Jumat, 14 November 2014

Black Friday and Christmas Deals on Tracfone!

List of Black Friday Sales and Deals on Tracfone

tracfone black friday sale
Black Friday Tracfone Deals!
As the holidays approach, there are lots of deals out there, and we want to provide a place to share them!

This post will share the best deals and places to find sales on Tracfone related gear, including phones, minutes and accessories.

We are counting on you, our loyal readers, who have already been sharing tips and deals on our Facebook page. Now, you can share the deals on the comments below, and find new deals for the phones and other gear you're looking for!

We will be including all deals for Black Friday through Christmas time, as there should be plenty of exciting sales.

Tracfone, which is a prepaid cell phone and service provider, has a number of new phones available including the LG Ultimate 2, Alcatel Ontouch Icon Pop, and LG Optimus Fuel.  Each of these phones runs Android 4.4, and offer all the typical features of a smartphone.

There are also a number of phones which work with Tracfone's 'Bring Your Own Phone' program, and can make great gifts. Visit our Tracfone BYOP page for the full list, which includes the likes of an iPhone 4S, and even the Moto G.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas Sales:

These deals are for Tracfone related products that are discounted for the holidays, and may be available either in store, online or both.

Kmart - Black Friday - LG Optimus Fuel - $9.99 - LINK 
         Sears, Bestbuy, Meijer and others have the same deal

Dollar General - Black Friday - LG 305c, 306G for $9

Radio Shack - Black Friday - LG 440G - $2.99 - LINK

FRYS - Current Deal - New Verizon Moto G for $48 with promo code 4397819 - LINK

We will continue to add deals to this list as we find them.

If you don't know about our Tracfone Promo Codes page, be sure to take a visit. You can use promotional codes to get extra minutes on your phone for free. But these codes don't work for smartphones.

Do check out our Android Tracfone List, which has all the current smartphones in one easy to find place. Quickly compare features, and choose which one might be best for you.

Thanks for visiting, and leave comments with any deals you find!

Kamis, 13 November 2014

Use the Moto G with Tracfone BYOP

How to Use the Moto G on Tracfone: A Guide by de9w2dsl

This Guide to using a Motorola, Moto G on the Tracfone BYOP program is put together by de9w2dsl with help from many visitors to this blog who shared their knowledge and experience.

moto g tracfone
Use the Moto G on Tracfone BYOP
The Moto G is a very popular mid-level smartphone widely available on many carriers, and unlocked. But wouldn't it be nice if such a solid Android phone were usable with Tracfone prepaid service? Well keep reading...

Tracfone is a prepaid, low cost cell phone and service provider. They offer minute cards with varying amounts of minutes, and cell phones to use the minutes with. 

In 2013, Tracfone first began offering Android powered smartphones for use on their prepaid network. Since then, they have continued to add new Android phones to the list of phones they offer. These Android phones are locked to Tracfone, and cannot be used with other providers. (See the full list of phones, with basic specs and features compared, on our Tracfone Android Phone List.)

And while the Android phones they offer are getting better, like the LG Ultimate 2, they still are a few years behind, and have limited options.

And then came along the Tracfone BYOP program.

Introduction to Tracfone BYOP

The 'Bring Your Own Phone' program, or Tracfone BYOP, allows users to bring a wider variety of smartphones to use with Tracfone prepaid service. Phones are limited to only those that use Verizon 3G, but this still offers some great possibilities, including the Motorola Droid 3, Samsung Fascinate, and even the iPhone 4S.

See the full list of phones, and all the details on the program, on our Tracfone BYOP page.

These are pretty good phones, but not all of them have the latest operating systems, and some are a few years old. It would be nice to have a newer phone, with the latest OS and decent screen, with Tracfone's super low cost service. However, BYOP phones do receive Triple Minutes for Life which is nice.

The details on which phones work with Tracfone BYOP (beyond that it must be Verizon 3G) are a little murky. And it doesn't help that Customer Service are notorious for giving out bad information and telling customers one phone won't work, when later it does end up working. 

But there were hopes for the Verizon branded 3G Moto G, which retails for just $100 (or less) and is for use with Verizon prepaid service. 

Now, multiple sources are confirming activating a Moto G on Tracfone, so we are sharing this information with you so that you can have the option of using the Moto G with Tracfone BYOP if you so desire.

What is the Moto G?

The Moto G is an Android powered smartphone created by Motorola while they were owned by Google (Motorola is now owned by Lenovo)

The Moto G has a first and second generation, but we will be talking only about the first generation Moto G which was released in 2013. The newer Moto G (2nd gen) which was released in Sept. 2014, does not work with Tracfone at this time.

The Moto G (1st Gen) is a workhorse kind of phone that does the daily tasks efficiently and painlessly. It has a 4.5" IPS display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection that is stunning, especially when compared to more expensive phones. It features front and rear cameras, with flash and autofocus on the rear 5 MP camera.

Let's take a quick look at the list of specs for the Moto G:

Moto G Specs and Features

The Moto G has a number of features that are somewhat similar to the Tracfone LG Ultimate 2, with several noticeable improvements.
Moto G tracfone byop
Moto G Front and Back
  • Latest Android OS - Currently 4.4.4
  • 4.5" IPS Touchscreen (720x1280)
  • 5 MP Rear Camera, 1.3 MP Front Camera
  • Quad-Core 1.2 Ghz Processor
  • Adreno 305 Graphics
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 8 GB Internal Memory
  • Micro USB and 3.5mm headphone slots
  • GPS
  • FM Radio
  • Battery Talk time 24 hours
  • See even more specs at GSMArena.

A couple of key features that put the Moto G ahead of any of Tracfone's current phones are the processor, Internal Memory, Battery Life, Operating System, and Touchscreen.

The processor is a powerful quad-core 1.2 Ghz Cortex A7, a multitasking champ that runs well with the 1 GB of RAM. Internal Memory is 8 GB (some have 16) which is 4 GB more than current Tracfone devices, and is enough space to load all the apps you want.

