[Q] DINC as "tablet" on Verizon - Droid Incredible Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have an off contract DINC. I have been using it for quite some time as a WiFi only tablet. It works so well that I have become increasingly dependent on it and Google Voice for text messages.
My employer provides me with a very basic phone for voice so I really do not need another phone. What I do need is the availability to send receive text messages via Google Voice when away from WiFi.
Verizon has a $10.00 a month "tablet" plan that would fill all my needs, but they refuse to connect my device as they insist it is a phone.
Is there some method where I can change the IMEI and ESN to fool Verizon into thinking that the DINC is some generic tablet with a CDMA radio? Is there perhaps a ROM that truly turns off the phone feature and converts the DINC to a tablet?
One other option would to be to get the DINC to spoof itself as a MiFi 2200 on Virgin Atlantic. Is this possible? I've considered buying a MiFi off the bay and using that route but the only device I want to support is the DINC and I really don't want to have to manage a 2nd battery and keep track of 2 devices.
Has anyone managed to connect a DINC as a "tablet" to any provider?

Related

Questions...

I'm new to CDMA/EVDO carriers, so I'd appreciate if you could answer some questions with regarding to the technology, Verizon and Droid Incredible itself.
A little bit of a background here. I'm using Nexus One on T-Mobile. Coverage in Chicago has been o.k., but Nexus One itself has reception problem which Google seems to have stopped working on it. I'm planning to get a Mifi from Verizon soon as I need internet connection when I start to travel more.
But I have other idea, getting Droid Incredible, and drop T-Mobile. Tether it with my laptop while I'm on the go.
1:Would it be possible to use data & voice at the same time?
2:I'm planning to get PdaNet or some other app to tether it with my laptop. Should I worry about extra charge from Verizon?
3:What's the difference between corporate (44.99) and smartphone (29.99) data plan? I just need to reach IMAPS,HTTP,HTTPS, and PPTP(GRE) servers. Does Verizon block these on $29.99 plan? (Verizon sales are clueless. They just said $44.99 for business "like big business", and $29.99 is for personal use.
4:Rooting this phone. I assume that it's just the matter of time before it's released. But will there be any problem with Verizon?
5:Given Verizon history about being anal about controlling their phones. Did they block features on previous android handsets in the past? (i.e. no file xfer via BT, pics can only be sent via MMS, etc. etc.)
TIA for your answers. Given Verizon reputation of nickel & dime customers, I'm a little hesitated to switch to Verizon. But for now, it seems to make economical sense to do so, so I just wanted to make sure I understand what I'm signing up for.
1. should be able to afaik
2. you shouldnt need another app for that, youll pay extra through verizon to do it, or root the phone and you can do it without any extra charges
3. id go with the consumer pricing unless you find it isnt working for you, no sense on paying extra if it isnt needed
4. shouldnt be any problem with verizon and a rooted phone, ppl have been rooting droids and eris' since theyve been out
5. i doubt it, verizon cant control what happens to a rooted phone
some of your options may not be available until your phone is rooted, but it would definitely be worth the wait on such a sweet phone
invisiblek said:
1. should be able to afaik
2. you shouldnt need another app for that, youll pay extra through verizon to do it, or root the phone and you can do it without any extra charges
3. id go with the consumer pricing unless you find it isnt working for you, no sense on paying extra if it isnt needed
4. shouldnt be any problem with verizon and a rooted phone, ppl have been rooting droids and eris' since theyve been out
5. i doubt it, verizon cant control what happens to a rooted phone
some of your options may not be available until your phone is rooted, but it would definitely be worth the wait on such a sweet phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually you can't use voice and data at the same time on VZW, but how often do you really need to?
1. No
2. PDANet will work fine - or once rooted you might not even need that. It's against Verizon's TOS to tether, but as long as you don't abuse it they won't know.
3. Get the cheaper plan - the more expensive plan is just a way for them to milk corp customers. You can use Exchange/etc with the cheaper plan.
