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[Q] Sprint contract workaround?

Hi all, this is my first post here. I'm relatively tech-savvy but mobile development isn't my forte. Anyway, I've tried many search strings on the site but I haven't found a directly relevant answer.
Essentially the issue is I have a grandfathered service plan from approximately 2004 where I'm getting data for $5/month. I was using a lame HTC Touch Pro until it shattered. Unfortunately, to purchase a new smartphone (figuratively anything that isn't a flip phone), I would need to enter into a new contract on their exponentially more expensive terms. Additionally, I'm going to get nailed with all kinds of new bull**** fees (a 4G fee when it has barely been developed in NYC). Obviously I'm hoping for a more cost-effective approach.
Furthermore, I saw someone briefly mention in another thread that the OP could just buy a phone outright. I'm wondering if purchasing a phone unlocked and then somehow activating it on Sprint's network or some other hack would be possible. Price is a significant constraint; it's not feasible for me to drop $750 on an unlocked smartphone, so it's preferable if I can find some kind of workaround that's subsidized.
Thanks for reading through this, hope you can lend some advice on the optimal solution.

Sprint won't accept unlocked phones. I don't think there is a such thing as a unlocked cdma phone.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

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[Q] Sick of data plans/fees

Wi-fi everywhere. Do NOT want data plans. Questions:
1. Does just having a "smart phone" allow US carriers to make you pay for data?
2. What is the BEST (read cheapest) plans for 4 phones, no data, but unlimited texting?
I am sick sick sick of paying a min imum of $20 for each phone to have data when 2 of the phones are not even smart phones! the are for my 2 kids and T-Mobile is charging me $20 each for those dumb phones!!!
Please help!

Easy
You can easily have a smartphone and use it on any plan that will allow you to install a SIM card. Of course the phone will have to be either unlocked or used with the same company that it is locked with, just like any other phone. If you have no dataplan with your account you will no use any but can still connect with WIFI.

ya I know a few people who have smart phones with no internet plan, I think that they only really require it if you sign up for a new contract to get one.
Just make sure that you disable all internet abilities for your apps otherwise you will be getting a huge bill in the mail by going over lol

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[Q] Visa PayWave

Does anybody else have any information on the Visa PayWave application for Android? Saw the advert for the application in June/July, said it would be "released by December 2013". It's now late January 2014 and the application is still nowhere to be seen. Especially disappointing considering one of the main features of the Galaxy S4 ON RELEASE (almost a year ago) was that Visa PayWave was pre-installed, and that never happened. Visa also had a webpage advertising the application and has since taken it down, as if they're trying to remove all evidence of them ever having the idea of a contactless payments application.
And I can't use Google Wallet because UK. Google have decided that this country doesn't deserve mobile contactless either. *sigh*

[Q] Tap & Pay in Canada

Just wondering if this is possible to use in Canada. I know Samsung has the Beep 'n Go app that seemed to work pretty well. However google wallet is still not available in Canada to use.

Google hates Canada. Its true...and I'm not flaming, I'm in Canada too.
Can't tell Google now to play my music, cause I don't live in the states. I mean wow. Lol
Sent from my N5 cell phone telephone....
---------- Post added at 10:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:28 PM ----------
Didn't even have play store cards here until very recently.
Sent from my N5 cell phone telephone....

What's with the Google hate for Canada? I also noticed we can't get the Google Play Now Unlimited or whatever

Is it more that the Banks and Credit card companies in Canada are not willing to support Google Wallet? Remember that Canadian adoption of advanced financial options like debit cards far exceeded the US for a long time. That would mean that Canadian financial institutions want you to use their already established methods such as the Interact terminals you see at a Tim Hortons. Can those devices support tap to pay from a phone? I already see people use credit card tap to pay at my local grocery store but only if you are using a specific credit card company.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app

3DSammy said:
Is it more that the Banks and Credit card companies in Canada are not willing to support Google Wallet? Remember that Canadian adoption of advanced financial options like debit cards far exceeded the US for a long time. That would mean that Canadian financial institutions want you to use their already established methods such as the Interact terminals you see at a Tim Hortons. Can those devices support tap to pay from a phone? I already see people use credit card tap to pay at my local grocery store but only if you are using a specific credit card company.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RBC / Bell allow the Galaxy S3 and S4 to use your phone to tap to pay, but requires a nfc sim card and doesn't actually work yet, but does promise the same support for future phones if they decide to bless them. Insert disgusted sarcastic smiley. (Sounds stupid to me, all you should need to use in that scenario is the nfc sim to tap and pay, the phone is irrelevant other than setup. How about using a NFC ring instead of a phone? Attach an NFC sticker to your finger, done, real tap and pay.)
There is no hate for Canada, Google is a US based company and caters to the US market.

[Q] soft card is being purchased by Google?

Anyone here of this? I've got tmobile note 3 and have yet to find a tap and pay option other than Softcard.
"We are pleased to let you know that Google has acquired technology from Softcard to power the next generation of mobile wallets.
What does that mean for you? As of 3/31 your Softcard app will no longer work. You can continue to use the Softcard app until 3/31. After that your Account will be closed.
To keep using a digital wallet app download Google Wallet now.
Sincerely,
The Softcard Team"

Google Wallet > all

well that sucks. i actually like it way more than google wallet. I was able to get my tax refund directly deposited into it.