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Man I really hate T-Mobile's tech support. I called them to ask a simple question:
If I cancel my Total Internet Package which is just 20$ more on by phone bill that I don't really need to be spending, will I be charged for using the WIFI on my phone when I am at home?
I have Comcast cable internet at home and can pick up the router's signal with my MDA even with the sim card out and browse the internet.
They turned around and told me that I would be charged per Kb if I canceled my Total Internet Package and then used my WIFI to pick up my home internet service.
By the way this was T-Mobile's Windows Mobile Department that told me this...
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Ok now I have 2 questions for all of you.
Is what T-mobile told me true?
Is there a cheaper way to get unlimited GPRS internet than T-Mobile's $19.99 Total Internet package?
The only time I use my GPRS is to update WeatherPanel and when I am using the OZ Instant Messenger. All other time I spend on the internet is with WIFI turned on and GPRS turned off.
Please, all help will be greatly appreciated and well received.
Thanks in advance, your friendly neighborhood computer geek, Dan.
Well I hope I can help answer your question somewhat.
I do not pay for the GPRS service through Tmobile, I try not to use it at all. If I pull data through it then I am charged. But if i use a wifi hotspot then Tmobile will not charge me. In truth they should have no way of telling if and when I use a WiFi connection. The reason the rep told you this was really a twisting of the truth. He can probably get away with telling you this because it will cut your access to Tmobile HotSpots which you get access to with the data plan. Sneaky sneaky bastards, you should post this little tale on http://consumerist.com/ .
To answer the second if Tmobile is your carrier then NO I dont believe you can get GPRS data from another carrier. Unless your phone is sim unlocked and you choose to use another carrier to get your data through, but this will need you to switch sims out. Either way your gonna pay for it. I would hold out till 1-2 quarter of 2008 Tmobile will start its HSDPA role out, providing upwards of 3Mbps for data. Of course you will need a phone capable of HSDPA, but such is life.
If I am uninformed of another method maybe someone here will be so kind as to enlighten us.
ritalin said:
Well I hope I can help answer your question somewhat.
I do not pay for the GPRS service through Tmobile, I try not to use it at all. If I pull data through it then I am charged. But if i use a wifi hotspot then Tmobile will not charge me. In truth they should have no way of telling if and when I use a WiFi connection. The reason the rep told you this was really a twisting of the truth. He can probably get away with telling you this because it will cut your access to Tmobile HotSpots which you get access to with the data plan. Sneaky sneaky bastards, you should post this little tale on http://consumerist.com/ .
To answer the second if Tmobile is your carrier then NO I dont believe you can get GPRS data from another carrier. Unless your phone is sim unlocked and you choose to use another carrier to get your data through, but this will need you to switch sims out. Either way your gonna pay for it. I would hold out till 1-2 quarter of 2008 Tmobile will start its HSDPA role out, providing upwards of 3Mbps for data. Of course you will need a phone capable of HSDPA, but such is life.
If I am uninformed of another method maybe someone here will be so kind as to enlighten us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured T-Mobile was full of S**T... I know I can access the internet via WIFI even without a sim card in the device. I only use it at home or in hospitals anyway. Like I said though, the GPRS for me, is just for WeatherPanel. That's why I am trying to find a cheaper way...
Thank you for your help though. Not the answer I was hoping for but very grateful non the less.
Dan.
You won't get charged for using wifi. If weather panel is all you really use GPRS for then go to the 5.99 plan. That's what I use and have no problem using weather panel or even browsing the web. The other day I even streamed video over it, although GPRS is way too slow to be any use for that but I wanted to see if it worked. The only apps that I know of that do have problems are mostly IM apps since they have most of the ports that those programs use blocked on the 5.99 plan.
Just realized that you said that you use OZ IM, I'm not sure if that will work or not, I can't seem to get it to work with WM6.
You will not be charged per kilobyte, whoever told you that was either new or retarded. The only difference you will see is that your instant messaging will go thru text messages instead of wifi, charging you per message, to log in, to log out, etc. That's due to the way the OZ instant messaging is written. The 5.99 has been working for a lot of people, but it was a glitch in the system that is slowly being fixed market by market, so don't get upset if it doesn't work for you or if it suddenly stops working, as it was never meant to work. If you connect thru wifi, you won't pay anything as it's your connection thru wifi to your phone's wifi, and the T-Mobile network is nowhere in the mix. Again, the Instant Messaging will be billed as text messages.
johnny12times said:
You will not be charged per kilobyte, whoever told you that was either new or retarded. The only difference you will see is that your instant messaging will go thru text messages instead of wifi, charging you per message, to log in, to log out, etc. That's due to the way the OZ instant messaging is written. The 5.99 has been working for a lot of people, but it was a glitch in the system that is slowly being fixed market by market, so don't get upset if it doesn't work for you or if it suddenly stops working, as it was never meant to work. If you connect thru wifi, you won't pay anything as it's your connection thru wifi to your phone's wifi, and the T-Mobile network is nowhere in the mix. Again, the Instant Messaging will be billed as text messages.
