Quick Question -- Can I replace USB wi-fi and cheap TracFone with..

[mojowork_n]

...some kind of smart phone that will tether my laptop and also let me make phone calls?

One payment, instead of two?

I've been told that phone-connected laptops don't work as well as "mobile hot spots" or
other data-connections that run off an android or other smart phone hub.

...I called T-Mobile today and asked them about the Galaxy Note 2 "Smart Dock" that
actually takes the phone and puts it into a cradle that has USB connections to hard wire a
laptop connection, but they don't offer that as an accessory with the phone.

I don't make that many voice calls. My primary interest in a smart phone would be in finding
something that would replace the "broadband-to-go" connection for internet access.

Suggestions?

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Yes! I have a T-Mobile plan with unlimited everything

on my Galaxy S3 phone, including WiFi tethering so I can use the phone as a WiFi hotspot for my laptop. Speed is amazing when I'm in a 4g cell area, which is most places in metro Boston.

We have a family plan, but I think my portion is $70 or so per month.

[mojowork_n]

3. Thanks for the info.

If anyone else is interested, I found more info, here:

http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/phonesformobileworkers/a/how-to-tether.htm

http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/phonesformobileworkers/a/how-to-tether_5.htm

....I don't know for sure, but I think the rates (and some of the rules?) might vary with
the coverage area. I was told Miltown (WI) where I live is a monopoly area for web
access, with the Big Two (AT&T and TimeWarner) colluding to restrict where, how
and through what people can connect. Trying to pay attention to all the details
before I sign up.

[Phillip McCleod]

2. yep.

in my case with droid razr m on verizon data sharing plan with 4 other family members.. my share is min. $10/mo. they are finally tiny computers in your hand, capable of some kinda amazing feats with a little configuration.

i had almost the opposite requirement.. i needed to be able to use my smartphone thru wifi when i was out of network range.. i live 7 miles up a narrow canyon, but have internet. took a little doing but using an app called 'GrooVeIP' with 'GrooVe Forwarding' my phone now routes voice calls through Google Voice if i'm connected to wifi, and through verizon if i'm not. already had the phone set up to use wifi for data if i was in it, so that reduces my network usage to almost nil, since i'm almost always around a wifi connection.

..

whatever you decide to get.. i'd suggest an android-based device for one big fat reason:

ubuntu will be releasing it's anywhere-operating system soon, and android plays nice with other types of linux. put this new linux OS on your smart phone and hook it up (via dock or bluetooth or what have you) to a monitor, keyboard and mouse and abracadabra ubuntu on your phone acts exactly like a desktop operating system.

install the same ubuntu on a desktop and then duplicate your entire OS to an SD chip? no problem!

..

the line between mobile and desktop and laptop is blurring more every day.