Ready to Upgrade

[Ironman]

As you guys know, I'm using an iPhone 4. I'm on AT&T. And since my cash is on the short side (wife just upgraded to a 4S -$100). I would like opinions on what I should upgrade to. 4S, Android, Blackberry, Windows phone? Give me your opinions. I would appreciate any input.

[AKUMA]

A rooted Android is the best choice !!

[Ironman]

Thanks for the input AKUMA.

[Trcx528]

I do really like the flexibility of android (as it is true linux underneath.  However the underlying structure is more convoluted, and the tool much less centralized, however when there is a tool there tends to be a good app/GUI front end. Also usb OTG support is awesome, you buy a cheap cable and you can plugin virtually any USB device and use it. (Flash drive, mouse, keyboard, wifi antena, tv tuner, etc)

iPhone might make the most sense for you though, apple has you locked into there app eco system and you are already familiar with Cydia and how to use the tools. 

If you do decide to go with android be sure to do some research before hand, figure out how easy it is to root the device (ideally you want an unlock able boot loader) and also I would recommend USB OTG support as well. 

[Ironman]

So Trcx, is there a device(s) that fit those criteria?

[Trcx528]

Well I like my Galaxy nexus, but it's aging.  It supports USB OTG and an unlockable boot loader.  The Nexus 4 is suppost to be the updated and improved version of it but I've seen many reports that USB OTG is broken.  Beyond that I have not done any research into the SIII (or SII for that matter) droid razrs or anything else. 

[h4ck3rpr0n3]

I agree with Trcx, your already familiar with everything apple wise so why stray away from that?

[Ironman]

I agree with Trcx, your already familiar with everything apple wise so why stray away from that?

I do know iOS pretty well as users go. Just didn't know if I was missing out on something by sticking with it. Android is getting more popular. It shouldn't be long either till more hack tools are ported to it. And with Ubuntu for smart phones right around the corner. I didn't know if I wanted to get locked into iOS for 2 more years.

[A12danrulz]

I wouldgo with a root-able Android. It is far easier to use tools on it. Theres this great app called Botbrew which lets you create a chroot of Debian, so you can set up a nice dev/hacking environment with no worry whatsoever to breaking something on your device. Also, some of the devices have been patched to allow monitor mode, and some even with injection. And I personally found it a snap to transition to Android, even though Ive been using an iPod Touch for almost 4 years. It really is a great system and its more than likely going to be the next big mobile OS, and it is growing FAST.

[Markanees]

i agree with you all android is great system for hacking and modifying but i always prefer apple i am using it for 5 years now and i never think  in changing it
ios is more stable and secure than android , i think

[[null]]

Me to. Android is probably the best, although some of the newer windows phones look interesting. If I where you I'd go with the Android.

[Ironman]

Well I will always have access to my iPhone 4. I can always go back to it for a time or if I desire I can use it as an iPod. Anyone have a suggestion for an android phone?

[Trcx528]

Well if you're looking at an Ubuntu phone the phone they demoed (and the phone they said they will push betas for in a few weeks) is the Galaxy Nexus (*cough* that name sounds familiar *cough*)

[grinch]

Well, you know you will want one of those native Ubuntu phones when they are released.

I got an ANDROiD phone for $240, with no contract from Virgin Mobile. They are owned by Sprint, so if Sprint has service they should too. Its pre-paid, but you can add a CC, bank account, paypal account, and it will automatically top you up at the start of your cycle, so you wont have any of the "out of minutes" situations that pre-paid can have. All the plans have unlimited text and Data. The Data is truly unlimited, but the first 2.5GB per month is full speed, after that they slow it down. That 2.5GB is more than u get from ATT or Verizon, without any overages like u get with them. I pay $35 plus state sales tax for 300 any-time minutes. No free nights and weekends, no roll-over. 1200 minutes is $45, and for $55 its unlimited talk minutes.

It does not work with google voice. I have sent emails and made 2 calls.

I was paying over $100 (105-135) per month to ATT, now I pay under $38, and I have no contract. I am saving a ton of money.

Got a friend, hes taking the $55 plan for him, the $45 plan for wife and $35 plan for kid, and is saving almost $160 per month.
He is now thinking about spending $50 more and getting the fast cable internet I have(he has 6Mbit ATT DSL), and would still be saving over $100 per month versus his old ATT bill

Its not all cake and ice cream. Every once in a while a text does not send, and I have to go into Settings and hit 'Update Profile' which takes about 20 seconds, and your text gets sent in the first 5 seconds of that. My phone also thinks it is Spanish, I am teaching it English. When I would type a word, "Have", for example, my phone would correct it to "Hace" There were quite a few words I had to teach the phone. Not sure if you would have this problems or if its just my phone. My friend is switching end of this month he says, so we will see. He'll have 3 phones.
For me, I'm saving so much money and am free to do what I wish, buy a new phone, change carrier, etc, because I am not in any contract. It is worth the small annoyances.

[Ironman]

Thanks guys. I really do appreciate the input. Looks like I've got plenty to look over. I really do want the Ubuntu phone. And I've got 4 iPhones on AT&T contract (avg. $250 a month - painful). My iPhone is on unlimited data plan (grandfathered in). But AT&T is getting to the point that they are hard to work with.