Thinking about getting a 2nd Android with no account.

[garybeck]

I have one android that's on a data account, and I was thinking about getting a 2nd one, just to have around, and not paying for any kind of account. No phone minutes, no data account.... But I'm thinking I could get on wifi.... use any apps that don't require a data account, the GPS would work... and lots of other stuff. I could get a used G1 for real cheap and it might be nice to have around. Is anyone else out there doing something like this?

 

[AndroidSPCS]

Not exactly but I did use my old Samsung Moment this way and it worked fine. I also alternate between my Evo / Epic so one is on wifi only while the other is on 3G.

It's fine. Not sure you'd want a G1. If I were you, I'd get the Viewsonic gTablet to mess with, and have a tablet to boot.

 

[ArmageddonX]

Why not just buy a nice Android Tablet? A Wi-Fi only one. Seems like it would fit your needs better. Just a thought...

 

[garybeck]

Why not just buy a nice Android Tablet? A Wi-Fi only one. Seems like it would fit your needs better. Just a thought...

Mainly cost I guess. and portability. I'm not really familiar with the tablets... but I was thinking I could get a used phone for 50 bucks or so. and I'm not sure the tablet would have the GPS which is one thing I want to have in the 2nd device.

I guess I'm thinking more about something cheap/used, I could let my kids fiddle with, play games, , etc... and i wouldn't be worried about them breaking it if was cheap/used.

Like my guitars, I have a nice Guild I am really careful with, and I have a "beater" Seagull that I take with me to the beach, campfires, I let other people play it, etc... (I actually like the Seagull better, but that's a whole 'nuther story....)

 

[Guamguy]

I have one android that's on a data account, and I was thinking about getting a 2nd one, just to have around, and not paying for any kind of account. No phone minutes, no data account.... But I'm thinking I could get on wifi.... use any apps that don't require a data account, the GPS would work... and lots of other stuff. I could get a used G1 for real cheap and it might be nice to have around. Is anyone else out there doing something like this?

This is not something you need to think about. Just do it.

Let's say, you are a Motorola Droid user with Verizon. You bought a Droid X2. Your line is transferred to your X2. So what happens to your Droid?

Nothing. You can still use it like an Android iPod Touch around the house on any Wifi connection. Or in any mall or coffee shop with public wifi.

If you have an existing Android and bought a second one, just enter your Google account on the second one and it becomes an Android iPod Touch. If your line is on GSM and the second Android is GSM and unlocked, copy the APN settings into the second phone and you can transfer your SIM into it, and use that as a real second phone.

Note: there is no limit to how many Androids are attached to your single Google account.

Any games you paid on your account in any phone, becomes free to download on the other.

Please note that if you plan on lending the second device to kids, your GMail still goes into those devices and they can read them. Even reply from them. You can of course, set up a second Google account and restart the second device from there. That way, your GMail doesn't go into those but you will have to repurchase paid apps that you already paid on your other account.

 

[garybeck]

thanks guamguy! that is good advice. my current phone/account is the awsome $25/mo from virgin mobile so there is no SIM card to copy out to the 2nd device. but it will be fine without that. thanks for the info about the google accounts and the gmail. I'll definitely set up a new gmail account so my kids aren't getting into my email!

mucho tankso.

 

[DaSchmarotzer]

Used phones still cost quite a important sum of money, unless you want an older device. However, some phones have a bad ESN and can't be used for anything related to carriers, exactly what you (don't) want. These phones are cheaper, but you won't have the option to change your mind. Plus it might be a stolen phone, but that's probably what I'd do if I were in your position.

Like my guitars, I have a nice Guild I am really careful with, and I have a "beater" Seagull that I take with me to the beach, campfires, I let other people play it, etc... (I actually like the Seagull better, but that's a whole 'nuther story....)

I also ended up using my "beater" guitar, a Washburn, more than my "good" guitar.