Apologize to have to keep on asking about IPhones - but since all of your kind advise on IPhones, I've now looked into getting one for myself to replace my dinosaur aged set.

But first I got some more questions for you tech savvy guys.

When I go in to China, I "feed" my Hong Kong number to my Dual China / Hong Kong phone number, (China Unicom) thus saving the roaming charges. When I do this, I receive all my calls made to my Hong Kong phone number at my China number.

But I still get all my SMS message on my Hong Kong phone number. I have made initial enquiries and the guy at the "3" shop (my Hong Kong phone number carrier) tells me that I will NOT be able to do this if I switch to an IPhone UNLESS I keep my IPhone still on data roaming whilst I am in China. And he warns me that to keep my data roaming on in China will cost me a LOT of money.

And there is no other way for me to still be able to get my SMS's cheaply while I am in China as there is no way for his company to also divert SMS messages to another phone number.

So what is the solution to this?

Thanks in advance Tech Savvy guys!

SEAN

Doe anyone know what is the most popular non Apple Iphone in China ?  In other words, an Android base phones.


Was told many phones by Verizon are NOT sold in China because there are not GSM, like the Droids.

[ Last edited by  Weelock at 7-2-2012 12:45 ]

Hey Sean,

As far as I know, SMS forwarding can only be done in 2 ways, either with an app on your smart phone, or through your phone service provider.

The actual capability of the forwarding SMS has been possible at the network level since a couple years ago, but very few providers actually make use of it. Based on your discussion with your service provider, I guess "3" doesn't have this functionality.

The other way to do this is to have an app automatically forward your text messages to either an e-mail or a number. However, for this to work, you need to have 2 phones, or at least access to your e-mail:
1. First phone (HK Smart Phone) receives text and then:
      a. App automatically forwards the text to another number, or
      b. App automatically e-mails the text to an address.
2. Second phone (China) receives forwarded text, or you receive your text via e-mail access (would require data if accessing on a phone).

So even tho it's possible, it's not realistic. You would end up having your new shiny iphone sitting in Hong Kong.

Well, that's the way I see it, but then again, North America has some pretty f'd up phone service providers.

Hope that helps.

@Weelock...

Apparently Nokia is most popular in China and they actually run Sybian OS (though Nokia will soon to switch to Windows Phone OS), but their market share isn't as high as I was expecting (Q3 2011, 28.5%). Local phone brands seem to make the Chinese market additionally competitive / affordable compared to some foreign offerings.

In terms of Android-based phones, Samsung dominates in this category (Q3 2011, 27.9% of Android-based phones).

Sources:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/201 ... biggest_smartphone/
http://www.marketwatch.com/story ... -q3-2011-2011-11-23
http://www.penn-olson.com/2011/12/15/samsung-android-china/

As for most desirable phone in China, check this link.

*Edit*: Pulled some actual stats and added about Android-only.

[ Last edited by  yyy111 at 7-2-2012 23:25 ]

Thanks for the reply


Actually I meant to ask what is the "most popular phone" that is NOT an Iphone and Android base in China ?


@SEAJ,

There is currently a battle between Apple and Android base phones in the USA. Android is backed by google. There are many vendors that make Android base phones. While Apple only makes Ipads and Iphones. There are pros and cons for Apple and Android based phones. Some vendors are, MOTO, HTC, and Samsung.

For more see:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/an ... 11-cage-match/43682

http://blogs.computerworld.com/16372/apple_vs_android


Edit:

After reading the link by yyy111, it looks like Samsung Galaxy SII is the most popular phone in China for Android base.

[ Last edited by  Weelock at 8-2-2012 02:32 ]

It's rumored that the Samsung Galaxy SIII is coming out in May/June, but I have no idea on when the China release is.

whats with companies releasing different phones under the same name. went to future shop the other day to get a case for my galaxy S2 and found out there is like 4 versions of the phone.

For those who are regularly travelling to other countries, the iPhone may not be the best choice, because of its specific mini sim card format.

Each time you arrive in a new country, you buy a prepaid card for the few weeks you stay there. And each time you need to cut down the sim card to put it in your phone.

May sound like a details, but it can be very annoying, especially if you don't know how to use a cutter,

The Apple IPhone may be very elegant in style but Samsung is fast catching up in Android based smart phones.
I'm quite impressed with Samsung's evolution of technology and its very aggressive marketing of its products.

The iPhone is a great looking phone but it's NMCOT. My SO is currently using one (the 3GS version) and guess what she's getting for her bday later this month... yep, a 4s. With that said, I still need to get the phone unlocked. I have called my buddies in China and HK, and all of them said it can't be done - until yesterday. I got a hold of a couple of sources here in the US and both said they can unlock the 4s as of today for USD20.00 ( ) So i scheduled an appt for tomorrow and see if this works.

So i'm assuming the flood gate has been broken and the 4s will be jailbroken around the world here shortly.