4. You should be able to root it no problem once the devs get on it.
5. I don't think so - that's in Verizon's past for Smartphones. Heck I had a Motorola Q years ago on Verizon and I could do whatever I pleased...even tethering with PDANet...
about high prices
Thats why im staying with my nexous one
my wife is with verizon and we got her phone today and its really nice i cant tell at all a difference between the nexous one and the droid but
there basically the same phones
the nexous one is faster but then again it rooted
but i only pay $80 month for unlimited and she is paying $129 for unlimited
i dont care what i paid for my nexous im off contract and dont have to pay 129 dollars a month
I'll hijack the thread for a little question I have and I don't want to open another thread for it.
Are you able to use the widgets that were introduced with the stock 2.1? For example that News & Weather widget or are they fully replaced / not integrated by HTC in the Sense UI?
If not, are you able to add them with apps or alternative OS versions through rooting?
Thanks for the answers guys.
@Zabil : Quite often (when I travel). This is quite an important issue if I am getting this phone as "phone + data card" combo to save $$$
@sn95chico : I've had some problem with incoming call being diverted to voice mail due to background data (GSM, not WCDMA) recently. Just in case you experience this problem, check this thread out : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=6301190
I read somewhere that for CDMA/1x/EVDO, your phone will still ring when data transfer is in progress, it will only be interrupted once you hit the answer button. This is first and only technological edge that CDMA has over GSM network, IMO. I've always been a fan of GSM/WCDMA network. --- (WCDMA network supports concurrent voice/data. Too bad that there's no 100% WCDMA network in US)
Since concurrent data + voice is impossible, it doesn't make much sense for me to switch to this phone yet. I might just get Verizon or Sprint mifi and be done with it.

Clone Samsung Juke using HTC Incredible

I'm new, but I have scoured the site and can't find what I'm looking for.
I have a Samsung Juke with a Verizon Wireless plan. I have a spare HTC Incredible that I want to replace the Juke with. Unfortunately when I talked to Verizon they said that if I switch to the Android, I have to purchase the data plan. I'm cheap, and I don't want the data plan as I have WiFi wherever I would need data.
I have already rooted and ROMed the phone using ClockworkMod 5.02, and Stock+.
Is it possible to configure the Incredible to clone the Juke, and just turn Cell data off?
If so, how?
alphawolf0990 said:
I'm new, but I have scoured the site and can't find what I'm looking for.
I have a Samsung Juke with a Verizon Wireless plan. I have a spare HTC Incredible that I want to replace the Juke with. Unfortunately when I talked to Verizon they said that if I switch to the Android, I have to purchase the data plan. I'm cheap, and I don't want the data plan as I have WiFi wherever I would need data.
I have already rooted and ROMed the phone using ClockworkMod 5.02, and Stock+.
Is it possible to configure the Incredible to clone the Juke, and just turn Cell data off?
If so, how?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have mine activated with pageplus. Same network (prepaid coverage) and way cheaper
If I understand it correctly, you should be able to switch phones without getting a data plan, as long as you don't buy a subsidized phone (2 yr contract). Go to a store and tell them u just wanna switch phones, and don't have any need for data. This may have changed with their new data rules. If they FORCE you to use a data plan to get mobile access on a phone you own, that's a scam and you should switch to something like what funone46, pageplus
I appreciate the thought to switch to another carrier/plan, however I am situated with a 2 year contract that is up in October this year. Then I'll switch the Incredible to Boost and all will be well. In the meantime, I'd like to swap the Incredible in for the Juke, but I need to know if I can situate the Incredible to receive the calls and texts that would normally hit the Juke.
I know I can do this with the Incredible in place of a Samsung Incognito on Boost, but can I do this with the Incredible in place of a Samsung Juke on Verizon?
alphawolf0990 said:
I appreciate the thought to switch to another carrier/plan, however I am situated with a 2 year contract that is up in October this year. Then I'll switch the Incredible to Boost and all will be well. In the meantime, I'd like to swap the Incredible in for the Juke, but I need to know if I can situate the Incredible to receive the calls and texts that would normally hit the Juke.
I know I can do this with the Incredible in place of a Samsung Incognito on Boost, but can I do this with the Incredible in place of a Samsung Juke on Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is probably possible, but im not very familiar with it. You would have to use qpst to grab the esn and settings from the juke, and then use qpst to put the esn and settings on the incredible. I think i know how to do it in theory, but have never actually done so and am not positive if it would even work.
