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Sailing apps for Android/IPhones?

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2011 : 14:19:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by NautiC25
 Yea, I bought a Vizio 22" LED that's internet ready and accepts a 12v connection. It's on sale at target for $249 right now.

Says $259 online, but it's $249 in stores:
http://www.target.com/VIZIO-Class-1080p-Internet-Connected/dp/B003DV71DW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&searchView=list&keywords=vizio%2022%22&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-2&qid=1301951507&rh=&searchRank=target104545&id=VIZIO%20Class%201080p%20Internet%20Connected&node=1038576%7C1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0

For the 12v connection, I bought a 4.7mm adapter with lead from Radio Shack for $2.

BTW, I'm running my laptop off my G2 right now and it's working great!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Awesome, the other day I had an internet outage with my cable so I just used my phone instead so I could work from home, saved me.

Edited by - PCP777 on 04/04/2011 14:21:04

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2011 : 05:06:00

So I finally jumped on the 4G wagon yesterday when my HTC Inspire arrived. I'm on AT&T's network. Just missed (by 1 day) getting unlimited coverage on Verizon. I already had AT&T so jumping to Verizon would have been expensive anyway.

Wondering if anyone has come across any new apps or ways of running the Droid phones free of additional charges since the posts above.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2011 : 07:26:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 So I finally jumped on the 4G wagon yesterday when my HTC Inspire arrived. I'm on AT&T's network. Just missed (by 1 day) getting unlimited coverage on Verizon. I already had AT&T so jumping to Verizon would have been expensive anyway.

Wondering if anyone has come across any new apps or ways of running the Droid phones free of additional charges since the posts above.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> I have set aside a screen for sailing and on it I have added shortcuts to all my weather resources like an animated doppler , hour by hour links to sailflow and accuweeather, the google sky app, a stopwatch app, and the stock android weather app. I found that most of the free weather apps had nothing more to add than the weather links. There are some cool GPS apps but I havent played with them yet. I dont end up using the phone much while underway as I have the phone plugged into the radio using the Pandora app set on the Bob Marley channel which gives me an axcellent selection of reggae. A problem I found with some apps is that they auto launch and drain battery resources. On that note to help turn off unwanted apps to hrlp preserve battery life try netqin Andriod Booster, really nice free app.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2011 : 20:51:48

Thanks for the tips Peter. The Inspire is definitely power hungry. Doesn't seem to take long to burn it down 50%.

Do you still use your phone on the boat for movies and such as you originally mentioned?

Is the Pandora app free and does it cost any data to use?

Edited by - GaryB on 07/09/2011 20:53:43

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2011 : 06:57:18

Guys... When you put a huge URL directly into a post, it makes the thread difficult to read--just as does a very large picture. Try this (editing your post):

1. Copy the URL.
2. Change your forum Format Mode from Basic to Prompt.
3. Type a descriptive word or phrase in your post.
4. Highlight that phrase and click

5. Paste the URL into the text box that appears, and click OK.

The result turns out like this: [url="http://www.target.com/VIZIO-Class-1080p-Internet-Connected/dp/B003DV71DW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&searchView=list&keywords=vizio%2022%22&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-2&qid=1301951507&rh=&searchRank=target104545&id=VIZIO%20Class%201080p%20Internet%20Connected&node=1038576%7C1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0"]Visio 22[/url]

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/10/2011 06:58:38

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2011 : 06:42:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Thanks for the tips Peter. The Inspire is definitely power hungry. Doesn't seem to take long to burn it down 50%.

Do you still use your phone on the boat for movies and such as you originally mentioned?

Is the Pandora app free and does it cost any data to use?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Pandora has a free version, since it is streaming Internet radio it does use some data but I've never come close to hitting my 5 GB cap. The free version has a 5 second or so commercial every 15 minutes, I upgraded to the premium version as it's just $32 for a year. Yes, I do use my phone for movies and netflix, works great, I just wish they'd develop a Netflix ap for Android.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2011 : 15:48:35

Thank you Peter!

I wish I had a 5 GB cap? Mines only 2 gigs. I did find out I get a 20% discount on my phone and data plans through my company even though it's a personal phone.

As I said above I just missed getting the unlimited data plan at Verizon by a few hours. I hesitated and didn't pull the trigger in time. Cool thing about it was as long as you kept the account you would be grand-fathered in under the unlimited plan.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2011 : 06:48:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Thank you Peter!

I wish I had a 5 GB cap? Mines only 2 gigs. I did find out I get a 20% discount on my phone and data plans through my company even though it's a personal phone.

