new cell phone need help!

[bkvreef]

My plan is up end of this month.
I heard that I can get a cell phone and use it's internet not power my internet on my home computer?
Someone mentioned tethering?  I haven't done much research just curious if anyone knew of this.

[Aquatic Specialists]

I have CinBell, and that is an option, but it is exspensive. You could just get the internet for the same price. I have a Nokia 5800 and I do not have to pay any extra to do it though. But it is only certain phones that are free.

[Midwest Express]

Got to http://www.junefabrics.com/android/

There you can get an application for any phone using the Android OS and it allows for free tethering.  Only downside is after the trial, you cannot go to a secure (https) site without paying.  I use this app all the time with my Moto Droid hooked to my laptop.  It is awesome for general browsing and you don't have that stupid $15/month tethering fee on top of your data/voice plan.

[harleyrider]

whats tethering???

[Midwest Express]

Hooking your phone to your computer with the data cable and using the phone as the modem to access the internet. 

[bkvreef]

tethering is (I think I understand it correctly) where you hook up your phone to a computer and use the phones internet to run your computer internet.

[bkvreef]

Got to http://www.junefabrics.com/android/

There you can get an application for any phone using the Android OS and it allows for free tethering.  Only downside is after the trial, you cannot go to a secure (https) site without paying.  I use this app all the time with my Moto Droid hooked to my laptop.  It is awesome for general browsing and you don't have that stupid $15/month tethering fee on top of your data/voice plan.

if it's a trial how do you use it regularly?  Did you pay the fee?  Is it a one time or a monthly?
I am hoping to get rid of my home line (which is how I do the internet) and hoping that the the motorola droid or htc droid will be able to supply fast enough internet.
Any insight?

[harleyrider]

wouldnt that be really slow, i was told my new bb will do that but never even thought about doing it,, if its fast i would be interested in hooking mine up and trying it..

[Midwest Express]

I notice no real difference when using most wifi connections when out an about say at Panera or Tim Hortons.  I use mine mainly for work when I am not around a wifi spot.  I work from home and on the road now so this allows me to get out and go places without having to drop everything to find a wifi hotspot.

Today's 3G systems can in practice offer up to 14.0 Mbit/s on the downlink and 5.8 Mbit/s on the uplink. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G)

The only thing that is restricted on PDAnet when the trial is over, is access to secure websites, like buying things or banking.  For general web browsing it is still good.  (Note: Once trial expires, you can continue using PdaNet for free. The only difference is that free edition blocks secure web sites. {http://www.junefabrics.com/android/})

The price of a single license is $23.95 ($18.95 now for a limited time). It is a one time purchase for the Android version. One license covers one phone (you can reuse the license if you switch to a new Android phone). There is no limit on the computer side. (http://www.junefabrics.com/android/buy.php)

[stickboy_107]

Just my 2 cents, keep your land line internet. I have used Verizon for 2 years. First I was using their modem that was right at 60.00 bucks a month after that  I bought a bb storm. I found out I could use the tethering to connect to the internet, called Verizon and asked them how much and the lady said it was 15.00 a month. When you use the internet on your computer you only get 5 gigs a month anything over that they bill you at a rate of 25 cents a megabyte. But if you surf the web from your phone like normal they give you unlimited use of the web as long as you have the data package (which is required for all smartphones).The other down side is after all the plugging and unplugging you do, the cable to connect to the computer goes bad fast. The connection is very slow, and I went back to my landline last week. Also, after being told that the tethering was only $15 a month, when I called them to take it off of my phone, they informed me that they had been charging me $25 a month for it. This has just been my experience.

[Midwest Express]

I can agree with that Stick.  I found out today that AT&T will not be charging $25/month for tethering, plus they will take away the Unlimited Data Plans they provide and force you to use a 2 GB/month plan.  They are going to do that to those who tether on their network to deter it and try to get people to not clog their network with data activity from common PC users.  Simple fact of the overhead of what the browsers can download on a PC versus what a phone is able to do.