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Click to collapse
That is really good to know. Can you tell me or direct me to a thread that explains the real difference between the 5.99 plan and the 19.99 Total Internet Package?
i don't know about the question you had, but I've had the other extreme as far as Tmo's customer support/tech support... always been great to me. Even after 2 refurbs.
Whoever told you that you'd be charged using Wi-Fi was either full of it or was ASSUMING you would then be accessing T-Mo services...why would you? Just use whatever service you use from home.
I use my MDA with Wi-Fi in my house ALL the time and it has NOTHING to do with T-Mobile. It's not EDGE/GPRS--it's a totally different technology, just like hooking your wireless laptop up to your home router.
Furthermore, you can use the Wi-Fi with T-Mobile Hot Spots if you have that subscription with ANY Wi-Fi computer you have--no reason to have more than one Hot Spot account--many hotels now have it, not just Starbucks.
T-Mobile NOW forces you to pay for Hot Spots with Internet Service as a bundle but they are different technologies.
The Internet Service is EDGE/GPRS and that is a CELLULAR service and is programmed into your SIM chip. I use that too. My MDA can hook into eMail and web sites without a Wi-Fi connection via the cell modem. But it's not nearly as fast.
I actually have 2 SIM chips with this service--I got one for my old IPAQ6315, but that's in the MDA. The one in the MDA is in my notebook computer--it has a Cingular Sony Ericsson cellular modem that I got the unlock code for, and put the chip from the MDA in there--I ALSO can use my notebook with EDGE/GPRS, or Wi-Fi (or even RJ45) connections.
I have the eMail for my regular eMail routed to my MDA--no messing with another address. So it's working a lot like a Blackberry as well.
Finally, you asked if there's a cheaper alternative: There is. It's called "T-Zones" and it's T-Mo's WAP service, for $6 or $7/month. It gives you the limited access you get on cell phones, and you already have it with the fancier internet access--click on T-Zones and you'll see it.
Generally, with T-Mo, service is a waste of time till you get to Level 2. But if you get to Level 3, then you get the techs that really know their business. The PDA support can be similar. But you got to jump through a lot of hoops to reach that level and that can take 30-45 minutes on the phone. Be persistent.
dharvey4651 said:
That is really good to know. Can you tell me or direct me to a thread that explains the real difference between the 5.99 plan and the 19.99 Total Internet Package?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the 19.99 plan gives you your actual connection to the GPRS/EDGE(and in 4 test markets 3G! T-Mobile bought a whole lot of 3g network up recently.) network (internet2.voicestream.com), by connecting thru this route you are given access to the ports required to get to full websites, as well as email servers, etc.
the 5.99 plan is your basic wap access, t-zones and other wap sites. It's what is used by motorola's, samsungs, basic phones. Gives you access to your account information from T-Mobile's wap sites (but not on an mda running less than wm6 and having had the tzones applett installed), accuweather's website, and other wap websites. By connecting thru the wap APN, you are directed thru a filter that doesn't allow you full access to normal websites.
Now, T-Mobile has a glitch in their system where every now and then you get 5.99 internet and your number isn't put into the filter, so the ports that were supposed to be closed off to you never were, and you can browse and email just as if you had the 19.99 feature. The only problem? They know of the glitch and are closing it market by market, which has been taking the better part of 7 months now, but it's not that far from being finished.
Almost all programs you have installed on the mda that are third party will default to what ever internet connection is available, however, the OZ instant messaging program from the MDA and almost all other T-Mobile PDA's is written specifically to use the SMS (short message system) as the next backup if you aren't connected thru the internet2.voicestream.com, or blackberry.net apn if you are using a blackberry, so if you are connected thru wifi, then you will be charged text for each message.
Hope this helps, if not, let me know.
