Trade 3G for WiFi If Tethering Works So Well?

[IHateMyTreo]

So I just successfully tethered my Xoom to my DX using Bluetooth. It required no rooting and was brainlessly simple (which is good for me ). Works great and browser speed on the Xoom is faster than on the DX.

So here's my question: if this works so well, is there a really good reason to keep the 3G/4G Xoom? What features (other than 4G) would I lose by relying on the DX tether to a WiFi-only Xoom? My DX is always handy, so I don't see an inconvenience factor.

 

[ghodzilla5150]

This is the way I feel. I am returning my 3G Xoom for a WiFi only unit. I don't need 3G because I have a Rooted HTC EVO that I get Wireless Tether for Free (it's really fast, especially when I turn on 4G). Hopefully the WiFi only units will have MicroSD and USB active because these units don't have to wait for 4G to be implemented and $g and MicroSD use the same slot.

 

[FragDroidX]

This is the way I feel. I am returning my 3G Xoom for a WiFi only unit. I don't need 3G because I have a Rooted HTC EVO that I get Wireless Tether for Free (it's really fast, especially when I turn on 4G). Hopefully the WiFi only units will have MicroSD and USB active because these units don't have to wait for 4G to be implemented and $g and MicroSD use the same slot.

They will not be active on the wifi version either. They are not working due to not having support in Honeycomb. They will not work until Google releases an update to Honeycomb.

 

[ghodzilla5150]

Well that answers that question. Oh well, hopefully it gets fixed soon

 

[clb2196]

Well. If you're tethering via a rooted device and not paying, that's one thing. In my case, the choice was:
-Pay $20/month to tether from my Droid2
-Pay $20 a month for the 3G on the Xoom, with the ability to use the hotspot to other devices coming out of my usage

So... same price/month either way. And I got the contract, so same price for the Xoom either way. Except the second option is simpler since I'm not relying on my Droid2 for 3G. So I went with the second. But then I don't use it on 3G often and 1G/month was more than enough. Mileage may vary.

 

[rtc1036]

My concern with tethering is if all providers start doing what AT&T is doing by monitoring phone data usage and forcing those who "appear" to be tethering to start paying for said program. Now I know that's for the iPhone folks, but its only a matter of time before it catches up to the Android community as well.

 

[marctronixx]

its not an android thing its a carrier thing.

the mobile phone carriers now can monitor data usage. they could do this before android phones hit the market.

 

[cave-droid]

I was debating the same thing and tried a test. I used my rooted Evo to tether and it lasted about 3.5 hours with steady use on youtube. When I manage my Evo normally the battery life can last all day. Using the Xoom to connect would definitely give longer internet usage before you would have to charge in comparison so I decided to stick with the 3G Xoom because I wouldn't want to worry about my Evo battery all the time just because I am tethering.

 

[ghodzilla5150]

I was debating the same thing and tried a test. I used my rooted Evo to tether and it lasted about 3.5 hours with steady use on youtube. When I manage my Evo normally the battery life can last all day. Using the Xoom to connect would definitely give longer internet usage before you would have to charge in comparison so I decided to stick with the 3G Xoom because I wouldn't want to worry about my Evo battery all the time just because I am tethering.

Just get the 3500mah batteries from China for $8 off E-Bay. I have 2 and never worry about battery life (even when I am using my Rooted EVO to tether). I have been using these batteries for about 5 months now with no issues at all. Best $10 I have ever spent for an electronics device.

3500mAh Extended Battery + Cover for Sprint HTC EVO 4G - eBay (item 200590015601 end time Apr-21-11 23:16:25 PDT)

 

[pflol]

I was debating the same thing and tried a test. I used my rooted Evo to tether and it lasted about 3.5 hours with steady use on youtube. When I manage my Evo normally the battery life can last all day. Using the Xoom to connect would definitely give longer internet usage before you would have to charge in comparison so I decided to stick with the 3G Xoom because I wouldn't want to worry about my Evo battery all the time just because I am tethering.

I was debating that but I get through my work day with about 70% left every single time. I have plenty to spare, did you buy it with a contract? I'm not so sure how I feel about being sucked in for 2 years with something I may not use for that long. I suppose we'll see how it goes.

 

[clb2196]

I got the contract, but I figure if I don't keep the Xoom it'll only because I got a different tablet, so I'd still be using the plan..

And yeah battery life was another concern of mine as well. Even with a backup battery it just makes it more inconvenient, and if you got the Xoom on contract, really not worth the hassle for the same amount of money, IMO.

 

[cave-droid]

Just get the 3500mah batteries from China for $8 off E-Bay. I have 2 and never worry about battery life (even when I am using my Rooted EVO to tether). I have been using these batteries for about 5 months now with no issues at all. Best $10 I have ever spent for an electronics device.

