Smartphone to "dumb" phone

[eofelis]

double post

[zoom-zoom]

but as emily pointed out, wifi is spreading... if 4G is here, wifi can't be too far behind! Hopefully I won't need to pay so much for data soon!

Wait...you know WiFi isn't a service, it's a device. It simply eliminates the need to plug into a wired modem for an internet connection. It's a wireless router, not actual internet service. We have cable internet and a wireless "wifi" router that transmits the signal from our cable modem through our house...so we can access the internet wirelessly using any device in our home (my desktop, DH's laptop, our cells, our iPad).

[OakLeaf]

But a lot of people do use the wifi on their phones so they can use a lot of data but stay signed up for the smallest data package.

Too risky for me. If I'm home, there's not much reason to be getting data off my phone ... as far as public wifi, I just don't trust the security measures on a phone.

[zoom-zoom]

But a lot of people do use the wifi on their phones so they can use a lot of data but stay signed up for the smallest data package.

Too risky for me. If I'm home, there's not much reason to be getting data off my phone ... as far as public wifi, I just don't trust the security measures on a phone.

Yup, I have a really low 3G data package -- just 150mb/month. If I go over I get another 150 for $15. I go over about half the time, but it's still cheaper than paying for more data all the time. I try to limit my data usage to when I'm at home or somewhere else with free wifi access. With public or store/restaurant wifi I'm not so concerned about security as I am the fact that they generally have VERY slow or erratic service. I sat at a Panera hoping to send some e-mails and do some research and I couldn't get a stable signal for more than about 15 seconds at a time. A lot of places with free wifi max a device out at 30 minutes/day.

[Swan]

Wait...you know WiFi isn't a service, it's a device. It simply eliminates the need to plug into a wired modem for an internet connection. It's a wireless router, not actual internet service. We have cable internet and a wireless "wifi" router that transmits the signal from our cable modem through our house...so we can access the internet wirelessly using any device in our home (my desktop, DH's laptop, our cells, our iPad).

Wifi is a device that smartphones are equipped to use, but more and more commercial buildings (doctors, restaurants, cafes, libraries, shops, malls) are providing free wifi service for customers. So while people may complain about their data plan, when more and more stores start carrying wifi, smartphones will rarely need to use data -- just the wifi. It's what I do! I went from using 6-whatever to 1-whatever in data measurements when wifi became more widely available for free, and that cut my bill drastically. I went from $300/mo to $80/mo even with pricey Verizon. As for security, there are services and firewalls that can be used for smartphones depending on the carrier.

I haven't experienced slow or maxed out free wifi yet. Maybe because our town is so small that it isn't a concern just yet.

[zoom-zoom]

I haven't experienced slow or maxed out free wifi yet. Maybe because our town is so small that it isn't a concern just yet.

I think it depends upon the establishment. At McDonald's I've always had a good connection. Panera...bad. I was at Target the other day and it kept making me re-login every 10 minutes or so. I was comparison shopping and got so annoyed by it that I reverted to using my 3G, instead.

[Dogmama]

Picked up this thread because my 1.5 year old Droid's battery died and they (Verizon) no longer sells them - so I have to find an aftermarket battery. But wait! I signed a two year contract! When I reminded Verizon, they said they would pay for a battery so I could continue until I can upgrade (early upgrade is in June.) I thought that was reasonable.

But nothing is as good as my extended life battery. My current battery was recently drained by Google Play (I don't play music, videos, etc. and really hate that I have to have these useless things). It dies after being out of the charger for 8 hours and I'm barely using it for phone calls - like maybe 15 minutes tops. Huh?

So - for my trip I'm taking along my 4 year old basic Samsung flip phone that I carry on my bike. It holds a charge forever. And it's bulletproof.

[Irulan]

I've been running on the minimum data plan for years and have never once maxed it out. Sure, if I streamed Pandora or something, I would but I don't.

[Catrin]

I've been running on the minimum data plan for years and have never once maxed it out. Sure, if I streamed Pandora or something, I would but I don't.

I stream Google Play fairly often...but I only do that when I've wifi access. I've WiFi access at both home and work, so the only time I have to use the cell network is when I am in my car...and I certainly am not playing with my phone there. This month I will go over my data limit because that was cheaper than paying my conference hotel last week for WiFi (no free access at all) and my smartphone basically became a small notebook for the week (Samsung Note 2) - but I've never even come close to maxing out my small limited data plan during normal months. I must admit that I am impressed with the battery life...