I use that PDAnet on my Moto Droid because it is a hack in sorts.  I do not pay for tethering or anything.  It just codes itself to the phone and makes the connection from the agent on the phone to the agent on the PC/latop and then goes from there.  I have never seen any hike in my bills since using it for the past couple/few months.

A solution for travel without using the phone is get an air card.  You can use that anywhere as that uses cellular networks just the same as the phone would.  Downside, you will be buying the equipment and paying the monthly fee.

Makes me chuckle to think how sneaky Verizon was when they were giving away the mini laptops with the purchase of a new black berry so that people would pay for the tethering service and data plan rates. Sneaky Sneaky!

[harleyrider]

Thats is what i like about clearwire 360 i can take my modem with me anywhere in the car, just plug it into a cig lighter or acc plug, and use, my older bro is a truck driver and hes got his in the cab of his truck and he has internet where ever he goes..

[Midwest Express]

Thats is what i like about clearwire 360 i can take my modem with me anywhere in the car, just plug it into a cig lighter or acc plug, and use, my older bro is a truck driver and hes got his in the cab of his truck and he has internet where ever he goes..

Very nice!

[bkvreef]

Thanks,
So basically if I were to go with the motorola droid or the htc incredible you would suggest keeping my home internet? 

[Midwest Express]

That or pay the $19 for the full version after the trial of PDAnet and use that with your Droid.  You can try it out and if it isn't fast enough then just don't buy the license and stick with your home connection.  If you find it fast enough, then go with PDAnet and rock on.

Really personal preference.  I would at least try it out and see how PDAnet works for you.  You might find it to do what you want.

Also, if you get a Droid or an Incredible, get shape writer.  Sweet text/typing program.

[micki]

Is shape writer an app?  I have the eris

[Midwest Express]

Yeah, it is an app where you drag your finger across the keyboard and it spells out the word for you.  It will also learn slang that you type as you go.  It was tricky at first but now I can type pretty quickly on it.  Makes the touchpad keyboard so much easier for me!

[micki]

Just did a search on my eris and it comes up not found?

[Coral Squad]

I DONT HAVE A a home phone but i do have road runner LITE   cost me 19 bucks a month does fine  watch you tube hulu and stream movies  is the is a lot of net activity it bogs down  but does good
it cheaper than paying 25 teather or a 60 dollar a month air card  but limits me  to only my house  but that doesnt bother me

[Midwest Express]

ShapeWriter is what the apps shows up as.  You have to scroll down the market page to find that actual install after you search for it cause the top ones are all foreign language add-ons

[HUNGER]

ya they have that for the vorger to

[HUNGER]

im going with the droid  here in a few weeks

[Midwest Express]

im going with the droid  here in a few weeks

I went from the Voyager to the original Omnia to the Moto Droid.  Let me tell you.  I have all the docks for it and I love the phone!  Only reason I would upgrade is if they throw a snapdragon CPU in the same body.  That way I can keep the docks of course! hah

[HUNGER]

from what i hear every one is going from the i phone to the droid

[micki]

I found something that said they took it off the android market on June 20 indefinately...Saw that on a google search.

[HUNGER]

took the android off the market

[reefman]

I know 3 people with the Droid and they have had nothing but issues since the day they got it.
I think sales of the new iPhone already show how good it will be.

[HUNGER]

i dont look for sales on phones   if they r haven problem take them back i have had problem with phones i call and complain and it gets taken care of

[bkvreef]

I DONT HAVE A a home phone but i do have road runner LITE   cost me 19 bucks a month does fine  watch you tube hulu and stream movies  is the is a lot of net activity it bogs down  but does good
it cheaper than paying 25 teather or a 60 dollar a month air card  but limits me  to only my house  but that doesnt bother me

was that with time warner? Can I do that by itself?

[bkvreef]

Ok follow up on the original question:  Motorola Droid or HTC Incredible?

New question:  Is there any touch screen phones or QWERTY keyboard phones that DON'T require a data plan?

