Messages

1

Sidekick Discussion / Re: Should I get a new Sidekick 2008 for my new plan?

« on: January 17, 2011, 10:03:27 pm »

Thanks, everyone. I understand a lot more than I did a few days ago.

Cubsman, I'm considering the Cliq - I like the hardware and Android, but MOTOBLUR looks a nightmare. Must I send personal data to Motorola if I get the cliq? I don't use social networks, so there's no integration advantage, and I'd much prefer to do local backups via USB or in the worst case to Google; I've no interest in letting yet another party in on my data.

For that matter, I have to be certain that I can set the device up so it never transmits anything without my authorization, or I could end up paying $1.50 for my phone to learn once again that I don't use Twitter.

2

General Android Questions / Re: Android and Pay As You Go 'DayPass' access

« on: January 16, 2011, 06:25:05 pm »

As long as you setup WIFI for the activation your ok. I know there should be a key you should be able to press to bypass activation but im unsure what it is at this point or if it exists.

What is "Activation"? If it is something that only occurs the first time I ever power up, no big deal - I can be near WiFi for that. If I "activate" every time I charge, or unlock, or something to that effect, that's not so good - even if I wanted to pay for unlimited data, I won't always be near 3G when I want a phone.

Thanks for the reply!

3

Sidekick Discussion / Re: Should I get a new Sidekick 2008 for my new plan?

« on: January 16, 2011, 02:51:22 pm »

I have a motorola cliq I don't need. I just bought a Vibrant. $80 bucks / OBO, email me if your interested in more details.

Looks like a decent device, but I'm not sure Android can be used with Pay As You Go. Do you know?

4

General Android Questions / Android and Pay As You Go 'DayPass' access

« on: January 16, 2011, 02:49:02 pm »

I'd like to use an Android phone with T-mobile pay as you go, and only use data access rarely - for which the DayPass at $1.49 unlimited per day looks perfect.

Unfortunately, on the online Q&A for the Comet Android device, http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/Phones/cell-phone-detail.aspx?class=prepaid&cell-phone=T-Mobile-Comet-Prepaid (you may need to open 'Reviews' and 'Q&A' tabs)

I find:
 
1 answer
How is web usage charged, for example, 1 minute per 1 minute of how???
1 month, 1 week ago
by
Anonymous
Louisville, KY
Answers
Answer:
You have to use it with a monthly plan (not necessarily a contract plan). You cannot use it with pay as you go.
3 weeks, 6 days ago
by
Anonymous


So I called T-Mobile tech support, and the rep told me this is because all Android devices require a Google login on restart, and if internet connection fails, the entire start sequence fails too.

I find that questionable. Wouldn't it mean that taking an Android device outside of a friendly 3g area disables GSM use, even if GSM coverage exists? Is that true? It's a dealbreaker for me if so.

If it is possible to use an Android device with Pay As You Go and DayPass access, and any of you are currently doing so, please share stories.

Thanks.

5

T-mobile 3G / Pay as you go 'Day Pass' - does it include 3G ?

« on: January 16, 2011, 01:47:10 pm »

I'm a current pay as you go customer, and would like very much to keep that up - I sorted it out and determined that I spend less than $15/month on my mobile communications, so there isn't a monthly plan that really suits me.

I would, however, like certain Smartphone features - like an ePub reader and lightweight text editor - with the occasional option to engage web access when I am not hear a WiFi hotspot. The 'day pass' for $1.50 unlimited 24 hours access seems like the thing I need, but I need to know what kind of 'data' I get for that rate. For example, if I get  a G2 or a Comet without a monthly data plan, what will I get for $1.50 a day?

All help appreciated.

6

Sidekick Discussion / Re: Should I get a new Sidekick 2008 for my new plan?

« on: January 14, 2011, 08:39:39 am »

Thanks all. I think the simple answer is 'no' - the Sidekick really expects something I won't have.

I like the Blackberry idea if it were for me, but I think my children will really want a camera. I'm thinking of an HTC DASH:
http://www.gsmmonster.com/htcdash-1.aspx

A little more money, but at least apparently capable of using WiFi where it exists, dodging the data plan. Anyone have first-hand knowledge?

Pat

7

Sidekick Discussion / Re: Should I get a new Sidekick 2008 for my new plan?

« on: January 13, 2011, 02:46:06 pm »

Thanks. I've checked with T-Mobile, and the 'Sidekick Plan' is not available. I can get a $20/200 MB/Month plan or $30 unlimited (or no Web at all). What I'm trying to figure out is what will the Sidekick not do with one of the current web plans and (apart from the obvious) with no web plan at all. Will it be, for example, impossible to get a new game? Will I have trouble transferring or saving contact data? That sort of thing.

8

Sidekick Discussion / Should I get a new Sidekick 2008 for my new plan?

« on: January 13, 2011, 11:25:59 am »

I am considering a new family plan and don't much care for long term contracts - so T-Mobile's Even More Plus is quite appealing.

The downside, of course, is shopping for phones at full price. I'm not eager to drop $200 on phones for my children.

NewEgg is offering new Sidekick 2008 phones for $50. It seems quite capable hardware, but from this forum and others I'm getting hints that at least some of the functionality requires access to a 'Sidekick Server'. In order to decide whether or not to get Sidekicks, I need to know if I can get access to a Sidekick server, how much it costs, and what I can't do if I can't get said access.

Anyone have documentation along that line?

Thanks.