Let's Talk About Google's Project Fi.

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Fri Oct 27, 2017 12:20 am

https://www.androidcentral.com/google-a ... re-changes

I was all set to give up on the 2XL and then they go and do this... I hate myself for it but... Can't buy it until late November here in Canada so no rush but yeah, that's a good start...

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Fri Oct 27, 2017 8:00 pm

tjg_marantz wrote:https://www.androidcentral.com/google-a ... re-changes

I was all set to give up on the 2XL and then they go and do this... I hate myself for it but... Can't buy it until late November here in Canada so no rush but yeah, that's a good start...

I'm on my first day of the Pixel 2 XL and am thus far thrilled. As a photographer I am fairly picky about screen. And while it's not Samsung Note 8 good, I appear to have won the XL lottery and have a plenty solid screen. I don't regret my purchase at all, easily the best phone overall I have ever used!

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Fri Oct 27, 2017 8:01 pm

Agreed, with my Pixel 2 non-XL. I mean, these weren't even trying to take good pics...

These were all portrait mode, obviously. Still feeling my way with that. Bottom line is this camera is by far the best phone camera I've seen.

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Fri Oct 27, 2017 8:05 pm

Bastards!

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Tue Nov 07, 2017 7:35 pm

Would anyone have a Google Fi referral code they would like to share as I'm in the process of signing up?

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Tue Nov 07, 2017 7:45 pm

stessier wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2017 7:35 pm Would anyone have a Google Fi referral code they would like to share as I'm in the process of signing up?

Edit: In the process meaning I am committed to it, but can wait a day or two to see if anyone has a code.

Hamlet3145 · Post by **Hamlet3145** » Wed Nov 08, 2017 12:32 am

Here you go: YYW4NC

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Wed Nov 08, 2017 4:57 am

Thanks!!

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Wed Nov 08, 2017 10:16 am

And ordered. Woo-hoo...moving out of the stone age!

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Wed Nov 08, 2017 12:52 pm

Got my Pixel 2 XL and it's been fabulous

. No complaints whatsoever here and the camera is amazing.

Hamlet3145 · Post by **Hamlet3145** » Wed Nov 08, 2017 12:59 pm

Nice! I've had a really good experience with Project Fi, but I'm a bit of a (perfect for Fi) oddball in that I'm on wifi 95% of the time AND I love to international travel. Since I got the service, my bill has averaged just under $30 a month. Also, I love things like getting off the plane in Doha, Qatar and immediately having LTE service. And the free data only sims are great for that old phone you have in the back of your desk drawer (your can use Hangouts to make calls over data).

Started off with the base model Pixel 1 and just traded it in for a base model Pixel 2. The $350 trade in plus the free Google Home device made for a good deal IMO. As can be seen above, the camera on the Pixel 2 is crazy good. Also, you can get a pair of decent USB earbuds off amazon these days for $20. No name brand, but they sound good to me. I used to be an Apple fanboy and owned multiple iPhones, but I honestly prefer the latest versions of Android to IOS these days. And I prefer Android Auto to Apple Carplay too.

P.S. If anybody else would like to join, feel free to use my referral code above. It'll give us both $20 after 30 days of service.

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Wed Nov 08, 2017 1:10 pm

Lorini wrote:Got my Pixel 2 XL and it's been fabulous . No complaints whatsoever here and the camera is amazing.

Nice! Coming out Friday up here but I'm waiting on the Razer phone and 5t (maybe u11+ and mate 10 pro) to be specced.

But jealous!

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Thu Nov 09, 2017 5:22 pm

My phone is scheduled to arrive tonight. I'm porting a number and I'm currently sharing a plan with someone else and need them to give me the account number and PIN before I can complete the porting...but they are too busy to get it to me right now. So close and yet so far! ARGH!

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Thu Nov 09, 2017 5:52 pm

I thought Google Fi was fiber broadband. What does it have to do with cell phones?

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Thu Nov 09, 2017 5:56 pm

Daehawk wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2017 5:52 pm I thought Google Fi was fiber broadband. What does it have to do with cell phones?

LMGTFY.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Thu Nov 09, 2017 6:12 pm

Daehawk wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2017 5:52 pm I thought Google Fi was fiber broadband. What does it have to do with cell phones?

Fiber in the sky, man. Fiber in the sky.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:06 pm

Phone activated...success!!

I went from the Samsung SGH-t599 to the Pixel 2 XL. There's been a slight improvement in technology in the last half decade. Holy cow this camera is good!

DOS=HIGH · Post by **DOS=HIGH** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 4:30 pm

Accidentally dunked my 2.5 year old Nexus 6 in the river today, Pixel 2 XL otw. The battery was on the way out so it was no big loss and planned to replace it in the next few months. Looking forward to a phone that can handle some water.

