Hi everyone-
I have a nexus 7 hspa and am posting because I am getting ready to travel with it and want have fun but be safe.
1. I use the voip feature with a paid version of grooveip and am trialling it as my primary phone. I purchased the hspa version because I didnt want to rely on being near accessible wifi to make a call. Currently when I am within wifi range, it works great, although there is not the spontaneity associated with walking around talking on a phone.. I recently activated a $30 tmobile data plan and am somewhat confused. Will grooveip automatically check for both data and wifi and move to whatever is available? When I activated the $30 dollar service I got a telephone number that I have added to google voice, yet all calls seem to keep going through my old google voice number. What am I missing?
2.I have security concerns about walking around with a gps signal open and plan to travel with both data and wifi off unless I need them. Can the n7 be tracked even when I turn off the wifi, location and data plan services? With a cellphone, if I had these concerns I would simply pull out the battery, that is not possible with this device.
3. I will be using a lot of public wifi. Is there a vpn app that will automatically engage when grooveip is enabled or will it always be a two-step process of opening the vpn then opening grooveip to flow through it?
3. How does this scenario change if I am in europe? I plan to get a european micro-sim when traveling.
Thanks for any info you can offer.
First off the N7 will not work on T-Mobile's $30/mo plan. T-Mobile is blocking the N7 IMEI's. Secondly yes when you go out of range of wifi grooveip will switch to the HSPA connection.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Related
Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
KevinStraight said:
Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Re: Disabling GPRS - try NoData from Modaco - its a freeware, just google for it and disable all your data plans.
O2 will work with just voice plan
A. Omnia 2 will work with just a voice plan, I used mine in the Cook Islands last week with just a voice plan SIM.
B.The problem is that Bell offers data with the phone setting so you would have to make sure you disable the data, not just with Opera or the GPS, or you will incur data charges and they will roll up quickly. Most likely they offer the bundle (I have it and fine it a very reasonable plan for my phone use) because people regularly use data by mistake.
C. GPS Worked just fine. I couldn't use google maps but no problem, there's only one real road
D. As long as you are not using push email or any application that accesses the internet automatically you should not incur charges.
E.You don't have to unlock the phone unless you want to go with a different provider than Bell.
Are you set on having an Omnia 2? Perhaps a better option would be to purchase an unlocked Omnia 2 and a pay as you go SIM from a provider that does not have data.
Good luck.
post deleted
That rep was full of ****. Buy the phone outright, and call Bell and ask them to disable the data for you so you never have to second guess or accidentally use data on your phone. Be careful, you must disable data on every sim card you decide to use.
KevinStraight said:
Greetings All,
After some disagreement with Bell, I've tried to find some truth regarding smart phone plans and the OMNIA II. The Bell representatives stated the Omnia II will only work with a smartphone plans (which conveniently start at $50 Ouch!)
Supposedly if I outright buy the phone (full price) I won't be forced into a contract. Assuming I'm contract free... can I subscribe to a cheaper monthly voice plan only?
The goal is to use the phone as a WM 6.5 PDA and surf only when in the vicinity of WIFI (home and office etc). For the few phone calls I make (which avg 4-5 a month - yes I hate talking on a cell phone), a simple voice plan with basic text messaging should suffice?
The issues surrounding this are:
A. Has this been done successfully before - is anyone doing it now???
B. When a WIFI hotspot isn't available, will the browser fail or will it secretly connect to the cellular network and ding me with data charges?
C. Having no prior experience with a GPS enabled cell phone - this "A-GPS" needs the data package to work? Or can I use it with a voice plan only?
D. I've heard stories of smartphones constantly talking to the cellular network, is this an issue? or is there a way to disable the data connections forcing it to use WIFI only?
E. Would any of this warrent unlocking the phone? Bell stated it comes locked with a Bell SIM card (its on their HSPA+ network).
Again, the goal is to use it as a suped' up PDA, surf only on WIFI and subscribe to a bare bones phone package for that occasional call I might make.
Suggestions? Comments? Advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just signed a three year contract with Bell, a few weeks ago i was surfing on their site and like you said , impossible to get a Omnia 2 without a data plan, last week i went back on, and I dont know if its a bug, but you can order one with a regular voice plan, i took the 30$ plan ( cheapest) got the phone by mail , free.
If i click on my connections on top you can disable all data, and only use wifi. If it does want to use data it warns you before activating it.
Hope this helps
Thinking about purchasing a Nexus 4 for my wife to use. We have used Windows mobile smart phones for year without a data plans. I know what is the point? That is the plan for her Nexus 4 anyway for right now. Really the only reason I am going with the Nexus 4 is because I can buy it straight from Google instead of taking a chance on ebay. I have been really lucky in the past on ebay. I do have a couple of questions.
1. Is it safe to assume that the phone comes carrier unlocked for AT&T & T-Mobile?
2. The phone specs say it is only 3G but I did read 4G can be enabled in the setting?
3. Is it possible to turn off the data connection while still being able to make calls?
4. Since we have been using Windows Mobile all our contacts, calendar, & email go through Outlook. Is there a way to make Outlook & Google sync? We would need to get all of her contacts into the Nexus 4. I know for calendar appointment you can forward those to you Hotmail or Outlook.com email & Google will play nice. I am not too concerned about email at this point.
