Republic Wireless now less of a value #PhoneGeek

Republic Wireless:
Now with more phones, less savings

Over the past year I geeked out a bit over alternative cellular services.  Since the late 1990's I've had cellular service with some of the largest US providers including Sprint, Verizon and AT&T.  This past year I moved my family from a shared AT&T plan to three alternative cellular services:  Google Fi, FreedomPop and Republic Wireless.  Each service has its pros and cons but, in the past few months, Republic Wireless has enacted some radical changes that redefines my own value assessment for that service.  If you were considering a switch to Republic Wireless, this post is for you...

Nexus 5X Teardown Notes #AndroidGeek

The new Nexus 5X began shipping earlier this month! My new Nexus arrived a few days ago so it's time to make some teardown notes.

If you already have or are thinking of buying this device then you'll likely be interested in my answers to a few questions like:

• Can I replace the (fixed) battery myself?
• What battery does the phone use and how much does it cost?
• Can I add wireless charging capability?
• Where is the IMEI located? (the physical tag)
• Can I add an internal metal plate for magnetic car mounts?

For those who still buy phone accessories at retailers such as Best Buy or even Amazon, I'll throw in a few money-saving tips:

• Get a full-size Nexus 5X screen protector for under $1 shipped
• Pick up a decent hybrid or hard-shell case for under $4 shipped
• USB-C cable solution on the cheap

Read on...