The touchscreen is beautiful, and has plenty of resolution for this kind of price. The Moto G's battery is amazing, and can easily last two full days with moderate to low use. Surprisingly, the phone also charges very quickly. The long batter life isn't due to a large battery, but to the processor and other power-saving features.

Lastly, the Moto G will be getting Android 5.0 when it comes out, which none of Tracfone's other smartphones will get (except perhaps the Moto E). If you want the latest Android OS, the Moto G has you covered.

The Camera on the Moto G is fine, but doesn't really stand out, and can't compete with high-end devices like an iPhone or Nexus 6.

Finally, the fit and form of the Moto G is nice and comforting, giving the user a feeling of sturdyand ergonomic  construction.

Well, as you probably guessed, we are pretty big fans of the Moto G because of two key points: Price and Quality. For the money, there is probably no better phone currently available (besides the 2nd gen Moto G of course). But enough about the phone, time to share exactly how to get a Moto G working with Tracfone!

How to Use the Moto G on Tracfone BYOP

Now that you are familiar with what the Moto G offers, and what the Tracfone BYOP program is, we are going to share exactly how to get the Moto G to run on Tracfone BYOP. Note, there is no guarantee that a particular Verizon Moto G will work with Tracfone, but if you have the patience and are willing to take a risk, it is possible.

Step 1 - Find a used or refurbished Verizon (or pageplus) Moto G (1st Gen) on Amazon, eBay or elsewhere. The phone needs to have been used on Verizon prepaid for at least 6 months (we have not confirmed this, but it appears to be the case).

moto g on tracfone prepaid
Verizon Moto G
Step 2 - Go to Tracfone's BYOP page and enter the ESN/IMEI/MEID and follow the steps to register it, which includes a $10 activation charge. Note, this is the step that you might have the most difficulty getting through, as phones on Tracfone BYOP seem to be required to have been used on Verizon for a certain time, but no longer be active. If your phone fails the first time, you can try calling customer service, but that can be a challenge. Best advice from users is to have patience, and keep trying.

Step 3 - Once registered, log into your Tracfone account on the Tracfone website and choose "Transfer my Number and Service from One Tracfone to Another" and follow the steps there.

Step 4 - Your Moto G should be active in a few hours, or up to 24 hours. If it doesn't become active, you may have to call customer service to sort things out.

And now you have a Moto G active on Tracfone BYOP! This step by step guide was originally provided by an anonymous Tracfone user for de9w2dsl to share here. Thanks anonymous user!

Be sure to leave questions, thoughts and your experiences in the comments.

User Comments, Reports and First Hand Experiences

We want to share some of the comments and first hand experiences below for your convenience.

From Anonymous on Nov 4th, 2014:
Update on:November 2, 2014 at 3:38 PM My Moto G came today and I am on Tracfone, no problems and did it on-line too. This is a fantastic phone clear picture loud sound and it is like greased lightning. $9.99 for BYOP transfer and if you have an account just pick transfer you number to new phone. Look for Moto G refurbished and Verizon and Page Plus, clean ESN and right now going for less than $70.00 on Amazon. What a buy! Now it is learn how to operate this baby!
From Anonymous on Oct 18th, 2014:
Unlocked post paid verizon Moto G worked no problem. I am guessing this phone was flashed by ebay seller. It was advertised as being good for "PagePlus" also
From Anonymous on Oct 12th, 2014:
so all statements are not true to all extent i bought a new droid x2 "mb870"? no contract phone witch according to this post wont work anyway my steps to make it work step one set up with tracfone this alone wont work it will get activated to your account but the phone will not go through the activation to get that to work i had to call the (Verizon prepaid activation number "number" when i did this i received my telephone number (to let you know at this point i was completely pissed with tracfone and was just going to go to Verizon) when i got my number i thought at first it was a Verizon# so i went to the verizon site and entered the number but it said it wasn't a verizon number so i called back the tracfone support they said this is a tracfone number my best guess is that when i called the verizon act number it sent the unlock code well after a few min with tracfone the phone works.
The last comment, while a little hard to understand, seems to indicate that it may be possible, in a roundabout way, to activate new Verizon phones with Tracfone if you follow the right steps.

We hope this information, and the comments and input provided by anonymous users, will help you be able to activate a Moto G on Tracfone, if you so desire. Be sure to let us know how it goes, by leaving a comment below.

Be sure to visit our Tracfone BYOP page where there is lots of general information, and a lot of user comments. Also visit our Cell Phone Reviews page if you are looking for a new phone, but may want an easier route than the BYOP program.

We share Tracfone Promo Codes each month, but these codes don't work on Android phones.

If you're curious about how minutes work with smartphones, read our guide, How Minutes Work on Tracfone Android Phones. : D

Thanks for visiting! We will continue to update this as information becomes available. Keep up to date with us by following on Facebook!

Additionally, you can find a new Verizon Moto G on www.frys.com and use promo code 4397819 to get it for $48. But you may have to use it on Verizon prepaid for a few months before it will work on Tracfone. Thanks C. P. for the tip!

Selasa, 04 November 2014

Tracfone Promo Codes for November 2014

List of New Promo Codes for November 2014 from Tracfone

Each month new Tracfone Promo Codes become available and provided below are the latest codes for November 2014. These codes are collected and shared here by de9w2dsl for your convenience!

tracfone code november
Tracfone Codes for November!
Tracfone is a low cost cell phone and service provider with a variety of phones and plans to choose from. As part of their cell phone service plans, they offer promotional codes for additional prepaid minutes for free!

When you add any 60, 120, 200, 400 or 450 minute prepaid card, you can also get free minutes by using one of the codes listed below. Each code will work for a certain card, or any card of higher value, so codes for the 120 minute card will also work with the 200 minute card, etc.

