I hate to swim upstream against the current on this, but I understand why they do it. Simply, tower space. The pricing for data on these devices is set to take into consideration the kind of network draw they use. By allowing you to use it as a modem for your laptop, the bandwidth draw goes up considerably. This results in poor/blocked service for the other people in that area. There is only so much space on a radio/channel to go around and due to nature of cellular, you can only put so many radios in an area. The higher cost for an aircard keeps the number of users down, thus not creating an over-capacity issue on the network. I think in some but not all cases it is foresight. Overselling the capacity for the voice/data traffic is what you see far too often in other companies.
Don't you think they are doing this for the not so techie people who don't know any different and would likely leave both on, thus waisting batteries?
No, I don't. Considering most devices have different flashing lights, and that WiFi is off by default, the professional buying this device is going to pay a premium for that WiFi. Why restrict us?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MPSmith
No worries on all those little annoyances. There is a hack or a quick fix for all of them. Just visit your friends at pdaphonehome.com!!!
Yeah, saw that. As an i600 and an i700 owner, the pdaPhoneHome forums have been a valuable resource, and the folks there are amazing. It's just that I'd rather not rely on hacks unless I don't have a choice -- how long will it take for a hack for the XV6700 to be released? Or when the WM5 upgrade for the i730 is released? Mind you, if Cingular's coverage ends up poor for me, I'll probably end up waiting for it. I'm just expressing my frustration that we're treated like this. Heck, I'm not even complaining about Verizon's price policies -- the flexibility is more important to me.
Also, question for the i730 readers amongst you -- I've been reading increasing reports of Verizon cracking down on heavy EVDO users who tether their cell phones to their laptops using the unlimited PDA/Smartphone plan. Unfortunately, Verizon doesn't offer the unlimited laptop EVDO plan for tethering with a phone -- they only do it for PC cards. What do you guys do? Not use EVDO with a laptop, or only sparingly? Laptop data is important to me, primarily when I travel; if EDGE works, it'd be good enough as it should be a bit faster than my existing 1xRTT setup.
I hate to swim upstream against the current on this, but I understand why they do it. Simply, tower space. The pricing for data on these devices is set to take into consideration the kind of network draw they use. By allowing you to use it as a modem for your laptop, the bandwidth draw goes up considerably...The higher cost for an aircard keeps the number of users down, thus not creating an over-capacity issue on the network.
No -- I wish it was that simple.
1. The PC cards are actually cheaper than Smartphones or Pocket PC phones on Verizon, usually by several hundred dollars.
2. I'm willing to pay the $59.99/month laptop plan. But Verizon won't sell it with a phone -- only with the PC cards. I have an officemate who tried, very, very hard to get a tethered setup, and they flat-out refuse.
I would never use Verizon. Period. How many times have we seen this same kind of action taken by them. Leave the device alone!!...Currently I am using the same device with Sprint. Nothing is crippled. I know there are ppl who have had issues with them in the past but at least they seem to be exercising a bit of common sense recently with regards to PDA devices with WiFi, Bluetooth and EV-DO.
I would have picked up the PPC-6700 with Sprint in a heartbeat, but their coverage is poor at both my home and workplaces. That's the big thing going for Verizon -- fast EVDO support and pretty darn good coverage in the NY metro area.
I feel your pain Janak and agree with you 99%. I guess I just feel these work-arounds are a very small price to pay...With a little bit of effort, I've now got a fantastic convergent device!
Yes, the i730 is sweet. It's also tempting for me because all my i6/700 accessories would work with it, and the community is great. I'll be keeping an eye on it, despite my rants, when I consider my next PDA phone in a couple weeks.
I think as consumers we need to avoid companies that have anti-consumer tactics, like Verizon. I've got the Sprint version of the phone, and it works perfectly. We have two PPC6700s on Sprint, a Verizon data card, and a Verizon phone. In general I'm seeing better signal quality (real measured, not bars which are meaningless) and slightly higher speed on Sprint in my area.
You have to realize that Verizon offers EVDO knowing it will profit from it. It they provided technology that would shot themselves in the foot, it would be silly. If they enabled wi-fi and EVDO connectivity at the same time, you know some 16 year hot shot will write an app that allows EVDO sharing over WiFi with the device. It people like this that force Verizon to implement restrictions.
Just think, someone could install one of these in a limo, bus, train etc and offer "free wi-fi" while in transit. Cool idea but Verizon gets beat.
I think as consumers we need to avoid companies that have anti-consumer tactics, like Verizon. I've got the Sprint version of the phone, and it works perfectly. We have two PPC6700s on Sprint, a Verizon data card, and a Verizon phone. In general I'm seeing better signal quality (real measured, not bars which are meaningless) and slightly higher speed on Sprint in my area.
You have to realize that Verizon offers EVDO knowing it will profit from it. It they provided technology that would shot themselves in the foot, it would be silly. If they enabled wi-fi and EVDO connectivity at the same time, you know some 16 year hot shot will write an app that allows EVDO sharing over WiFi with the device. It people like this that force Verizon to implement restrictions.
Just think, someone could install one of these in a limo, bus, train etc and offer "free wi-fi" while in transit. Cool idea but Verizon gets beat.
Of course you could still connect the phone to a wi-fi router/laptop and share the connection.
Actually, the I730 issue with WiFi turning the phone off was crushed over at pdaphonehoime.com. A simple DLL hack takes care of that little annoyance. I'm sure the guys at xda-developers.com will take care of it when the time comes
Exactly my thought. I bet it will be a software thing, and either a patch or loading another variant of thr HTC Apache ROM will unlock it to do both at once. I would find WiFi unusable a lot of the time on my KJAM if it disabled the phone.
I feel your pain Janak and agree with you 99%. I guess I just feel these work-arounds are a very small price to pay...With a little bit of effort, I've now got a fantastic convergent device!
Yes, the i730 is sweet. It's also tempting for me because all my i6/700 accessories would work with it, and the community is great. I'll be keeping an eye on it, despite my rants, when I consider my next PDA phone in a couple weeks.
--janak
I'm keeping my eye on it, too. A friend has the 730 and loves it, and despite Verizon's hassles with WiFi, I'm tiring of Cingular's coverage. Now that I see that the 730 can be hacked, I may go ahead and jump, or I may wait to see if the 6700 can "be fixed." [Chances are I'll jump soon, as I have virtually zero patience anymore]. I guess all I'm saying is that coverage area is at the top of the list for me, and I'm also ready for a converged device.
As an i600 and an i700 owner, the pdaPhoneHome forums have been a valuable resource, and the folks there are amazing. It's just that I'd rather not rely on hacks unless I don't have a choice -- how long will it take for a hack for the XV6700 to be released? Or when the WM5 upgrade for the i730 is released? Mind you, if Cingular's coverage ends up poor for me, I'll probably end up waiting for it. I'm just expressing my frustration that we're treated like this. Heck, I'm not even complaining about Verizon's price policies -- the flexibility is more important to me.
Re: Whatever the reason...
That's the big thing going for Verizon -- fast EVDO support and pretty darn good coverage in the NY metro area.
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