Cell Phone with Data Plan - what to get

[Hall]

Is she going to use it for data only or for regular cell-phone use too ?

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Is she going to use it for data only or for regular cell-phone use too ?

Both. It will be her cell phone, and for ONE month, will provide her with a tether to her computer.

 

[Hall]

As I said previously, it may only be the Blackberry-capable phones that require that data plan permanently, i.e. if you want the phone to be activated on VZW's network, you have to have the data plan. Looks like the "Q" is okay though.... and probably some others.... VZW's website says "Qualifying plans and features are required" on the Blackberry phone page.

By the way, the "Q" is available from VZW directly for $129 if bought online. Of course, you have to re-up your contract for another 2 years. My wife just upgraded her phone so I can see what the "upgrade" price would be. It should be similar to what a new customer would pay though.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

As I said previously, it may only be the Blackberry-capable phones that require that data plan permanently, i.e. if you want the phone to be activated on VZW's network, you have to have the data plan. Looks like the "Q" is okay though.... and probably some others.... VZW's website says "Qualifying plans and features are required" on the Blackberry phone page.

By the way, the "Q" is available from VZW directly for $129 if bought online. Of course, you have to re-up your contract for another 2 years. My wife just upgraded her phone so I can see what the "upgrade" price would be. It should be similar to what a new customer would pay though.

Looking at the Q as well as the treo 700p, but will buy from a third-party, to avoid renewing the contract.

I know that the treos do not require the data plan and you can add and take away as you need.

 

[LER]

I don't like the "Smart Phone" windows mobile phones. If you look at Windows mobile, look at the ones with the touch screen. Although that may be religous war material

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I don't like the "Smart Phone" windows mobile phones. If you look at Windows mobile, look at the ones with the touch screen. Although that may be religous war material

Hehe.... she mentioned an iPhone, but I pointed out that it is only available through AT&T.

I am leaning towards the treo 700p, just because I know it. And it will work fine for her needs. In the fall I will be debating what "my" next phone is.

 

[digiblur]

The iPhone doesnt even have broadband.

My wife has the Q. I hate it after using the Mogul.

 

[Posty-McPOst]

Hehe.... she mentioned an iPhone, but I pointed out that it is only available through AT&T.

Ya no 3g on iPhone. Which is a shame because the AT&T 3g network is really good and cheap. I get around 200-300kb/s and unlimited useage is only $15 a month(with lowest cost phone plan).

 

[digiblur]

300kbs isnt 3g.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

WHile an iPhone would be cool; I already have an iPod Touch; so no need for music/video on the phone. I am happy with two devices -- one for music/video and one for phone/pda/data.

And my wife is still using an old style flip phone with nothing more then vcast, so she'll be fine regardless.

 

[snathanb]

I use WMWiFiRouter all the time with my Tilt, on Cingular's HSDPA network. I consistently get speeds that are right up there with EVDO RevA.

I've started taking just the tilt and my Asus EEEpc with me on business trips. It has certainly lightened my load!

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I ended up getting her a Treo 700p for $110 on eBay. I tested mine on her computer, and while the broadband is not like her cable modem, by-god it is a heck of a lot better then dial-up. So... she will be good to go for the month.

I picked the treo because I know it inside and out, and with the move out of our house in 18 days, do not have time to fiddle with a different phone.

PLUS, I think she'll benefit from the PDA features on the palm. Putting data, phone, and Palm PDA in one package does make it a killer app (and she knows Palm from having had a Palm III a few years ago).

 

[Poke]

Yeah I went through the Sprint SERO Plans got me the Q9c and my wife the pink Centro to match her pink Sony Laptop. So far I had no issues and my wife really likes her phone as well so you cant go wrong with Sprint. Also they will be updating our Data Towers here to EVDO which will put my downloads speeds up to 1.5MB's.. Overall I have been really impressed and will never go back to AT&T.