Johnny
I have not read or found anything on this before. So I thought that I would share what I just found. in the support section under sprint power vision it give a tutorial on to use your phone with the phone as modem and it make no mention of a charge for that service. So I asked a online chat rep. they said that it was included with power vision. So I said thanks disconnected started a new session asked again they said that it is not included. So I asked for a number to call they gave me a number for sprint employees as I have the SERO program, and apparently that is considered an employee account.
I called and asked them the same question to the live phone support person. She took a look at a few things and said yeah on the SERO program it is included but not on the power vision. So I asked her If there was anything I needed to do. She said nope I will add it onto your account. I once again verified that it was no charge she said that the SERO plans have it as a option for free but it is not by default turned on.
The number I called is 1-888-503-3078. It was given to me by the send online support person.
I am going to sparingly try it for a few days and then check it out the billing to be sure. I will let all you SERO users know for sure.
Hey i just called and asked the rep the same questions and what she told me was that sero is not covered under the phone as modem deal. She said it would cost 40 dollars a month for it so i decided that it didn't work for me. On the other hand i own the mogul and i asked her if i was unhappy with the performance of my phone because of it having crappy firmware update etc... she said i can call insurance and have them replace my phone with one of my choice for a 50 dollar deductable.
you should try these guys.
you pay a small fee one time till the exp of the license which should last a few years if i remember. just read the details of it. i have used it on sprint network with my treo 650. it works like a charm. you dont need to call sprint to ok this. just as long as you have a data plan on your cell phone. preferably the unlimited one as you will be on there for a while.
http://www.junefabrics.com/pdanet/index.php
personally, i could never get pdanet to work for me so i used usbmodem. after a while, i got lazy and just started using internet connection sharing and bluetooth.
oh yea, no charges for any data whatsoever
I just use Internet Sharing and bluetooth, I'm on the SERO plan, and it works *fantastically*. I get 60Kbps downloads w/out problems and have run VOIP over it.
I couldn't get ICS over bluetooth working correctly, it always drops the connection and shuts down bluetooth on the phone after about a minute, even with the latest ROM. WMWifirouter works great though, I'm getting around megabit/second in places with good coverage.
From primenall's posting in this thread:
There is one edit that should be done, that will eliminate a step in the connection process and will hide your tethering activity. Credit goes to Luv2Chill..... here's the Qoute
""""" OK I've poked into things a bit more and yes it seems Sprint is up to no good in regards to tethering. Those of you running Sprint ROMs should remove the following registry value:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\InternetSharing]
"Extension"="rilphone.dll"
Usual caveats about editing the registry apply here--don't do this unless you know how."""""
Removing means Deleting that entry from the registry, (it doesn't delete rilphone.dll just the shortcut to it when you open I.S.)
Once done tethering is simple using the included Internet Sharing....
USB should only be plugged into PC at this point...
1. Open Internet Sharing and hit connect (it opens a data connection to Sprint)
2. Plug usb into phone, wait a minute for PC to set up and that's it.
Always hit "disconnect" in I.S. BEFORE removing USB, always.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I deleted the regkey and connected via Internet Sharing without issue.
Once you get that working, check out WMWifiRouter. Turn your PPC into a wireless modem/router.
That reg key removal worked just fine for me. Did a small test with it and seems to work just fine. Now the wait until next billing cycle!
keep us updated on the outcome of that bill!!
taxilian said:
I just use Internet Sharing and bluetooth, I'm on the SERO plan, and it works *fantastically*. I get 60Kbps downloads w/out problems and have run VOIP over it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should really try WMWifiRouter. The Sprint EVDO network is capable of much more than 60KB/s, but thats about the limit that you can achieve with bluetooth. WiFi on the other hand has much greater bandwidth and won't be a bottleneck like bluetooth. I don't use it much, but I can get around 130KB/s down using WMWifiRouter.
I was wondering... If you have unlimited data plan and setup your phone to act as a modem via the USB connection how can they stop you from using your phone as a modem? Shouldnt we get the full bandwith of Sprints network just doing it that way?
im using that WMWifiRouter thingy, and at first I was doing PAM conneciton (didn't realized it till I knew), then i started getting remote disconnected error. I assume Sprint stopped it on their end. Now I'm using PCS Vision. I really doubt I'm gunna get charged for tethering with the PCS Vision connection, I didnt even do any registry mod/delete.
My question is... Will I get charged for those time I was PAMing? I just wanted to seperate my usage charges to know if I'm getting charged for either both PCS Vision connection and PAM, or just PAM.
