones/
>
>I have had a very good experience with these guys re buying this 
>phone and would not hesitate to buy from them again.  The only 
>downside is that you do end up on their mailing list and get tempted 
>by the cheap electronics stuff, some of which is very 
>interesting.  I have only sent his to you, but feel free to pass it 
>on to the rest of the group, if you feel it could be of interest to them.
>Hope that helps,
>Ian
>
>From: Mark Atherton <markaren1 at xtra.co.nz>
>To: Christchurch Robotics <chchrobotics at lists.linuxnut.co.nz>
>Sent: Monday, 12 August 2013 8:35 AM
>Subject: [chbot] OT : smart phone shopping list
>
>Hi All,
>
>Just drawing up a shopping list for a new phone
>
>Any recommendations of manufacturers, models and local suppliers ?
>
>Anyone / thing I should stay away from ?
>
>thanks,
>
>mark
>
>========
>
>Low cost Android smartphone, less than NZ$200
>No contract
>Not locked to any telco (Voda, Telecom, 2 degrees)
>Not required to be registerd with manufacturer (as Motorola require)
>Must support blutooth keyboard (HID) - (Android 4 or above ?)
>All data services available using WiFi (VOIP, HTTP etc)
>Support 32G uSD card - HDSD
>Can be used as a 3G / WiFi gateway
>Replaceable screen / digitizer
>Google maps support, with local map download via WiFi
>GPS
>Accelerometer, gyros and compass a bonus