We also have a full page dedicated to promo codes, with lots more codes, at Tracfone Promo Codes. So take a look if you're looking for more options.

Recently, Tracfone released several exciting new Android Smartphones(see the full list) with much larger screens, and better performance.

The LG Ultimate 2 comes with a 4.5" screen, 1.2 Ghz Dual Core processor, and front/rear camera.

The Alcatel Onetouch ICON Pop has a 5" screen, 1.2 Ghz Quad Core processor and front/rear cameras as well.

The Moto E, while not available yet, is also a good looking phone, although the screen is 4.3" and it only has a rear camera.

See more on these phones, and others, on our Cell Phone Reviews page. And note, promo codes don't work with Android phones unfortunately.

Now, let's get to the latest codes for November!

Tracfone Promo Codes - November 2014

These codes are for the month of November 2014. Leave a comment below with how the codes are working for you. Codes don't always work, and are sometimes for certain phones or geographical areas.

60 Minute Card use code 59396 or 17202 for 30 bonus minutes

120 Minute Card enter code 17202 or 59271 for 30 and 20 free minutes (or 60860 if the others don't work)

200 Minute Card use promo code 32313 or 63863 for 50 free bonus minutes

450 Minute Card use code 32313 or 93528 for 50 extra minutes

400 Minute/1 Year Card enter 82786 or 69980 to get 250 free minutes!

We hope you found these codes useful, and were able to get some free minutes! Share which codes are working for you on our Facebook page!

If you're looking to bring your own phone to Tracfone, including the Moto G and iPhone 4S, we've got a page for you, check out our Tracfone BYOP page which covers lots of details, including what kind of phones are working.

In case you're not fully sure how Android smartphones use Minutes with Tracfone, we've got you covered wtih the information you should know, including how minutes are split into 3 'buckets' and much more.

Thanks for visiting, and take a moment to share this with others who might benefit from some free minutes!

Rabu, 22 Oktober 2014

OSX 10.10, Yosemite.

Wow, Apple keeps inching OS X and iOS closer and closer together, and they keep incrementally making OS X (and iOS) better as well.  Where Microsoft failed at completely revamping Windows (8), Apple has hit a home-run with OS X 10.10 (Yosemite).  Now don't get to frightened, though the look of Yosemite is slightly different than Mavericks (it's a flatter look and feel, akin to iOS 8), the emphasizes translucency, more streamlined dock and toolbars, as well as smarter controls.

Yosemite brings improvements to most of the major Apple Apps.  From a new streamlined Safari toolbar and "Favorites" view, to numerous upgrades to the Mail app.  The Messages app now has the ability to send SMS messages (a first), which will allow you to keep track of all your messages from you iPhone (not just iMessages).

Apple is touting what they call "Continuity" as one of Yosemite's major breakthrough features.  The Handoff feature of Continuity allows you to begin something on one device and pick it up and complete it on another.  Another awesome feature of Continuity is the ability to answer phone calls on your Mac!  That's right, you can answer a call made to your iPhone right on your Mac.  All you need to do is make sure your Mac and iPhone are signed into the same iCloud account.  Then your Mac is able to grab the call (through iCloud).  Now your iPhone doesn't have to be tied to your hip, or glued to your hand...:).

Spotlight has been improved.  For starters, it looks and acts much more like a search engine now.  When you click the Magnifying glass icon (top right of your Mac), Spotlight Search now appears like this.  You get a search window in the middle of your Mac, start searching for something and the window expands nicely to show items that match your search.




The Mail App has some great new features.  Along with a cleaner design, the mail app now supports Markup, which allows users to annotate attachments directly from Mail, without having to open any other apps.  

Another fantastic new feature in Yosemite is iCloud drive.  Apple finally has successfully joined Google, Dropbox and other cloud vendors, vying to be your cloud drive of choice.  With iCloud drive Apple has a winner on its hands.  

Now you can easily move files to and from iCloud drive using Finder.  See below:


iCloud drive can also be accessed from iCloud.com (as well as your iOS device running iOS 8).  I have found it very easy to use, and love it's direct integration with Finder.

Those are just some of the awesome new features to come in Yosemite.  I will post additional info on Yosemite in the coming weeks.  

I'd love to hear your thoughts, what you like, even dislike.  I highly recommend downloading if you haven't, it doesn't take long, and is well worth it!

Until next time, best to you and your devices!







Alcatel Onetouch ICON Pop - Available for Tracfone

The Alcatel Onetouch ICON Pop (A564C) Released for Tracfone

We are sharing details and specs below about the Alcatel A564C touchscreen smartphone newly released for use with Tracfone Wireless. de9w2dsl will continue to update this post as more information is available.

tracfone a564c alcatel onetouch icon pop
Tracfone Alcatel onetouch Icon Pop
See links at the end of the post for buying options from Amazon and eBay!

The Alcatel Onetouch ICON Pop has a really long name, and also a really large screen, the largest for a Tracfone device yet, at 5". This phone was released by Tracfone rather quickly, along with the LG Ultimate 2.

Tracfone is moving a little faster at adding new Android smartphones to their lineup that already includes several other options. But until now they were lacking a smartphone with a larger screen size, and the Alcatel Onetouch (and LG Ultimate 2) appears to fill that void.

The previous screen size options were the LG Optimus Fuel with a 3.5" touchscreen, and the LG Optimus Dynamic II at 3.8", among others.

The Samsung Galaxy Ace Style, with a 4" touchscreen, and the Moto E, with 4.3" touchscreen, are both expected to be released in the near future, but have been overtaken before even being released. The LG Ultimate 2, which was released at the same time as the Icon Pop, has a 4.5" screen, and shares many similar features and specs.

In case you're wondering (like we were), here is the breakdown of why the name is so long. Alcatel is the company name, Onetouch is the name of the line of phones, and Icon Pop ( or sometimes POP Icon) is the name of this phone. There are a few other Alcatel Onetouch phones, like the Pop Mega, and Pop Star, but Tracfone isn't adding them to their selection. Tracfone then classifies this as the A564C, with 'C' denoting that it uses CDMA technology.

