[Vanhackspace] Motorola Milestone, Rogers data plan?

[Joe Bowser]

On Sun, May 2, 2010 at 7:56 PM, Jack Bates <jack.bates at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all - is it kosher to poll the list for some consumer advice?
>
>
Sure.


> I plan to order this Android phone from buy.com,
>
> http://www.buy.com/prod/motorola-milestone-droid-unlocked-smartphone-android-wifi-5-mp-camera/q/listingid/74605880/loc/111/214342176.html
>
> - and get a $35/month, 1 GB data plan from Rogers
>
> Anyone have strong opinions about either this phone or this data plan?
> Know if I need to be careful about getting a phone that's compatible
> with local service providers?
>
>
The phone is good except the bootloader is locked.  This means that the
firmware is cryptographically signed and can't be replaced by Homebrew.
Also, to update it from 2.01 to 2.1-update1, you need a Windows system to
run the update software.  I did it with VirtualBox, but it was slow and
kinda sketch.


> This is my first mobile phone...
>
> I considered the Milestone, the Google Nexus One, or an older Android -
> maybe off Craigslist
>
> Nexus One and Milestone seemed about the same? About the same screen,
> OS, price. About the same battery performance (not great?)
>
>
Milestone is better on battery than the Nexus One that I'm currently using.
The screen is bigger on the Nexus One.


> Rogers, Telus, Fido, and Bell all offer data-only plans intended for USB
> sticks - but apparently I can buy a SIM card ostensibly for my "USB
> stick", bring it home and install in my Android
>
> Plans all about $30 - $35/month for 500 MB, $35 - $40/month for 1 GB
>
> Can't tell the difference between Rogers' and Telus' coverage from the
> maps on their sites
>
>
I would be very suprised if Telus worked out on the islands.  I would also
be shocked if 3G on Rogers worked.  I'd expect EDGE speeds at best.


> (Aside: the Wind company looks awesome, but think it'll be long time
> before they offer service on the Gulf Islands...
>
> My reason for getting a mobile is I started spending about 9 hours each
> way commuting to Cortes Island, and internet on my netbook while
> commuting would be awesome
>
> Instead of spending ~$200 on a USB stick for my netbook, might as well
> get and Android and use it to tether?
>
>
I'd get the Nexus One.  You can easily tether by rooting it and running
Cyanogen.  You can't easily tether a Milestone under Linux, since you can't
get root.


> Among advantages of Android over USB stick is I could check ferry
> schedules, etc. w/o hauling out the netbook
>
> One advantage of USB stick is it's "HSPA+" (reportedly 21 Mbps) vs.
> "HSPA" (reportedly 7.2 Mbps) - don't think any "HSPA+" Androids are
> currently available
>

I'd get the USB stick as well as the Motorola and swap SIMs.  Most speeds
will be closer to 2.5 Mbps than the advertised 7.2 or 21 Mbps.  This is in
Real World tests around Vancouver with the SpeedTest app on Android.

In short, I recommend the Neuxs One as a more versatile phone.  However, I
own both and both are very good phones in comparison to the other Android
phones out there (i.e. The Sony Xperia X10).  I plan to get a WIND USB stick
once WIND comes out here, but I wouldn't trust my voice communications with
them, or any hardcore data.

Joe
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