I get download speeds of 95 to 150kbps using rapidshare, btw
wonderboy2005 said:
You should really try WMWifiRouter. The Sprint EVDO network is capable of much more than 60KB/s, but thats about the limit that you can achieve with bluetooth. WiFi on the other hand has much greater bandwidth and won't be a bottleneck like bluetooth. I don't use it much, but I can get around 130KB/s down using WMWifiRouter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, if your WM hardware uses BT1.2. If it uses BT2.0, then no
BT2.0 is gonna give you 3mbit/sec on the link, vs .721mb/sec
The 3mbit should be faster then any EVDO network you can find
Power drain should be significantly lower on the phone as well.
Hey folks,
First up I know this is against my T'n'C's but we're talking hypothetically here ;-) oh yes and the fact that I was originally sold this contract for connecting my laptop and PSP to the internet even although it's expressly against my T'n'Cs so I don't feel wrong about doing it.
I'm trying to connect my laptop and PSP to the internet via my Vario II (aka Hermes) from t-mobile. Several concerns crop up
1. since i'm not on the pro package I'm not allowed to do this. Ergo t-mobile must not know I'm using a laptop.
How do they detect it?
I suspect VPN on the phone might get round it...although I've had difficulty configuring it.
Would opening a VPN from the laptop after connection decieve t-mobile?
As regards browsing I assume they're just taking the browser information that the laptop's browser gives them. I suppose you can spoof that somehow?
Lastly for the psp I simply want to stream media from my desktop to my psp when I'm on the move using 'pimpstreamer' - I doubt this protocol will be too noticable.
To effect this connection though I'd need to perform the 'wifi AP' hack I've seen talked about on the wiki....
Problem is I can't seem to find Internet Connection Sharing under programs....Is this something that can be tweaked to be invisable under the registry like the GPS module in the settings section?
Thanks again for your help folks!
If you have the unlimited data plan (only $20 a month), simply turn on Internet Sharing via your phone and select "Modem Link" or whatever it's called. Plug in and voila. The PSP, not so sure.
I have a T-Mobile contract also. You shouldnt worry too much. Even if they can detect it, they dont particularly care so long as you dont go over the 1GB fair usage limit. I connect my laptop all the time and have been doing so for the past year and a half. I even went as far as buying a datacard and using that and still no complaints.
Once, I downloaded 4GB of data via my contract when my internet connection at home went down. Not even a peep. Now I only use my phone for basic usage and connect whenever I cant find a free WIFI but I still use it.
In case youre wondering I have Flext 30 with Web n Walk but I only pay 18.75 GBP per month.
Dont worry and enjoy!
There's an awesome program in the development section that actually allows you to turn your hermes into a wifi hotspot. it connects to the internet through the phone's connection, then shares that connection over wifi. It works perfectly for me, although I rarely really need to use it. Very hand; I wish I could remember what it's called. Search "Wifi Sharing" in the development thread and you should find it.
Randvegeta said:
In case youre wondering I have Flext 30 with Web n Walk but I only pay 18.75 GBP per month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OT: WHAT!? How did you do that! I've got Flext 30 with WnW and I pay 32.50! And that is with a £5 discount!
Its against T-Mobile rules to use Internet Connection Sharing?
I got it because I signed up as a Curry's Employee and got a permanent lifetime discount of 50% off.
Yes it is againt their terms of service but as I said.. really doesnt matter.. just dont do anything that would make you jump out. Dont use more traffic than you should. Dont use it for VOIP and dont stream music/video to/from it.
I know what you are talking about because I also use it on my Hermes. It's called WMWifiRouter.
I do it all the time and I've never gotten in any trouble for it. Then again, T-Mo EDGE is usually too slow for me to want to use it on my laptop anyways.
I just use it when there is no WiFi available --- the edge is a bit slow, but still VERY usable. Never had an issue either.
I'm looking into that WMWifiRouter, looks cool as hell.
Thanks to everyone for their advice!
That program looks amazing...The website is currently down however...
Any chance someone could email a copy of the program to me at
verylastninja at yahoo dot co dot uk ? It sounds like exactly what I'm needing.
Also the cached page from google says I need ICS installed. 'Windows\IntShrui.exe' - I've checked and there's no such executable in my windows folder.
Does anyone know where I can get my hands on this exe? I'm about to try googling but am worried about getting the wrong version
Your sim works in a datacard? that's cool. How much do those things cost? Never even thought of trying it
Lastly I should say I'm running Microsoft Windows Mobile Version 5.0 (OS5.1.195 (build 14955.2.3.0).
I'm very curious how you access via a datacard as well.
Ah.... Sony GC79/GC89 is built for tmobile!