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:16 pm

Waiting on the OnePlus 5t reviews but it's definitely the leader coming around the bend. Might be upgrading both me and my wife. Looking sweet and the price is palatable.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:36 pm

One week with a modern smart phone and I'm enjoying it. I shock everyone by not using a case, but if I'm paying all this cash for a thin phone, it darn well better be thin!

Still trying to flesh out my app load. Right now I have like 3. Anyone have any suggestions on MUSTHAVEHOWDOYOULIVEWITHOUT options?

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 8:00 pm

stessier wrote: ↑Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:36 pm One week with a modern smart phone and I'm enjoying it. I shock everyone by not using a case, but if I'm paying all this cash for a thin phone, it darn well better be thin!

Still trying to flesh out my app load. Right now I have like 3. Anyone have any suggestions on MUSTHAVEHOWDOYOULIVEWITHOUT options?

Forum Reader: Tapatalk!

Podcasts: Pocket Cast
Image Gallery: Google Photos and F-stop (quick pic now owned by data stealing CM)
Text: Textra
Hobbies: Too many great app tools to name for my photography passion (camera manuals, sun/moon AR stuff, meteor shower and Northern Lights alerts, remote control, etc.) For Disc Gold I like UDisc to find courses nearby, same with the well-named Pinball Map.
Maps: Google or Waze for data connection but if you leave data look at Here. They let you permanently use it in offline mode and you can pre-download the maps of your choosing by state or region.
Hiking: Back Country Navigator Pro, Maprika, ViewRFanger, All Trails, TrailLink, etc)
Field Guides: iBird Pro is really awesome for birders, iTrack for critters, iNaturalist for citizen science, Merlin for ai-assisted bird ID. Lots more suggestions depending on your region/interest.
File explorer: Solid Explorer
Alternate Cameras to play with: Google camera is hard to beat for point and click but if you like to fuss with stuff try Camera FV-5, Manual Camera, Open Camera, A Better Camera, etc). I just checked and yikes I have over 20 alternate camera apps installed to goof around with, yolo!
Home Theater: If you have something like Yamaha's AV Controller App for your receiver and tv it's awesome to use your phone as a remote.
Email: Outlook for work account on the cheap or Nine if you want to spend money
Calendar/Tasks: Using google accounts on Business Calendar 2
Weather: 1Weather or Weather Timeline, if uber weather geek pay out for RadarScope, bestest evar.
Customization: Nova, nova and nova heh. Also Takser/IFTT type stuff if that's your thing for automation.
Sky viewing: Mobile Observatory for cheaper and SkySafari for more $. I also use ones for light pollution, auroras, meteor showers and other events.
Sports: The Score
Reference: Wikipedia, Dictionary.com, Wolfram Alfa, First Aid, Pet First Aid and PulsePoint to name a few.

Ok, before I make myself appear even more crazy I will curtail the list here, but if you have specific interests let me know and I am happy to share any recommendations I might have!

tjg_marantz · Post by **tjg_marantz** » Thu Nov 16, 2017 8:57 pm

I like Weather Underground.

Get rocker locker asap. It sets your volume keys to multimedia volume as the default. Why that's not the case in Android, I have no clue.

Inbox by Gmail

BBC News

Chrome

Last Pass

Reddit is fun

SofaScore

Tv Time

VLC

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 5:05 pm

tjg_marantz wrote: ↑Thu Nov 16, 2017 5:16 pm Waiting on the OnePlus 5t reviews but it's definitely the leader coming around the bend. Might be upgrading both me and my wife. Looking sweet and the price is palatable.

Not a full review, but Ars has a hands on article up.

Hamlet3145 · Post by **Hamlet3145** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 6:47 pm

stessier wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:06 pm Phone activated...success!!

I went from the Samsung SGH-t599 to the Pixel 2 XL. There's been a slight improvement in technology in the last half decade. Holy cow this camera is good!

I have the same camera in my regular Pixel 2. Took a quick selfie in portrait mode and it looks like I had a professional headshot done.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Fri Nov 17, 2017 6:52 pm

Yeah, the camera is just nuts. I took a 7-minute video today at my daughter's Thanksgiving school play. While kneeling, holding my phone above my head.

It's far more stable than it has any right to be, and at 4k even the digital zoom doesn't result in shitty-looking video.

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 12:29 am

Fi has a referral rewards program going on right now.