I've been using the HTC Evo for 14 months and love it. Just got it rooted (aka "unlocked") and now the battery can last me 10 hours of idle/usage. Before, the battery would only last 4 to 5 hours at the most. In China, I use the HTC Inspire (unlocked from ATT) and it has been great.

Samsung S2 are awesome phones with crystal clear screens (i mean bada$$ clarity compared to both of my HTC). The S2 is also noticeably lighter than the HTC's also. Only drawback is the battery life. My buddy's S2 goes thru 3 full batteries each day (heavy user, i presume)... lol

Been reading up on the Xiaomi from China, looks quite promising.. maybe i should get one to try out ;)

For all the input and PM's I've received on the IPhone subject.

Interestingly I've had a few PM's stating that my guy at "3" is totally wrong and that I do NOT have to have my data roaming ON for me to receive my SMS on the Iphone - that SMS's do NOT get forwarded to subscribers via Data Packet/SMS gets sent via another channel.

And when I think about it - since my dinosaur phone does NOT have Data capabilities and I DO get my SMS on it whilst in China, my guy at "3" Must be blowing smoke!!

Thanks guys
SEAN

I bought a HTC Windows 7 phone 15 months ago and it has turned out to be better than I expected.  It was interesting as at the time of purchase I was leaning towards an iPhone but all 3 major mobile carriers in Oz recommended [independently] that an android was a better phone [especially for business].  

All my friends have iPhones and it is a more elegant gui, but for travelling the world and for being versatile I would not go past my HTC.

SEAJ: I will try to find out the source and pass it on once i get mine unlocked. Keep in mind, I'm paying someone to perform this service so he will most likely not disclose this info to me. But there are other channels to get this info. Will keep you guy posted.

Hi SEAJ Sifu, my 2 cents' worth here....

Data roaming is required only if you are expecting MMS messages (multimedia messages). For just normal text message, data roaming is not required. So rest assured your text messages will still reach you.

iPhone and other phones? Well IMHO, both have their pros and cons. It also will depends on requirement for the person using the phone. For me, as I am using a Mac and iPad, the advantage I get is the eco-system for the platform/OS created by Apple. Only make sense for me to use an iPhone as my computing needs are all centered around Apple products. So if you are using PC (Windows based products), then not a bad idea to use Android phones or the new Windows OS phones.

Pixel268's observations on the screen quality comparison between HTC and Samsung phones are correct, Samsung does have better screens. So if one of your criteria for good screen, then iPhone 4/4s (retina display) or Samsung phones will meet your requirement. These are the best phone screens in the market at the moment.

Oh btw, UNLOCKING and JAILBREAKING is 2 completely different thing, don't get confused with them. iPhone is usually sim-locked to certain telecom companies due to certain trade agreements, so you won't be able to insert another telecom company's sim to use the phone and you will need to unlock the phone to do so.

Jailbreaking is to allow the iPhone to use apps that is not approved by Apple and not available in the Apple Appstore.

[ Last edited by  Tuffbod at 9-2-2012 18:03 ]

Yes - thanks!

I've just gone back to the 3 shop and confirmed that the first guy I talked to was totally wrong.  I will still be able to get my SMS in china/overseas (as I do now) when I switch to a smart phone and turn OFF the data roaming as SMS do get sent to handset via another channel.

He also told me that he "thinks" that the unlimited local data plan is going to be phased out very soon and thus if I wanted to sign on, I should sign on ASAP.  Then I come home and watched the TV news reporting that the Hong Kong OFTA (office of telecommunications authority) is going to make a ruling soon as some customers who are signed on to this unlimited data plan had supposedly been abusing this privilege and racking up terrabytes of data monthly. Must be surfing our forum full time!!  LOL!

SEAJ

In the US one can get unlimited calls and data for US$2 a day on a T-mobile Prepaid phone cards... and you don't get charged anything at all if you don't use it that day (small monthly charge still applies to keep the account "active")...

Hi

I just wanted to enquire if there were any changes to the reading access karma points requirements. I had just became a musky member a few weeks ago then now i am suddenly back to nookie newbie.

On checking the RA requirements, i noted that for Musky Member the Karma required was 120 and i am 115 now. Don't understand how come i became musky in the first place if that was the requirement.

Anyway just a rant, 5 more karma required. Time for another visit and write a report  for them. Maybe i will get another good one with pics too heh heh.

The main problem with Android base phones are the updates coz it may not support the model of the phones of certain brands.

Yes - apparently the Mods must have changed the requirements as per the notation "Updated 7 Feb 2012" on:

FORUM RANKINGS - IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (#4)
http://forum.sex141.com/eforum/viewthread.php?tid=18160

The requirement for Carnal Conqueror has also been revised upwards to 300 points vs 250 prior.

Will clarify this with the Mods and get back to y'all when I find out.

Thanks for bringing this matter up
SEAN

[ Last edited by  SEAJ at 10-2-2012 00:56 ]

I dunno if this was posted, but can someone tell me what 'droid' app with map of hong kong?  I gather these maps aren't GPS pegged like GOOGLE right?