3500mAh Extended Battery + Cover for Sprint HTC EVO 4G - eBay (item 200590015601 end time Apr-21-11 23:16:25 PDT)

I opted to get 2 extra standard capacity batteries instead on the one extended life so I can keep using it to tether well beyond the 3.5hrs but I did that test to get an idea of max. tether time per battery. I would never really watch youtube for 3.5hrs straight so I am sure it could have lasted me all work day.

 

[IHateMyTreo]

its not an android thing its a carrier thing.

the mobile phone carriers now can monitor data usage. they could do this before android phones hit the market.

But can they tell if my DX is using the data or the Xoom that is tethered to the DX? Isn't it just "data used" as far as they know?

 

[cave-droid]

I was debating that but I get through my work day with about 70% left every single time. I have plenty to spare, did you buy it with a contract? I'm not so sure how I feel about being sucked in for 2 years with something I may not use for that long. I suppose we'll see how it goes.

I didn't buy with a contract because I figured I would just use my Sprint Evo to tether for now and when Xoom gets 4G start a contract or month to month since Verizons 4G is supposed to be a bit faster than Sprints.

 

[marctronixx]

sprint for example can tell if you are tethering thru a phone or using a broadband device, such as a broadband card. further, they look at past data usage and compare it over time. if there is a spike, they investigate/audit the account. im only on sprint and know this to be accurate for sprint, i cant compare it to other carriers.

But can they tell if my DX is using the data or the Xoom that is tethered to the DX? Isn't it just "data used" as far as they know?

 

[pflol]

sprint for example can tell if you are tethering thru a phone or using a broadband device, such as a broadband card. further, they look at past data usage and compare it over time. if there is a spike, they investigate/audit the account. im only on sprint and know this to be accurate for sprint, i cant compare it to other carriers.

Really? I haven't noticed anything and I've been tethering to my laptop for a good 10 months while I travel...

edit; it's funny because when I bought this phone the guy at the sprint store told me to get easy tether or wireless tether when I got my phone set up so I didn't have to buy hotspot lol.

 

[LunchBB]

That was one of the reasons why I wait for the WIFI only version is I know I can tether with my MyTouch 4G as I already paid for the unlimited data plan already.

 

[marctronixx]

the "guy" at the sprint store is a regular person like you or i. he represents sprint but he is regular user and knows what the android community is doing to get around paying for services.

still, sprint knows you are tethering. your usage may not be of concern to them but do understand they know. there are certain gateways mobile phones connect thru to get to the internet vs. certain gateways their mobile cards go thru for example. plus the IP address of your phone is attached to any data that goes thru either device. its not anything fancy, this tech has been around since vision on sprint.

i dont mean to derail this thread and i apologize if i have. lots of people tether their phones for free, i am only pointing out that these carriers could act on heavy abusers if they wanted.

Really? I haven't noticed anything and I've been tethering to my laptop for a good 10 months while I travel...

edit; it's funny because when I bought this phone the guy at the sprint store told me to get easy tether or wireless tether when I got my phone set up so I didn't have to buy hotspot lol.

 

[LunchBB]

Got to love TMobile allowing tethering for free without being sneaky.

 

[clb2196]

Who knows how long that'll last though after at&t owns them.

 

[wtrclrppr]

That was my thought exactly. I already pay for unlimited data access on my HTC Evo, which has WiFi hotspot built into it, so why pay for the same thing again? When the Xoom WiFi became available on Amazon, I ordered it. It is out for delivery to my home today and I am super excited about it.

 

[clb2196]

If you're not rooted though, on Verizon you pay extra for the mobile hotspot. So it's not always that simple. It's not included in the unlimited data. It *is* on the Xoom, but not my Droid2.

 

[ghodzilla5150]

That was my thought exactly. I already pay for unlimited data access on my HTC Evo, which has WiFi hotspot built into it, so why pay for the same thing again? When the Xoom WiFi became available on Amazon, I ordered it. It is out for delivery to my home today and I am super excited about it.

This is my thinking as well. I returned my 3G Xoom and got a WiFi Xoom. I have already tethered to it via Wireless Tether (Rooted HTC EVO) and it works fine. I just use tether to web surf and not much else. I don't go Crazy with it as I don't want to screw it p for everyone else. I may tether for 30 minutes and then I am usually done.

 

[JDuc]

This might be a stupid question, but with the wifi only version, would I still have access to GPS if tethered to my phone?

Does the wifi only version even have GPS?

 

[LunchBB]

GPS receiver is built-in. It has nothing do with 3G or WIFI. Google Map is now drawing in vector which allows more map data can be cached locally. I took a train ride from San Diego to LAX. I can use Google Map to track my location even my WIFI is turned off. You have to browse the map before so the map data is stored first.