We've always kept cheapo cell phones with Tracfone minutes. Cheap, handy, and pretty much just used to coordinate rides, picking up milk, having in case of emergency, etc... Not to say I don't love the extra gadgets...but they're expensive, and we all seem to be content to do our media and data at home on our computers. At Campus Day, I experienced culture shock...at how important smartphones are now when attending college. They have apps for the bus schedules, the cafeteria menus (with nine cafeterias to choose from), reserving a washing machine to do your laundry, apps to check your grades, check your assignments, etc. Also, students use them to take photos of notes, record lectures, submit homework...scan a bar code to record their attendance...so many weird things! I asked student services....do you really need one? And they looked at me like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. The poor boy assisting me said...Um, yeah, it's going to be a LOT easier for her if she has one. (read...he pitied my daughter for having a stone age Luddite mother...lol) So after all that....here's my question... I've had pretty good luck with Tracfone. They offer "Straight-Talk" plans for smartphones that are unlimited talk and text, with 2.5G data.....for like $45 a month...which is considerably less expensive than ATT and Verizon. Has anyone had a Straight Talk plan with their smartphone? We're thinking of getting a Samsung Galaxy III or IV. Any recommendations on smartphones or carrier plans?
For what it's worth, all that can be done with a laptop and/or a pad. Rachael has a Trac Phone, rather than a Smart Phone, and she's surviving just fine. She also has a lap top.
I was hoping Elle could get away with her laptop, too...but the scanning attendance thing kinda threw me. Also, it would be nice to check which dining hall she wants to go to on the run...and be able to navigate the busses on the run. The big thing is that U of M is a HUGE place. With staff and students, there are over 60,000 people. It's just such a big place...my concern is mostly her being able to access the bus app, and GPS. Their bus network is like a not-so-small city. What's nice about having the app...is that they can tell precisely when the busses will come in real time (and when they are delayed)...so they don't have to stand outside in the snow in Michigan. The upside to a smartphone...is data service on the run and apps. (and the scanning feature) Which all seem to come into play more than I expected.
Scanning attendance? How the heck does that work? You would think the teachers/grad assistants would deal with taking attendance. I know it doesn't work in large lecture halls, but if you don't go to class, you're not going to get the grade. I don't think Rachael goes anywhere without her laptop. University of MICHIGAN? Remember all the nice things I've said about you? WELL, FORGET IT!!! I use to usher for Ohio State when I was in high school....
LOL...I'm too far out of the sports loop to understand....but I've heard that mentioned...that U of M and Ohio State have a big rivalry! (seriously, people are horrified because we don't even watch the Super Bowl...and up until four years ago, I thought it was Basketball!....sports references go whizzing over my head) Yep, they have the kids use the scanner function with an app when they come through the door to take attendance in most classes. Some teachers publish their own apps for study purposes, too. Want to learn all the muscle origins and insertions in Mrs. Green's Human Anatomy? She's got an app for that! It's just crazy....but really cool, too! At the orientation...they gave everyone in the audience little wireless devices to answer multiple choice questions with...to make it an audience participation talk. Lots of profs use them in lecture, too. Time just keeps marching on!
I'm no longer the fan I was. But growing up, it was a family tradition to get together each New Year's Day and watch the Big Ten lose the Rose Bowl. I never was a pro football fan, though! Well, it sounds as if you're going to have to bite the bullet and get the smart phone, then! I'm just thankful it's not like that where Rachael goes!
I emailed their tech support today and got pointed in a good direction. Looks like we're in the market for a Samsung Galaxy 3 or 4. (they just came out with the 5...but I never buy the latest...too much sticker shock) I guess the Androids use Google based apps...and the whole school runs everything on Google Chrome. They can support iphones, but the Google based apps are easier to use. So Samsung Galaxy, it is! Also looks like Straight-Talk should work...so the plan shouldn't break the bank. Whew! I guess I know what her graduation present is! LOL. Sheesh!
I have a Galaxy 3 and love it. My husband and children have iPhones, but i love my Android apps. 2.5g's will be plenty as long as she doesn't use her phone to watch videos! My ds likes to watch YouTube and it was eating up our shared data allowance! He can only do that on his phone when he is home connected to our WiFi.
