G+_Harold Crews Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 What is the practicality of getting rid of my wireless phone and data plan and replacing them with a mobile wifi hot spot? Calls would be made over Google voice via data. The expense is less than half what I'm paying now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Eng. Jorge Santana Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Mobile hotspot battery is not good, that's the only negative and you have to carry 2 devices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Justin M Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 You would have to charge the hot spot multiple times a day. The mobile hot spots also get shitty service inside building, so unless you plan on being outside or close to a window. Plus you would receive free calls over google voice but if you make out going calls you have to buy credits. So by the time you pay for data and credits, wouldn't just be easier to get a cheap boost or cricket phone? Hell even Sprint has a cheap unlimited everything plan for like $79.00 bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Dave Bach Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Justin Maynard you don't pay for outbound calling with Google Voice, unless you're calling international. ?I use my Nexus 7 to make calls all the time using the GrooVeIP app in conjunction with Google Voice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Dave Bach Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Harold Crews you really ought to consider a few of the prepaid options before the hillbilly approach you were thinking of...no offense. My wife and I tried CricKet ($55 unlimited) but their voice quality was horrific and data crawled. Then we went to Virgin Mobile ($55 unlimited) which had good voice quality but the and okay data but service was spotty since Sprint who owns Virgin Mobile doesn't have roaming agreements for their Virgin Mobile customers so no falling back on some of the Verizon network. After a few test calls and playing with their data we're planning on making a move to Straight Talk (Walmart offering through Tracfone - $45 unlimited) which can support AT&T and T-mobile GSM phones. I'm thinking the Nexus 4 is perfect for Straight Talk. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Harold Crews Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 Thanks for the suggestions. There is still another sixteen months or so on my contract so things can change substantially as far as practicality. It's just something I've been thinking about. Certainly it would be cumbersome and that would be a substantial drawback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Brian Gilbert (Ned Jaco Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 I personally just use an iPod touch with a Verizon Jetpack LTE hotspot. Since I don't need voice (I've never owned a cellphone so nobody has been trained that I can be reached at any time), it works well to give me Google Voice texting and IM and remote browsing. If I have to make a call, I can SkypeOut. I don't need that more than once every couple months though. In certainly an odd use case, but it works for me. I agree about the hotspot battery complaints, though mine has a removable battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Schorr Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 As long as you don't end up spending a lot of extra $ in overage fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Hisham Abdul Majeed Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Maybe you should look at Ting before you fully switch. Just saying... I am not in the US so I don't have a clue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Harold Crews Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 Ben Schorr judging by my current usage overage wouldn't be a concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Dave Bach Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Hisham Abdul Majeed Ting seemed kinda pricey when you look at data costs next to the prepaid unlimited options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_TWiT Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Check out this episode of Know How... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve Moss Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Test the voip first. I think my internet provider nerfs my upload speed when I use voip cause I can hear the other person fine but they say I keep breaking up, yet I can webcam just fine. Could it be because my provider also sells phone service? F%ck*n&*$#-%*% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Dave Bach Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Not with net neutrality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_TC DIXON Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Since I have received my new iPad Mini LTE I have been trying to figure out how to make and receive phone calls on it,And after several days of intense research I have finally figured it out. Their are many apps that allow you to make calls for free one of my personal favourites is Talkatone I use to use it all the time on my iPhone and it saved me lots on of money when making calls,But the problem was I had no way of receiving calls and it didn't work if I was driving or travelling on a bus. I also used the MAGICJACK app and it worked well,I personally only use Magicjack for my house phone the device only cost $79.00 with a year of free calling anywhere in U.S and Canada and after a year it only cost I believe $29.00 every year after.And the iPad app was great because I could receive calls using a number plus it had voice mail so if anyone called my house line my iPad would ring,But my problem was I couldn't get a local number so anyone that called always had to call a long distant. I new their had to be a solution so I continued to do my research and I have finally figured it out. I now have a 1 800 number for my iPad Mini which means anyone can call me on my iPad Mini and it will always be a local call to them ,And it works using wifi or 3G. The cost of the 1 800 number is only $1.47 a month plus to make a call is .00125 cents a minute which is way cheaper than my current iPhone plan of .40 cents a minute,And the best part NO CONTRACT..lol. So my next challenge was to find a good Bluetooth head set that I could use with my iPad Mini,And I bought the Motorola h730 cost $49.00 and it works extremely well and as long as I'm within 30 feet of the iPad. So why go threw all this trouble trying to make my iPad Mini work like a phone,Well the simple answer is I can now get rid of my cell phone and just use one device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Dave Bach Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 TC DIXON you had to write a book to explain your iOS setup. Harold Crews are you thinking Android? (1) Google Voice for your number...free (2) Google Voice app for texting...free (3) GrooVe IP app for calling...$4.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_TC DIXON Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I'm in Canada can't use Google voice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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