I have been using Freedompop for a data connection on my Nexus 7 & have been pleased with it. I might do that for her.
Thanks in advance.
1. Yes, carrier unlocked. Should be noted that it uses GSM, so you can't use it on Verizon. Just FYI.
2. Depends on your definition of 4G. Officially, it can support up to HSPA+, which some carriers like to say is 4G, but I don't view it as such. It's more like 3.5G. Unofficially, you can get LTE working with the phone, but the coverage is sparse and you'd have to flash an old radio to your phone. There are plenty of guides and coverage reports on these forums if you are really interested.
3. Yes, there is a setting in the options to turn off mobile data.
4. Yes. I think you can just download the Outlook app and it syncs your contacts to your phone, which is synced to your Google account so it would sync all contacts to both email accounts.
jadesse said:
Thinking about purchasing a Nexus 4 for my wife to use. We have used Windows mobile smart phones for year without a data plans. I know what is the point? That is the plan for her Nexus 4 anyway for right now. Really the only reason I am going with the Nexus 4 is because I can buy it straight from Google instead of taking a chance on ebay. I have been really lucky in the past on ebay. I do have a couple of questions.
1. Is it safe to assume that the phone comes carrier unlocked for AT&T & T-Mobile?
2. The phone specs say it is only 3G but I did read 4G can be enabled in the setting?
3. Is it possible to turn off the data connection while still being able to make calls?
4. Since we have been using Windows Mobile all our contacts, calendar, & email go through Outlook. Is there a way to make Outlook & Google sync? We would need to get all of her contacts into the Nexus 4. I know for calendar appointment you can forward those to you Hotmail or Outlook.com email & Google will play nice. I am not too concerned about email at this point.
I have been using Freedompop for a data connection on my Nexus 7 & have been pleased with it. I might do that for her.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes even if bought from a carrier. If a salesman claims otherwise, he's lying.
2. There's no 4G LTE (officially). If you're willing to root and flash an older radio, you can enable LTE but it only works on one band and only TMobile supports it in the US. Also, it drains battery really fast. 3G is good enough.
3. Yes. Data does not affect regular GSM calls in any way. Also, if you don't have a data plan, then the data connection won't even be active.
4. Yes - however I still recommend manually importing everything into a Google account. It makes things easier in the future if you change to another Android device.
Anyway, if you're thinking about adding a data plan and want to keep the monthly bill low, consider looking at T-Mobile USA's $30/month prepaid plan with unlimited data.
machoman1337 said:
1. Yes even if bought from a carrier. If a salesman claims otherwise, he's lying.
2. There's no 4G LTE (officially). If you're willing to root and flash an older radio, you can enable LTE but it only works on one band and only TMobile supports it in the US. Also, it drains battery really fast. 3G is good enough.
3. Yes. Data does not affect regular GSM calls in any way. Also, if you don't have a data plan, then the data connection won't even be active.
4. Yes - however I still recommend manually importing everything into a Google account. It makes things easier in the future if you change to another Android device.
Anyway, if you're thinking about adding a data plan and want to keep the monthly bill low, consider looking at T-Mobile USA's $30/month prepaid plan with unlimited data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, there is no to add/sync contacts to a Google account with manually entering everything?
Using a home computer you can import them from just about any type of email once you create your Gmail account
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
machoman1337 said:
1. Yes even if bought from a carrier. If a salesman claims otherwise, he's lying.
2. There's no 4G LTE (officially). If you're willing to root and flash an older radio, you can enable LTE but it only works on one band and only TMobile supports it in the US. Also, it drains battery really fast. 3G is good enough.
3. Yes. Data does not affect regular GSM calls in any way. Also, if you don't have a data plan, then the data connection won't even be active.
4. Yes - however I still recommend manually importing everything into a Google account. It makes things easier in the future if you change to another Android device.
Anyway, if you're thinking about adding a data plan and want to keep the monthly bill low, consider looking at T-Mobile USA's $30/month prepaid plan with unlimited data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 4g enabled on my nexus 4 and battery drains the same, no more, no less.
tappin from a N E X U S
Hi,
I am considering to buy a ptel simcard and use their Pay-as-you-go plan for data. I usually have a wifi connection at home/school so I would simply like GrooveIP to work for those times where I may need to make calls when I am away from a wifi network.
I am wondering if this is possible with the Nexus 4 and if the GrooveIP app (or similar alternative) will automatically know to only use wifi when wifi is available and only use data when wifi is not available. Or do I have to do something special with the Nexus 4 or GrooveIP app to enable that functionality?
Thank you
gnoteuser2013 said:
Hi,
I am considering to buy a ptel simcard and use their Pay-as-you-go plan for data. I usually have a wifi connection at home/school so I would simply like GrooveIP to work for those times where I may need to make calls when I am away from a wifi network.