Although I guess you couldn't use your phone if your sim is in the datacard. Any workarounds to use both at the same time with same service plan, he he?
T-Mo charges $49.99 for unlimited internet, wow... but only $19.99 if it's unlimited on a phone, could consider adding a new "phone" to your account with unlimited internet and just pop the sim in the datacard and go.
Suppose there's not really a lot of difference between using your phone as a modem and using a datacard mind you. So unless they're pretty cheap I'd probably be best sticking with the varioII
Anyone know about the ICS bit? I've seen people reffer to it before. (I gave my windows mobile version etc on my earlier post btw) at first I thought it would be like the GPS settings in control pannel - hidden by some registry entry by t-mobile (and I can think why they would want to).
However that file reffered too Windows\IntShrui.exe
also what's AKU3? Sorry for being such a clueless n00b on this but I've got a little bit of a steep learning curve here!
Pretty pretty please?
Ok found ICSinstall.cab on here and installed it, soft reset, and attempted to install the latest version of the WMWifiRouter program (which I finally succeeded in sourcing!).
However I get a message telling me cryptically that it 'cannot be installed' after attempting install. I wonder if this is related to ICS...
I now have the InShrUI.exe file in /windows/ *but* attempting to run it gives:
'The file 'IntShrUI' cannot be opened. Either it is not signed with a trusted certificate or one of it's components cannot be found. You might need to reinstall or restore this file.'
I reinstalled it over itself (i.e. ran the cab again) same error.
:-/
Was this the right file? I seem to remember it was dated 11th January 2008??
Thanks again for hte help folks!
This plan is currently in the works and by no means confirmed working. Once confirmed I'll outline detailed methods, and possibly sell working units to the masses if nobody beats me to it. More on the concept further down.
Currently Bell is charging $15/month for 2MB of data! That's right megabytes not gigabytes.
Anyways, I'm not here to sell anything really. I just want cheap free data usage. I live and breath around open access WIFI hotspots, and I know this phone supports it. Not to mention the Touch is a great buy ($0 upfront).
So while my 2MB plan is crap, I can use it when I'm not around WIFI.
This post goes out to customers of BELL Mobility (Canada) and SPRINT(USA).
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Upon proceeding with this "mod", I make two assumptions:
1. The WIFI circuit and antenna are non-existent within CDMA chipsets, which leaves room for more memory than the GSM version of Touch.
2. The WIFI chip and antenna ARE existent but the issued ROMs ignore it's function for annoyance purposes.
Now that's out of the way, here's the concept.
1. Log onto fleebay and Purchase a normal size SD WIFI card with some internal memory of course
2. Mod an obsolete microSD card to carry the pin configuration over to the standard sized WIFI SD card, using thin ribbon cable as the raceway.
With this type of mod, you could close the battery door, and side panel. Of course there will be external circuitry hanging out. I'm planning on adhering it to the back of the door somehow to keep the phone looking cool!
There you have it, a modded Touch which can carry over WIFI capabilities externally.
Was thinking the same thing yesterday. But instead of building a SD-to-microSD adapter, I believe there is already one out there:
http://www.ameri-rack.com/APA-TFC1m.html
Not sure how to purchase from them though...
Also, would you think this mod would work with this? because basically this is what I want, as I have unlimited data (but I don't like WM's browser):
http://www.youtubetoipod.biz/guide/turn-your-ipod-toucn-into-a-3g-iphone.html
I think you are referring to the Ipod Touch which is a great device. But I am referring to the HTC touch CDMA version which is a device already sold as a phone without any mods of course. Big difference, Microsoft and Mac difference.
Although everything I described relates to the first link you posted. That is exactly what I have in mind. I had no idea someone beat me to a full out production version.
I would buy that for $100 even though it would be worth $5 or less in mass produced parts. If they want more than $100 for that extender, I'll build my own and flaunt it at the Bell shop.
But as far as I'm concerned, thanks xDarKnighTx for the link!
Aside from that, there already is a microSD wifi card prototype out there which sticks out like a sore thumb. Good luck closing the battery door and side panel.
wifi
wifi has been one of my peeves about the touch. from what i have read the hardware in the phone does not exist so i think its safe to say the rom is not the problem releasing wifi. a hardware adaption does not seem that far off. i know the microsd card wifi has been rumored but either does not exist or it is crap. supposed the mini sd wifi card was crap. your theory is to go microsd to sd and then sd wifi?
my thinking was a usb plug in for wifi. a plug in antenae that way would be easy to put in and take out. i thought for sure some mfg would already have created one. maybe the usb circuitry prevents this?