 

[TheForce]

rockymtnhigh-

Do you still need a solution? I have an unused USB720 modem for Verizon wireless EVDO Rev A Never opened. Don't need it as I have the built in Verizon EVDO Rev A in my laptop. Would require a Verizon EVDO data plan only. These systems are faster than the cell phone equivalents using tethered connections. They sent it to me free for renewing my wife's Treo Plan for a year.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

rockymtnhigh-

Do you still need a solution? I have an unused USB720 modem for Verizon wireless EVDO Rev A Never opened. Don't need it as I have the built in Verizon EVDO Rev A in my laptop. Would require a Verizon EVDO data plan only. These systems are faster than the cell phone equivalents using tethered connections. They sent it to me free for renewing my wife's Treo Plan for a year.

Thanks Don, but I bought her a treo two days ago. I appreciate the offer.

 

[Bob Haller]

question for a dummy here......... can you use the voice connection on a cell phone for casual web surfing, at dial up speeds?

 

[LER]

no. the bandwidth is already digital, and I don't believe that a modem will work.

 

[TheForce]

Bob- I believe I was one of the pioneers in this. Recall the Motorolla flip fone? They had a cable that connected it to a common RJ-11 jack. That was to be able to use it with a connect to a fax machine. I had an aol dial up account back then and I was successful in using the cell phone on the aol dialup with Fax adapter but it was real slow. It took forever just to download a couple of e-mails. But it worked.

 

[Kevinw]

Ah... a 30 day trial plan. I like it.


ALSO think the hop on the neighbor's wi-fi is not a bad idea. Of course, need to get a wifi modem for my wife's PC.

Stick a WIFI card in the computer. Lots of free acess is different places.

Free Wi-Fi in Bloomington and Normal
May 8, 2007 2:14 PM

Burwood Group will provide free wireless hotspots in uptown Normal and downtown Bloomington, Ill. The service will be provided for no charge to users until June 1, 2008.



Bloomington
Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano - 1501 N. Veterans Parkway - (309) 661-8322
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - 201 North Veterans Parkway - 309.664.7400
Panera Bread Co. - 1401 South Veterans Parkway - 309-662-0336
Connecting Point Computers - Apple Specialist - 1306 E. Empire St. - (309) 663-5200
Sam Leman Mazda - 1604 Commerce Pkwy - 309-662-5000

Normal
The Coffee House - 114 E Beaufort
Bagelman's - 1503 E. Vernon Ave
Latte Time Coffee - 706 S Main St
Panera Bread Co. - 208 Greenbriar Drive - 309-454-8666
The Garlic Press - 108 W North St - (309) 452-8811
Fusion Brew - get ticket for access - 712 Kingsley St, Suite 900 - 309.454.9300
Destihl Rest. & Brew Works - 318n S Towanda Ave - 309 862 2337
Dairy Queen - 1528 E College - 309-454-5820
Holiday Inn Express - 1701 Parkway Plaza Dr - (309) 862-1600

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Stick a WIFI card in the computer. Lots of free acess is different places.

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Free Wi-Fi in Bloomington and Normal
May 8, 2007 2:14 PM

Burwood Group will provide free wireless hotspots in uptown Normal and downtown Bloomington, Ill. The service will be provided for no charge to users until June 1, 2008.



Bloomington
Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano - 1501 N. Veterans Parkway - (309) 661-8322
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - 201 North Veterans Parkway - 309.664.7400
Panera Bread Co. - 1401 South Veterans Parkway - 309-662-0336
Connecting Point Computers - Apple Specialist - 1306 E. Empire St. - (309) 663-5200
Sam Leman Mazda - 1604 Commerce Pkwy - 309-662-5000

Normal
The Coffee House - 114 E Beaufort
Bagelman's - 1503 E. Vernon Ave
Latte Time Coffee - 706 S Main St
Panera Bread Co. - 208 Greenbriar Drive - 309-454-8666
The Garlic Press - 108 W North St - (309) 452-8811
Fusion Brew - get ticket for access - 712 Kingsley St, Suite 900 - 309.454.9300
Destihl Rest. & Brew Works - 318n S Towanda Ave - 309 862 2337
Dairy Queen - 1528 E College - 309-454-5820
Holiday Inn Express - 1701 Parkway Plaza Dr - (309) 862-1600

Its not for once we are in Normal; its for the month we are living in an apartment without landline in Colorado, in a small town. And she can't really drag her desktop to Starbucks or Panera.