Ecuador Expat Forum

relyondiana
Joined 2016
Posts: 29

4 years ago

Phones and computer

4 years ago

Help! I fell in love with your wonderful country several years ago and am now ready to make it my home. I will be visiting Ecuador next month to determine if I want to settle in Vilcabamba or Cuenca... I expect to make the move next spring. In preparation, I am purchasing a few electronics (phone and laptop) and want to make sure I am bringing the right equipment.
I have an older Galaxy Note android and find that the apps and help are expiring, so I'll need something newer. Since my phone needs, as I am now retired, are actually minimal, I thought I would just pick up a cheap smart phone here and add the carrier when I arrive. What are the absolute must haves? Do you have subcription services such as Verizon or pay-as-you-go? Should I wait until I make the move, or can I just use the phone for 2 months this fall, with no fees during the 4 to 6 months prior to my move? Also, what the heck is Magic Jack? Is it equipment or a service or what? I know it makes international calling much more affordable. Is there a better way? The last time I visited, I had to have immediate phone access for business reasons and Verizon charged me $10 a day! Arrggh! What about Skype? It's on my new laptop. Will that work from there? Can you tell I really am an electronic novice???
Computers. I just purchased a decent though not top of the line Acer. Need to get some software. Do I need outlook? If I get Office Professional Plus, it has everything that I think I will need, but not outlook. (Quite honestly, I don't know what outlook is and don't think I have ever knowingly used it.) Can I use Google and Google Chrome there? What about Amazon Prime? I know I can't make purchases, but I watch the videos and download books, etc. Can I do that from there? It will certainly be worth the fees to have that access. Thank you, thank you, thank you for any advice that you can give me.
Diana

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Help others in Ecuador by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ecuador.