Let's look at what you can expect from the Alcatel Icon Pop.

What to Expect from the Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop on Tracfone

First off, the Icon Pop will be used on Verizon CDMA 3G service through Tracfone prepaid. This is the same as Tracfone's other Smartphone offerings at this time.

It will have Triple Minutes for Life, and minutes will be separated into Talk, Text and Data. For more info on this, read our post, How Minutes Work on Tracfone Android Phones.

The 5" touchscreen is obviously the most noticeable feature on the Alcatel A564C, but there are several other features that are very exciting for Tracfone users who are looking for an upgrade on their current phones.

Time to take a closer look at the Icon Pop features and specs.

Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop Features and Specs

We will cover the main features for the A564C, followed by the technical specifications below.
  • Android 4.4
  • 3G on Verizon networks
  • WiFi
  • 5MP Rear Camera
  • 0.3MP Front Camera
  • Bluetooth
  • GPS
  • Large Screen Icons
  • Hearing Aid Compatible, Hands free Speaker
  • MP3 Player, FM Radio
  • Triple Minutes for Life
  • Flashlight
  • Caller ID, Call Waiting, Voicemail, etc.
  • Voice Dialing
  • Access to over 1 Million apps via Google Play
Alcatel A564C Icon Pop Specs:
  • Size: 5.55" x 2.84" x 0.39"
  • 5" touschreen (854 x 480)
  • 1.2 Ghz Quad-core processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 4 GB Internal Memory(~2GB available), Up to 32 GB Micro SD card Compatible
  • Weight: 5.2 Ounces
  • 2000 mAh Battery with 9.5 hours talk time, 20 days standby (2.5 hrs to fully charge)
alcatel onetouch icon pop tracfone
Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop and 5" screen
A number of the features and specs listed above for the Alcatel Ontouch Icon Pop are improvements over Tracfone's older smartphones, and similar to the Moto E and LG Ultimate 2. Let's take a closer look.

One of the big features is the processor and RAM on the Icon pop. With a quad core and 1 GB, it should be able to keep up with your needs. The LG Ultimate 2 and Moto E each have 1 GB of RAM and 1.2 Ghz processors, but they are only dual core. Other Android phones like the ZTE Valet and LG Optimus Dyamic II are single core with 512 MB RAM.

Another big feature on the Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop is the camera. It has a 5MP rear camera plus a 0.3MP front camera. And after looking through sources, it appears to have autofocus.

The Ultimate 2 also has a 5MP camera with autofocus, and 1.3MP front camera. But the Moto E only has a 5MP rear camera and no autofocus.

Lastly, the 5" screen is a nice feature, and a bit bigger than the other smartphones from Tracfone at this time as we mentioned above. Some sources indicate that it has a resolution of 854 x 480 while we found others saying 960 x 540. 

Our Thoughts on the Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop

This phone brings some great new features to the table with a 5" screen and quad core processor. While this phone is still at the low end of the smartphone market, it is ahead of many of Tracfone's other devices.

Each new phone that Tracfone releases pushes the list of features further and further into what other carriers are using. Tracfone is still behind the curve, but they are trying to catch up. It is unlikely they will ever sell top of the line phones with their prepaid service, but at least users can get some newer tech.

The Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop is a a great looking phone with a nice large screen, but is it better than the Moto E and LG Ultimate 2? Spec-wise, it does have more processing cores, and a larger screen, but each user must choose what is important to themselves when selecting a phone. Not everyone, for example, wants a 5" screen.

At $150 from the Tracfone website, the Alcatel Icon Pop is the most expensive Tracfone yet. We  have just found the Alcatel on Amazon, as well as eBay with several attractive minutes bundles, and at a slightly discounted price:

Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop available on Amazozn and eBay with Minutes options:

Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop on Amazon for $139 (plus $5 shipping)

Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop on eBay for $139

Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop with 600 Minutes on eBay for $169

These are some pretty decent deals if you're looking to buy the phone along with minutes. Last check the Alcatel was in and out of stock on Tracfone's site. So if you are looking for this phone, you might want to move fast!

We will also be doing a full review of the Alcatel smartphone in the near future.

The Alcatel will be great for those looking for a big phone, and looking to impress with a large screen. Although these days, 6" screens or bigger seems to be necessary.

Let us know what you're thinking about this phone, and if you have any questions about it.

Here is the Alcatel ontouch interactive tutorial to see how the phone works.

If you're hunting for a new phone, consider the Tracfone BYOP Phone List page where we have lots of information on bringing your own phone to Tracfone, including the Moto G and iPhone 4S!

Also be sure to check out our Android Phone List and Comparison where we have all the Android phones from Tracfone in one place for easy comparison.

Thanks for visiting!

Selasa, 21 Oktober 2014

LG Ultimate 2 - TracFone L41C Specs and Info

Tracfone LG Ultimate 2 Android Smartphone now Available!

Below we will share details and specs for the LG Ultimate 2 which was recently made available for use with Tracfone. de9w2dsl will continue to update this post as more information becomes available.

Tracfone LG L41C
Tracfone LG Ultimate 2
Note: The LG Ultimate 2 is now available with Minutes Bundle from eBay! See the last section below for links to the phone on both Amazon and eBay.

Another Android powered smartphone for use with Tracfone, has just been released and it is the LG L41C, also known as the LG Ultimate 2. Tracfone continues to release newer, and slightly better, smartphones for use on their prepaid service.

The LG Ultimate 2 comes with Android 4.4 OS, a 5MP camera with autofocus, 1 GB RAM and uses Verizon 3G networks. It will also have a 4.5" screen, which will make many Tracfone users very excited.

