Re: T&T: Cell internet
My latest experience: I use a Verizon Treo 650 with the DUN
(dial-up-networking) bluetooth (BT) patch installed allowing BT connections
from Treo to Mac laptop.
See: http://vocaro.com/trevor/treo-dun/
This is not Verizon approved but I can't say why exactly. I do pay the
lowest priced unlimited data fee of $45, but this is the rate for a
SmartPhone, which the Treo is. If you hook up to a computer, V wants more
$$$...but they still do not allow BT DUN.
On my recent trip south, I kept a data connection most of the time and was
able to continuously track the weather, get email, etc., all as usual. (The
biggest advantage here is looking at the marine weather 2 or more days out
further down the coast...and constantly watching the Gulf Stream off Palm
Beach.) Yes, I had the normal Verizon blackout data areas in the Carolinas
and sometimes could find WiFi to get my connection.
My much less sophisticated findings match those of Jeffrey Siegel on
aCappella: cellular internet is normally so easy and so available that WiFi
in comparison is just a little too much trouble. BTW, I do not have the
broadband; I have the intermediate service (1xRTT or whatever) and I find it
is sufficient to suffice. I will upgrade to a Treo 700P with broadband
immediately after I drop the 650 in the water, currently scheduled for early
2007.
Bob
Robert Calhoun Smith Jr
M/V MARY KATHRYN
Hatteras 58 LRC
The Jib Room, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas
This is not Verizon approved but I can't say why exactly. I do pay the
lowest priced unlimited data fee of $45, but this is the rate for a
SmartPhone, which the Treo is.
If you are in an area served by T-Mobile, their unlimited data plan
on the Treo is only 15 bucks extra on top of the voice plan, which is
an even better deal. That plus PDANet makes for a fine internet
connection that works wherever your cell phone does.
Best,
Steve
Steve Dubnoff
1966 Willard Pilothouse
www.mvnereid.com
sdubnoff@circlesys.com
On my recent trip south, I kept a data connection most of the
time and was able to continuously track the weather, get
email, etc., all as usual. (The biggest advantage here is
looking at the marine weather 2 or more days out further down
the coast...and constantly watching the Gulf Stream off Palm
Beach.)
This is what I've been saying...
It isn't bleeding edge stuff any longer. It works well and is very easy to
set up and use. The way to do it is to get a high-end mobile phone (Treo,
Windows Mobile, Nokia, Blackberry, etc. - keyboarded units are better in my
opinion) and an unlimited internet connection. Make sure you can use it to
connect your PC up to the internet (be careful with Blackberry). What
you'll find is that you'll use the mobile phone itself for most email,
weather, etc. You'll no longer have to fire up the PC when you want to do
simple things and yet you'll have better access to the internet info you
really need while under way.
You'll hear a lot of people say that the screens are too small or that it's
too hard to make it all work. The truth is that the screens are fine for
75% of the things you'll need (I wear reading glasses and can use it
perfectly). The setup is almost automatic today too - certainly easier than
setting up a PC.
In another couple of years, people will be wondering how they got along
without these things. These smartphones are the first devices to come along
that have the potential of toppling the PC's dominance. It's no wonder that
Microsoft is deeply involved in them.
================
Jeffrey Siegel
M/V aCappella
DeFever 53PH
W1ACA/WDB4350
Castine, Maine
Steven Dubnoff wrote:
If you are in an area served by T-Mobile, their unlimited data plan
on the Treo is only 15 bucks extra on top of the voice plan, which is
an even better deal.
I hear you Steve, that is a great deal, but Verizon works so darn well. No
fancy antennas, repeaters, amplifiers...even offshore.
Bob
Robert Calhoun Smith Jr
M/V MARY KATHRYN
Hatteras 58 LRC
The Jib Room, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas