Google Makes Hangouts Calls To 25 Countries Free For The First Minute Through The End Of 2014

DJDB · 2014-10-28T02:13:11+00:00

Ah. I guess I was mistaken. With a US-based account you were previously able to make free US/CAN calls anywhere in the world. In any case, you should be able to do so now with this offer.

I believe that all offers in past years expired on Dec. 31 and were renewed late in the year for an additional one. So, there's a good chance that this is a long-term promotion.

gjallard · 2014-10-28T01:43:13+00:00

The only issue might be that carrier Nexus devices might not activate on other CDMA networks if the carrier doesn't wish to allow it. (IMEI not in database)

That's what is happening with carrier-sold iPads, according to John Legere. (Non-carrier sold iPads can be used on any carrier, but carrier-sold ones can only be used with CDMA if originally sold by that carrier)

There is precedent for this. Last year, the Nexus 5 32GB (eg Play Store) originally couldn't be activated by Sprint until they added it to their database. It's possible that Verizon won't add the IMEIs of other-carrier Nexus 6's. I assume once preorders go up on Wednesday we'll have clarity.

DJDB · 2014-10-27T23:30:42+00:00

I don't think this offer tells us one way or another. This seems to be an expansion of the free US/Canada calling offer in that it's applicable to everyone worldwide. (Previously users outside of US/CAN had to pay 1c/min for calls to US/CAN)

If I had to guess, I'd think they'll extend this every year, just like they used to extend the free US/CAN calling each year.

Kevin_Soares7 · 2014-10-27T20:41:12+00:00

Mobile Syrup suggests that the preorder date is October 29th, same as the US. There are doubts in the comments of that post because there doesn't seem to be an official announcement.

However, it makes sense that the release date is the same, since other Google Play devices have been shipped to Canada from the same Lexington, KY UPS warehouse that the US Play store uses. Perhaps the delay in announcement of preorders is due to waiting for approval from Industry Canada, or determining if they have enough units to meet demand.

thegr8b8m8 · 2014-10-27T20:32:45+00:00

You could also try ordering directly from Motorola as an alternative to Next. They have a 0% financing program for their phones. Motorola may be more likely to take preorders.

bean183 · 2014-10-27T20:24:37+00:00

It's unclear. There's no technical reason why it wouldn't work. Verizon just has to add the IMEIs of all NA Nexus 6's into their system as phones approved for use on their network.

One just has to look at the case of the NA iPhone with only one physical model (starting this year for North America). But the Sprint, Verizon, and GSM unlocked SKUs can't be interchanged within the US. This raises doubts as to whether you'd be able to switch carriers easily.

Rangizingo · 2014-10-27T20:20:01+00:00

1) For Play, I've heard noon eastern is likely. 2) It can sell out, or mention a longer delay before it's available again. Last year I ordered a Nexus 5 with a 1-2 week shipping estimate, though it actually shipped within a couple of days.

grassygaaf · 2014-10-27T00:03:06+00:00

It depends on how long you think you'll have the phone for and if you think you'll be installing more large applications in the future.

I, personally, would like to have the option of loading more video podcasts, movies and games for when I'm offline. I'm often in an area with bad mobile and wired connections, so offline capabilities is very useful.

grassygaaf · 2014-10-26T23:56:58+00:00

It's listed as T-Mobile's release date in their press release.

Since it's being released for all major carriers, I'd expect the release date to be the same on Google Play.

grassygaaf · 2014-10-26T04:25:23+00:00

Right, but that probably won't happen this year. T-Mobile's announced pricing is the same as the Google Play pricing.

grassygaaf · 2014-10-26T02:17:05+00:00

They'll probably sell it for the same price as the carriers sell it. Last year, the Nexus 5 was sold with options for a contract on Sprint, and the off-contract price was the same as Sprint. Because pricing was announced, it's very likely that every retailer will have it for the same price.

grassygaaf · 2014-10-26T02:15:39+00:00

I assume that Google will ship on the release date (November 12). it looks like all their packages are at a UPS fulfillment facility in Lexington, KY, so I'd probably go for two-day shipping to get it on Friday.

I can't remember if Google Play does release date shipping, where they mail it out early, so that it's set to arrive on the release date. I think Microsoft and Apple do that for their products.

grassygaaf · 2014-10-26T02:12:58+00:00

I've had issues with T-Mobile when outside of cities, though that's may be because I'm on a prepaid plan. I understand that coverage may be better with post-paid (or pre-paid "Simple Choice" plans), since they offer domestic data roaming. In any case there's a "Test Drive" program they have that lets you try out their network for free for a week on an iPhone. That may be a good way to see if it works where you want to use it.

grassygaaf · 2014-10-26T02:05:42+00:00

Yeah, they're pretty good.

They're unofficially offering free replacement for Nexus 5's that have broken screens within warranty.

They're good for cross-shipping replacements for any issues that you have with your device in the warranty period.