To sum up - microSD ---> to SD ---> to Wifi.
USB Wifi would be a great option and has been done before with earlier PDA's. Not sure about any success with the HTC Touch though.
UPDATE:
I Just purchased a Spectec 802.11b Wifi SD Card for a good price. There is no internal memory on this chip. If I get it working then I'll spend more money and upgrade to a WIFI chip with memory.
Now for the microSD mod...
Just an FYI re: Bell's data plans.
thirteenthcell said:
This plan is currently in the works and by no means confirmed working. Once confirmed I'll outline detailed methods, and possibly sell working units to the masses if nobody beats me to it. More on the concept further down.
Currently Bell is charging $15/month for 2MB of data! That's right megabytes not gigabytes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that I'm against WiFi, but unlimited internet through Bell is only $15/m.
Quoting Bell.ca:
"The Fun 15 bundle includes Call Display, Message Centre Express, 200 sent text, picture and video messages, unlimited received messages and Unlimited Mobile Browser."
They've been offering this package for quite some time, and it's applicable to Bell's Touch.
What Bell DOESN'T make 100% clear (though if you go to their stores they will), is that internally Bell doesn't count the Touch as a smartphone because it doesn't have a full qwerty keyboard.
A few people asked me how I could afford data on Bell, as they were looking at the "Internet for Windows/Palm" type plans. Two of those friends went out and signed up with Bell.
The most I've moved through my Bell Touch in one month is 6.5 gigs (first month playing around), and never saw any overages, though most months I'm just shy of the 1gig mark. This works with Opera for full-html rendering, Newsbreak for RSS and podcast download as well as email.
Just one thing: don't tether your phone to a laptop through the standard WM tethering app or you'll probably get hit with a hefty bill (as it's mobile browsing only).
NOTE: I don't work for Bell, and don't particularly like them, but I'm definitely a happy customer with the data plan, because it's nationwide no roaming charges for data, and it's worked for me in Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec with no problems.
UPDATE:
I sent an email to AMERI-RACK expecting them only to ship the APA-TFC1 in bulk.
Good news, we have a microSD to SD adapter for only 26.75 plus shipping. You just have to email their support team with your address and request this device like I did.
To sum up this thread
The Wifi equation for the CDMA Touch:
AMERI-RACK's APA-TFC1 to link an SD-WIFI card - Thanks xDarKnighTx for the link
A SD WIFI card with memory which supports WM6 at least
Possible home brew ROM with WIFI drivers found in the connection manager
*I'm hoping there's a quick way around enabling WIFI on the software side. Anyone's input is appreciated.
Antboy said:
What Bell DOESN'T make 100% clear (though if you go to their stores they will), is that internally Bell doesn't count the Touch as a smartphone because it doesn't have a full qwerty keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not what I was told in the store, they put me on a $15 2MB DATA plan which covers your browsing, email and downloads. Can someone else confirm this true who signed up recently like I did (few days ago).
thirteenthcell said:
That's not what I was told in the store, they put me on a $15 2MB DATA plan which covers your browsing, email and downloads. Can someone else confirm this true who signed up recently like I did (few days ago).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked for the $15 Fun Bundle when I was phone shopping a few weeks ago. The store manager said it was only available with certain packages, with certain phones, and all of the packages she mentioned were available ONLY if you get a contract.
I bought a cheapie phone somewhere else after that... Their best offer was nearly double my old phone bill with Telus.
My apologies,
I'm not on the $15 2MB Data Plan. They set me up with Bell's "Fun 15" which includes unlimited browser, message center, callerID, and a few text messages. And apparently the Touch falls in this category.
I heard in a message board that certain programs (like possibly google maps / live mail) call in data as if it were a browser session. Meaning the application's DATA transfer counts towards your unlimited browser. At the same time, other programs call it in as if it were configured as a tethered modem connection where you get charged by the megabyte.
Confusing!
Anyway, I'm going ahead with my WIFI plan and will keep everyone updated with any progress.
thirteenthcell said:
My apologies,
I'm not on the $15 2MB Data Plan. They set me up with Bell's "Fun 15" which includes unlimited browser, message center, callerID, and a few text messages. And apparently the Touch falls in this category.
I heard in a message board that certain programs (like possibly google maps / live mail) call in data as if it were a browser session. Meaning the application's DATA transfer counts towards your unlimited browser. At the same time, other programs call it in as if it were configured as a tethered modem connection where you get charged by the megabyte.
