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Tuesday, May 4. 2010
iPad Access To Internet
The Wandrin iPad is now a month old. No buyer's remorse. It is great. I thought I would keep the Kindle eReader, but it is losing its appeal -- even for reading in bed. Since I typically read two or three books at a time, the paper back books (from the used book stores) are the solution for bedtime reading.
When I first acquired the iPad, my access to the internet was to search out a free Wi-Fi service someplace. It was an inconvenience. Both the Verizon air-card and Verizon cell phone were beyond their two year update anniversary. About the same time the iPad came into my life, the Verizon air-card USB 720 started to get flaky. Eventually, it stopped working. Headed off to a Verizon store to get the USB 760. There I learned about Mi-Fi -- a Wi-Fi hot spot air card.
Two problems with the Mi-Fi card... (1) New contract required. (2) No external antenna capability. My current contract with Verizon allows me unlimited usage on the USB 720 air card. Considering my remote parking on occasion, the external antenna is required to pick up a weak Verizon signal. So the solution was the USB 760 and no new contract so I could keep the unlimited usage provision.
That solution didn't resolve the need for convenient Wi-Fi access for the iPad. Verizon came up with a solution. The Palm Pre (cell phone) can be set up as a Wi-Fi hot spot. Other Palm Pre capabilities include apps to do those functions to compete with the iPhone and Blackberry products. None of that comes free. However, the positive is that I can set up the Palm Pre as a Wi-Fi hot spot and connect to the internet on my iPad -- or the iPod Touch.
Now that I have made the new contracts and have the new hardware, the 3GStore announces a New $49.95/mo No-Contract Verizon Mobile Broadband Plan. Rats. Double darn. %$#@&
Oh well. Life goes on.
The positive is internet access on the iPad without leaving the Wandrin Wagon. I can now surf the internet and read the news while I have my morning shake.
It is also the path to get eBooks from Amazon.
Note: for those who need a phone and also need internet access for their laptop, the Palm Pre would be the solution. It can be a phone. It can also be internet access. The data limit is 5GB. That is more than enough for most internet users. Downside: for those traveling in low signal areas, there is no external antenna capability.
When I first acquired the iPad, my access to the internet was to search out a free Wi-Fi service someplace. It was an inconvenience. Both the Verizon air-card and Verizon cell phone were beyond their two year update anniversary. About the same time the iPad came into my life, the Verizon air-card USB 720 started to get flaky. Eventually, it stopped working. Headed off to a Verizon store to get the USB 760. There I learned about Mi-Fi -- a Wi-Fi hot spot air card.
Two problems with the Mi-Fi card... (1) New contract required. (2) No external antenna capability. My current contract with Verizon allows me unlimited usage on the USB 720 air card. Considering my remote parking on occasion, the external antenna is required to pick up a weak Verizon signal. So the solution was the USB 760 and no new contract so I could keep the unlimited usage provision.
That solution didn't resolve the need for convenient Wi-Fi access for the iPad. Verizon came up with a solution. The Palm Pre (cell phone) can be set up as a Wi-Fi hot spot. Other Palm Pre capabilities include apps to do those functions to compete with the iPhone and Blackberry products. None of that comes free. However, the positive is that I can set up the Palm Pre as a Wi-Fi hot spot and connect to the internet on my iPad -- or the iPod Touch.
Now that I have made the new contracts and have the new hardware, the 3GStore announces a New $49.95/mo No-Contract Verizon Mobile Broadband Plan. Rats. Double darn. %$#@&
Oh well. Life goes on.
The positive is internet access on the iPad without leaving the Wandrin Wagon. I can now surf the internet and read the news while I have my morning shake.
It is also the path to get eBooks from Amazon.Note: for those who need a phone and also need internet access for their laptop, the Palm Pre would be the solution. It can be a phone. It can also be internet access. The data limit is 5GB. That is more than enough for most internet users. Downside: for those traveling in low signal areas, there is no external antenna capability.
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Hi Lloyd,
My Verizon card has also been paid off and I'm just on a month-to-month payments. I understand that you can get a new card from the 3GStore and they can help you replace your old card without having to get a new contract from Verizon.
Wish I could get a MyFi card, but I average 11 gigabytes a month of internet access! So I want to keep my card and use a Cradlepoint modem.
In your previous post regarding people on cell phones, there was an article in yesterday's LA Times on a policeman who targets people who still drive with a cell phone to their ear. He said they are addicted to always being connected. I don't have that problem, but I am addicted to internet access and get restless when I'm someplace like Big Bend, Texas, where there is no coverage.
My Verizon card has also been paid off and I'm just on a month-to-month payments. I understand that you can get a new card from the 3GStore and they can help you replace your old card without having to get a new contract from Verizon.
Wish I could get a MyFi card, but I average 11 gigabytes a month of internet access! So I want to keep my card and use a Cradlepoint modem.
In your previous post regarding people on cell phones, there was an article in yesterday's LA Times on a policeman who targets people who still drive with a cell phone to their ear. He said they are addicted to always being connected. I don't have that problem, but I am addicted to internet access and get restless when I'm someplace like Big Bend, Texas, where there is no coverage.
When you are using the Palm Pre in data (internet) mode during the daytime hours, are you using up your 300 minutes (or 600) that you're allowed per month, or do those minute restrictions only apply to voice mode?
The Mi-Fi routers seem like a great idea. Sprint makes one that receives either a 4G or a 3G signal, and rebroadcasts it as a Wi-Fi signal that can be used by six gadgets in your house, no extra charge. So you could share the monthly bill with a fellow camper!
Unfortunately Verizon is still the only network that has semi-adequate coverage for a traveler.
The Mi-Fi routers seem like a great idea. Sprint makes one that receives either a 4G or a 3G signal, and rebroadcasts it as a Wi-Fi signal that can be used by six gadgets in your house, no extra charge. So you could share the monthly bill with a fellow camper!
Unfortunately Verizon is still the only network that has semi-adequate coverage for a traveler.
I have had my iPad for a month now and I also give it thumbs up!
Rita,
Wow. 11GB a month. There are few times that I go over the 5GB, but I don't want to have to watch my usage.
Check out the 3GStore link in the post. Their new offering is a good deal. However, it does have the 5GB limit.
Boonie,
Data is data and voice is voice. When in data mode, that time is not included in the voice minutes used. To use the phone for data, there is an additional charge of ~$30 a month for that max of 5GB.
Rick,
Should have bought some shares in Apple.
Wow. 11GB a month. There are few times that I go over the 5GB, but I don't want to have to watch my usage.
Check out the 3GStore link in the post. Their new offering is a good deal. However, it does have the 5GB limit.
Boonie,
Data is data and voice is voice. When in data mode, that time is not included in the voice minutes used. To use the phone for data, there is an additional charge of ~$30 a month for that max of 5GB.
Rick,
Should have bought some shares in Apple.
Lloyd,
We wish you at the NHOG Rally. Hope you are well.
Today we had an excellent presentation on some of these same issues about wireless connectivity. The 3GStore deal was mentioned which is good for those of us who have been using a Verizon air card with a plan about to be used up.
Enjoyed your update on technology.
(From Mountain Home)
We wish you at the NHOG Rally. Hope you are well.
Today we had an excellent presentation on some of these same issues about wireless connectivity. The 3GStore deal was mentioned which is good for those of us who have been using a Verizon air card with a plan about to be used up.
Enjoyed your update on technology.
(From Mountain Home)
I got the new MiFi and kept my unlimited data. And I can share the cost with Phil!
Mike,
No doubt the gang is doing fine without me. Hope you are having a good time.
Diana,
You are the second one who has said they got a Mi-Fi card and were able to keep their unlimited data package. No matter how many times I asked the question (at different stores), it was always the same -- new contract with the 5GB limit.
No doubt the gang is doing fine without me. Hope you are having a good time.
Diana,
You are the second one who has said they got a Mi-Fi card and were able to keep their unlimited data package. No matter how many times I asked the question (at different stores), it was always the same -- new contract with the 5GB limit.
Lloyd, We have the Verizon USB modem (760) and the Cradlepoint PHS-300 router which can operate on batteries and is external antenna capable. It is not much bigger than the mifi. And the best thing is that we still have the unlimited plan and no contract.