Gen Z loves the flip phone

[hpham]

CNN Article . Tracfone $19.99 models got mentioned

[tomseys]

CNN Article . Tracfone $19.99 models got mentioned

Also, Tracphone

[brg]

*heh*

I'm a Boomer and I'm getting a bit of a thrill using my (on-topic-ing reference) TracFone TCL Flip2 (since moved over to FP+Walmart). Takes me back to my Moto RAZR. Loved that phone -- sexy. Wasn't yet texting much back then, and full-alphabet phones were rare, so the limiting aspect of trying to text on a "123456789*0#" keyboard wasn't a HUGE liability. Texting on the Flip2 is so annoyingly nostalgic...

[sillyette]

Also, Tracphone

Some people think that Tracfone is actually TrackPhone -- tracking users and user data to provide affordable phone service.
And many hoity-toity people believe that *all* Prepaid providers are that way -- that prepaid providers track users and user data, and that's why Prepaid is cheaper than Postpaid!!

[brg]

Some people think that Tracfone is actually TrackPhone -- tracking users and user data to provide affordable phone service.
And many hoity-toity people believe that *all* Prepaid providers are that way -- that prepaid providers track users and user data, and that's why Prepaid is cheaper than Postpaid!!

Well, maybe those people are half-right.

Possibly Tracfone engages in "Track Phone."

But =ALL= carriers track users and user data, as much as they possibly can. "There's money in them thar individual datums!"

[hpham]

Some people think that Tracfone is actually TrackPhone -- tracking users and user data to provide affordable phone service.

The "Trac" in TracFone actually refers to the tracking of remaining balance, used to be shown on the screen of the old phones.

[whacker]

So maybe we should have a thread dedicated to T9 texting technique.

[hpham]

So maybe we should have a thread dedicated to T9 texting technique.

I had to use T9 to enter the APN into a TF-unlocked Flip 2 to use with FreeUp. That was a PITA.

[loboheeler]

So maybe we should have a thread dedicated to T9 texting technique.

It took a teenager to text well with T9 back in the day.

[Slepy]

I had to use T9 to enter the APN into a TF-unlocked Flip 2 to use with FreeUp. That was a PITA.

Protip: Get a cheap Bluetooth keyboard for typing on devices.

I picked up one of these Onn Compact Wireless Keyboard for Tablets and Smartphones when Walmart was clearing them out for $7. Works on the Flip 2, Androids, iPhones and PCs. Saves so much time configuring new devices typing on a keyboard vs T9/Touchscreen. Can even navigate the flip phone menus with the cursor keys.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Onn-Compa...ones/825916906
https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/c...onn_bluetooth/

Advanced Protip: For newer Android, use scrcpy. It allows mirroring/control from your PC using keyboard/mouse. It's basically RDP/VNC into your phone. Can even copy/paste from PC side<->Phone.

Will need the PC USB cable and enable ADB Debugging. For Android 11+, you can do this wirelessly with Wireless ADB.

https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy

[hpham]

Protip: Get a cheap Bluetooth keyboard for typing on devices.

Thanks. I have a Bluetooth keyboard that I use occasionally with my tablet. Just didn't think about using it with a flip phone.

[Slepy]

Thanks. I have a Bluetooth keyboard that I use occasionally with my tablet. Just didn't think about using it with a flip phone.

Yup, happy it worked. I like flip phones, but hate T9 input. TCL Flip 2 is running Android, so it should function similarly to smartphones. Haven't tried on the old original myFlip KaiOS.

[Boz1]

I had to use T9 to enter the APN into a TF-unlocked Flip 2 to use with FreeUp. That was a PITA.

The TCL Flip 2 I unlocked had all numeric unlock codes. I was happy about that!

[sillyette]

I had to use T9 to enter the APN into a TF-unlocked Flip 2 to use with FreeUp. That was a PITA.

This question popped into my head -- if you remove the FreeUp sim from the Flip2, will you have to enter the APN again if you re-insert the FreeUp sim later? (Or does the APN remain on the flip phone?)

[hpham]

The TCL Flip 2 I unlocked had all numeric unlock codes. I was happy about that!

But the APN has multiple parameters, and some are not simple alphabets or numbers, like :.,/.