Un-locked cell phones???

[cowboygames]

Speaking of cell-phones and wifi, has anyone dowloaded and used the android virus app? Looks like it keeps an eye on things, but I don't know if it's trustworthy enough for using paypal or doing bank stuff on my phone. Even getting on EBAY or any other account where money can be spent for that matter

[jay]

As long as you see a https (vs http) you should be fine.
Banks / paypal insist on a encrypted connection So if for some reason you are using a 80byte version of encrytion vs 128 the bank won't even let you in.

[cowboygames]

I was wondering because I don't get the green address window on my phone to show it's encrypted like I do on my computer

[brichter]

Since Verizon's network is not GSM,you don't need a SIM card for the phone.

You'll call the Verizon activation number and give them your account info, they'll put the ESN in the system and the phone will activate.

[cowboygames]

Granted, it's been 4 years since I sold Verizon and things may have changed, but to activate a phone on Verizon back then the serial number had to already be in their system ready for the phone to be activated. It was how they kept people from stealing shipments of phones from warehouses and activating them. The phones weren't registered to the system till they left Verizons distribution warehouses. If they missed scanning one of the phones in the box they'd send us a replacement and we'd send the other one back. There was no way around that.

[Neonkiss]

Granted, it's been 4 years since I sold Verizon and things may have changed, but to activate a phone on Verizon back then the serial number had to already be in their system ready for the phone to be activated. It was how they kept people from stealing shipments of phones from warehouses and activating them. The phones weren't registered to the system till they left Verizons distribution warehouses. If they missed scanning one of the phones in the box they'd send us a replacement and we'd send the other one back. There was no way around that.

Thanks Cowboy...
That's great info. I'll check with my Verizon rep to see it that is still true.

Also, Jay thanks for you input a lot of good info here. If not just for me, but others who have been curious and wanting to make a change to a different provided or phone.

I was not under the impression that an un-locked phone would give you services that you were not paying for, but I did believe that an un-locked phone would allow you use it on another carriers service as long as it was the same type of service (CDMA or GSM)

But if I don't have a data plan, the phone will still work for internet IF I'm in a wifi area? or at home with my wireless connection?

[poppo]

Or you could just use wifi off a Linksys router ? with a decent Internet connection this is way faster and cheaper than any cell card.

Not sure if this was in response to my post. But living rural we have no DLS or cable. I had satellite Internet for a while but then we finally got a WISP. While it works well all things considered (a get about 6M DL and 1M UL) it does tend to go out fairly frequently. So I like the fact that I have a backup (the iPad which is better than the tiny screen on my phone).

[poppo]

But if I don't have a data plan, the phone will still work for internet IF I'm in a wifi area? or at home with my wireless connection?

Yes, it should. as long as it's a wifi that is not locked down.

[Neonkiss]

Well I did call Verizon after reading some more disappointing info on the web.
It appears that Verizon has changed their policy and you can no longer register a smart phone on their system without the extra data package.

No how, no way, they just won't do it for you.