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With all the hacking tips posted online, I’m mighty tempted to pick up an iPhone and use it solely as a mobile wi-fi Web access device.
Because I feel I could use such a gadget. I’m on the go so often, and there are so many purposely-open wireless hotspots around town, that I can easily take advantage of having the Web constantly at my fingertips. I already pay for Internet access as part of my current Verizon Wireless phone plan, but it’s only crappy WAP — barely tolerable for checking email and the occasional online map directions. I could lug my notebook computer around, but that’s overkill and a hassle — something that fits in my pocket would be ideal.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure it’s worth going through the dummy activation-then-cancellation process, especially since it’s likely to be shut down in a future software update. I don’t want to wind up with an elegant $600 brick.
Although I guess I could convince myself, via this justification: Buy the iPhone now, enable it without the telephone service, use the wi-fi (and iPod and camera capabilities) to my heart’s content — for about six months. At that point, in early 2008, my current VZW contract expires. Given that I’m already ready to chuck my present phone, I’ll be ready to replace it with the iPhone. So basically, I’d pre-pay for a new phone now, albeit at a heavy premium.
The only thing is that I’d have to dump VZW for AT&T, since there are no plans to make the iPhone available to other carriers. That’s likely my dealbreaker. So much for that scenario.
I was able to touch an iPhone for the first time tonight and use it in a similar manner at the Bishop Tavern (where they have free wifi)… it was a dream. I still can’t figure out, though, why they didn’t include a GPS chip — my crappy, two-year-old first-gen RAZR has that, and the navigation software, while nowhere near as pretty as the iPhone’s, is much more useful.
Comment by tim — 07/05/2007 @ 12:28 AM
I wouldn’t swear to it, but I think they excluded a dedicated GPS chip to prevent too much drain on the battery life.
I know someone who pre-ordered her iPhone. She’s been out of the country, so even she hasn’t used hers yet. But as soon as I see her, I’m going to beg to have a turn on it.
Comment by CT — 07/05/2007 @ 5:33 PM
Using an iPhone without AT&T EDGE?…
I’ve been wondering about using an iPhone without the EDGE network? I hardly ever talk on my phone anyway. All I want is the network enabled device, and in the places I frequent they almost always have wifi.
I’d love to have a compact and very por…
Trackback by HighTouch — 07/07/2007 @ 10:56 AM
TOUCH, THE WIPOD…
I think I can abandon my plan to hack the iPhone just for the wi-fi action.
Yes, I’ll be queued up later this month, waiting to get my hands on the iPod Touch, most likely the 16-gig model (my current 30-gig is less than a quarter full, and I…
Trackback by Population Statistic — 09/05/2007 @ 11:21 PM
RAD IPAD…
So, yeah: The iPad. I can’t say I’m not tempted. In some ways, this was the type of device I was wishing for when I contemplated buying the first-rollout iPhone in 2007, just for the wireless Internet. That was before Apple followed up with the iTouch …
Trackback by Population Statistic — 01/31/2010 @ 3:55 PM
I have some bad news for some of you.
I have the iPhone no contract thanks to my brother upgrading to 3G. So meaning I have the 2G.
When you get a signal it’s awesome, especially after jailbreaking.
But it has one MAJOR disadvantage, you can’t pick up ANY WiFi or BARELY any, when you are a tad far away from the AP.
At my college, I have a Nokia Internet Tablet N810 (truly recommend), it picks up the wireless signal in the parking lot and around the building.
The iPhone only picks it up inside the building or certain random parts outside, NEVER picks it up in Parking Lot, except random, shows up then disappears immediately.
Comment by Adam McCarthy — 03/06/2010 @ 12:56 AM
Sorry forgot to mention it in my previous comment, but it’s not just because it’s an older one.
I have a friend who has the 3G (3rd generation NOT 3G network) iPod Touch, and he has very similar problems.
Though I will admit, if you have Skype, the iPhone makes a sweet Skype WiFi phone, again that’s if you are getting good signal, otherwise I’m forced to use my N810 either in Speaker mode or use the annoying cheap-feeling headphones that come with it.
(Amazing device the N810 but crappy headphones).
Comment by Adam McCarthy — 03/06/2010 @ 12:59 AM