Joining the masses...

I like your reasoning Da Nag... and your comment about using the keyboard... I looked at Roger's and it looks fun...but I am not sure I want anyone to know where I am at all times....sometimes I like being out of communication (Fijian thing)

I just saw a neat Verizon Hot Spot device that is portable so you have a hot spot everywhere you go...then I can just take my computer...

Thanks ...

Joel
SEA3PO
 
SEA3PO":1jd56rp7 said:
I like your reasoning Da Nag... and your comment about using the keyboard... I looked at Roger's and it looks fun...but I am not sure I want anyone to know where I am at all times....sometimes I like being out of communication (Fijian thing)

I just saw a neat Verizon Hot Spot device that is portable so you have a hot spot everywhere you go...then I can just take my computer...

Thanks ...

Joel
SEA3PO
Click to expand...

Hi Joel,

Is that Verizon Hot Spot device the Mifi? We've been using a Mifi for over a year and really like it. It is our only internet connection - in the house, on the road, in the boat, in the RV. We use it with our laptops, Joan's iMac, and the iPad. It connects those with the wireless printer. Easy.
 
Hi Jim,


What does the Mifi device give you over just using the Droid as a hotspot? Also, what kind of data plan and do you have to pay for two data plans, Mifi and Droid?

Thanks,
Steve
 
SeaSpray":1lsy54od said:
Hi Jim,


What does the Mifi device give you over just using the Droid as a hotspot? Also, what kind of data plan and do you have to pay for two data plans, Mifi and Droid?

Thanks,
Steve
Click to expand...

Hi Steve,

Our Droid is the first generation, so doesn't have the ability to be used as a hotspot. So, yes, we have a data plan for both the Droid and Mifi. When this contract is up, we'll re-evaluate to determine what will work best. We have unlimited data on both the Mifi and Droid. The Mifi is $60/mo and is what we use at home, in the boat, in the RV, and on the road for internet. No land lines, DSL, or cable modem. The Droid is $30/month for unlimited data. While we are generally together all the time, when not, I can tether with the Droid while on the road and she can use the Mifi.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Yes, you won't need the MiFi with the new Droid when your contract comes around, it does the same thing, so you will save a few bucks. We will be able to do the same thing with our Verizon iPhones when we get them in May when our Verizon BlackBerry contracts are up, but we too have a MiFi for another year and a half at $60 (and WORTH it!). Actually the MiFi is not exactly an "unlimited" data plan - it is a 5GB plan. That is a lot - but you can exceed it, I know because I did once when I downloaded a couple of Ubuntu CD images using it at Birch Bay!

JamesTXSD":1nxws7mo said:
SeaSpray":1nxws7mo said:
Hi Jim,


What does the Mifi device give you over just using the Droid as a hotspot? Also, what kind of data plan and do you have to pay for two data plans, Mifi and Droid?

Thanks,
Steve
Click to expand...

Hi Steve,

Our Droid is the first generation, so doesn't have the ability to be used as a hotspot. So, yes, we have a data plan for both the Droid and Mifi. When this contract is up, we'll re-evaluate to determine what will work best. We have unlimited data on both the Mifi and Droid. The Mifi is $60/mo and is what we use at home, in the boat, in the RV, and on the road for internet. No land lines, DSL, or cable modem. The Droid is $30/month for unlimited data. While we are generally together all the time, when not, I can tether with the Droid while on the road and she can use the Mifi.

Best wishes,
Jim
Click to expand...
 
That hotspot thing is intriguing even though I don't need it and can't see myself wanting it. From what I read the Verizon iPhone will offer it for an extra $20 over the $30 unlimited data plan. That's still a pretty good deal if you use it. Do they charge the extra to use it with the Droid? I don't even know if ATT offers it. I know their iPhone doesn't do it.

I see Verizon will have an unlimited iPhone data plan for $30. We are grandfathered on ATT unlimited but I don't think they even offer that for new.
 
Regarding the "grandfathering" with the data plans: we started using a wireless broadband card when they were first offered and had unlimited usage. We have switched cards several times over the years, ultimately going to the Mifi. The Verizon salesperson was surprised when he put our Mifi purchase on their system and it came up as "unlimited." On a few occasions, we have gone over the 5 gig "limit" with no additional charges or issues. I was told that the unlimited data plan would likely change if/when we change equipment again.