The main downsides are that you have to pay for shipping, and you have to pay sales tax, whereas tax may not be applied if you're in certain states.

No_Hands_55 · 2014-10-24T20:00:02+00:00

So far there has never been a Gsm Nexus sold locked to a carrier in the US. But, there also hasn't been a Nexus sold on all four carriers at once either.

If it follows the pattern of past US releases, all the Nexus devices will be the same. There should be confirmation before the (expected) release date of November 12.

Note while the Google Nexus 9 site indicates it will be sold in Amazon and Best Buy, the Nexus 6 doesn't. I'd expect sales in those stores to be controlled by the carriers.

rafiee · 2014-10-24T19:51:48+00:00

You'll need a nano sim. The 5 has a micro sim. I plan to get a cutter to cut my current one down to size, but I suspect it's risky and could damage the sim itself.

FingerMagnet · 2014-10-24T17:23:26+00:00

If you're looking to try T-Mobile again, you can try their test drive program to test their network for a week for free. The website says you can only try it out once, though some press reports at the time of release indicated that you could try it out once per year.

If you already have a BYOD discount from AT&T, then the Motorola financing is probably the way to go. Though, my understanding is that the Next plan works out the same as financing, in that you qualify for the BYOD discount, unlike with a contract plan. (Though you'd have to pay it off if you leave AT&T, so external financing would probably be more convenient.)

kimahri27 · 2014-10-24T16:47:19+00:00

I suspect that the review units aren't ready yet and won't be until early November. It's a bit telling that the Lollipop release is delayed for devices with radios, and that they probably need a bit more time to finish carrier testing.

They probably want to wait until near-final software is ready before they give it out to reviewers. They'd want to make sure the Google apps are all up to date, (material design updates are still rolling out), and they don't need to give it to reviewers until a week before the release date.

I assume the carriers have a near-final build for radio testing, but there probably still will be a few bug fixes that they want to get in before the reviewers look at them.

FingerMagnet · 2014-10-24T11:15:10+00:00

Motorola does 0% financing. Assuming it's available directly from Motorola, if you buy the Nexus 6 from them, you'd be able to take advantage of any off-contract carrier discounts.

Rangizingo · 2014-10-23T21:36:53+00:00

There's a thread about it here. Just like the top comment there, I suspect that the rep doesn't have an accurate source for this information.

It's possible there will be some sort of carrier lock, but it would make support by Google much harder, since they went to the trouble of making a single model for North America. (If there was a lock, I'd expect it to be related to Verizon models needing to be purchased from them, and Verizon not activating any other ones).

Regarding carrier software, it seems unlikely, since Google would like to put factory images up on their site like they do with (all?) other Nexuses.

Did the Verizon Galaxy Nexus have carrier software? I know the Nexus One had things like the Amazon MP3 store preinstalled.

How_can_i_eat_it · 2014-10-23T19:07:00+00:00

Ah, well, we still don't know if the carrier ones are locked or not. The only GSM Nexus devices that have ever been locked have been some international Galaxy Nexuses. It's possible that, just like the Sprint listing on Amazon last year, that the carrier Nexuses will be unlocked.

How_can_i_eat_it · 2014-10-23T17:57:04+00:00

Well, the US Play Store won't sell the International version. If you want that you'll need to wait for it to be released in another country.

How_can_i_eat_it · 2014-10-23T16:09:07+00:00

They'll have it if the carriers plan to offer it on contract (which you can then buy without a service contract). It's still unclear if the Carrier versions will be the same as the Play Store version, or if they'll offer the model you want. (Last year only the Sprint 16GB model was available, which was the same as the Play Store version, but cost more). It's possible, for example, that the Verizon model won't be able to be used on Sprint, since I don't think there have been any announcements on this.

If your brother buys enough stuff on Amazon, perhaps offer to buy him a gift card for the value of the phone. My impression is that generally, Amazon is less restrictive on blocking orders than other ecommerce companies.

It's unclear if the Nexus 6 will be shippable globally. The Moto G is eligible for AmazonGlobal. My guess would be that it wouldn't be since, if listed, the Nexus 6 will likely be tied to listings for mobile carriers.

How_can_i_eat_it · 2014-10-23T04:51:29+00:00

You'd need to order with a US Google account with a US credit card.

I have a US Google account and I'm able to order devices (to ship to US addresses), even when not in the US.

My Wallet account does have a non-US credit card. When I try to purchase a device, it lists it that particular card as an "Unsupported Payment Method".

Your best bet would probably be with Amazon. Amazon generally accepts international credit cards pretty easily. The main issue is that it's unknown whether Amazon will be stocking the Nexus 6.

Your best bet would be to get your brother to order it for you if you can.

jrl1985 · 2014-10-22T19:33:23+00:00

Amazon and Best Buy aren't listed as a retailer for the Nexus 6 on Google's page, though they are for the 9. That may be because Google Play and the 5 carriers are already listed, and they didn't want to list more.

I suspect we still will see them on those sites, but not until Oct. 29 when preorders start.

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