Confusing!
Anyway, I'm going ahead with my WIFI plan and will keep everyone updated with any progress.
Click to expand...
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I've been using a full modded HTC Touch with absolutely no issues with my data plans.
I was confused at first, and was told different things by different bell reps. Some told me that I required a special data plan to use a smart phone - and that the HTC Touch didn't use that phone as it wasn't a true "smart phone".
Then, I was told that the only data that I wouldn't be charged for is data loaded through the regular browser - This was quickly debunked.
I've used all types of services for over 1.5 months now. From streaming vide to Google Maps, to downloading music - Nothing has been charged as bandwidth. Mind you, i have an old data plan where I got unlimited 1X browsing and data (it used to be $5 - but I now get it for free ) - so that's the main reason i got the touch in the first place - the potential for modification and it's use of the 1X network.
thirteenthcell said:
I think you are referring to the Ipod Touch which is a great device. But I am referring to the HTC touch CDMA version which is a device already sold as a phone without any mods of course. Big difference, Microsoft and Mac difference.
Although everything I described relates to the first link you posted. That is exactly what I have in mind. I had no idea someone beat me to a full out production version.
I would buy that for $100 even though it would be worth $5 or less in mass produced parts. If they want more than $100 for that extender, I'll build my own and flaunt it at the Bell shop.
But as far as I'm concerned, thanks xDarKnighTx for the link!
Aside from that, there already is a microSD wifi card prototype out there which sticks out like a sore thumb. Good luck closing the battery door and side panel.
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I think you've misunderstood my intention. I want to set up the HTC Vogue to transmit its internet through wifi, so that my ipod touch (or laptop) can connect to it.
Would you think that's possible with the SD wifi card?
xDarKnighTx said:
I think you've misunderstood my intention. I want to set up the HTC Vogue to transmit its internet through wifi, so that my ipod touch (or laptop) can connect to it.
Would you think that's possible with the SD wifi card?
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That makes sense, so you have both the HTC Touch and IPOD Touch.
In order for a program like WMWifiRouter to turn your phone into a WIFI hotspot, there needs to be a few things in place.
My only challenge right now is enabling WIFI options in the COMM MANAGER. I'll experiment with different homebrew ROMS cautiously, and hope the SD WIFI drivers do all of the work for me.
UPDATE:
All of the hardware required is being shipped right now including the APA-TFC1 microSD adapter as well as a standard size WIFI card. Total cost right now $55-$60.
I thought I'd just confirm that Bell handles the Vouge as a regular cellphone (No extra PDA charges), also the unlimited data plan (Mine was $7 a month) is great. I've been using opera 9.2 (Whatever the newest one is) which loads pages just like a desktop pc, as well was downloading music, AVGN videos, whole SCUMM games (700MBs), using google maps and GPS and have not been charged an extra cent. It really is a great plan, and an awesome phone; definitely why I bought it.
Now all I have to do is work out how to hack tethering, not that I have much of a use for it right now.
Just in case you might want to persue a different route, the cdma htc touch actually has a pinout for the full size SD card on the mainboard, it's unknown if it's wired parallel to the microsd slot or not, but being SPI devices, it might very well be...
ya people have the great data plan with bell ya should work out something for sprint our cheapest data plan is $15
Ok, the SD wifi card is a very old idea. Just not gonna work. Yes, you will get internet but each time you want you have to search for access point, chose the right one, ... It just won't work in most case. Another problem is if you do have access to wifi, you normally will have access to a laptop.
Anyway, I am using Bell $7 unlimited Internet for a year now. I don't know why you need to pay $15 for 2MB. The $7 unlimited plan is really open. I am a software developer so I know how much data I used.
c--b said:
I thought I'd just confirm that Bell handles the Vouge as a regular cellphone (No extra PDA charges), also the unlimited data plan (Mine was $7 a month) is great. I've been using opera 9.2 (Whatever the newest one is) which loads pages just like a desktop pc, as well was downloading music, AVGN videos, whole SCUMM games (700MBs), using google maps and GPS and have not been charged an extra cent. It really is a great plan, and an awesome phone; definitely why I bought it.
Now all I have to do is work out how to hack tethering, not that I have much of a use for it right now.
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I've tried tethering to my EEE PC (running Win XP) using PDA Net from http://www.junefabrics.com/pdanet/index.php with no billing overages. It's a $35 program, but does have a trial available for testing. It worked for me when I tested it up at the cottage, and worked from out of province as well.
thirteenthcell, any updates on this?
