Ok, search didn't really help as the words in my question add some vague-ness.

Now that we have been thoroughly underwhelmed by the launch of a new internet pad, the n900 seems like a fun idea again.

My issue is the fact that I need a Blackberry for work. My company does not support the n900, and I cannot ask them to.

So I was considering an n900 w/o cell service. Is this even possible? I had never considered a cellphone w/o service before, but since this has wifi and all the toys I want, it seems feasible.

Is anyone doing this right now? If so, what is your opinion of the device in this capacity?

Of course it's possible, you just won't be able to use cellular services on it (phone calls, SMSes, 2G/3G data connections) - you can still use VoIP (Skype comes integrated), various IMs and emails, all through a WiFi connection.

N900 is more like a computer - it can use whatever connection is available to it, and it won't stop you using parts of it just because some connection is not available. To N900, Phone is just an app...

I have not seen any issue. I have been using the N900 without the SIM plugged in. I am still feeling my way with the unit checking out/testing my list of must-have apps. I am happy with it at this point.

cheers

well, the n810 didnt have a cell phone function and it was a success. since ive got my n900, i really cutted my talk time from 500 min to about 50, but my data use went from 25-30 mb per month to about 450-500!!! im on a 2g network so often use wifi. sure you can!!!!!

I haven't cancelled my cellphone plan yet, so I'm using the N900 completely without cellphone functionality. And I can tell you, there's so much to keep me occupied, I never even think of it (until I take my old cellphone out of my pocket to make a cal, that is...).

I would receommend it. It really is like a portable computer. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of all the things I intend to do with it. And with 32 GB installed memory, you can carry a lot around with you thast you'd normally be streaming.

Also, I think some of the offline maps are amazing, so there's even that.

I used it for about a month strictly as a portable computer and skype phone only over wifi. Maps and GPS don't seem to function without cell service though I think. Its really odd to be making phone calls on it without any cell service at all. I loved it.

only reason I went for a t-mobile plan was for ovi maps, 3G skype calls from anywhere, and to side-step my company's filtered Internet connection. I don't use it with talk/texting plan. Only got a data plan on it. 3G makes it just more of a portable connected device. But its awesome as a wifi-only computer too.

What is the data only plan from TMob? How much? Unlimited?


Thanks

Unlimited data-only plan is $40/mo I believe. I'm quite sure its the same plan they put on PCMCIA cell cards for laptops. Combine that with Skype In/out and Google Voice for SMS and you have a FAR cheaper plan than anything you can get for voice/text/data from T-mobile.

One thing that will make it even cheaper is when Google re-releases Gizmo5 to the public. No more need for Skype once Gizmo5 and Google Voice are integrated.

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Ok, that Was the one I have been looking at.... Have you hit the 5GB / month limit?


My use case exactly

....just got Gizmo5 setup on my N800 and GV set to call my Gizmo number... Haven't actually made any calls on the N800 YET though...

Being there is almost no GSM coverage in my area i have been using my N900 as a super N810. I have been able to enable tethering to my blackberry so i can get data incases where i am out of the office or on the road. The weak link in tethering is the blackberry and its short battery life when compared to the N900.

The N900 has been a life saver on site where i was able to input data into a word doc as i was getting it. If you are willing to connect a bluetooth GPSr it is a great little GPS.

I have made this my second number with skype in/out and i am consitering dropping my land line and just using this skype and the N900 as my "home" phone. If i ever get into Google Voice i will have SMS taken care of.

In short, a 100% of the time data connection is not required to make this a great pc to have in your pocket but it is not hard to get it a data without a SIM.