[cyberwollf]

If you "root" your droid or "jailbreak" your Iphone you can get wireless tethering.  On trips, a coworker will have his droid broadcast a 802.11 signal and i will just join it like a normal wifi hotspot.  This can also be done on the iphone I although I havent tried it yet.  Pretty darn fast and no cables required.

Yes ATT already killed the unlimited plans for Iphones.  Those that already had it were grandfathered in (lucky me) but if you ever upgrade or sign a new contract for whatever reason, they will kick you to the limited plans.

[HUNGER]

Ok follow up on the original question:  Motorola Droid or HTC Incredible?

New question:  Is there any touch screen phones or QWERTY keyboard phones that DON'T require a data plan?

i say droid  and i think they r maken every one have a data plan

iv heard aboudt the jail brake tethering and it does work

[Midwest Express]

All smartphones require a data plan sadly, even if they are wifi capable.

The Droid and the Incredible are two completely different phones.  Just the OS is the same. So I would go to the store and play with both.

Also, here in August or September Motorola is coming out with the Moto Shadow.  Supposed to be a slightly upgraded Incredible I guess. 

As for jailbreak tethering, you can def do that with the Droid.  I just used the PDAnet because I didn't want to chance bricking a $400 phone.  You can make the Droid into a wifi hotspot using the PDAnet app as well as the after jailbreaking it if that is the route you want to take.

[micki]

took the android off the market

No they took shapewriter off the market.

[micki]

I have the Eris and like it.  My husband has one and has a lot of trouble with his.  He is on the third one now...

[HUNGER]

is  PDAnet app a free app

[Midwest Express]

It is free, after 30 days or so you can still browse the internet but you are not able to view secure (https://) websites.  There is a 1 time purchase price of the license of 19 bucks.  I am going to be buying the license because it has saved my butt multiple times when out on the road and have to do something for work.

[HUNGER]

cool i will have to keep that inmind

[Midwest Express]

Def go with one of the newer Android phones if you have the money to spend.  After hearing about some of the Moto Droid failures on here I started asking around to my friends that have them and they are all on their 3rd or 4th Droid.  I am on my 2nd as well but I have been since Dec.  The first one I had died within a couple weeks of having it.

Plus the new ones have the 1Ghz snapdragon cpu in it.  They should be pretty sweet with that power, only downer is wonder what the battery life and heat will be like with that much power.

[HUNGER]

will keep that in mind  i am due for a new phone verizen has been  pussen me to get a new on so i would sign a new contract

[Midwest Express]

If verizon is pushing you then I wouldn't upgrade foor a lil while longer just to spite them. Haha really though, if you are not in a rush for a new phone, wait for August and September to roll around. There are supposed to be some sweet phones that out do the iPhone 4.

[HUNGER]

thats what im trying to do  than i mite be able to sqeeze a new phone  for free 

[Midwest Express]

I can't count how many things I've gotten for free from verizon. Haha free months of service, discounts, free upgrades. They will do what they can to keep your service. Just work'em and they will give you what you need... at least most of the time. Haha

[micki]

I can't count how many things I've gotten for free from verizon. Haha free months of service, discounts, free upgrades. They will do what they can to keep your service. Just work'em and they will give you what you need... at least most of the time. Haha

How did you get free months of service? 

[HUNGER]

call and yell at them iv got it to 

[micki]

What do you say to them???  Was there a problem that you were calling about?  Do you talk to a supervisor? 

[reefman]

When you get a phone you should ask friends or co workers how their signal strength is. This will tell you which service it right for you. I have checked both ATT and Verizon, Both are about the same ever place I have ever went in his area. So either on would work, just have to figure out with one you like better.

[lazylivin]

I switched from Verizon after 3 years to AT&T just becasue I wanted the iPhone. Love the phone, hate the service. It is like going back in time 8 years with dropped calls, breaking up voice, slow internet speed and no service areas. It is absoutley terrible service. Can't wait until my contract is up in 16 months so I can go back to Verizon. So if you are considering using tethering might be good to choose a diffrent service provider then AT&T.

