Project Fi

[Gregory Matthews]

For more information see:

https://fi.google.com/about/

For those of you who use cell phones, Google has a new type of cell phone that is available from no other provider.

Your normal cell phone is equipped to only work on one cellular network.  You are limited forever to that network, and if it is not available you are out of luck.

The Project Fi cell phones work on all U.S. providers of 4G Lite, on three different network providers and in 135 different countries.  In addition, they can be set to work on open WiFi networks.  They switch automatically to the best network available, to include switching during telephone calls.

My wife and I have used these cell phones and have been very pleased with them.  Further our combined monthly expense has been cut from a flat $75 to $50. 

The monthly costs consists of a flat $20 charge (In a group plan it may be $15).  In addition one is charged $10 per GB used.  If one only uses 1/10 of a GB, one is only charged $1.  So, one could have a monthly charge of $21.  My wife and  I generally have a total monthly charge of $50. 

You do have to purchase a cell phone that is capable of being used.  There are currently only two models that may be so used and are currently in production.  If you own one of these you  may obtain, free of charge, a SIM card that will convert your phone.    Or, you may purchase an approved cell phone through Google.  Currently they are each on sale at a price reduced by $150.  It is not known how long this reduced price will remain.  Also, only one of the approved phones is offered at a reduced price at any time.

If you are in a situation where you are not locked into a contract, check these phones out.

NOTE:  With Project Fi phones you pay by the month and can cancel at any time.  You are not locked into a contract.

 

[phkrause]

Actually that sounds pretty good!!

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

sounds great!  Wish the phones weren't so expensive..

[Gregory Matthews]

Yes they do cost a bit.  But they cost less than many of the smart phones that people have on contract. 

There are now three (3) basic models that are compatible with Project Fi:  Pixel, Nexus 6P & Nexus 5X.

The Nexus 5X is the lowest cost.  It comes in two versions, one for $200 and one for $250.

The Nexus 6P comes in three (3) versions.

The Pixel comes in four (4) Versions, the most expensive is $870.

These prices are quite competitive with smart phone costs.  Of course, they are more than the cost of cell phones that are not smart phones.  The above prices do include the $150 price reduction that is being given.

My wife and I have the Nexus 5X and find it to be an good smart phone.

 

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

just curious...  what is the advantage of having a smart phone over just a cell phone?

[CoAspen]

Computor in your pocket...if that it what a person wants. Email, web access, social media access, apps that willl do just about anything, business people really but everyone seems to not be able to function without one and games. Camera, messaging and more. Cameras on the iPhone and others are getting quite sophisticated.

Me, just a phone and messaging and occasional picture.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

seems like it would be mostly for folks who might use it in conjunction with their work (if they traveled a lot)...

(be fun to play with, though!  )

[Gail]

I often have work connections with authors vis FB or Messenger. Maps also, finding a restaurant nearby or a translating app or dictionary for texting. Pastors will mention book titles that we should be carrying and its publisher can be quickly found online. I use mine more than I ever thought. We do not have a landline in our home anymore.

No game apps.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

that can't be done on a computer??

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Pam asked, see below:

We have GPS built into our car.  But, my wife prefers to use her smart phone over our automobile GPS.

She uses it to get information while we are shopping and either are not in our car, or it is information that we could not obtain from our automobile.

In addition, my wife knows immediately that someone sent her either a text or an e-mail message.  She does not need to sit down at her computer and call up her e-mail account.  She can immediately reply, if she wants to the text or e-mail. again without sitting down at her computer.

I use my smart phone to run apps that I could not run on a regular cell phone.  IOW I run software on my smart phone that I also run on my computers.  Some may be utilities such as antivirus programs (and updates to the operating system) that I could not run on a regular cell phone.  This keeps my smart cell phone up to date, safer and more useable than my previous cell phone.   

But, for some people, they have no need for a smart phone.

Quote

just curious...  what is the advantage of having a smart phone over just a cell phone?

[Gregory Matthews]

Just a bit more about how my wife uses a computer and her smart phone.

By intention, my wife desires to use a computer in a very limited fashion;  She can do the following:

* Turn it on and off.

* Search the Internet for shopping.

* Printing off what she finds  in her Internet shopping.

She really does not want to use a computer for any other reason.  when we moved to California, I purchased a used tablet  (Intel I5) computer from Frys for her to use.  It perfectly meets her needs.   She uses it for the above and her smart phone for everything else.  I have installed a Bible on her smart phone and she uses  it in church.

I am the opposite.  I  use my computer more than my smart phone.  I deposit check in my bank account by computer rather than my smart phone.  I search the internet much more by computer than by smart phone.  Me, I take a Bible to church and do not use my smart phone in church.

[phkrause]

I believe they have tablets that have cellphone capabilities? To me the reason for a computer over a tablet or smart/cellphone would be the HD space. If you use programs that need a lot of GB, as designers, etc. Whereas on smart/cellphones and tablets you don't have. Also hungry ram programs need the ram that computers can give them.

[Gail]

19 hours ago, rudywoofs (Pam) said:

that can't be done on a computer??

 

Yes, when you are near your computer. 

Like Gregory I use my phone to deposit my cheques. I now also use it to pay, as I have my debit card and credit card loaded on there. I don't believe I can do those tasks on my computer.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Gregory said he *doesn't* use his phone to deposit checks.

whatever...  

I was just wondering what the advantages were for using a phone rather than a computer...  I kinda wish I hadn't asked..

[Gail]

Sorry I misread Greg's statement. 

[CoAspen]

An example of why some use/need a smart phone...size. It can be used under most any situation in most any place. Business people feel the need for that over lugging a laptop around everywhere. It can be addicting also. When I was working as a manager I had one from my place of work and could never seem  to stop using it to keep up with people and events that were work related, even on vacation! Bottom line, its all about convience for people on the move away from their primary work place.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

would another advantage be that it can be used instead of a laptop if the power goes out and the computer cannot access the internet?

[CoAspen]

Yup, since you can always use the phone for anything else when you have a data plan. Phone carriers always want/make you have a data plan. We use Consumer Cellular which allows us to have a minimum data plan. Most business have free Wi-Fi which can use, but you need to careful on 'open' networks.