Mobile Phones

Bill wants to know about the Zello walkie talkie app. How does it really work? Does it transmit over the air like a real walkie talkie? Leo says it doesn't broadcast, it uses your mobile phone data network to communicate. So you use data every time you use Zello. It's similar to VoIP in that regard. It's fun and handy, but it does eat through your data.

Jack uses a Samsung Note Android phone and he used to be able to do a list view of all the running apps. But now it's changed to a tiny screenshot. How can he change it back? Leo says that Google changed the way to display it, and it's at the system level in their launcher, and so there may not be a way to roll that back. But since Jack has a Samsung phone, he can use the Samsung app called GOOD LOCK in the Samsung Store and you can change it back using the Task Changer feature.

Mason saw an A50 smartphone in T-Mobile which is free with a two-year commitment. But is it junky? Leo says that all mobile carriers offer cheaper phones that they can offer for free, and it's a mixed bag if they're decent or not. But you can bet that the cameras aren't very good. Leo recommends the Motorola Moto G6 or the Samsung Galaxy S10. What about buying a phone from overseas that are unlocked? Leo says that he can do that, but the radios in the phone may not support the frequencies here in the US. But that A50 should be fine.

Jenna is a veteran and she doesn't use her tablet much. She's thinking of selling her tablet and going with a cheap phone and a cheap internet plan. Leo says that's a good plan, especially if she goes with a low-cost data plan with WiFi.  T-Mobile has a plan for those over $50. It's pretty cheap. But there's also MINT Mobile, an MVNO that resells phone service from T-Mobile. $15 a month or less, and she can bring her own phone.