As I said above I just missed getting the unlimited data plan at Verizon by a few hours. I hesitated and didn't pull the trigger in time. Cool thing about it was as long as you kept the account you would be grand-fathered in under the unlimited plan.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have T-Mobile, mine was sold as "unlimited" but in reality I have a 5GB cap, once I exceed that I get throttled down to a very low speed. I've never come close to hitting the cap though.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2012 : 21:11:32

I got tired of my slow, outdated Nextel Blackberry iDEN phone. The only thing that caused me to hold off was the ridiculous prices for smartphone plans. Then I discovered the $30 prepaid plan on T-Mobile with "unlimited" text and data. Only 100 minutes of talk time (I typically use 200 minutes), but I hope I can use Skype for outgoing calls and stay under 100 by just taking incoming calls.

As soon as the injunction was lifted on Google's unlocked Galaxy Nexus, I ordered one for $349. I figured that if Apple's so scared that they sued over it, it's good enough for me. Plus it will have Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on it, and hopefully get the quickest updates direct from Google. I can't wait to get it and start getting data at more than 0.1G speeds.

I'll be trying NutiCharts, Marine Navigator, MX Mariner, and a bunch of others on it. Any other suggestions?

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2012 : 21:18:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Thank you Peter!

I wish I had a 5 GB cap? Mines only 2 gigs. I did find out I get a 20% discount on my phone and data plans through my company even though it's a personal phone.

As I said above I just missed getting the unlimited data plan at Verizon by a few hours. I hesitated and didn't pull the trigger in time. Cool thing about it was as long as you kept the account you would be grand-fathered in under the unlimited plan.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have T-Mobile, mine was sold as "unlimited" but in reality I have a 5GB cap, once I exceed that I get throttled down to a very low speed. I've never come close to hitting the cap though.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I ended up buying a Mobil Hotspot from Verizon with 5 GB plan. I think it's $45/mth and only $10/GB if I go over which I've done once or twice. It's 4G and is really fast.

Edited by - GaryB on 07/11/2012 21:19:42

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2012 : 03:25:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 I ended up buying a Mobil Hotspot from Verizon with 5 GB plan. I think it's $45/mth and only $10/GB if I go over which I've done once or twice. It's 4G and is really fast.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
FYI, in case anyone is interested, T-mobile has a 4G hotspot monthly prepaid plan that gives 3.5GB for $35 or 5GB for $50. The interesting thing about this is that Walmart has an exclusive that allows the minutes to be stretched over 60 days. So you can have a hotspot for as little as $17.50/month. What's nice about prepaid is that if you just use it for sailing, you can pay just for the months that you want to sail, and have no monthly costs out of season.

I actually purchased the Walmart T-mobile hotspot, although I am going to return it because I decided to go the cellphone route instead. The cellphone is reported to act as a hotspot, though apparently the Android 4.0/4.1 updates gave carriers the ability to block that functionality, which they have all apparently done (unless you pay $15-20 extra per month). So I might end up getting a hotspot later, but for now I want to see how much the phone can do for me.

Edited by - TakeFive on 07/12/2012 05:08:01

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2012 : 06:20:48

I recently bought the HTC 4G LTE, I've installed the BOATUS App, Tide Chart, Marine Traffic and of course the Weather channel for weather radar.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2012 : 06:31:13

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2012 : 07:18:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 [quote]
I have a MT4G with hot spot for no extra charge through TMO.

As an aside I am really side eyeing this deal, just don't have the $ right now but this phone is the best of the best of the android crop, just released. If anyone has TMO you should take a look at this.

http://www.tmonews.com/2012/07/deal-alert-wirefly-selling-t-mobile-galaxy-s-iii-no-mail-in-rebate-required/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Since I have no actual experience with T-mobile, take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt. I'm sharing this because I did a fair amount of research before taking the plunge.

From what I read (on CNET, I think) MT4G works as a hotspot because Gingerbread does not have the capability for the carriers to detect whether you're using the phone as a hotspot. They can't block your hotspot use. Starting with ICS (and presumably Jellybean), they can detect and block hot spot usage, forcing you to pay extra. So consider your free hotspot capability to be a side benefit of running slightly older Android software. Others (including myself) who buy phones running ICS or later versions of Android should not assume that hotspot functionality will work for free. However, that will be one of the first things I try when I get my phone, and I will be looking for software to crack any blocking that they do. My hotspot usage would be very limited, otherwise I'd keep the separate hotspot and monthly plan.

