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Cheapo Android for use as Chromecast remote control
binary
26-11-2015
Basically as per the title - I'm looking for a cheapo Android smartphone solely for making a Chromecast work.

What do the esteemed forumites here think? Would an Alcatel One Touch Pop C1 do the job OK?

Whilst I'm wary of Android phones that are never likely to get security updates, especially in light of the Stagefright business, I don't think a smartphone just being used as a remote for a Chromecast would be that vulnerable, given that it wouldn't be receiving messages.

I guess more of an issue might be companies (e.g. Netflix) withdrawing support for or stopping updating their Chromecast-compatible apps for those devices running older versions of Android - the Pop C1 runs on Jelly Bean (v4.2).

Thanks!
konebyvax
26-11-2015
Way better spec for less money

http://www.phoneshopbysainsburys.co....t-4-turbo.html
binary
26-11-2015
Originally Posted by konebyvax:
“Way better spec for less money

http://www.phoneshopbysainsburys.co....t-4-turbo.html”

Great value... but it's made by a Chinese company called Coolpad, and I'm wary of them as they have intentionally released devices with a backdoor called "CoolReaper" which installs adware on the sly - see this report:

hwww.androidpolice.com/2014/12/17/coolpads-android-devices-factory-installed-backdoor-impersonates-google-play-services-framework-says-security-firm/


I did a little research on this a while back and I think the consensus seemed to be that they haven't installed anything dodgy on devices heading for western markets, such as the Vodafone branded Smart phones (like the Smart 4 Turbo), but it all still makes me a bit suspect. Plus I'm not sure I really want to support a manufacturer (however indirectly) that thinks this is OK practice!

All that said, I'd think the Vodafone branded handsets must be clean... otherwise Voda wouldn't have bought them from Coolpad / wouldn't sell them on to Voda customers.
GreenLantern
26-11-2015
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014UUQU...rd_p=765516067

100 quid and a decent phone saw it get good reviews almost everywhere for that price.

Cyanogen + 2gb Ram + quad core + dual sim + 4G absolute bargain

That deal only runs for another 10hrs so grab it whilst you can.

(Also if you have Amazon Prime and sign up for Prime Now (free) and get it delivered via that you get a further tenner off bringing it down to a ridiculously cheap 90 quid)

Thank me later.
binary
26-11-2015
Originally Posted by GreenLantern:
“Thank me later.”

Er, sorry, no.

I said cheapo, and I meant cheapo!
swb1964
26-11-2015
Decent deal but surely overkill for what the op wants?
GreenLantern
26-11-2015
Can actually be used as a decent phone and 90 quid !

That is cheap isn't it for a decent phone ?
Lyceum
26-11-2015
Originally Posted by GreenLantern:
“Can actually be used as a decent phone and 90 quid !

That is cheap isn't it for a decent phone ?”

Yes but the OP doesn't want a phone. He wants a Remote control. Which is why it's over kill.
Mark in Essex
26-11-2015
I noticed this phone on UK Hot Deals earlier for £32.73:

Cubot X12 MTK6735 64bit Android 5.1 4G LTE Smartphone - WHITE 132074302
5.0 inch QHD IPS Screen / MTK6735 64bit Quad Core 1.0GHz / 1GB RAM 8GB ROM / Infrared Remote Control


If not there is a Bush one in Argos for £39.99:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/sim-...-argos-2332900
binary
26-11-2015
Originally Posted by Mark in Essex:
“I noticed this phone on UK Hot Deals earlier for £32.73:

Cubot X12
...”

That Cubot phone actually looks pretty interesting as a potential backup mobile, as well as being useful as a cheap Chromecast remote control.

What do people think about it, if anything? I haven't bought an unknown brand Chinese smartphone before...

I did notice one of the HUKD posters saying they'd tried and failed to find out the SAR values of the X12 phone, which is the kind of thing that gives me a bit of pause for thought. Then there's buying in US$ from an unknown retailer with an EU warehouse somewhere. Perhaps it's a bit pathetic but I'm just after an easy life, and I'm thinking of the hassle if it doesn't work, doesn't get delivered etc - and I'm trying to avoid collecting yet more bits of electronics which aren't any good, or only half work etc!
swb1964
26-11-2015
Well a safe bet would be the moto e. Not only well supported but Moto was owned by Google until quite recently so it is pretty much guaranteed to do what you want.

That comes at a price though, about 70 on payg.
Greebo
26-11-2015
Originally Posted by swb1964:
“Well a safe bet would be the moto e. Not only well supported but Moto was owned by Google until quite recently so it is pretty much guaranteed to do what you want.

That comes at a price though, about 70 on payg.”

If the OP is looking at that sort of money, then a refurb nexus 7 (2012) tablet from Morgan might be better for the job - pure android 5.1 and a bigger screen - https://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/pr...llipop-Tablet/
catsaregrey
26-11-2015
the rook on EE is 50quid. But if youre after "cheapo" then youll have to accept the no name chinese brands are going to be the cheapest. Pay the extra few quid to get something from a uk shop if youre worried.
binary
27-11-2015
Originally Posted by konebyvax:
“Way better spec for less money

http://www.phoneshopbysainsburys.co....t-4-turbo.html”

Damn... looks like Sainsbury's selling the Voda Smart 4 Turbo for half price (£25, was £50) as shown earlier today may have been an early release of their Black Friday Sale event for mobile phones... and it's showing as sold out already before midnight (not sure when they started advertising it as a sale on the website).

Lesson learnt... if you see a good price on the day before Black Friday, when we're all busy eating our Thanksgiving dinners (...not!), then don't dither but snap it up.

Bloody consumerism!
GreenLantern
27-11-2015
Ok final offer

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00Y3TM6C...f_rd_i=desktop

7inch Fire Tablet today only 34.99

side load Google Play via here:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/amaz...store-t3216122

problem solved, thank me later (no seriously, do this time )
swb1964
27-11-2015
Both the deals you published are good ones but I'm not sure either are ideal for the OPs needs. He wants plain android remember.....
finbaar
27-11-2015
Originally Posted by GreenLantern:
“Ok final offer

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00Y3TM6C...f_rd_i=desktop

7inch Fire Tablet today only 34.99

side load Google Play via here:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/amaz...store-t3216122

problem solved, thank me later (no seriously, do this time )”

Honestly, I don't know how the OP could possibly thank you enough for that advice.
GreenLantern
27-11-2015
I know right
DinkyDoo
28-11-2015
You can get a Alcatel pixi for free if you top up £20 on EE. It's not a great smartphone but it's cheap and newish?
DevonBloke
28-11-2015
Originally Posted by GreenLantern:
“I know right ”

That has to be deal of the wee.... er Century......
jonmorris
28-11-2015
Originally Posted by DinkyDoo:
“You can get a Alcatel pixi for free if you top up £20 on EE. It's not a great smartphone but it's cheap and newish?”

I was half tempted to get this just to have another phone to play around with, but £20 is still £20. It's not like I'd need that credit, given I've got two 200GB SIMs.
DevonBloke
28-11-2015
Originally Posted by jonmorris:
“I was half tempted to get this just to have another phone to play around with, but £20 is still £20. It's not like I'd need that credit, given I've got two 200GB SIMs.”

Yeah, I was too. But like you, i have one 200GB SIM coming and another will soon be available..... Once I get the first one you understand..........
If I pull this off it will be a miracle.......
402GB for 20 quid has to be a bargain... surely.....
jonmorris
28-11-2015
Don't forget to add the 50MB you get free too.
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