Unless you are streaming video or watching way too much YouTube, it is unlikely most folks will exceed that 5 gig limit. With AT&T and their "new" data plans, the 2 gig limit could easily be exceeded.

For people who do a lot of traveling, the Mifi or other device as a hotspot is a good way to go. Much has been written about the security of using public wifi. We dumped our land lines and DSL years ago and have no issue with just cell phones. Do doubt our overall costs are higher compared to land lines and DSL... but you can't take those with you on the road. If you don't use a computer outside your home, there really is no need for a Mifi. In the past, one computer on-line at a time was sufficient for us, but for the past couple years, we both like being on at the same time. Before the Mifi, we used a wireless card with a Cradlepoint router... fine, as long as you have an electric connection or an inverter; with the Mifi, it will run up to 4 hours on its internal battery before needing to be plugged in or recharged.

I just checked our connection speed, and we're getting 1.5 mg with the Mifi. That is up nicely from the 400-600k we were seeing during most of last year.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Looks like you may be able to plug the Droid into the cradlepoint or Kyocera KR2 router. Add $20, subtract $60....Net $40 monthly savings. What do you think?
 
Walldog":klslps2w said:
Looks like you may be able to plug the Droid into the cradlepoint or Kyocera KR2 router. Add $20, subtract $60....Net $40 monthly savings. What do you think?
Click to expand...

When our current contract is up, we will definitely be doing some calculating on what will be the best connectivity at the best price.
 
For those of you on Verizon plans w/data - this might be of interest to you.

I read about this "unannounced" discount at some phone forums, and was just able to sign up for it. The weird thing about it - it's very hit or miss whether you "qualify" for it. If the rep tells you no, simply wait a while and call back and talk to another one.

They told me no the first two times - but just called back again, and was switched to the plan without question.

Here's a link showing the details. I saved $10/month on our two line Family Plan, while adding unlimited texts - we had a talk only plan originally.
 
We got a 20% discount since M works for Providence Hospital. Verizon gives these to certain companies/organizations etc. (e.g. I could have gotten a -15% from working for King County). So if you or your spouse still works (I know :roll: some of us still do :wink:) it's worth the asking. It basically takes care of all the taxes & fees the gubment has added to the bill. :evil:
 
Went to the store today and bought myself a cell-phone, it was the first time i ever actually hand one in my hands, tiny little thing with little buttons.I figure that it would be okay to buy if i used it on my boat as a safety device, now to figure out how to use it. Tug
 
Make sure you hold the new fangled phone up to your good ear. Mine didn't work for crap in my bad ear and they wouldn't let me return it.
 
Hi Bill,

You have had the Droid X for awhile now. Has it met your requirements? Are you lusting after something new?

I am still looking.

Steve
 
Has more than met mine. Rarely drops calls, screen is big etc. Only complaints is the battery drains quickly if the GPS is on and sometimes for some reason it doesn't automatically check/receive my e-mail from Comcast. :?
 
Have had my droid x for about 7 mos or so. I haven't begun to learn how to use all the features. The mobile hot spot is particularly useful where I can get a 3G signal but not a wifi one.

Charlie
 
Truthfully...it's currently a very expensive toy for me. I could easily get by without it, and my pre-purchase observations have held true. That is, that it's an inferior phone compared to a voice-only unit (size, battery life, durability), an inferior GPS compared to my Garmin or TomTom (no routing, tougher on-screen menu navigation, no lane selection), an inferior MP3 player compared to my Sansa Clip (less capacity, worse audio, larger size, battery life), and an inferior computer for online access )no explanation necessary.)

Note than none of these observations are knocks against the device specifically - they hold true for all smartphones.

The above being said - for what it is, I think the Droid X is great. And, I can easily see being much more enthusiastic about it in another 6 months, assuming my retirement plans work out. Having the ability to do so many things in a small package - albeit typically with compromises - is going to make it very welcome when I'm on the road/water more often.

So, in short...I'm just not a smartphone guy - yet. But, for a smartphone - I think it's pretty tough to beat.
 
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