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Motorola Xoom 3g |
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#1 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,153
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Motorola Xoom 3g
hi i am thinking about getting a Motorola Xoom 3g but need a bit of advice please. i dont want contract so it possible to have pay as you go sim in it. if not i will go for wifi only version
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: South London
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Quote:
hi i am thinking about getting a Motorola Xoom 3g but need a bit of advice please. i dont want contract so it possible to have pay as you go sim in it. if not i will go for wifi only version
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#3 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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Quote:
Snap!! I am in the same position with respect to getting one for my sister, with 3g. It seems that the Three network is the only network offering a decent a range of data only SIMs for tablets.
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#4 |
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Derby
Posts: 27,579
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Quote:
hi i am thinking about getting a Motorola Xoom 3g but need a bit of advice please. i dont want contract so it possible to have pay as you go sim in it. if not i will go for wifi only version
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#5 |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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I wish that they manufactured a simple tablet just for basically internet and email use (and I don't mean a Datawind Ubisurfer!!).
My sister, if I bought her one, wouldn't use 99% of the features on them. And despite my interest they are basically a larger smartphone without a phone's capability, aren't they? Just yet another toy, useful though it may be but it still has to be hawked around in a satchel or case. Still wonder whether a £200/£300 netbook would be more useful and with better connectivity, possibly. |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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The networks expect you to take out a tablet specific monthly data contract so go for the wifi version if you're worried out costs. Most tablets seem to rarely leave the home anyway from what I've read.
As for leaving home, your right the vast majority who own tablets never take them out. If it's for only occasional use out and about I would still advise buying the wifi only Xoom and thether (assuming a tether capable phone is handy), no matter who the network is. Quote:
I wish that they manufactured a simple tablet just for basically internet and email use (and I don't mean a Datawind Ubisurfer!!).
My sister, if I bought her one, wouldn't use 99% of the features on them. And despite my interest they are basically a larger smartphone without a phone's capability, aren't they? Just yet another toy, useful though it may be but it still has to be hawked around in a satchel or case. Still wonder whether a £200/£300 netbook would be more useful and with better connectivity, possibly. |
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#7 |
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3 are happy for you to tether using your phone data plan, no extra charge. So if either spursgalea or HHGTTG are already on 3 and have a phone capable of tethering, its a no brainer, get the wifi only Xoom.
As for leaving home, your right the vast majority who own tablets never take them out. If it's for only occasional use out and about I would still advise buying the wifi only Xoom and thether (assuming a tether capable phone is handy), no matter who the network is. The most basic tablets are just a large smartphone, but when you get the likes of the Xoom, Galaxy Tab, Asus Transformer or iPad they are far more capable than a smartphone as I have found out with my Xoom in everyday use. Obviously if I had WLAN at home then I might have had a tablet many months ago now. |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wapping, London
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they are far more capable than a smartphone as I have found out with my Xoom in everyday use.
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#9 |
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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I've never been sure about this, (though I'm looking to buy a tablet). Can you give some examples of stuff you can do on your Xoom that you can't do an a smartphone - other than the odd tablet specific-app that just hasn't been written for a smartphone screen yet?
Working on any spreadsheet os proper document is a nightmare on a phone, compared. As is using the internet. Phone is capable for sure, but no where near as good as a tablet.
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#10 |
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You can see what you're doing for a start.
Working on any spreadsheet os proper document is a nightmare on a phone, compared. As is using the internet. Phone is capable for sure, but no where near as good as a tablet.
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#11 |
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You can see what you're doing for a start.
Working on any spreadsheet os proper document is a nightmare on a phone, compared. As is using the internet. Phone is capable for sure, but no where near as good as a tablet.Yes a tablet is really only a large smartphone without the ability of making a call - too many different toys really. Take your phone with you and a neat little netbook perhaps. I'd never risk my life taking a smartphone on serious hikes or outlandish holidays but would also take my candybar phones which seldom need topping up with juice. |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
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so a smartphone with a bigger screen then, like people say
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#13 |
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The question is then, why do we buy smartphones? Keep our reliable more basic ones and buy a tablet for serious work.
Sent from my HTC |
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#14 |
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A tablet may just be a "smartphone with a bigger screen", but that bigger screen makes it a hell of a lot better than a smartphone for various things. Watching videos, web browsing, playing games, etc. are all a lot better on a tablet than a smartphone.
(I browse 'regular' web pages and watch video just fine on my Galaxy S2) |
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#15 |
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The question is then, why do we buy smartphones? Keep our reliable more basic ones and buy a tablet for serious work.
![]() So yeah, maybe simple phone+ 7" tablet, or smartphone + large tablet (or laptop). |
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#16 |
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they're also better on a 4.5" screen rather than a 4" screen, or a 4" screen over a 3.5" screen. Doesn't make the larger screened device something fundamentally different. It might be more convenient for some tasks, but it does what a smartphone does, and claims that tablets can do stuff smartphones can't are incorrect.
(I browse 'regular' web pages and watch video just fine on my Galaxy S2) Sure, you can watch videos on a 3.5"/4"/4.5" screen, but wouldn't 10" be better? Ditto for web browsing and playing games. There are of course times when a smartphone's small & pocketable size makes it more convenient than a tablet, but if where I am or what I'm doing isn't inconvenient for a tablet, then it's tablet all the way for me. Wifey watching Strictly and controlling the HDTV in the lounge? I'd rather watch TV/videos or surf or play a game on my tablet than my smartphone. Travelling by train, plane, etc.? Away somewhere? I'd rather use a tablet rather than a smartphone if I want to surf/watch/play. etc. etc. |
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#17 |
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Well I'd want to stick to 2 portable devices on the move I think; a 7" tablet seems pretty pointless if you've got a decent 4.5" smartphone;conversely you'll probably not want to lug an ipad or similar with you everywhere - I've yet to go to a gig where someone checks FB from their tablet in the middle of the crowd
![]() So yeah, maybe simple phone+ 7" tablet, or smartphone + large tablet (or laptop). |
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#18 |
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Continuing on this theme or perhaps the subject of another thread, I have noticed that Amazon sell 1GB/3GB 'Ready to Go' data SIMs for 3g mobile devices and these, apparently can be just plugged into any unlocked mobile device and they'll work without any registration etc.
They are with the Three network and yet all thE actual networks, including Three, don't seem to sell these unless on a process of continual topping up or contract. The Amazon ones expire in 30 days or 3mths depending on which one you buy. Has anyone tried these and are they a solution to someone who wants a Tablet operating on a 3g network rather than just WiFi? |
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#19 |
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Join Date: Apr 2011
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It might be worth mentioning that if BTOpenzone/BTFON is available in your area you can internet via that (£3 a day I think).
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#20 |
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It might be worth mentioning that if BTOpenzone/BTFON is available in your area you can internet via that (£3 a day I think).
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#21 |
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On the move, the Achilles Heel of all smartphones is their appalling battery life, surely?
But yes, I agree, its the thing missing from a lot of phones, mine inc... |
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#22 |
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I was under the same impression of most people here. I have a smartphone and a notebook, why would I need a tablet. However having purchased one, I can say that I use it more than the notebook. Things that I would have done on the phone, like surf, use app - I now do with the tablet. Bigger screen is massive plus. When at home, my wife never used my phone to surf, watch youtube, check emails etc, she used the notebook. Now she uses the tablet. I dont think the notebook gets used anymore.
The other point that hasnt been mentioned is that when I am out the phone is with me, and the tablet at home. So if you have a partner/kids they can use the tablet. A phone is primarily used by one person. A tablet is used by everyone. I dont regret buy my tablet. Although it has made my notebook somewhat redundant. I wouldnt purchase a 3g tablet, if I took it out the house, I would teather it to my phone. |
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#23 |
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Well, I made the move and have just ordered from good old Amazon the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 16GB 3G+WiFi model in white as that one can be delivered tomorrow by Express delivery.
I have also ordered a 'Three' 3GB data SIM/90 days to use in it. Only hope I have got reception here in S.London - should have according to their coverage map (if that can be believed) |
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#24 |
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You may be surprised how many places have open (free) WiFi accessible. A pub I was in last night for example, and my hotel on a recent holiday in Tunisia.
In fact, I keep my 3G connection on my Android phone turned off to avoid data charges and just use WiFi when I can get it (which is most of the time). Also if you have BT broadband and opt in to BTFON, then you can access unlimited free OpenZone/BTFON when away. Bit annoying though when you come home and your phone re-connects to "your" OpenZone instead of your router! (I have a Xoom WiFi only, BTW, and well pleased with it). |
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#25 |
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Quote:
You may be surprised how many places have open (free) WiFi accessible. A pub I was in last night for example, and my hotel on a recent holiday in Tunisia.
In fact, I keep my 3G connection on my Android phone turned off to avoid data charges and just use WiFi when I can get it (which is most of the time). Also if you have BT broadband and opt in to BTFON, then you can access unlimited free OpenZone/BTFON when away. Bit annoying though when you come home and your phone re-connects to "your" OpenZone instead of your router! (I have a Xoom WiFi only, BTW, and well pleased with it). |
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Working on any spreadsheet os proper document is a nightmare on a phone, compared. As is using the internet. Phone is capable for sure, but no where near as good as a tablet.