As I said before, I'm new. So I'm not familiar with QPST. I've already downloaded the installation files, but the screen shots look a bit complicated and I wanted to consult before I ventured that far. If I had someone giving me key assistance, I'm game to try it out. As I've said before, the Incredible is an extra phone, so I don't care about screwing it up.
I would be very grateful if you could give me a step by step, even in theory, but if you aren't comfortable, is there someone that you recommend?

Nokia Lumia 900 Hack from ATT network

Hello All: I am sorry for making new thread but I was unable to find what I am looking for.
Is there any way that I can hack my Lomia 900 so that ATT does not know what I am using smart phone. I love Windows Phone OS but I hate paying ATT $30 for a data plan that I don't use.
Nothing you said made any sense, you sound 12. The $30 data was part of your contract with at&t, have fun with it for the two years. Even if you could 'mask' your phones identity, at&t would still charge you.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Only way that would happen is if you had a sim card that somehow was hacked to send a IMEI number that doesn't match your smartphone
Sent from a satellite
chrisz5z said:
Only way that would happen is if you had a sim card that somehow was hacked to send a IMEI number that doesn't match your smartphone
Sent from a satellite
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are ways to change your phone's IMEI, not sure if its possible on WP7 though. It is also highly, HIGHLY, illegal.
If you didn't want to pay the $30 a month, buy the phone off-contract from like Amazon, Best Buy, or even AT&T and then get a pre-paid plan.
gangsta.mostwanted said:
Hello All: I am sorry for making new thread but I was unable to find what I am looking for.
Is there any way that I can hack my Lomia 900 so that ATT does not know what I am using smart phone. I love Windows Phone OS but I hate paying ATT $30 for a data plan that I don't use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are not using data over the cellular network, can't you just cancel the 'data' portion of your plan with AT&T? Or does the 'plan' come with the type of phone you bought?
Even if you could 'mask' the phone so that AT&T thought you were using a feature phone instead of a smart phone, you would still be charged the $30/mo, cuz that's what's attached to your account. It isn't the phone that ttells the network what to charge, it's what the account says the services attached to it are.
One legit way to play the game would be to turn in your AT&T Lumia and tell them you want to downgrade to a feature phone. Once that is complete and you have your replacement phone (make sure it has a micro-SIM card), buy an AT&T Lumia off eBay, then install the SIM into the bought phone. It should work just fine, except that because the SIM has been registered to a no-data account, you won't be able to get any data services.
drtolson said:
One legit way to play the game would be to turn in your AT&T Lumia and tell them you want to downgrade to a feature phone. Once that is complete and you have your replacement phone (make sure it has a micro-SIM card), buy an AT&T Lumia off eBay, then install the SIM into the bought phone. It should work just fine, except that because the SIM has been registered to a no-data account, you won't be able to get any data services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually that won't work, the phone registers on the network everytime it is used. So within a couple of days AT&T will know it is one of their smartphones and tag on a Smartphone data plan.
About the only way around paying for Smartphone data but still use one is to get an unbranded phone that is not recognized by the system. It will show up in the system as "Unknown Device"
Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express
drtolson said:
If you are not using data over the cellular network, can't you just cancel the 'data' portion of your plan with AT&T? Or does the 'plan' come with the type of phone you bought?
Even if you could 'mask' the phone so that AT&T thought you were using a feature phone instead of a smart phone, you would still be charged the $30/mo, cuz that's what's attached to your account. It isn't the phone that ttells the network what to charge, it's what the account says the services attached to it are.
One legit way to play the game would be to turn in your AT&T Lumia and tell them you want to downgrade to a feature phone. Once that is complete and you have your replacement phone (make sure it has a micro-SIM card), buy an AT&T Lumia off eBay, then install the SIM into the bought phone. It should work just fine, except that because the SIM has been registered to a no-data account, you won't be able to get any data services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually that won't work at all since AT&T actively polices their network and will detect smartphone IMEI regardless of what IMEI was associated with that SIM previously. The only "legal" way to have a branded smartphone without data plan on AT&T is to have a pre-paid account. AT&T does not require smartphone data plans for PAYGo customers.
gangsta.mostwanted said:
Hello All: I am sorry for making new thread but I was unable to find what I am looking for.