I am wondering if this is possible with the Nexus 4 and if the GrooveIP app (or similar alternative) will automatically know to only use wifi when wifi is available and only use data when wifi is not available. Or do I have to do something special with the Nexus 4 or GrooveIP app to enable that functionality?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know much about GroveIP but there are apps that let you setup the phone to do exactly what you want it to do. None of which I can't name.
Sent from my Nexus 7 (2013)
Ok - now that Google has finally integrated google voice into hangouts allowing VOIP calls over wifi and 3G/4G, I want to change over to a data only plan. The best plans of course are the tablet plans. I've done some research on this but there isn't all that much out there to confirm.
Is it possible to activate a Verizon tablet sim on a Verizon tablet then simply move it to a Verizon smartphone for data only use? I read one account that confirmed it was possible but for some reason they only were getting 3g speeds. Any help advice would be appreciated!!
I use my pure with t-mobile and will travel to Japan next month for 1 week. I read that wifi calling is not available on this phone at all. I plan to rent a portable hotspot anyhow, so does the sms or mms still work?
I was also checking out how to turn off data roaming on my phone and noticed it was already off but hasn't affected anything so far. Is that normal? I was hoping to at least have text working or would have to revert to email to keep in contact with my family if we separate.
I'm not entirely sure what you are asking here... SMS and MMS will need a connection to T-Mobile, the later will require data connection.
WiFi isn't really "international" or US or Japan, it is just WiFi... although there are some regulatory aspects to it (and channel restrictions in the US), your WiFi should work just fine in Japan. Before getting or renting a hotspot, check out where you are going and look into Softbank's Free WiFi Passport and Travel Japan WiFi, they require registration but can get you free WiFi at almost 500,000 locations in Japan for 2 weeks, there are also paid WiFi networks you can subscribe to. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2279.html
You might want to look into a Google Voice account, set it up before you go, or get a local SIM.
You could also change your T-Mobile plan to T-Mobile ONE and Simple Choice North America for the term you are there, it would likely cost more but offers free data, text and 20 cent/min voice calls.
chitin said:
I use my pure with t-mobile and will travel to Japan next month for 1 week. I read that wifi calling is not available on this phone at all. I plan to rent a portable hotspot anyhow, so does the sms or mms still work?
I was also checking out how to turn off data roaming on my phone and noticed it was already off but hasn't affected anything so far. Is that normal? I was hoping to at least have text working or would have to revert to email to keep in contact with my family if we separate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By chance did you end up testing your data speeds in Japan? I am going there in a month and am trying to avoid a pocket wifi unless absolutely needed.
jjchdc said:
By chance did you end up testing your data speeds in Japan? I am going there in a month and am trying to avoid a pocket wifi unless absolutely needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I leave on Friday and may end up getting a pocket wifi for 1 week @ $50. T-mobile said my data and all text is still unlimited over there but it caps at 3G speed and I prefer to to have something with us instead of looking for wifi hotspots. Voice calls are $.20/minute, so wifi will have to be enough.
acejavelin said:
I'm not entirely sure what you are asking here... SMS and MMS will need a connection to T-Mobile, the later will require data connection.
WiFi isn't really "international" or US or Japan, it is just WiFi... although there are some regulatory aspects to it (and channel restrictions in the US), your WiFi should work just fine in Japan. Before getting or renting a hotspot, check out where you are going and look into Softbank's Free WiFi Passport and Travel Japan WiFi, they require registration but can get you free WiFi at almost 500,000 locations in Japan for 2 weeks, there are also paid WiFi networks you can subscribe to. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2279.html
You might want to look into a Google Voice account, set it up before you go, or get a local SIM.
You could also change your T-Mobile plan to T-Mobile ONE and Simple Choice North America for the term you are there, it would likely cost more but offers free data, text and 20 cent/min voice calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does google voice use data only? I have a Voice acct and if I rent a personal hotspot, that would work out nicely. I'm a little worried about not being able to make any voice calls in Japan since there's a T-mobile charge. But if our hotspot covers text and google voice, I think we're all set.
chitin said:
I leave on Friday and may end up getting a pocket wifi for 1 week @ $50. T-mobile said my data and all text is still unlimited over there but it caps at 3G speed and I prefer to to have something with us instead of looking for wifi hotspots. Voice calls are $.20/minute, so wifi will have to be enough.
Does google voice use data only? I have a Voice acct and if I rent a personal hotspot, that would work out nicely. I'm a little worried about not being able to make any voice calls in Japan since there's a T-mobile charge. But if our hotspot covers text and google voice, I think we're all set.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can... Install the Google Voice app or use the Hangouts Dialer plugin.and it can run completely on data.
thats what i am planning to do when i go to the carribean for a few months. i dont have tmobile but when i get there im going to do google voice on one of my phones and a simcard from there for another. check your prices though because what i found is amazing over there. so which ever works cheapest i may go with, but i have been integrated with google voice for years with sprint
30 Day 10 GB $30.00 a month/US