Verizon Palm Pre Plus $30 - works great

[emaja]

I know that there are other tethering threads, but I wanted to let MR know that Verizon is still offering the Palm Pre Plus - which can serve as a hotspot for 5 devices - for $30. With the required data plan you can wirelessly tether to your iPad and I can report that it works great.

The phone itself is actually pretty nice. Not iPhone nice, but still pretty good. I will be getting rid of my iPhone for this arrangement.

 

[TwoFive3]

Have you noted any difference in speed using your pre plus vs. An iPad with 3G built in? I am assuming you own the wifi only version of the iPad, but curious if you have seen a 3G iPad's speed.

 

[striatedglutes]

I wish the pixi plus was the exact same as the pre plus except with the pixi's keyboard

Sadly it is underpowered and the screen is smaller.

 

[IrishTiger]

I've been looking into other options other than the 3G on my iPad. AT&T's 3G sucks balls and the verizon MiFi I tested out worked fantastic. Is the palm hotspot as good as the mifi? Or is the VZW 3G all the same pretty much. Either way its better than AT&T.

 

[Whorehay]

Can't live without my BlackBerry, but this definitely sounds like a tempting way to tether, especially since you have to run through hoops to get bluetooth tethering down with a BlackBerry.

Do you get calls/texts when you tether? I'd rather data stop than calls and texts being blocked.

 

[IrishTiger]

I'd rather data stop than calls and texts being blocked.

I agree. Texts/calls are too important to me. Specially in the airline industry. We can get in trouble for not answering crew schedulings calls. Bastards.

 

[striatedglutes]

Is the mobile hotspot plan free? I priced a plan out on VZW's site, and it is. Just double checking.

 

[emaja]

I got a 3G iPad as payment for a job I did, so I probably would have chosen the WiFi model if I was buying it - in fact I did since I had already bought the WiFi and it was too late to take it back. Oh well - now I have 2!

The speeds over 3G on both networks seem about the same. The speed test app I was using seems to be having issues, but a "seat of the pants" test seems equal.

I looked at the Pixi. It was $29 and the Pre was $99. They changed that for this week, so I jumped on the Pre since it had a better camera, better screen, more memory and I like the keyboard better. It is also faster than the Pixi.

The Palm hotspot works the same as the MiFi and the USB sticks that I use in laptops. I am very happy with that performance.

I don't think that Verizon has the ability to do texts or calls while online. I don't know that for sure since I have been with AT&T and they do. The new Verizon line is also a temporary number until I get the AT&T number ported over. I tried to call the VZW phone while surfing and it seemed to pause the surfing while the call was going through, then resumed after the call was over.

They are offering the hotspot free for now. It is a special it seems, but no one can tell me how long it has been running or when it will expire. All you have to do is get a line and add the $30 data plan. The account has to be set up with the hotspot, but they can do that at the store and you will be up and running by the time you get home. Total cost - the cost of your phone plan plus $30. That's it.

So far it is working very nicely. I am happy with AT&T - my coverage is great - but I wanted the tethering. I did a 1 year contract and paid $99 for the phone so I could have the flexibility to return to AT&T when - if? - they get around to adding the iPhone tethering here in the US.

 

[nidserz]

Can't live without my BlackBerry, but this definitely sounds like a tempting way to tether, especially since you have to run through hoops to get bluetooth tethering down with a BlackBerry.

Do you get calls/texts when you tether? I'd rather data stop than calls and texts being blocked.

have you been able to tether your BlackBerry with an ipad or ipod touch?
i don't think its possible...

 

[Whorehay]

have you been able to tether your BlackBerry with an ipad or ipod touch?
i don't think its possible...

Sorry, I meant bluetooth tethering with the computer is a pain w/ the BlackBerry, and with the iPad/iPhone it's impossible. Rather have the WiFi tether that everyone can hook up with without need for scripts and different applications on their computer.

 

[Chimpware]

Sorry, I meant bluetooth tethering with the computer is a pain w/ the BlackBerry, and with the iPad/iPhone it's impossible. Rather have the WiFi tether that everyone can hook up with without need for scripts and different applications on their computer.

Not sure how you are tethering your BB, but no scripts or additional pieces of software are required to do this, which gives me hope for a JB iPad BB tether. Just pair the BB, then set up a dial-up connection using the BB as a modem, with correct string and you are done.

 

[teerexx52]

I got a 3G iPad as payment for a job I did, so I probably would have chosen the WiFi model if I was buying it - in fact I did since I had already bought the WiFi and it was too late to take it back. Oh well - now I have 2!