Is there any way that I can hack my Lomia 900 so that ATT does not know what I am using smart phone. I love Windows Phone OS but I hate paying ATT $30 for a data plan that I don't use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at&t are not idiots. They know what they sold you. Changing the IMEI might work but it's not guaranteed. And I believe changing the IMEI is against the law. I doubt the forum owners will let anyone openly discuss that.
Why don't you get the $20 300mb plan if you don't use data? That is where I would start. In the future find out which smartphones are not detected by at&t and purchase one of them at full price if you want to avoid data charges or want to use the $10 unlimited plan. There are plenty of threads about that.
paid 399 for a new lumia 900 at at&t and threw it on net 10 50 unlimited everything plan. Nokia network setup app from marketplace to set apns and it's great. Getting 3-7 megs. for everyday phone usability and efficiency winmo is far superior than android. I did have to get a nexus 7 to retain android tho..
halfevildruid said:
paid 399 for a new lumia 900 at at&t and threw it on net 10 50 unlimited everything plan. Nokia network setup app from marketplace to set apns and it's great. Getting 3-7 megs. for everyday phone usability and efficiency winmo is far superior than android. I did have to get a nexus 7 to retain android tho..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get the Network Setup app to work? Mine just says "please wait while we find your network settings" but never finds anything.
halfevildruid said:
paid 399 for a new lumia 900 at at&t and threw it on net 10 50 unlimited everything plan. Nokia network setup app from marketplace to set apns and it's great. Getting 3-7 megs. for everyday phone usability and efficiency winmo is far superior than android. I did have to get a nexus 7 to retain android tho..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the L900 does work on other networks (that AT&T allows). Thanks for that.
Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express Pro
jimski said:
So the L900 does work on other networks (that AT&T allows). Thanks for that.
Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express Pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is because NET10 is a MVNO and uses AT&T network. So techinically your phone is still on AT&T network (but LTE probably won't work) but billed to a different provider. There are also couple other MVNOs use the same AT&T network. Lumia 900 from AT&T can work on all of them with the need to unlock.
You have to pay $30.00 a month like the rest of us, because the At&t system will detect, via your imei, that your using a smartphone device.
I believe it is possible to buy a Galaxy Nexus GSM version from Google and add it to an already active $15 feature phone data plan, and continue to pay for the feature phone service, even after placing the sim into your unlocked Galaxy Nexus. That is because at the time I purchased my nexus, it's imei was not registered as a smartphone device within AT&T's database, although it may have been updated since the last time I checked.
But in the end do you think anyone likes to pay for the data package?.... Of course not, so why would an exception be made for your situation? The argument will always win with a simple "don't use a smartphone then" and there's really nothing you can say to that.
FWIW, that's just my 2 cents. I hope I didn't offend anyone with my opinions.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Well said, that type of "trick" is what forces the carrier to lock boot loaders throttle data and stuff like that because some abused the system.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
You CAN use a Smartphone on AT&T without paying the $30 fee; I've been doing it for years. It just cant be a model that AT&T sells and registers in their system. If there's a particular model you like on T-Mo or any other GSM carrier(Make sure it has AT&T Freq.) that AT&T does not use, their system may recognize the brand and model #, but it won't populate the automatic Data Plan like all AT&T Smart phones do.
Case in point, I now use a Nokia N8(Great phone for me). AT&T does not know what an N8 is(The best camera on any phone to date) and therefore can't charge me a data plan automatically. Since most of the Factory Direct Unbranded Nokia smarthones have their own GPS antenna, I can have all the maps, turn by turn directions, and POI's I need for free because it hits the GPS satellite directly, if it cant use the Cell sites. The trick is to make sure your DATA IS TURNED OFF on your phone. On my N8 you can set it to stay off in the settings menu. One slip up, and they'll charge you out the ying yang. However, I have always been able to call in and have it reversed. You can have them block ALL data, but then MMS won't work.
Now if your a Data kind of user, put up the $30 and use it. I myself, being an "Old School" Cellular guy in the Industry 19yrs, cant fathom paying for it when I don't need it. The WiFi on my N8 is really strong and there are plenty of places with free WiFi. In between them, I could care less; my GPS still works and I can wait. If you need to get your email right away, or know what Paris Hilton said today, pay the $30.