Any chance we can help someone get some referrals and rewards?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Enough · Post by **Enough** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 5:11 pm

A couple of updates. I have experienced 3-5 random reboots on my 2 XL since owning it and when I reported the problem to Google Chat support on the Google Store they (without my asking) gave me a $10 Play credit. Verge says Google is aware of issue and fix is coming. Second update is I bought and now have returned the Pixel Buds. Not as terrible as some made them out to be online but not worth the price and the practicality is not there yet. I have a feeling MKII of this device will rock.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 5:18 pm

My Pixel hasn't had the reboot issue (although I've read that some have). It's been pretty solid. But my Pixel 1 trade-in is *still* sitting at 'assessing your phone' even though they've had it since 10/27. I sent my second support email to Google today. A little more scathing than my first one was.

I wouldn't use their trade-in system again. I could have sold the device myself a month ago for about the same amount with a lot less hassle.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 5:39 pm

My 2XL hasn't had any issues - but I am a super light user.

Has anyone tried charging theirs via USB into a computer or similar? When I plug directly into the wall, it charges no problem. Whenever I use USB into a computer or charging station, it seems to only want to open as a drive. It gives me options to charge, but the charging never actually happens.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 9:12 pm

I just got a notice from them saying they are behind. My screwed up Nexus 6 would not have sold for more than the trade in.

Chaz · Post by **Chaz** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 9:45 pm

My wife is replacing her broken screen Nexus 5x with a Pixel 2 this week, and I'm very jealous.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Wed Jan 17, 2018 3:01 pm

I just got a note that Project Fi is changing how they charge for data a bit.

Find your Bill Protection data level
Your Project Fi plan includes Bill Protection. This means you'll pay $10/GB for data until you reach your data level. Any data you use after that is free.

Your data level depends on the number of active people on your plan.
Code: Select all
	     Individual	   2 members	   3 members	   4 members	   5 members	   6 members
Calls & texts	$20		$35		$50		$65		$80		$95
Data level	6 GB		10 GB		12 GB		14 GB		16 GB		18 GB
Max data cost	$60		$100		$120		$140		$160		$180
Max combined cost*$80		$135		$170		$205		$240		$275
*Extras like device protection or device payments not included.
What happens when you use free data
When someone on your plan uses 15 GB of free data, they'll get data speeds of 256 kbps until the next cycle starts. All other members will get full data speeds until they use 15 GB of free data.

You can go back to full data speeds at $10/GB for the rest of your cycle. Once you've used 15 GB of free data, contact a Project Fi expert.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Wed Jan 17, 2018 4:25 pm

Looks good. My wife is on my plan and she burns through data. My bill alone used to be around $35/mo. Now combined we're over $100 every time.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Wed Nov 28, 2018 6:04 pm

Google has a deal on the new Pixel phones today only if you also sign up for Project Fi. For every dollar you spend on a Pixel phone you get a gift card of equal value to Delta, Southwest, Hotels.com or AirBnB. I just bought a $1,000 Pixel 3XL (128GB) and in 75-90 days I will receive a link to claim my $1,000 Southwest card.

I didn't really need a new phone, but I will spend $1,000 on Southwest anyway next year, so this is pretty much a free top-tier phone for me.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Wed Nov 28, 2018 6:16 pm

Nice. Just got mine yesterday. It's a good phone.

Other news today: Project Fi is dead. It's now Google Fi, and it supports nearly all Android phones, plus iPhones.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:14 pm

I wonder if I can port my Verizon number to Google Fi, and add a line. I'd end up with two phone numbers... and pay the same price as I do now on Verizon ($100 for everything), as I'd never use them simultaneously.

OTOH, I don't know about coverage by Google Fi, as with my new X4, and Verizon coverage, it's better than most.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:27 pm

My two lines through AT&T run $151/mo. The Fi site shows $135 for 2 lines and 10GB data before cap, and throttling for anyone over 15GB. After taxes and fees, I don't think I'd be saving anything.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:49 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:27 pm My two lines through AT&T run $151/mo. The Fi site shows $135 for 2 lines and 10GB data before cap, and throttling for anyone over 15GB. After taxes and fees, I don't think I'd be saving anything.

My bill last month was for $101 and taxes and fees were $8.11 of that. Just so you have something for comparison.

Fi is best for people who don't max their data cap.

As for their network, the Google phones switch between T-mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular depending on network strength and congestion. If you don't have one of the approved phones, you'll be just getting a T-mobile plan.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:54 pm

stessier wrote: ↑Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:49 pm Fi is best for people who don't max their data cap.

Technically, I have unlimited, so I have no cap. But we've been in the 9-14 GB range going back to May.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:57 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:54 pm
stessier wrote: ↑Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:49 pm Fi is best for people who don't max their data cap.
Technically, I have unlimited, so I have no cap. But we've been in the 9-14 GB range going back to May.

On the months you were less than 10 GB, you'd probably save money then (since you only pay for the data actually used). On the months you break 10 GB, you'd break even, imha (in my humble analysis).

Doesn't AT&T begin throttling around 10 GB even on unlimited plans?