So, maybe to keep this from showing outside of the case. Can you get the extended battery cover and hide all of those guts(microsd adapter and sdwifi card) underneath it, if it works.
UPDATE:
I would like to make myself clear on a few things, and apologize in advance for any confusion.
When I bought my Vogue three weeks ago, I didn't realize it had "Unlimited data" as a bundle. This confusion was mainly due to their confusing rate plans and classification of the Vogue.
Therefore, I was initially ticked that I would have to pay $15 for 2 megabytes. This case is not true because Bell classifies the Vogue as a regular "dumbphone".
There you have my reasoning for wanting Wifi on this phone, not realizing I could freely use DATA on the phone under a small unlimited data bundle.
There is another reason for wanting Wifi:
Tethering
There are posts out there claiming to get "stealth" tethering where your phone carrier doesn't realize your laptop is connected and sees it as a normal internal cellular data connection. This seems to be a whole new thread as far as I'm concerned, so I'll stick with the plain old getting the WIFI working on the Vogue.
Right now the micro SD --> SD adapter is confirmed working.
Proof: I took pictures of this mod with a digital camera and immediately swapped the SD card into the adapter's slot. I was then able to use my phone to access the standard SD card.
The Wifi card isn't working. This has to do with the stock ROM and or Registry entries. I need to go over the registry perhaps.
Any help with registry settings is greatly appreciated.
Here's the deal: I'm a big fan of prepaid pay-as-you-go contract-less cell phone service. I currently use a T-Mobile ToGo SIM in a Sansung Omnia, and for voice, it works great. Unfortunately, ToGo doesn't currently have a data option. Since I'm in range of a WiFi network 99% of the time, up til now, data hasn't been a problem. However, on a recent trip it would have been nice to occasional check e-mail and browse a web page when no WiFi network was available. So I'm thinking of making a change.
As far as I know AT&T offers the only prepaid plan with data in the US: GoPhone with MEdia Net. Also, since the unlocked HTC Diamond offered through Best Buy happens to support the AT&T 3G bands, I'm thinking of trading my Omnia for a Diamond. (Note: 3G isn't a requirement, I'd be more than happy with Edge speeds.)
My data requirements of MEdia Net are modest. First, I must be able to access my pop3 mail server through MEdia Net, preferably using the Mobile Outlook e-mail client. Last, I need to occasionally browse an arbitrary web page like Google Maps, preferably using the Diamond's default Opera web browser. As you might have guessed, I have no interest in the Internet "services" touted at the AT&T web site.
Searching this forum and AT&T's web site gives the impression all this may be possible, but I'm not convinced. I don't want to call AT&T sales because I doubt they'll give me the information I need.
Please help; any information or even opinion will be appreciated!
Go Phone with Tilt
I have only had a pocket PC for a couple of weeks, but have spent a lot of time reading and testing. Whatever you can do with a Diamond, should be the same with a Tilt. The Diamond is only a faster device and costs more money.
Here is what I am able to do: I put the Sim from my obsolete LG AT&T phone in the Tilt that I bought used on Ebay for $200. My Sim has funds from a $25. per 90 day Go Phone account. With the Tilt's WiFi I access the internet free. With the built-in GPS and google maps, I can track and locate my position. However as google maps requires a continuous internet connection, it keeps saying the connection is lost as I drive around, closing that window when it pops up, keeps things going. I am testing other software that doesn't require a constant connection. But you didn't indicate any interest in GPS.
The voice phone and text messaging works fine. It makes a really nice pocket computer, does everything and when connected to the desk top computer you can easily manipulate files. I bought a double capacity battery for it and it runs everything all day with power left over.
What I can not do is receive instant messages. I never used that service before anyway. If you want internet anywhere, AT&T wants $30. per month for the data plan (media net) and if you want navigation anywhere, that is another $10. per month. I think I understood them to say that these features and not available with a Go Phone plan, but you can ask. A store told me it was and telephone support mentioned it wasn't.
I have my phone configured to never use media net. One forum user made some tests and ran up a bill for a couple hundred dollars real fast with a pre-pay plan. Go Phone or AT&T? I don't recall.
I plan to use the pre-paid MEDia Net sparingly. By some accounts, it's over 100 times more expensive than some equivalent European plans. If someone was using pre-paid like they might use a contract plan, I'm not surprised they'd run up a big bill.
Any way, I'm going to try this since it's costs next to nothing to get a GoPhone SIM with a few minutes; enough to download an e-mail and browse a few web pages if everything goes right.