I work for AT&T, just so you guys know.
It doesnt matter where the phone came from. Let me give you an example of how it goes down. If you upgrade and get a Nokia Lumia 900, we'll go into the Equipment section of your account and change the SIM card number from your old to your new (basic phones and smartphones have two different types of SIM cards). When we do that, right next to the box to enter a new SIM card number is the box to enter a new IMEI number, to tell what kind of phone is on your account. When we do that and the phone is a smartphone, the next screen to pop up in our system is the Features screen and we can't bypass that screen without adding some sort of data package. The only way you can get around that is by simply NOT changing the IMEI in the account. If you bought that Lumia 900 at the discounted price, there's nothing you can do, really. You have to get a data plan.
The only way to get around the system is to get a smartphone (ANY smartphone) and ask your AT&T rep to just give you a new SIM card for it, but NOT to change the IMEI in your account from a basic phone. This way, the network will still find your phone, but the system wont recognize that you have a smartphone. Now you have a smartphone on your account without a data plan.
Another thing to consider is that AT&T offers a $50/month GoPhone plan with unlimited EVERYTHING and you can text other countries. Do the same process as above with that GoPhone plan and you'll save a **** ton of money in the long run. Hope this helps.
pluginxbabyy said:
Another thing to consider is that AT&T offers a $50/month GoPhone plan with unlimited EVERYTHING and you can text other countries. Do the same process as above with that GoPhone plan and you'll save a **** ton of money in the long run. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you work for AT&T you should know that the GoPhone servive doesn't offer a data plan for smartphones such as the Lumia 900...
However, from what it sounds like this guy is trying to do what I have done. I have a GoPhone account and I am using a Lumia 900 on it and I didn't have to pay for any sort of data plan. I tried to, but I got a call later that day explaining that they couldn't process it so they just credited the money I paid for data to my account.
If you're stuck in contract, can't you just get a POS phone and switch SIM cards? You say that AT&T uses special SIM cards for smart phones, but they look the same to me, other than the fact that the plastic portion of the sim card has been basically cut in half to create something called "Micro Sims" --- Well, as it turns out, with a pair of scissors and a steady hand, anyone can turn their basic sim card into a micro sim card that will work inside the Lumia 900. The plastic portion of the sim is perfectly safe to cut all you want, just use the sim that came with the lumia 900 as a template... It's really easy, I did it with my T-Mobile SIM card after I unlocked my Lumia 900.
Even buying a basic phone with no data services, when you pop that sim card into a smartphone it automatically adds the cheapest data plan to that number.
I got around this a few years ago.
Using a basic phone call and say you want to have data services blocked. Back then it was free but now I think they want to add parental controls and charge you an extra 5 bucks a month. But call and have data services blocked on that number then when all goes through put your sim into the smartphone.
It worked for me. Normally when you do that you get a text from AT&T telling you that they upgraded your data plan blah blah. If you don't get the text I'd assume all is well.
jimski said:
So the L900 does work on other networks (that AT&T allows). Thanks for that.
Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express Pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is your apn settings I got an ATT lumia 900 and cant figure out the right apn settings

[Q] troubleshooting activating Epic 4G on MetroPCS

So, I ordered some Epics on Amazon after I burnt the motherboard connections to the Digitizer on my Huawei Activa 4G (they were $39 a piece, great deals for phones that a crapton better then the Activa's). I followed this guide down to the "T", but I can't get the Epic to connect to MetroPCS. It keeps trying to connect to Verizon. I tried the 2xxx and 3xxx MetroPCS PRL's with no luck. Is there anything I missed, or is there anyone that can help with troubleshooting? I would like to surprise my fiancee with this phone (the other one I bought) as a Christmas present, and since we are grandfathered into the unlimited data plan on Metro, I would seriously like to stay with them.
Thanks!
First thins is first, you need to get the esn added to metropcs.
If you cant add the esn in the inventory it will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you do this?
Also keep in mind that MetroPCS is migrating or being decommissioned to T-Mobiles GSM network.