Along with the LG Ultimate 2, there are several other Android phones coming, or already available for use with Tracfone. The LG Optimus Fuel, Samsung Galaxy Ace Style, and Moto E are some of the other options. You can also see the full list of smartphones by visiting our Tracfone Android Smartphone List. The Alcatel A564C Onetouch Icon Pop was also just released by Tracfone, and we will be posting more on that very soon. It has a 5" screen, and Android 4.4 as well as a quad care processor (as far as we can tell).

Tracfone has a number of phones that they may be releasing in the future, like the Moto E, and possibly several Android phones for use on GSM networks. Keep up with our latest news and posts by following us on Facebook.

Now, let's take a closer look at what to expect from the LG Ultimate 2.

Tracfone LG L41C - What to Expect

Not all of the details for the Ultimate 2 are completely available or clear, but we do have several bits of interesting information that will help provide details on the phone..

The LG L41C Ultimate 2 has already been spotted for use with Straight Talk, and at a price of just $130. It is also now listed on the Tracfone website for the same price, and we hope it will become available soon from other online shopping sites like Amazon and eBay, or even HSN and ShopHQ.

The Ultimate 2 is basically very similar to the Verizon prepaid LG Optimus Exceed 2. which appears to be a well rounded smartphone There are several possible versions of the LG 41C that Tracfone may use, and some have a front facing camera, while others do not, and some state they have quad-core processors while others have dual.

One thing is for sure, the LG Ultimate 2 has a 4.5" touchscreen (800x400) that will make it bigger than the LG Optimus Fuel, Moto E, or LG Optimus Dynamic II. Only the Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop has a larger screen at this time, at 5".

Below is a list of the features and specifications for the Tracfone LG Ultimate 2.

LG Ultimate 2 Feature and Specs

First the features, and below the technical specs for the LG L41C.
  • Android 4.4
  • 3G on Verizon CDMA Networks
  • WiFi
  • 5MP Camera with Auto-focus
  • 1.3MP front facing camera
  • 3 Home Screens
  • Proximity Sensor
  • Bluetooth
  • GPS Enabled
  • Handsfree speaker, Hearing Aid Compatible
  • Call Waiting, Caller ID, Email, MMS, Voicemail
  • Voice Dialing
  • MP3 Player
  • Triple Minutes for Lfie and separate Call/Text/Data pools
  • Access to over 1 Million apps on Google Play
 LG Ultimate 2 (L41C) Technical Specifications:
  • 5.01" x 2.63" x 0.38"
  • 4.5" IPS at 800x400
  • 1.2 Ghz Dual-core processor (Qualcomm)
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 4 GB Internal Memory, up to 32GB Micro SD card compatible
  • Weight: 4.5 ounces
  • 2100 mAh Battery with 12 hours talk time/ 9 days standby
tracfone lg l41c ultimate 2
LG Ultimate 2 Keyboard
The L41C has some decent specs, with 1 GB of RAM, and a nice large screen. Some of the details, including exactly what the dimensions for the screen are, and whether the Ultimate 2 will have a front facing camera, are unclear at this time. The Tracfone website itself does not always display correct information, so we will wait to confirm these things. (Note - an anonymous user has confirmed the specs listed above including the dual core processor and 1.3 MP front facing camera.)

While the battery is a decent size at 2100 mAh, the talk time and standby are less than the Moto E (which only has a 1980 mAh battery) However, the battery is removable, if you need to do that.

Many of the other specs on the Ultimate 2 are similar to the Moto E, and an improvement over phones like the LG Optimus Dynamic II, ZTE Valet, and Samsung Galaxy Centura.

Tracfone was relatively quick in releasing the the LG Ultimate 2 and Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop. We heard about the Samsung Galaxy Ace Style months ago, but it has not surfaced, and may even be a lesser option with these new phones now available.

Thoughts about the LG L41C Ultimate 2

We are very excited that Tracfone released the Alcatel Onetouch Icon Pop (what a long name!) and LG Ultimate 2 so quickly. These phones bring a lot of great new features, including much larger screens, more RAM, and better processors.

Each of the Android smartphones released by Tracfone have certain strengths and weaknesses and the LG Ultimate 2 is no different. While it does have many great features, it's screen size is 0.5 inches smaller than the Alcatel phone, and may only have a dual-core processor vs a quad-core for the Alcatel. So be sure to know what you want in a phone before making your choice.

The Moto E, which we are still waiting for, has a smaller screen and no front camera, but will be updated to Android 5.0 'lollipop' when that comes out.

You can take a look at the LG Ultimate 2 Interactive Tutorial to get a better feel for how the phone looks.

We will be working on reviews for the new phones in the near future, but for now, let us know your questions and thoughts about the Ultimate 2 in the comments section below. Also take a look at what others have to say.

Where to Buy/Find the LG Ultimate 2

As we mentioned, the LG L41C is retailing on the Tracfone website for $130. However, it has recently disappeared from their site (likely it went out of stock) and cannot be purchased directly from them at this time.

It has also been found on BestBuy, although the specs are not quite right, and also bundled with minutes on QVC, but limited availability possible.

The LG Ultimate 2 is also finally available on eBay and Amazon, with several options to choose from:

LG Ultimate 2 on Amazon for $114 (plus $5 shipping)

LG Ultimate 2 on eBay for $119

LG Ultimate 2 with 600 Minutes on eBay for $149

LG Ultimate 2 with 1200 Minutes on eBay for $199

No word yet on when/if the Ultimate 2 will be available from other retailers, but we will update as more information comes in.

There are plenty of cases for the LG Ultimate 2, because it is very similar to so other popular phones including the LG Exceed 2.

You may find our Tracfone BYOP page useful if you're looking for new phone options. It provides information on Bringing Your Own Phone to Tracfone, including some information on the success some people are having with using the Moto G with Tracfone.

Also take a look at our Guide to How Minutes Work with Android Tracfone Devices. Tracfone changed things in several ways with the Android phones they now offer, and the post explains the changes, and what difference it makes for you.

