Posted by MistarellaFL on 4/6/13 9:30am
Msg #464704

Android cell phone as a hotspot

There's an app for that!
(No waaaaaaaaay!)
I have been wondering how to get around buying a 3/4G phone with wifi hotspot, or buying a tablet and data plan, and decided to use my friend google.
I learned there is an app for turning your android with data plan into a wifi hotspot to use my wifi tablet for internet wherever I have data service available (and google play will tell me if the app is compatible with my phone).
Is anyone using any of these apps, and if so, what's your recommendation?

Reply by sueharke on 4/6/13 10:35am
Msg #464713

I usually just buy used phones from eBay from people who have changed providers and don't need their old phone anymore. The last two I paid $100 for each and the first lasted for about 1.5 years and am still using the last one I purchased. This may be the better way to achieve your goal. Doing this has kept me from getting a new contract when I was under contract.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 4/6/13 10:44am
Msg #464719

You misunderstand

I want to be able to use my wifi-only tablet in the car. I don't want to pay for: a 3/G tablet + monthly data charge, or additional fee to tether my phone (which I can't do anyway) or to buy a new phone.
I am looking for a way around both, and looking for a recommendation for these new-to-me mobile hot spot apps.

Reply by ToniK on 4/6/13 11:11am
Msg #464726

Re: You misunderstand

BUt wont that still eat up your data on your 3G? I havent done it with mine cuz I dont want to have to pay $10 per GB. If I need to use my tablet in the car Ill just park next to a Starbucks or Panera bread and hope on their free wi-fi.

Reply by Darlin_AL on 4/6/13 12:58pm
Msg #464735

Android as hotspot

Verizon has that option for the device itself at a monthly fee, I think it was $29.

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 4/6/13 2:57pm
Msg #464757

Re: Android as hotspot

I do the verizon device - cost about $29 after rebate and my plan only went up $10/mo. I had been after something like this for a LONG time (since I really wasn't in the market for a Tablet; I just need a small netbook); I told the verizon guy at the store What took so long? I had been in there only a few months before looking for something as easy that didn't require "hooking up to the pc."

It pays to keep shopping until you find what really suits your needs (if only technology would keep up!)

Reply by MistarellaFL on 4/6/13 3:19pm
Msg #464760

I have unltd data. n/m

Reply by sueharke on 4/6/13 1:15pm
Msg #464737

Re: You misunderstand

Then do what I do with my Kindle Fire - find a McDonalds, Starbucks, Panera Bread, or place with free wi-fi. How about using a Wi-fi finder and connecting when you find free wi-fi? Have you research if these mobile hot spot apps open your phone or other device to viruses or other snooping issues?

Reply by Sandra G Holland on 4/6/13 1:33pm
Msg #464740

Re: You misunderstand

So much to think about! I have yet to buy a smart phone. I have received recommendations of an android. I dread the learning curve. I looked online for a tutorial, but it is long and complicated. I have only small snippets of time for personal things, and some of that is taken out of sleep time! I can see that when I finally do get a smart phone, and learn how to use it, I can be more efficient.

Reply by HSH/WA on 4/6/13 1:47pm
Msg #464746

Re: It's about another $50 per month

at Verizon to get a smart phone (free for me with 2 yr activation) with data package and then add the hot spot. Too much! Still, I was about to do it when FASS said no more photos of IDs on your phone. At the time I was doing a lot of fax backs and thought of using the phone camera for that - but that business seems to be slowing down. So I'm still with the clam shell.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 4/6/13 2:24pm
Msg #464749

Nevermind n/m

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 4/6/13 3:02pm
Msg #464758

Lol! Mistarella, don't get frustrated!

<<how to get around buying a 3/4G phone with wifi hotspot, or buying a tablet and data plan, and decided to use my friend google.>>

See my post. Not sure if my understanding is ANY better - but sounds like you want what I had been searching for (my carrier finally got on board)

p.s. Remember that whisper word game where you told something to someone and it got repeated, retold as &@!

Reply by MistarellaFL on 4/6/13 3:17pm
Msg #464759

Michelle, I know all about the "plans"-hence my frustration

I am only interested in experiences with the hotspot apps.

Reply by Sandra G Holland on 4/6/13 4:11pm
Msg #464763

Re: Michelle, I know all about the "plans"-hence my frustration

This is really a conversation, not a question of the professor in which you expect a direct and complete answer. It's a coffee break.

Reply by HSH/WA on 4/6/13 4:22pm
Msg #464765

Re: You can use various hot spots in your area

to download onto your computer (could be picked up by someone else?) and avoid the use of your own costly hot spot, but you would have to drive to them. Boingo.com offers a program that will help you find hot spots near your mobile location at $10 per month. For me all this would only come into use at EOM to get late docs - but that leads to a mobile printer, power source etc. A lot of expense for maybe one extra signing per month. Never thought it was worth it. But for real busy NSAs - maybe.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 4/6/13 4:52pm
Msg #464768

Not looking to download docs

Looking to use internet out in the stix-no wifi available. No McD's, no public library, no Starbucks, no hotspots.

Reply by MikeC/TX on 4/6/13 6:13pm
Msg #464775

Re: Not looking to download docs

You may not need an app to do this - my Samsung phone has this capability out of the box, and I believe Motorola phones can do it as well. Check your manual. These apps just basically do what the phone was already designed to do, except they might make it a little less confusing (they cannot make the phone do something it's not capable of, which is why Google Play will tell you whether it works with your phone).

There are several problems:

1. Battery life. Setting your phone as a hotspot sucks the life out of the battery. Samsung strongly recommends that you have your phone plugged into a charger while doing this. That's fine if you're home, but if you're on the road there are other issues. You can use a car charger. but many of the newer cars cut off power to the charger ports when the car is not running - which means you may have to idle the car, which means more gas used and more pollutants generated so that you can use your tablet in your car...

2. Data usage. Unless you are one of the lucky ones who has a provider that still allows unlimited data transfer, you will be chewing up a huge portion of your monthly allotment by using your phone as a portal for your tablet. Depending on how often you do this, you may have a a surprise waiting for you in your next phone bill...

3. Security. Once you establish your phone as a hotspot, anyone cruising by can use it unless you lock the gates. That means creating a secure password that is difficult to hack, changing that password on a regular basis, and monitoring activity when you have the hotspot active. None of that sounds exciting, but it's what you need to do to keep your phone secure.

So, given all that, does it still seem like a good idea for you?

Reply by MistarellaFL on 4/6/13 6:22pm
Msg #464776

<Sigh> Nevermind everyone. I'll let you know how it ends.

My car charger works when the ignition is off.
I have unlimited data.
I will be in Big Fat Egypt...no one will be cruising by.

All I wanted was any recommendations about the mobile hotspot android apps available.
I guess this wasn't the place or peeps to query.
Again, nevermind. I am off to work on my communication skills.

Reply by MikeC/TX on 4/6/13 7:28pm
Msg #464784

Re: <Sigh> Nevermind everyone. I'll let you know how it ends.

You missed the point - if there IS an app to do that on your phone, the phone can already do that without the app. There are none I can recommend, because they will all do what your phone can already do without them. Read your manual - if your phone supports wifi hotspots, it will explain how to set it up. If it doesn't, no app you buy is going to make the phone do something it wasn't designed to do.

Reply by Lisa Aske on 4/6/13 8:41pm
Msg #464791

Still may not be what you're looking for, but I am gonna give it a shot. Yes, I use my phone as a hotspot. I have an Samsung Galaxy S 4G with Android. I go into my Wireless & Network settings and turn on the Mobile AP (enable other devices to connect Internet via 4G network of your phone). Yes, I have unlimited Data on my plan with TMobile. The Mobile Ap came standard with my phone, it is not a downloaded app. I use it to access the internet on my IPad.

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/7/13 12:35am
Msg #464817

Thanks, Lisa - that's interesting.

I could not use my phone as a hotspot (Galaxy II 4G) when I did not have the add on -- I have TMobile. My phone would not do it...I have unlimited data.

I absolutely l-o-v-e love it! I have a Note 2 now and the hotspot is amazingly fast.

By the way, I just talked to TM tonight about my data plan before this thread. The CS rep said (just like they all have) that "unlimited data" is unlimited, but you only get 2 GB at 4G. After that, it goes back down to 2G/Edge speed until your monthly cycle renews. I won't take that chance of losing my speed. $14.99/mo is a bus. expense on my sch. C and it is SO worth it.

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/7/13 7:05am
Msg #464826

To be clear, the 14.99 gets me up to 5 GB n/m

Reply by Michelle/AL on 4/6/13 9:50pm
Msg #464800

Misterealla, I agree w/Lisa Aske

I have an Android phone and I use it on occasion as my own hotspot. Like her I didn't download any special app. I do everything through the Android's settings. It works well except it runs down my battery quickly if not plugged in. I learned about this feature from calling VerizonWireless.

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/6/13 10:23pm
Msg #464803

I pay $14.99 a month with TMobile and love it.

I get an additional 5 GBs per month. I stream movies with it while I am getting a pedicure and watching my Kindle.

To answer what you asked about the apps...I need my fast 4G when I need it and I would never tether for more than a couple of minutes without this type of additional plan. I have in the past, but only in emergencies. With TMobile, if you go over your "unlimited" plan (which is actually 2 GBs), your phone will become a 2G slug until your plan rolls over into the next monthly cycle. (In the words of my favorite YouTube sensation, Sweet Brown, "Ain't nobody got time for that!")

You're on Boost, so I don't know how that would work for you, or if they do choke downs on overuse.

There's person at work who supposedly does it on AT&T, but he's also quite free with the truth at times and likes to sound like he is an amazingly clever guy who can get everything for free. So, I would not take his word for it either.

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/6/13 10:31pm
Msg #464804

Misty - here is the app that I used in the past.

http://www.junefabrics.com/

In this instance, I had to tether - was not wireless, but it worked terrifically and saved my bacon a few times. It now supports wireless hotspot, I think.

Wireless or tether, there will still be the concern of the usage of data. Data is never really unlimited IMHO.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 4/6/13 11:35pm
Msg #464811

Thanks all...but....

let me show you what I am trying to find out about.
Apparently it's something I guess no one else is aware of, either.
http://foxfi.com/

Reply by Dennis reno on 4/7/13 12:04am
Msg #464813

Hot Spot Android Ap n/m

Reply by Dennis reno on 4/7/13 12:05am
Msg #464814

Hot Spot Android Ap

Go to ap store and download FoxFi95. It's free and works good. I use it with my laptop and have no problems.

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/7/13 12:08am
Msg #464815

Same app that I used from JuneFabrics.com PdaNet n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/7/13 1:10am
Msg #464820

Re: Misty - here is the app that I used in the past.

Thanks for the skinny on "unlimited" data w/T-mobile. I didn't add the wireless hotspot capabilities in my current usage plan with them (on a gs3) because I don't really need it currently, but the lack of speed beyond 2G of data seems to make that a contradiction - and so called "unlimited data" somewhat meaningless. Sneaky! But I guess that's better than getting billed a bundle if usage goes beyond that - which it's more likely to do @ faster speeds, I suppose. Hopefully things will change by the time my contract is up for renewal again.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 4/7/13 1:53am
Msg #464822

TY all n/m