Apparently adding a new serial number to MetroPCS will kick me off the unlimited data plan, which is stupid. And, each time I try to add the ESN to MetroPCS, they give me a different excuse as to why it can't be added (device not supported, esn not valid, etc). It's starting to sound easier to set up this phone (and keep my data) myself. I'm going to try and see if I keep climbing the ladder of MetroPCS supervisors and hopefully get someone that'll be happy to keep me in my promotional plan AND set up my new phones. Else, I'm not sure what other ways to go about this. I don't think I should lose my data because my POS phone died, and I sure as hell don't want to pay $60/mo per phone when I already pay $135 for 3.
HACKhalo2 said:
(device not supported, esn not valid, etc)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This type of response tells me that the reason it won't activate is because they will not allow a Sprint phone on their network. Period.
If you can activate T-Mobile phones under your unlimited plan then personally I would try to sell these phones (see Ting info below) for near what you paid and get a T-Mobile compatible S II or better on your plan. CM 10.1 works well on the Epic 4G but occasionally it can be a little pokey sometimes and memory is tight. Also you still need to boot into Samsung Gingerbread FC09 to activate, etc., see link below. It may be a selling point to flash these phones to CM 10.1 (definitely enable the ability to boot into FC09 as mentioned below).
Otherwise if you insist on using these this is probably your only option:
If you're lucky find a cheap Samsung Galaxy S (same as Epic 4G) that will run on Metro PCS and either use it, or if its broken, try to migrate its ESN/MSEID to the Sprint Epic 4G. I don't know how this is done, but I have read this is the way you can get competing carrier phones onto competing networks. This should allow you to activate the phone. How well it will work considering MetroPCS is ditching CDMA is just a guess.
I was going to suggest some options involving a MetroPCS hotspot, but then I thought that might not qualify under your unlimited plan?
Regarding selling them:
If you know anyone who has decent Sprint coverage and barely uses data, but still wants to use a smartphone over WiFi then convince them to buy your phone and sign-up with Ting (http://www.ting.com). Give them $25 credit with my link: https://z25ms41o9h2.ting.com/
Dual-boot from CM 10.1 into Samsung Gingerbread FC09 for PRL, Profile, Activation, Sensor Calibration:
http://epiccm.blogspot.com/2012/01/boot-el30-stock-from-sdcard.html
Good luck!

[Q] Read txt received on Galaxy S4 from Galaxy note 8.0?

So im.as sick as a.dog right now. my galaxy S4 phone is being charged across the room, my galaxy Note 8.0 in my hands, when all the sudden i get a txt. i wonder... is there any way to view txts that i get on my Galaxy S4 phone from my Galaxy Note 8.0? currently my not is rooted if that helps. but.no custom roms or anything.
varxtis said:
So im.as sick as a.dog right now. my galaxy S4 phone is being charged across the room, my galaxy Note 8.0 in my hands, when all the sudden i get a txt. i wonder... is there any way to view txts that i get on my Galaxy S4 phone from my Galaxy Note 8.0? currently my not is rooted if that helps. but.no custom roms or anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, here is what I think will do well for you...
You can open up the firefox browser and get into outlook, to click on the links for both phone and tablet.
Ye must install this to your phone... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.texty.sms
Setup your phones app before installing this to yer tablet... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightytext.tablet
Then setup the tablet to sync and send txts as if you are on your phone.
gooberdude said:
Ye must install this to your phone... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.texty.sms
Setup your phones app before installing this to yer tablet... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightytext.tablet
Then setup the tablet to sync and send txts as if you are on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This method is amazing! Thank you so much. IDK if you're very experienced/intouch with VoiP, but I after trying out the app you suggested I noticed an option to make a call. After trying it I realized it sends a signal to the phone to intiate a call. Which was awesome too, especially since I have my BT Headset always on. But then the snowball started rolling and then I though... wouldn't it be amazing to get rid of the phone all together. So I had a couple of questions. Can Data plans be activated on regular tabs like mine (Galaxy Note 8.0 GT-N5110) ordoes one has to have the 3g/4g model of tablet for it to have its own Data Plan? Next, assuming one could have a tablet with its on Dataplan... Are there any VoiP with reasonable monthly charges and reliable service that will allow calls/txt to not only other users of the same app (like skype to skype) but from app to landline etc?