I think the MT4G is a nice phone, and when I move the rest of my family over to T-mobile I am going to consider it for them.

The Galaxy IIIS has amazing hardware specs - better than the Galaxy Nexus that I bought, and the price you linked is great. But it does require a 2-year contract, and in my experience they take a loss on the phone because they make it up with their more expensive contracts. I'm paying more now for a slightly lesser phone, but at $30/month I'll reap the savings later and be free to change carriers and upgrade phones at will. My history has always been to keep a phone for 4-8 years (yes, we actually had 4 Nokia 5120s for 8 years!). Once I get it configured I don't want to change phones, so paying more up-front for an unlocked phone is attractive to me if I can save with a cheaper prepaid plan. Unless there are major changes in the industry, I'm done with contracts.

Edited by - TakeFive on 07/12/2012 07:25:12

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2012 : 09:56:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RhythmDoctor
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 [quote]
I have a MT4G with hot spot for no extra charge through TMO.

As an aside I am really side eyeing this deal, just don't have the $ right now but this phone is the best of the best of the android crop, just released. If anyone has TMO you should take a look at this.

http://www.tmonews.com/2012/07/deal-alert-wirefly-selling-t-mobile-galaxy-s-iii-no-mail-in-rebate-required/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Since I have no actual experience with T-mobile, take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt. I'm sharing this because I did a fair amount of research before taking the plunge.

From what I read (on CNET, I think) MT4G works as a hotspot because Gingerbread does not have the capability for the carriers to detect whether you're using the phone as a hotspot. They can't block your hotspot use. Starting with ICS (and presumably Jellybean), they can detect and block hot spot usage, forcing you to pay extra. So consider your free hotspot capability to be a side benefit of running slightly older Android software. Others (including myself) who buy phones running ICS or later versions of Android should not assume that hotspot functionality will work for free. However, that will be one of the first things I try when I get my phone, and I will be looking for software to crack any blocking that they do. My hotspot usage would be very limited, otherwise I'd keep the separate hotspot and monthly plan.

I think the MT4G is a nice phone, and when I move the rest of my family over to T-mobile I am going to consider it for them.

The Galaxy IIIS has amazing hardware specs - better than the Galaxy Nexus that I bought, and the price you linked is great. But it does require a 2-year contract, and in my experience they take a loss on the phone because they make it up with their more expensive contracts. I'm paying more now for a slightly lesser phone, but at $30/month I'll reap the savings later and be free to change carriers and upgrade phones at will. My history has always been to keep a phone for 4-8 years (yes, we actually had 4 Nokia 5120s for 8 years!). Once I get it configured I don't want to change phones, so paying more up-front for an unlocked phone is attractive to me if I can save with a cheaper prepaid plan. Unless there are major changes in the industry, I'm done with contracts.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This is good feedback, I will make sure I ask many questions before I go to an upgrade.

TMO's new basic plan is $49.95 for unlimited everything. Not sure if that includes hotspot as you've pointed out and not sure what the data limit is now. Mine is 5GB.

Speaking of apps, My local Fox 4 station has a really nice WAP for weather. They call it the WAP.

Wind Alert has a nice app as well.

Edited by - on

dreddick
Navigator

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117 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2012 : 20:36:20

My most used app when on the water is Rainy Days for a quick check on the radar.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5429 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2012 : 21:40:39

I use my Vz 4G hotspot with my iPod Touch for sailing. Keep them each in a ziplock baggie to keep the moisture out. Tide Chart, NOAA TidesandCurrents.gov, weather RADAR and NOAA Geogarage chartplotter.
I run Pandora (free) into the line-in to my FM/audio system. Constant companions.
The Touch is about the same size as an iPhone, but thinner. The hotspot and Touch recharge using a cigarette lighter USB charger. I'm planning to upgrade to a new 7" iPad when I get around to it.
I hear they'll cost $399. Will need the larger size baggie then.
Pandora Channels include:
Chick Corea
Christian McBride
Ralph Towner
Jaco Pastorius
McCoy Tyner
Bela Fleck
Allison Krauss
Paul Winter
Sting
Todd Rundgren
Hendrix
Grateful Dead
Clapton
Burt Bacharach
Bernstein
Ralph Vaughn Williams
Joshua Bell
and of course Jimmy Buffet
Just a few average Joes

Edited by - on

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2012 : 03:34:31

Navionics is $10 well spent. Once you download your region of maps, it doesn't use your data connection unless you turn on the satellite images, and to check the license. Allows you to slap waypoints onto it, gives navigational beacons, local POIs, SOG, and charting.

can do stuff like this..

