Tablet regret?
 

Hi, I bought an N800 about a month ago, and I have to say. When I have an internet connection; it's everything I can ask for, and more. However, in my experience with it, there haven't been many internet connections around. So, right now, I'm sorta stuck in a dilemma. I'm wondering if it would be more economical to try and sell the N800 and use the money toward a phone that can have a data plan (thus a constant availability of connections) like maybe the openmoko; or if I should instead by a cheap phone to use for the data plan and use bluetooth for access for the N800. How do all of you manage to stay connected on your tablets?

Re: Tablet regret?
 

I've been thinking about getting one of those usb cell-plan internet cards. My boss got one with her Verizon plan - they threw it in as part if the plan. She uses it with her Windoze laptop.

I'd have to upgrade my Alltel plan to the Internet option; about $100.00/month.

Does anyone know if those usb cell thingies will work with my n810 or an n800?

Steve

Re: Tablet regret?
 

There's a couple of threads on this. One guy got his working with his tablet a couple weeks back :)

The main problem is lack of open-source drivers than can be compiled for the tablets and the secondary problem is that they all require powered USB.

I think tethering to a bluetooth phone is probably much easier :)

Also, @cactuar - Have you looked into BOOST mobile? They offer a $70 dollar a month unlimited internet/calling/texting/data that I'm seriously tempted by :)

Re: Tablet regret?
 

$70 a month?! Are all data plans that expensive? If they are... that's definitely not attractive...

Re: Tablet regret?
 

I tether to my LG enV2 on Verizon for $15/mo. It works pretty well, but it's Rev.0 EVDO. Rev.A is significantly faster but is only available on a few phones (notably, the LG Dare and a few smart phones). Still, 500 kbps down / 100 kbps up is pretty good for the price. The enV2 was free.

Re: Tablet regret?
 

Get a Sprint SERO plan, $30 a month for 500 minutes, unlimited internet, texting, nights nad weekends, etc.

Re: Tablet regret?
 

i too have heard lots of great comments about sero. It's a great deal for $30 and getting the tablet to tether with the palm centro tethering isn't too hard.
I do have one question for SERO users though. How much does it cost to add a line?

Re: Tablet regret?
 

t-mobile has a couple of internet addons -- the 5.99 t-zones plan, which gives you access to a proxy server good for most http traffic, and a 19.99 plan gives access to almost all ports (and access to t-mobile wifi hot spots). Several of their "free" (subsidized) phones include bluetooth also. And, as far as I know, they won't automatically change your plan to a higher-priced high-data-rate plan for going over an unpublished monthly limit (I've heard of Cingular / at&t doing that -- they have a cheap data plan which is for phone use only, and if you tether it then they charge you by the MB).

But the speed is only approx 130 kbps. So it's not good for streaming media (unless you stream a 64kbps mp3 radio station).

Re: Tablet regret?
 

I recommend reading up on howardforums.com before jumping on any data plan, especially the SERO one.

http://wiki.howardforums.com/index.php/SPRINT_SERO

Re: Tablet regret?
 

Wow, the Sprint SERO plan looks pretty cool. However, right now, I have family pressure to use T-mobile. So, if anyone has any good plans with them, I'd be really thankful.

And looking into HowardForums as brontide suggested, and I managed to run into this article about using ssh with t-zones for unlimited internet. I think that's what derekp alluded to. Has anyone actually tried that method out, and is it practical for the N800? I'm pretty familiar with Linux, so I know what the steps are, but would they work on a tablet? And thanks for all the responses, they've all been really helpful.

Re: Tablet regret?
 

I use the T-mobile unlimited $19.95 Data plan, with free hotspots, as my N82 is my main "on-the-go" and when I am stationary, sometimes as a passenger, my N8x0 to connect to the Web/Email/Skype. As I understand it, the $6 plan is slower and/or drops web data, not emails/SMS, and has lower priority over the connection.

I will have to look into this other (ssh) way and see how if/how that works on the N8x0....pretty cool if it does...all for saving $$$ and having multiple ways to stay connected.

Re: Tablet regret?
 

Keep in mind you won't have 3G data on T-Mobile. Afaik, although they did roll out with 3G, it uses WCDMA(UMTS) 1700/something.

