Thanks for taking the time to break this down for me. I'm learning.
I'll be using ATT wireless formerly Cingular. I wonder if they have a data cap. I do know that it's 15 bucks/month for unlimited internet to the phone.
So ducky or anyone else, Do I need to have the wifi connection on the cell phone or can I still use the cell phone to provide the internet to my laptop? Total noob here I know.
I think what you are saying is that a phone with a wifi can take advantage of a hotspot and surf the web for free. right?
Depends on the phone and the plan. I'm pretty sure with Verizon, you'll need to pay extra for a tethering option and use their tethering software (same software that comes with their laptop cards). With the G1, someone wrote a tethering program for the android os.
I've been looking at the iPhone also but that means using AT&T and they stink in the CU department. I was at an Apple store and the Apple employee was telling me how AT&T was arguing with her about the problem she was having with their service and telling her she did not know how to use the phone which she had in depth training on before it was released. My son moved from Verizon to AT&T when he got the first version and has more trouble with drop outs and dead zones. He just got the new 3g version and a lot of the accessory's he had for the first verision don't work on the new 3g one. For instance, he had an iHome clock radio on his night stand which he used to charge his phone and play his music. The new 3g doesn't work with the iHome. The headset jack on the first iPhone was longer that a standard headphone jack. They fixed the headphone jack on the new 3g but now his old headset is too long.
Having said all that I still think the iPhone is a great produce. The iPhone has created a whole new language and standard for the phone and mp3 industry's similar to what the Sony Walkman did years ago.
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You dont need wifi to tether, but the cool thing about wifi-based access points from a cell phone (using your 3G as the internet connection) is the simplicity: if you can connect your laptop to a DSL wireless modem or hotspot, connecting up to your cellphone's "hotspot" is no different... just search the signal, press connect, type in your passphrase, and youre online.
Most non-wifi tethering phones have other means of doing this same thing. One is via bluetooth 2.0... you connect on 3G for internet, and use the BT connection to setup a wireless access point. Not a whole lot harder to setup, but you are speed limited to the bluetooth bandwidth. You can also use USB 2.0 to plug in your phone to the computer, install the appropriate software, and connect up as though it were a USB based modem.
oh, and I just found this on ATT website
PDA/BLACKBERRY PLANS WITH TETHERING
PDA/BlackBerry plans with Tethering may ONLY be used with AT&T-certified RIM BlackBerry devices and PDAs for the following purposes: (i) Internet browsing; (ii) email; and (iii) intranet access (including access to corporate intranets, email, and individual productivity applications like customer relationship management, sales force, and field service automation). PDA/BlackBerry plans with Tethering may be used to tether such PDA and BlackBerry devices to a Personal Computer. If you are on a data plan that does not include a monthly megabyte allowance and additional data usage rates, the parties agree that AT&T has the right to impose additional charges if you use more than 5 GB in a month. Prior to the imposition of any additional charges, AT&T shall provide you with notice and you shall have the right to terminate your service.
and Tmo
*To provide the best network experience for all of our customers we may temporarily reduce data throughput for a small fraction of customers who use a disproportionate amount of bandwidth. Your data session, plan, or service may be suspended, terminated, or restricted for significant roaming or if you use your service in a way that interferes with our network or ability to provide quality service to other users. Some devices require specific data plans; if you do not have the right plan for your device, you may not be able to use data services. 3G coverage is available only in certain markets and on certain devices. Taxes, fees, and additional charges may apply. Domestic use only. See your data plan terms and T-Mobile's Terms and Conditions on T-Mobile.com.
I just found out that ATT wants to charge $60/month for tethering. So, for my planed uses (google earth while four wheeling) this is not worth it to me.
Also, if you get a 3g phone ATT will only sell you the $30/month internet plan which has NO data cap attached.
I guess I'm going to go with a 3G phone and won't be tethering it to my laptop.
This has been a great thread. I've learned that I know very little about all of this stuff but thanks to you guys I'm learning more and I have a better idea of what kind of phone I need.
haha... coo! The iphone is one awesome piece of technology (and for the price, is almost unbeatable)! Have fun... and dont rule out tethering just on it.
I just found out that ATT wants to charge $60/month for tethering. So, for my planed uses (google earth while four wheeling) this is not worth it to me.
That's ATT or any company for ya. that's the reason for jailbreaking. They want to charge ya 60 for the app to tether, they want 99 cents a song that you can use as a ringtone they want 20 bucks for the video app etc.. Once you jailbreak it you can do all these things free. It's basically a program that removes the restrictions set on there by ATT and it also gives you an alternate app store with tons of free stuff that the other guys are charging for. And it is completely reversible. You can reset your phone to factory settings if you ever feel the need.
heres a vid of the iPhone 3g features. it's a long one. Apple - iPhone - A Guided Tour
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