Thanks for visiting! Check the comments for lots of additional information posted by readers!

Rabu, 15 Oktober 2014

Moto E (XT830C) - Coming to Tracfone

Tracfone Moto E Android Smartphone Coming Soon!

This post provides details and specs for the Moto E XT830C coming to Tracfone sometime in the future. We will continue to update as more information arrives.

Motorola XT830C
The Moto E is Coming to Tracfone
Tracfone continues to (slowly) release new Android powered smartphones to add to their offering of prepaid mobile devices and the Moto E from Motorola is the latest announcement. Tracfone is a low cost prepaid cell phone service provider with a variety of both regular phones and smartphones.

The Motorola XT830C, which is more commonly referred to as simply the Moto E, is a powerful little smartphone running Android 4.4 and giving users a 4.3" touchscreen.

The Moto E comes from a small family of three phones produced by Motorola and is the lowest cost. The higher end Moto X, and extremely popular mid-level Moto G fill out this selection of highly rated phones. While there are some reports of the Moto G working with Tracfone BYOP, it is anything but easy or certain, so the Moto E may be the next best thing for many Tracfone customers.

The Samsung Galaxy Ace Style (not yet released) and the LG Optimus Fuel (available) are the two previous new phones to come to Tracfone. Each have upgrades that other Tracfone Androids don't have, but they still don't have everything consumers are looking for. Perhaps with the Moto E, and two other smartphones coming to Tracfone, users will find a mobile device that fits their need.

Along with the Moto E, there is news of two more exciting phones. The LG L41C Ultimate 2 and Alcatel A564C which each seem to sport screens larger than 4 inches (more information on these phones available at the links above!). Many Tracfone users have been hoping for Android devices with screens larger than 4", so these phones are very exciting to hear about.

Let's take a closer look at what the Moto E offers, including some of the important specifications.

Tracfone Moto E Specifications and What to Expect

The Moto E is better than some of Tracfones other smartphones like the LG Optimus Dynamic II and LG Optimus Fuel in several areas. (But each phone has certain strengths and weaknesses). The two biggest features for the Moto E that set it appart are the 4.3" screen, and 1GB of RAM.

Below is the full list of features and specs for the Moto E:
moto e Motorola XT830C
Tracfone Moto E
  • Android 4.4
  • 3G on Verizon CDMA Networks
  • WiFi
  • 5MP Rear Camera 
  • Micro USB 2.0 port
  • 3.5mm Headphones
  • 4GB Micro SD Card
  • Bluetooth
  • GPS
  • FM Radio
  • Handsfree Speaker, MMS, Alarm clock
  • MP3 Player, Proximity Sensor
  • Call Waiting, Caller ID, Voice Dialing
  • Triple Minutes for Life
Moto E Technical Specs and Features:
  • Size: 4.91" x 2.55" x 0.48"
  • 4.3" qHD Touchscreen at 256ppi (540x960) and Gorilla Glass 3
  • 1.2 Ghz Dual-core processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 4 GB Internal Memory, up to 32 GB External MicroSD slot
  • Weight: 5 ounces
  • 1980 mAh battery with 16.5 hrs talk time/30 days standby

Some of you might be very excited for the opportunity to have a Tracfone Smartphone with a dual-core processor and 1 GB of RAM. The Moto E is expected to be a great overall smartphone with its solid features and specs. And because it was made in partnership with Google, it will likely continue to be updated with the latest Android OS.

We could go on about the 4.3" screen, 1.2 Ghz processor, and all the other specs, but you probably get the idea that the Moto E comes with many features that beat Tracfone's other smartphones. So, let's move on and look at when the Moto E might even be available.

A quick note, as one visitor mentioned in the comments, the Moto E doesn't have a front facing camera, nor flash, and the battery cannot be removed. These are some cons for the phone worth being aware of.

What to Expect and When is the Moto E Available with Tracfone?

The Moto E will be for use on Verizon CDMA towers and you can probably expect the same kind of service as many of Tracfone's other current smartphones.

All of Tracfone's Android smartphones come with Triple Minutes for Life, and minutes are separated into talk, text and data. For a full explanation about this, view our Guide to How Minutes Work with Tracfone Android Phones.

Now, the big question most of you are asking is, when will the Moto E be available on Tracfone? This is a great question, but unfortunately we don't have a great answer for you: We don't really know.

Previously, we heard about the LG Optimus Fuel in early 2014, but it was only released at the end of September 2014. So if this is any guide, it could be several months before the Moto E comes to Tracfone. However, the Moto E, and other phones coming to Tracfone soon, could make great Black Friday sales or Christmas deals so let's hope this happens.

The retail price for an unlocked Moto E is about $120 but we expect the Moto E for Tracfone to be less, perhaps under $100 or even closer to $80.

We will keep you updated with the latest information on the Moto E. As soon as we find it available we will update this page. Stay even more up to date by following us on Facebook where we share lots of information on the latest Tracfone devices, as well as Tracfone Promo Codes!

For more on the Moto E, take a look at the Tracfone Motorola XT830C Tutorial.

If you're looking for a new phone, be sure to visit our Cell Phone reviews page where we have a list of all our reviews of Tracfone cell phones.

You might also find our Guide to the Tracfone Family Value Plan useful because it shares all the details on how to put your whole family on a monthly no-contract Tracfone plan! (And all for less than $10 per phone!)

Thanks for visiting, and leave a comment with your thoughts or questions about this phone!

Jumat, 03 Oktober 2014

Tracfone Promo Codes for October 2014

List of New Tracfone Promo Codes October 2014

Provided below are a list of promotional codes for use with Tracfone cell phone devices for the month of October 2014. These codes are collected and shared here for your convenience by de9w2dsl.

tracfone promo code october 2014
Promo Codes for October 2014!
Tracfone is a cell phone and service provider offering many low cost options to consumers. They provide a variety of promo codes that can be used when adding a prepaid minute card to your phone to get additional minutes for free.