But if you don't mind 2.5G at a whopping 100kbps downstream with pings over 1000ms, go for it.

Re: Tablet regret?
 

Actually, T-Mobile is still in the process of rolling 3G out. It's available only in a very few markets, and yes, since the frequencies it's using are not in the 800/1900 ranges, there are only a few phones you can use with it (none of which are smartphone-like).

Re: Tablet regret?
 

Oh, and part of T-Mo's delay is because after spending billions to get the frequency rights, the current users of the part of the spectrum they bought (US and local governments) have squatted on those frequencies instead of getting off of them already.

Re: Tablet regret?
 

I don't regret buying my 770 in Dec 2005 at all. In retrospect it was a little immature but there was no device like it at the time. I found the same thing, not enough WiFi hotspots and being in Canada, our data plans suck. Rwanda has better data plans. (Seriously.)

I found myself inventing needs for the device because I had it as opposed to buying it to fill a need. C'mon, it was linux in my hand. That said, I found the EEE PC to be a better fit for me. I don't use my 770 while walking around, I'm always sittin somewhere... and the EEE, while it doesn't fit in my pocket, is small enough to tote around and has a full blown Ubuntu install on it.

That and I don't want to be a sap who spends $500 on a tablet every 8 months when Nokia releases a new one. I bought the first one, it's a 5 step program, I'll buy the 5th one.

Cheers,
Hedge

Re: Tablet regret?
 

It depends where you're from, and what you need Internet connection for.

Perhaps its worth it cracking some WEP keys.

Maybe its worth it subscribing for WiMAX or WiFi hotspots.

Or it might be worth it to drink or eat at a place allowing access to customers.

Perhaps its just easier to forget about it.

And don't forget some ISPs providing Internet access do not allow VoIP or VPN in some countries. Its a breach of contract then. FUPs are also sometimes lower than they seem.

In general an Internet connection allowing DNS traffic (say open AP requiring auth over HTTP) can be used for IP over DNS (works on Linux therefore should work on NIT too). This yields approx GPRS speed.

Re: Tablet regret?
 

Then don't. I got my tablet in 2005, and still use it and will continue to until the N900 series comes out.

Re: Tablet regret?
 

Fortunately there are lots of wi-fi hotspots where I live. But when I don't have access I connect through BT+3Gphone. I would not want to replace my N800 with only a phone with a data plan even if there weren't a single wi-fi hotspot anywhere - a phone is always a lousy internet device IMO, due to screen size, software etc.

Much better then to have a smaller, cheaper phone (with a data plan if necessary) in the pocket or somewhere (even on the floor above..) and a proper internet device like the N8x0 to work the actual internet.

Re: Tablet regret?
 

That's the other thing ta-t3... Canada SUCKS on cellular plans. (Apparently our maple syrup ain't bad though.) I pay $15 for unlimited on device browsing for my Bell Mobility phone. They've nerfed the OS app settings where any application I install prompts me to allow it to access the network. I've also got the Samsung u740 flip phone which lets me use a qwerty keyboard with the screen in landscape mode... their built in web browser won't launch in landscape mode and you can't access the applications menu (for your self installed apps like Opera mobile) from landscape mode.

Essentially, they give you unlimited data and expect you to type using the crappy oldschool 0-9 key text input method.

However. :) If you hit the app menu and flip the phone quickly enough, the menu will pop up in landscape mode allowing you to use the keyboard.

Slightly off topic but I really needed to rant. I just want a #*$&# phone that I can tether to a tablet and not pay $150 a month for. That seems to be too much to ask for.

Re: Tablet regret?
 

You have my fullest sympathy, and I've wondered why Canada (and to some extent USA) ended up in such a mess, where customers' rights seems to be completely dictated by the carriers. To me it looks as it's a cause of the ties between phones and carriers, which we so far have been quite free of in Europe. Unfortunately I see some bad signs over here - Apple appears to have been able to enforce the same kind of strong binding to a single carrier in some countries here (although the consumer's watchdogs are still fighting them).

I can confirm that your maple syrup is good though - I used to go to Canada now and then, some years ago. :)