[Midwest Express]

With all the various work phones I have had including my personal phone I have had all sorts of networks except for cricket and boost. Verizon is what I have used for 10 years now and I will never change. I have just never had luck with any other provider. Right now for a work phone I am using a jailbroken iphone on tmobile. Its like using a metal detector. I just walk around waving the thing around hoping for a signal.

As for what I say to the people at verizon. I will go in with a legit reason to complain but I don't just settle when they say sorry. I always ask them what they are going to do to make up for their selling me bad equipment, not receiving important calls, and so on. Then if they say they aren't going to do I ask for a manager and tell the mgr I want to cancle my account. They see I have been with them and always an ontime payer and then they will cave to keep you around.

Its a game, you just have to know how to play.   

[micki]

I bet if you called Verizon and wanted to make a switch they would be willing to pay for the switch of service.  I have heard of others doing that.  Just a thought.

[lazylivin]

Thanks Mikki I will try that and see what they say.

[micki]

With all the various work phones I have had including my personal phone I have had all sorts of networks except for cricket and boost. Verizon is what I have used for 10 years now and I will never change. I have just never had luck with any other provider. Right now for a work phone I am using a jailbroken iphone on tmobile. Its like using a metal detector. I just walk around waving the thing around hoping for a signal.

As for what I say to the people at verizon. I will go in with a legit reason to complain but I don't just settle when they say sorry. I always ask them what they are going to do to make up for their selling me bad equipment, not receiving important calls, and so on. Then if they say they aren't going to do I ask for a manager and tell the mgr I want to cancle my account. They see I have been with them and always an ontime payer and then they will cave to keep you around.

Its a game, you just have to know how to play.   

I may have to play that game...My husband is on his third phone in less than a month!  I'm thinking we shouldn't be charged for that time?

[Midwest Express]

I would say not only free service for the month but think about all that you have had to deal with when you would have to make the time to visit or call the store. That and on having to go through that many phones. They better give you a free early upgrade or free service for thenumber of phones you have had in one month. Free 3 months of data plan, or service or both!

[micki]

Hmmmm, I guess I need to put my "aggressive" pants on and call them!  LOL

[Midwest Express]

I would put those pants on and go into the store. Calls don't get much. Go in and let'em have it! Hahaha

[micki]

The problem is I ordered our phones on line.  When you go to the stores they always pass it off as not their problem.

[Midwest Express]

If it is a corp store, then they have to deal with you, no matter what they say. More free stuff for the run around!

[bkvreef]

The problem is I ordered our phones on line.  When you go to the stores they always pass it off as not their problem.

I had hoped to get my phone at wirefly.com.  However, when I went into the verizon store the salesperson said that they would not be able to help with any problems that may occur if I went through online site.
However, I called the verizon help number later that night and the agent said that as long as I purchased the phone through an authorized dealer (which wirefly is) then the stores are expected to help with the need!!!

[Midwest Express]

Oh yeah, that is how the stores do their business.  They are not going to make any commision on helping you with your phone or internet order.  So they will tell you that they don't deal with that.  They only deal in what will give the numbers a boost as well as pad their pocket.  That is when you go in there and tell them that you were told by corporate over the phone that they are required to deal with the issue.  If they still try to play if off then I would call the corporate tech support or customer service while you stand in front of the people and get the person to repeat it over the speaker phone.

Gotta love it.

[HUNGER]

ya allways go in and call to cover it all get mad and make a scen  so than they will give u want u want and that u will leave

[bkvreef]

so I am wondering on Verizon what phone would you recommend?  I have heard good things about Eris, Motorola Droid, and the HTC Incredible.
Other input and why?

[TechGuy]

You will get more help at a corporate store, especially if you are with Verizon. Sometimes the independent dealers may offer you a better deal, but they are limited in their resources.