Each month we find and share the latest codes from around the web here, and also on our main Tracfone Promo Codes page, where we list both past and present codes.

To use a promo code, simply enter it when prompted while adding a Tracfone minutes card. If you're on the Tracfone website, add the code in the 'Promotional Code' box.

Note, codes are sometimes for certain regions or phones, and don't always work, or may work only once per phone. Also be aware that Tracfone promo codes don't work on Android smartphones.

But the smartphones from Tracfone are pretty exciting, so take a look at our Tracfone Android Smartphone list where we have each current smartphone listed for quick comparison or take a look at our Tracfone BYOP page and learn about bringing your own smartphone to Tracfone!

Of course, you can also see all the phones on our Cell Phone Reviews page.

Now, here are the latest promo codes for October!

Tracfone Promo Codes - October 2014

Each code will work for a certain minute card, or any card of greater value. (So a code for a 60 minute card will work with any card). Remember, you enter these codes along with a prepaid minutes card, and this can be done online, on your phone, or over the phone!

60 Minute Card - Use code 59396 or 84464 to get 30 extra minutes

120 Minute Card - Enter 17202 or 11679 and receive 30 bonus minutes (or use the codes above)

200 Minute Card - Add promo code 86942 or 23154 for a total of 40 bonus minutes

450 Minute Card - Enter code 93528 or 42855 for 50 extra bonus minutes

1 Year/400 Minute Card - Use codes 80087 or 73538 to get 250 bonus minutes

Codes don't always work for all phones in every area, so please let us know in the comments which codes are working! All codes above should be valid through October 31st 2014!

We just posted a list of great deals and discounts on Tracfone Cell Phones and Minutes, so check it out if you want to see the latest sales.

The LG Optimus Fuel, an Android phone with the latest OS, is now available to buy online. Visit our post (linked above) to learn more about the phone, and where it is available online (for just $60).

We hope this means the Samsung Galaxy Ace Style will be released very soon. Follow us on Facebook, where we will share as soon as the phone becomes available!

We hope you found this codes useful, and got some free minutes! Thanks for visiting!

Senin, 22 September 2014

Tracfone Sales, Discounts and Deals -Fall 2014

Sales and Discounts on Tracfone Cell Phones and Minutes - Sept. 2014

Tracfone sales and discounts graphic
Save Money on Tracfone with these deals!
There are plenty of great deals and discounts on Tracfone devices and minutes, but it can be hard to find them when you need it most. So below we share with you some of the latest and greatest deals we've found from around the web.

Tracfone is a wireless prepaid cell phone company that sells both phones and service minutes. They are usually very low cost, and make it easy to own a cell phone for less than $20 a month. Visit About Tracfone to learn more about them, or see our Cell Phone Reviews page to check out the phones.

Here at de9w2dsl, we keep track of the best prices on Tracfone mobile devices and minutes, and then share them with you. These deals don't always last long, so don't wait.

We try to find and share a variety of deals here to appeal to what you're looking for. Many of these discounted Tracfone products will save you a few bucks, but that can go a long ways sometimes.

If you're looking for more ways to save money, visit our Tracfone Promo Codes page. And don't forget to check out our recently updated post on How to Set Up the Tracfone Family Value Plan which can be a great money saver.

Well, let's get to these Tracfone Sales.

Tracfone Deals and Sales - September 2014

These are some great deals and discounts we've found, but please let us know in the comments if you find others!


1. ZTE Valet Android with 200 Minutes (Tripled to 600) for $45

ZTE Valet on sale
ZTE Valet for $45
Buying phones bundled with minutes is almost always a great deal, and this ZTE Valet with 600 total minutes is no exception.

The Valet is a touchscreen Android smartphone with 3.5" screen and many great features. See all the details by reading our Tracfone ZTE Valet Review.

This deal is great because the 600 minutes would normally cost $40, so for $5 more (plus another $5 for shipping) you get an Android smartphone!

View the deal on Amazon for all the details!


2. Alcatel 382G "The Big Easy" for $10

This phone is simple and practical; made for ease of use and good durability. It is a popular phone with Tracfone users because it does the basic things of calling and texting with large easy to use keys. Take a look at our Alcatel 382G Review for more information on this phone.

You can get the Alcatel 382G with Double Minutes right now on Amazon for just $10. It normally goes for $40!


3. Motorola EX431G with Triple Minutes - $7!

If you're just looking for a simple phone that has Triple Minutes for Life, or you don't have a phone with Triple Minutes for life, you should seriously consider this great deal!

The Motorola EX 431G is a QWERTY keyboard phone with lots of great features like MP3 Player and 2MP camera. It also comes with Triple Minutes for Life, and is on sale for just $7!

View our review of the Motorola Ex431G to see if it might be the right phone for you.


4. LG Optimus Dynamic II with 600 Minutes for $99

The LG Optimus Dynamic II is one of the most popular Tracfone devices right now for good reason, it comes with a 3.8" touchscreen and is powered by Android. The majority of users who have tried other Tracfone smartphones prefer the LG Optimus Dynamic II.

Take a look at our Review of the LG Optimus Dynamic II, and be sure to read through the comments.

At just $99 (and free shipping!) for the phone and 600 minutes, you are really getting the Dynamic II for just $60 with a $40 200 minute card - which is a great deal.

View the deal on eBay for more information.


5. 200 Minute Card for $32!

If you're looking for minutes, and don't mind waiting for the PIN to be mailed to you, buying cards online can be a great deal. Normally, a 200 minute Tracfone card goes for $40, but this deal has the card for just $32 and free shipping.

So plan a little in advance, and take advantage of the $8 off a 200 minute card!


6. LG Optimus Dynamic II w/ 1200 Minutes for $99 from HSN

This deal probably won't last long, but it is a good one if you're looking for an Android phone bundled with lots of minutes! The 1200 minutes are worth $99 by themselves, so you basically get a great Android smartphone for free!

