My Verizon Situation
So, here's my setup. Two phones, sharing data, and one iPad.
Doesn't this seem a bit high? Was once around $150 and has just crept up over the years. BTW, the service is great. No complaints about the service. Which means Google Fi will need to be equally good. I travel a bit as well which includes international travel. From what I've read, Google Fi does great overseas as well. My prediction is I will save about $40 to $50 per month. So, it will take 10 months to make back the cost of the phone.If I keep the phone two years, that means I will save about $560 over 2 years. I'll let you know if this pans out.
Ordering
7/8/2016 I just pulled the trigger after making sure I was out of contract with Verizon.
I ordered the Nexus 6P because I demand a strong smartphone. I use my phone for everything so I tend to buy the best I can find. My Verizon phone is/was a Moto Droid Turbo. The Droid and 6P have essentially the same specs so wasn't much of an upgrade. I will be gaining a fingerprint reader.
I also opted to get a new number. I get lots of junk calls on my current cell so a reset won't hurt. BTW, I have a Google Voice account which complicates things. My understanding is I will lose that phone #. I will get a new one because I like having a junk # I can give to companies, etc.
The process itself was actually very easy. They claim my phone will arrive in a few days. So, until then... take it easy.
BTW, it shipped the same day. Just got a Fedex tracking number from Google. So far a great start!
7/13/2016
It's Here!
It showed up on time via Fedex. Here are a few unboxing pics.
As you can see above, pretty simple; one phone, one sim card.
Box contains a 110V to USB-C charger, a long USB-C to USB-C cord, a short (maybe 3 or 4 inches) USB to USB-C cord (not pictured), and a phone. I wish I would have known about the short cord. That is exactly what I ordered on Amazon for use in my truck with Android Auto.
BTW, sorry these pics aren't the best, lighting was dim..
The Initial Startup
It immediately wanted to get online, so I added it to my local WiFi. Yes, I have four wireless networks, that is for another blog.
Not surprising, it then wanted to update.
I wasn't expecting this screen. I followed the prompts and Android synced with my old phone so all my apps, email addresses, etc were installed in a matter of seconds with no action from me after I allowed the two phones to talk. Very cool!
Getting My New Phone Number
I sort of hoped I'd have some say in my new number. Google Voice would let you pick from a list of numbers. I used to have a Google Voice # I used for riff-raft. That number vanished as part of my Google Fi activation. I will make a new GV# under a different email address I can use for companies, etc.
Next thing in the setup is your finger print. It works great and is really in a perfect spot (back of phone.) Just like on iOS, the finger print reader can be used by some applications instead of a password. Very cool.
At this point, the phone started working to set all my apps and things up. It had downloaded the data a few steps earlier, but just now went to work on it.
The transfer wasn't perfect, but it did save lots of time. All my accounts were added which means calendar, contacts, email, etc all worked. It then started downloading all the apps I had on my old phone from the Play store. That actually took a long time to download and install them all. Also, unless it was a Google app, none of the account data was there so that means opening each app, logging in, etc.
While my apps were updating, my phone number showed up! And...another system update...
It is actually nice to know I have the latest, greatest software updates.
After the restart, more downloads... You get the idea. I just let it do its thing.
First Full day of Google Fi
Before heading to work, I plugged the Nexus 6p into my truck to see if Android Auto would work. After a few confirmation screens, came right up. No problem! Check that one off.
Once I arrived at work, I opened my speedtest app to see how things were going.
This is not a good first try...
This is better, but still not wowing me.
I pulled out my Verizon phone to give it a try.
What? Verizon is doing bad, too! This is on my Droid Turbo which I plan to shut off.
I asked my buddy on ATT to test a few times and he was all over the map, too. So, I guess this test was inconclusive. I work at the Will Rogers World Airport in an old building which is built like a fortress with no windows. I guess it is ok to have spotty service here which , BTW, I've always had on Verizon as well.
I Heard Customer Service was Great
At lunch, I was on the web and I saw a headline. Google had JUST dropped the price of the Nexus 6p by $150! I just received mine (which was not discounted) last night!!! I called Google Fi support (actually they called me) and explained my concern. She said she would happily refund me the difference. No problem. AWESOME!
Some Sad News for Verizon
After I scored $150 from Google Fi, I chatted with Verizon Wireless to save some more money.
That was actually pretty easy. While there I switched my data plan from 8GB to 2GB. My wife and the iPad actually use very little data normally. Cha-Ching! I'm expecting my new Verizon bill to be around $80. We'll see when the new bill comes in. BTW, Verizon charges me $40 for unlimited minutes and texting. Google Fi is $20. Verizon charges $30 for 2GB of data. Google Fi charges $20 for the same. See why I'm switching?
Speaking of my Google Fi bill, here is the invoice I received today.
As advertised.
About the phone... This blog isn't about the Nexus 6p, but I'm really pleased. Pretty large, also seems really snappy and is running a clean version of Marshmallow. I'm expecting Nougat pretty soon.
You are up to speed. I'll post after I get a feel for how it is going. :) So far, I'm really pleased.
7/14/2016
Day 2
I've been setting up my apps and everything is going great. I wanted to share a couple of points with you.I took a couple of pics today. Camera seems to work fine.
After work, but while still in the parking lot, I did another speed test.
That is great speed! Much better than what I was getting in the building the day before.
For comparison, I tested it again once I was home on my WiFi.
Nothing wrong with that.
Later, my wife wanted to go to Ihop to use a gift certificate. While we were there, I noticed my phone had automatically connected to their open WiFi! As promised, it also established a VPN to keep my data secure from others who might also be eating pancakes for dinner.
Notice the key symbol which shows I'm on a VPN connection. Very cool.
Oh, I forgot to mention, I did go for a bike ride after work. I always put my phone in a snack baggie so it doesn't get sweaty. (Nothing worse than a stinky phone.)
It Barely fits! But, it is in there. As another interesting note, not only can I still work the touch screen through the bag, but the finger print reader also still works!
I continue to be really happy with Google Fi and my Nexus 6p! What are you waiting for?? Oh, I saw an article today about Verizon. They are increasing their rates. Big Surprise... Talk to you later.
7/17/2016
Stage Fright? What Stage Fright?
If you aren't familiar, Android phones have been bothered by a nasty bug called Stagefright. You can read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagefright_(bug)I'm not going to go into it here because that is not what this blog is about. This blog is about my experience on Google Fi and the Nexus 6p by association. Anyway, ever since Stagefright came out, my Verizon phones have been vulnerable to the bug. Verizon would on occasion push out a patch, which would change just how vulnerable, but my phones were never fully patched.
I was curious to see if my Nexus 6p was also vulnerable, so I ran my Stagefright detection software.
Score! I'm honestly not surprised. Nexus is a pure Google experience without the middle man slowing down the security patches.
I'll check my Verizon Moto Droid just for fun.
Again, not surprising. This phone has NEVER been clear of the Stagefright risk. BTW, yes I have turned off this phone from cell service, so it is basically acting like an Android tablet. I bet it will no longer receive security updates.
Here is a peak at what software the Nexus is running.
You can see my last security patch was 12 days ago. Google recently announced they will provide monthly security patches to Nexus phones. Very cool.
How about my Moto Droid from Verizon?
Last security patch I was pushed from Verizon was April 1st. Running over 3 months behind. Not impressive.
Another WIN for Google Fi and Nexus!