Making a scene is NOT the way to go. Unless you want your sales person to shut down, and write you off as a lost cause. If you did that to me, regardless of who you are, I would tell you I can't help you. Unless of course you have a valid reason, and present it like an adult. We can tell when your trying to get freebies. I have worked for both corporate and indirect. We know the game, in the end it depends on the store managers mood that day. If you want to rip someone call customer care. They will work with you, depending on your payment history and length with Verizon. I know a customer care manager at Verizon who just moved up here from Tennessee. They can do ALOT for you, WAY more than any store can. Its all about how you present yourself to them, and every call is recorded. Make a complaint if you don't get your way? It gets reviewed, cuss, throw a tantrum? Your done!

As far as the "Droid" (Google Android) platform goes. I hate it. I like the ease of syncing the iPhone, and built is MASS storage. The onboard flash on the iPhone is MUCH faster than any of the SD cards you can toss in an Android powered device. Each platform has is ups and downs. So, to each his own! I suggest trying both devices before you buy. Send some texts, make a call or two. Search for apps, etc...

As far as the new iPhone data plan, its grandfathered regardless of weather or not you upgrade until ATLEAST this time next year. Regardless, I think 2GB should be plenty, especially considering they don't allow tethering on that plan, and if caught, you pay per KB. 2GB is plenty for me anyways, I don't really go anywhere without WiFi anyways. I use roughly 200-500MB/Mo.

[HUNGER]

i still like the droid

[bkvreef]

Tech Guy: Thanks I agree with you as far as complaining.  I know it helps to complain in certain situations, but I just can never pull myself to make a scene or complain about something I don't have a problem with just because it'll save me money.
Ok heres a dumb question:  Isn't the iphone an at&t phone, I didn't think it was available through Verizon?

I am planning on going with Verizon, I have the lowest plan on At&T and would also on Verizon (including testing) and both are very similar.  However, most of my calls are to Verizon customers thus I would use less of the minutes and not have to worry about going over the time.

[micki]

I'm not the throw a tantrum typs, so I doub't I could make myself do that anyway.  I'm also not a I'll complain just to get a freebe kind pf person.  I am however frustrated with my husband going through three phones in a months time!  The closest corporate store to me is Huber Heights which is about 45 minutes from me, hence I usually just call Verizon to order new phones etc. 

My husband used to have AT&T.  I've always had Verizon (for many years).  He eventually got fed up with AT&T and got on my Verizon plan.  The iphone sounds cool but not with AT$T!     

[HUNGER]

ya theres a lot of people who dont stand up for them self that why they never getany thing done and that why all the companys get away with what they do

[TechGuy]

bkvreef: Yes its an AT&T exclusive. If your calling VZW numbers all the time, then thats the clear way to go if you can find a phone that suits your tastes/needs.

micki: Have you tried Area Wireless in Sidney? I know they are an authorized Sprint warranty/repair center. They may also be able to help with Verizon claims.

HUNGER: I agree people let themselves get walked on. But if your going to take a stand, or make a point, do it the right way :p

[harleyrider]

you know what they say you act like a wetard you get treated like a wetard 

[harleyrider]

You might want to check out Dell.com they have got some really good deals right now for sprint, at&t verizon etc. the Droid for example is $19.99 and a lot of phones are $0

[TechGuy]

You might want to check out Dell.com they have got some really good deals right now for sprint, at&t verizon etc. the Droid for example is $19.99 and a lot of phones are $0

I didn't know Dell did wireless! Thats cool. E-Bay has good deals on new activations, and upgrades at times too.

[micki]

I haven't personally been to area but Randy went there.  They were helpful in helping him figure out what the phone problem was, but said he would have to call verizon to get the replacement. 

[Seano Hermano]

I know this is mainly about droids & other phones, but would this work with my alltel phone? I have a Samsung Delve(which has been discontinued as of May, think. The new model should be out soon) & was wondering if tethering would work from it to my Dell Laptop. For using the internet while on the road.

[TechGuy]

I haven't personally been to area but Randy went there.  They were helpful in helping him figure out what the phone problem was, but said he would have to call verizon to get the replacement. 

Well thats no good! Lima, or Huber I guess Verizon is very good about getting you taken care of though. Especially since they started bleeding customers like a hemophiliac to AT&T and the iPhone.