View the deal on HSN but you better hurry because it probably won't last!


de9w2dsl works hard at finding the best prices, and biggest deals. We are dedicated to providing information and helping save you money. Please let us know if you see better deals around! Leave a comment or visit our Facebook page!

Continue learning about all that Tracfone offers by checking out our Tracfone Android Phone List which has all the latest smartphones from Tracfone listed and easy to compare.

You may also find our Tracfone BYOP page useful for learning about which phones you can bring to Tracfone, including the iPhone 4.

Also, the LG Optimus Fuel, with Android 4.4 is now available. View our full post on the LG Optimus Fuel to learn more, and find where you can buy it (and how much it costs!).

Thanks for visiting, and we hope you enjoy these deals!

Minggu, 21 September 2014

iPhone 6, First Review

I want to start this by saying, I was and still am, extremely happy with my iPhone 5S.  It was a bit thinner, and longer than the 4S that I had used for two years, had better battery life, better camera, and a slew of other features that made it much better experience than the 4S.  Since June, I've been looking forward to getting the 6, but given that I had been testing iOS 8 for months, wasn't all that excited, until it arrived.  I was a bit concerned that the size increase would make it uncomfortable to hold and use with one hand, but the concern quickly disappeared!


As you can see above, the 6 has quite a size advantage over the 5S.  Yet as you can see below, still fits easily into the palm of your hand, as is still completely usable with one hand.  


What thoroughly impressed me, was the sheer thinness of the iPhone 6 (below).  I'm not sure why I was surprised, as Apple has made nice advances with each prior iPhone.  With the 6, however the advances are far superior than any previous iPhone.  

Sure the internals all were upgraded, new processor, better camera, better wi-fi antenna, better battery etc, etc, etc.  The thinness and size are two of the things that make this iPhone the best yet.  To be fair, I have not tested or tried the 6 Plus, so I can't speak to it just yet.  

From the moment I started using the 6, I was impressed.  I loaded it from my last iPhone 5S backup, so my apps, and content were available almost instantly.  As the apps began to update for iOS 8, they began to support the larger screen size of the 6, which made them all that much better.  

With each iPhone release comes a new operating system.  When I began testing iOS 8 since early June, there didn't seem to be a great difference from iOS 7.  Once I started using the iPhone 6, the new features seem to come to life.  From the new Speak Screen setting, to the new Handoff feature, to the ability to enlarge your whole screen using the new Zoomed Feature (and those and just 3 of the hundreds of new features), everything just worked better on the new iPhone.

Speak Screen let's your iPhone talk and tell you exactly what's on your screen (whatever app you may be in).

Handoff let's you start something on one device and continue on any of your other devices using the same iCloud account.  

This is the standard display, below is the new Zoomed display option, which you can see makes everything bigger and easier to see.


There is  so much more to cover, but I wanted to get a quick review out for those of you wondering if you should upgrade or not.  If you are on the fence, let me be the one to push you over.  The iPhone 6 is not only well worth the upgrade, but it is simply the best iPhone to date!

I will have more to write in the coming weeks.  If you've upgraded, or newly purchased the iPhone 6, I'd love to hear from you regarding what you like, and even what you don't!

Until next time...best to you and your devices!









Minggu, 14 September 2014

Apple Pay!


Along with two new iPhones, Apple has ambitiously made the way you pay for things so very easy by creating Apple Pay!

What it is...
With Apple Pay, you'll be able to pay for things in any physical or online retail store using a contact-less touch system. When you make a purchase the retailer does not see your name or card number and even better, Apple collects no purchase history.

A Token element...
I apologize if this gets to tech speak here, but here's how this works;  Apple Pay uses NFC (Near Field Communication), the Secure Element and Touch ID.  You enter your credit card details into the system which confirms your card with your bank, and creates a unique Device Account Number (aka a token), this is held in the Secure Element on your device.  Your transactions are authorized using the token and a one-time dynamic security code.

Devices that will be able to use Apple Pay include...
Apple Pay will be available on the  iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. It will also works with iPhone 5, 5C and 5S devices but will require an Apple Watch.

Scan your credit card in with your devices camera...
Now I'm not certain just how secure this process is, but you can pre-load your credit card into your iPhone using your camera. Once approved the card appears in the Passbook app.

Apple Pay and Apple Watch...
Coming early next year, Apple Pay will work with your Apple Watch once you enter your passcode. Now this part is very cool, if you remove your watch payments are suspended until you put it on again and re-enter the watch code. Nice!

What happens if I loose my device?
If you loose your iPhone, the Find My iPhone app will suspend payments from your device once it is placed in Lost Mode. You will not need to replace your card, just create a new token on the device.

Very secure!
Because transactions are validated using dynamic codes it impairs or blocks hackers from scanning and stealing account details during a wireless transaction.  According to Morgan Reed, of the App Association, "Consumers can be confident their Apple Pay transactions will be private, safe, and secure." 

Info NOT stored in iCloud (or any other cloud for that matter!)
The essential credit card data is not held in the iCloud, making it extremely secure. Google Wallet's failure was due to the fact that it held this highly sensitive data in an insecure cloud.

Where Can Apple Pay be used?
At first, Apple Pay will be available in the US, where American Express, Visa and MasterCard  and most of the biggest banks support it at over 200,000 shops. Mastercard says such payment services will be widely available in 12-18 months.

What will this cost the consumer?
Apple will be taking a processing fee from banks.  The amounts are large, and Apple may gain close to $30-$50 million in added income on existing iTunes purchases, and the best part, it costs you nothing!

Other Benefits?
Apple Pay will be awesome when you are price comparing sites;  look at an item in a store and if you find it cheaper somewhere else, order it there!

Finally...
Both PayPal and Square have said they will support Apple Pay within their services.  Apple Pay is expected to launch in the US in October, and internationally in the very near future.