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2012 : 03:53:05

Looks cool. We're heading to Lake Wally in two weeks. As always, we're taking the two little trailer boats. Looks like you keep your boat at Lighthouse Harbor, right?

Actually I might have seen your boat. Last year my wife and I were admiring a Capri 25 when we were on the dock for parasailing. Was your boat on that dock, or a different dock?

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2012 : 06:56:56

Very cool schnool.

Voyager, my recent blight of sailing pics is because of Pandora. I bought the upgrade for a higher bit rate and no ads. My playlist is a bit different than yours...

Edited by - on

dreddick
Navigator

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117 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2012 : 08:05:32

...also Marine Weather by Bluefin
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dreddick
 My most used app when on the water is Rainy Days for a quick check on the radar.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2012 : 08:22:58

From their web page---Navonics can:
This application has access to the following:

Services that cost you money
directly call phone numbers

Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. Malicious apps may cause unexpected calls on your phone bill. Note that this doesn't allow the app to call emergency numbers.

Hardware controls
take pictures and videos

Allows the app to take pictures and videos with the camera. This allows the app at any time to collect images the camera is seeing.

Your location
fine (GPS) location

Access fine location sources such as the Global Positioning System on the tablet, where available. Malicious apps may use this to determine where you are, and may consume additional battery power. Access fine location sources such as the Global Positioning System on the phone, where available. Malicious apps may use this to determine where you are, and may consume additional battery power.

Network communication
full Internet access

Allows the app to create network sockets.

Phone calls
read phone state and identity

Allows the app to access the phone features of the device. An app with this permission can determine the phone number and serial number of this phone, whether a call is active, the number that call is connected to and the like.

Storage
modify/delete USB storage contents modify/delete SD card contents

Allows the app to write to the USB storage. Allows the app to write to the SD card.

System tools
change network connectivity

Allows the app to change the state of network connectivity.

change Wi-Fi state

Allows the app to connect to and disconnect from Wi-Fi access points, and to make changes to configured Wi-Fi networks.

prevent tablet from sleeping prevent phone from sleeping

Allows the app to prevent the tablet from going to sleep. Allows the app to prevent the phone from going to sleep.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2012 : 11:37:52

I would hold off on that bigger baggie. The pundits who say Apple needs and will release one have been wrong to many times to count. The 7" Ipad has been predicted for several years now, and Apple does what it does and the rumors are rarely true. I just read John Djorvac of PC magazine's 5 year old column dismissing the original Iphone. "Apple can't compete in this market. The Iphone will be a flash and disappear in a year." Or maybe: "Lack of Flash compatibility will be the death of Iphone." Nobody mentioned the death of Flash. Apple just said what everybody new - Flash was old, bulky and so processor intensive that it sucked batteries dry. Adobe is no longer developing Flash, but is developing tools to move to HTML 5..

Edited by - Dave5041 on 07/13/2012 11:45:13

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2012 : 11:30:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RhythmDoctor
 [quote]Since I have no actual experience with T-mobile, take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt. I'm sharing this because I did a fair amount of research before taking the plunge.

From what I read (on CNET, I think) MT4G works as a hotspot because Gingerbread does not have the capability for the carriers to detect whether you're using the phone as a hotspot. They can't block your hotspot use. Starting with ICS (and presumably Jellybean), they can detect and block hot spot usage, forcing you to pay extra. So consider your free hotspot capability to be a side benefit of running slightly older Android software. Others (including myself) who buy phones running ICS or later versions of Android should not assume that hotspot functionality will work for free. However, that will be one of the first things I try when I get my phone, and I will be looking for software to crack any blocking that they do. My hotspot usage would be very limited, otherwise I'd keep the separate hotspot and monthly plan.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
My Galaxy Nexus came yesterday, and I now how a few hours experience with T-mobile. I'm incredibly impressed with this phone, and T-mobile's 4G service seems real good in our suburban area.

I'm writing this post on my laptop with the phone configured as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Works perfectly. I'm going to be careful not to over-use this capability, because things I've read say that T-mobile and AT&T monitor the usage and will turn it off if they see people abusing it. But it will be nice to have if I'm on the boat and need to get weather satellite stuff on a bigger screen than my phone, or need to run Windows software that's not available on Android.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2012 : 19:41:47

I don't know if I would use hotspot/tethering much or not, but it is still galling that AT&T requires a more expensive data plan with the same bandwidth to get it and still charges again for the hotspot function.

Edited by - on

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