Hobby Phone Reccommendations

Surprised more don't use the burner app, which can be hidden in yer smart phone. Then there is no need to get a burner phone.

Assume the burner app may be very useful to some (I may check it out) but there are a few out there that don't want to burn up data on their primary phone for whatever reason.

Besides, it's nice to occasionally have something you can physically destroy and get rid of. I have a feeling many apps can save info unknowingly to a cloud somewhere that could be recovered or hacked. Of course that's just the paranoid side of me worrying.

It makes absolutely no sense for me to carry around two phones all the time. I can't explain that to my vanilla boss or to my family. I also try not to wait hours upon hours to respond to inquiries so just leaving a burner phone in a designated spot is not an option. I use google voice and it serves me well. I realize that it is not 100% untraceable but I'm not the paranoid type. With Google voice I have a hobby number but all of my calls and texts come to my primary phone which suits me well.

It makes absolutely no sense for me to carry around two phones all the time. I can't explain that to my vanilla boss or to my family. I also try not to wait hours upon hours to respond to inquiries so just leaving a burner phone in a designated spot is not an option. I use google voice and it serves me well. I realize that it is not 100% untraceable but I'm not the paranoid type. With Google voice I have a hobby number but all of my calls and texts come to my primary phone which suits me well. Originally Posted by bustybabygirl

Yes, agreed (however, having my own phone as well as a work required business phone, I already have to carry 2 while at work LOL) Still, as I said in my first post, this was more about getting a cheap hobby phone as opposed to an "app" of any kind that requires you to use your data plan. Was curious about what the best option was under that rather limited scenario.

I use the text free app. I signed up with a throwaway email and it's only $1.99 for 100 talk minutes.

Fongo, looks interesting, anyone use it?

Fongo is a VOIP based application that you can download for free.

Once installed you can make phone calls from your cell with your new Fongo number. It works well and because it is VOIP you can make calls in areas that have no cell phone coverage but do have internet connections, e.g. an office in the basement of a building.

Yes, agreed (however, having my own phone as well as a work required business phone, I already have to carry 2 while at work LOL) Still, as I said in my first post, this was more about getting a cheap hobby phone as opposed to an "app" of any kind that requires you to use your data plan. Was curious about what the best option was under that rather limited scenario. Originally Posted by gaijin1969

I also have a work phone. I ported my personal number to Google voice and have hangouts app on my work phone for my personal number. Also, Google voice allowes you to just have calls and texts from Google voice forwarded to another number. When you respond, they appear as if they came from my Google voice number, not my work number.

My home phone is also Google voice. A $30 obihai adapter is ask that's needed to make the house phone ring. When someone calls the house it rings the house and cell phone.

For hobby, i just use incognito window, anonymous vpn, and email based overseas for the hobby Google voice number.

Text Free is great.

If you are low key and see low risk ladies text apps work good. Burner phones are just a pain, you have to hide it...

You can install/uninstall the app as needed. Or burry it in some sub app folder, etc. You know your life and risks....

Once you have an account, you always have the number. Use the Text Free app on any smart phone or on the web. You can use it web only I believe.

Text Free is good with photos too, some text apps are bitchy with photo sending. Photos stay in the app and not on your phone unless you save it.

Text Free also backs to your email if you want. I can always refer to it if something happens to my phone, etc.

Edit to add, I use GV for a civi life business and Text Free is So much better! It has full strings of texts like your phone texting. GV does not... Runs smoother, faster and send pictures as well. Text Free has variations of the app to run two numbers at once too. It also gives you a new email you can use and answer through the text app. A @textfree.us email.

Be careful you don't share TOO much useful information....
You know what happened the last time.....

edit add: And please tell MG my stick ain't old....

My bad....
Schtick.

Used to use it on PC and laptop. Quality is pretty good. You see Skype used on TV frequently. All that's needed is a cheap headset. Get a wecam and it becomes a Videophone. Minutes are cheaper than TracFone but needed when calling cells and landlines. However PC to PC calls are always free. Have chatted with peeps all over the world with Skype. Plus you can record and save all Skype calls.....

I use skype on occasion but rarely for hobbying. I would not want it to replace my hobby number.

I used Skype as a supplement to a burner phone, not to replace it.