I didn't really need the mobility, and I barely even used my existing cellphone, but I really coveted Android. I couldn't really justify spending a lot of money, especially not through a long-term contract, on what is mostly a toy for me. So here is what I am trying:
- Bought an LG Thrive phone for GoPhone prepaid service for $180.
- Bought $25 GoPhone credit (expires in 90 days and signed up for 10mb data plan for $5 (expires 30 days).
- Using free wi-fi (including AT&T wifi network, which is included) and my own home network for any big downloading.
- Using APNdroid app to turn off 3G data for most of the time, but can easily turn it back on when I want to use it a little. I also use 3G Watchdog app to keep track of my data usage.
So, for basically $180 up front and a bit more than $8/month I get a portable, wifi Android machine with the option to download a little data by 3G on special occasions, and about 30 minutes of cell phone talk time (the extra gophone credit will otherwise expire). All this is without any contracts. I assume that I could always buy more data (100mb for $15 and 500mb for $25) and phone time (.10/minute or $2/day) if and when I thought I would need it -- e.g., if I am taking a trip.
Does this sound like a good strategy to you? Are there better cheap options that I have overlooked? I'm curious to know others takes on the pros/cons.
- jchaika
- Bought an LG Thrive phone for GoPhone prepaid service for $180.
- Bought $25 GoPhone credit (expires in 90 days and signed up for 10mb data plan for $5 (expires 30 days).
- Using free wi-fi (including AT&T wifi network, which is included) and my own home network for any big downloading.
- Using APNdroid app to turn off 3G data for most of the time, but can easily turn it back on when I want to use it a little. I also use 3G Watchdog app to keep track of my data usage.
So, for basically $180 up front and a bit more than $8/month I get a portable, wifi Android machine with the option to download a little data by 3G on special occasions, and about 30 minutes of cell phone talk time (the extra gophone credit will otherwise expire). All this is without any contracts. I assume that I could always buy more data (100mb for $15 and 500mb for $25) and phone time (.10/minute or $2/day) if and when I thought I would need it -- e.g., if I am taking a trip.
Does this sound like a good strategy to you? Are there better cheap options that I have overlooked? I'm curious to know others takes on the pros/cons.
- jchaika