varxtis said:
This method is amazing! Thank you so much. IDK if you're very experienced/intouch with VoiP, but I after trying out the app you suggested I noticed an option to make a call. After trying it I realized it sends a signal to the phone to intiate a call. Which was awesome too, especially since I have my BT Headset always on. But then the snowball started rolling and then I though... wouldn't it be amazing to get rid of the phone all together. So I had a couple of questions. Can Data plans be activated on regular tabs like mine (Galaxy Note 8.0 GT-N5110) ordoes one has to have the 3g/4g model of tablet for it to have its own Data Plan? Next, assuming one could have a tablet with its on Dataplan... Are there any VoiP with reasonable monthly charges and reliable service that will allow calls/txt to not only other users of the same app (like skype to skype) but from app to landline etc?
Click to expand...
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The WIFI only version GT-N5110 has no internal capabilities for data plans, The GT-N5100 and the GT-N5120 both have internal abilities for data plans.
One option for home use is a Verizon share hot spot that is a box for Internet only and requires a data plan. As for portability, you could get car DC to AC adapter that will allow you to use while driving. As long as Verizon towers are available. You would then need to use some Internet phone service that fits your budget and requirements. Knowing that Verizon is limiting data even though they are doubling their LTE data rate, makes me skeptical on how much you will be able to use monthly even though you have a fast connex.
That is as far as I am with such a question, there are other types of data plans and share devices, Sprint seems to be the best deal for getting what you want, but it will be a wee costly, and not all areas are Sprint friendly.
Now if you can get a great deal on family shared data, you can look into getting dual hot spot devices that will double your data rate when setting them up to be bridged, via a robust router... Home routers are limited to one connection to the internet, so looking for such a router will be in the $150.00+ range. Depending on the brand and model, you can have 1 to 4 data connex. That is if your budget allows for such an extravagant option. Portability will be limited to transferring one device from the bridged network when needed, thus allowing internet to be active at home.
As for skype... they do allow calls to land line... but I have tested Text Plus with my AT&T version in the UK. It works well for an app, and even gives you a real phone number for txting and calls. There is a charge for calls but depending on how much you talk, it may less expensive than $9.00 per month VOIP options with apps or hardware to plug in between your existing network.
What you're considering is totally doable, but you don't have the right device. My previous device was a Verizon branded Tab 7.7 that I used as my primary phone via VoIP on their LTE network. Overall, it worked 80-85% as well as a cellphone. When I accidentally destroyed it, I replaced it with the N5100, which I have on a smartphone plan with AT&T.
In order to be a practical replacement for a cellphone, the tablet itself must have built in connectivity, otherwise you'd also have to carry around a hotspot device. Dealing with two devices, battery issues, etc. makes that impractical in comparison to just using a smartphone.
There are many VoIP options, and the cost range from free to expensive. It depends on your needs. Most allow calling and texting to anyone anywhere. I can't make specific suggestions without knowing more about your needs, but I'll describe the process. The first issue issue is the phone number and who has control of it. Do you have a number that you're attached to or are you ok with any assigned number. This influences the second issue, do you want an all in one integrated solution like Skype, or a modular solution, which allows more flexibility. Third, is this going to be used across multiple devices and what kind are they. Lastly, how robust/reliable does the setup need to be (ie. is it your primary phone or just something to play with).
I was initially attracted to using a tablet as a phone to save money. Tablets cost less than smartphones and data only plans are cheaper than smartphones plans. Then I quickly got addicted to the screen size. A tablet makes almost every task easier or more enjoyable compared to doing it on a regular size phone. But using a tablet as a phone did have drawbacks. The lack of an ear speaker meant always having a headset readily available (and charged) or using the speakerphone. Most VoIP apps drained the battery rather quickly. Call quality is highly dependent on network latency, no problem on WiFi, more of an issue when out and about.
I couldn't go back to using a regular phone as my primary device. I'm not saving any money by going this route, but for me it's worth the premium to have a tablet with built-in telephony capability on a smartphone plan. The N5100 is an awesome 8" smartphone.*

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