The speeds over 3G on both networks seem about the same. The speed test app I was using seems to be having issues, but a "seat of the pants" test seems equal.

I looked at the Pixi. It was $29 and the Pre was $99. They changed that for this week, so I jumped on the Pre since it had a better camera, better screen, more memory and I like the keyboard better. It is also faster than the Pixi.

The Palm hotspot works the same as the MiFi and the USB sticks that I use in laptops. I am very happy with that performance.

I don't think that Verizon has the ability to do texts or calls while online. I don't know that for sure since I have been with AT&T and they do. The new Verizon line is also a temporary number until I get the AT&T number ported over. I tried to call the VZW phone while surfing and it seemed to pause the surfing while the call was going through, then resumed after the call was over.

They are offering the hotspot free for now. It is a special it seems, but no one can tell me how long it has been running or when it will expire. All you have to do is get a line and add the $30 data plan. The account has to be set up with the hotspot, but they can do that at the store and you will be up and running by the time you get home. Total cost - the cost of your phone plan plus $30. That's it.

So far it is working very nicely. I am happy with AT&T - my coverage is great - but I wanted the tethering. I did a 1 year contract and paid $99 for the phone so I could have the flexibility to return to AT&T when - if? - they get around to adding the iPhone tethering here in the US.

Can anyone tell me then what is the cheapest you can get this service with the hot spot capability? Is it capped? Is a voice plan required as well. Thanks

 

[acron1]

I agree. Texts/calls are too important to me. Specially in the airline industry. We can get in trouble for not answering crew schedulings calls. Bastards.

I have the Palm Pre from Sprint and use MyTether to to tether my iPad to it. While tethered and on the web I can still get call and texts. I would think that the same goes for Verizon's Pre Plus...

PS... With Sprint you can get unlimited data plan for $30 per month, get MyTether for $10 donation (I think) and you are set to go...

 

[nidserz]

Sorry, I meant bluetooth tethering with the computer is a pain w/ the BlackBerry, and with the iPad/iPhone it's impossible. Rather have the WiFi tether that everyone can hook up with without need for scripts and different applications on their computer.

Oh that is true. I can't part with my BB either
Have a Nexus One which would be great for tethering (can set up wi-fi hotspot).

Not sure how you are tethering your BB, but no scripts or additional pieces of software are required to do this, which gives me hope for a JB iPad BB tether. Just pair the BB, then set up a dial-up connection using the BB as a modem, with correct string and you are done.

Really? I had trouble setting it up... I ended up following a tutorial online and needed a script.

 

[JimKirk]

You are paying 30/month to tether

Why not just use the ATT unlimited. It is not capped at 5GB.

Verizon is.

Sprint also.

 

[harpy]

Why not just use the ATT unlimited. It is not capped at 5GB.

Verizon is.

Sprint also.

I'm using the Palm Pre Plus from Verizon, plus the wifi iPad combo and it is working great.

One of the key things on skipping over the 3G iPad and ATT plan is that you're paying an extra $30 a month for that data.

Right now we just pay $40 for the phone + $30 for the phone's data plan and that's it. the iPad gets to hook onto the Pre's mobile hot spot and use the internet.

Now if this was the only data you had access to, no home broadband connection, then I could see using the ATT plan with the iPad, as you would need a true unlimited data package, but if you want to be a real cheapskate with your mobile broadband then this is a good way to go.

 

[emaja]

Can anyone tell me then what is the cheapest you can get this service with the hot spot capability? Is it capped? Is a voice plan required as well. Thanks

If you already have Verizon, get the Pre and add the $30 data plan to that line. Yes, you need a voice plan. The data is capped at 5GB, but for my use that is fine.

Yes, the $30 is the same as getting the unlimited iPad plan with AT&T, but I wanted the flexibility to be able to tether up to 5 devices at the same time. That's the difference.

 

[teerexx52]

If you already have Verizon, get the Pre and add the $30 data plan to that line. Yes, you need a voice plan. The data is capped at 5GB, but for my use that is fine.

Yes, the $30 is the same as getting the unlimited iPad plan with AT&T, but I wanted the flexibility to be able to tether up to 5 devices at the same time. That's the difference.

Thanks

 

[frank.deale]

The $30.00 is for the data plan which is the minimum Verizon requires for all smart phones. The wifi hotspot app is FREE - no installation or monthly charge.