[iPad Mini] iPad M and No Cell Phone!

in2tech · 12:21 PM

Let me start off by saying I am not a big cell phone person and my entire large family and extended family all have an Apple devices, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, MacBook Air's, etc...
So I am planning on testing if I can just use the iPad M for communicating with the family members through FREE iMessage and Message in the Apple eco system. My only question if can I text the few none family members not on a Apple device easily? And is it Free or would use the data plan. This might only happen a few text a month to non Apple users. If this works no cell phone contract and a significant savings with a $20.00 monthly plan on Verizon!

Have you thought about doing this or trying it?

Remember I said I am not a big cell phone person at all and only use it when I absolutely have too when out and about! And that's no very often

Fruit Cake · Nov 8, 2012, 04:25 AM

I got a galaxy note 2 for this reason. I don't talk lots but still need a phone and can't live like a hermit, so this was the next best thing. Still kept my ipad though, nothing could replace that.

in2tech · Nov 8, 2012, 05:15 AM

And for the few times needed how much bandwidth would FaceTime use?

AlvinNguyen · Nov 8, 2012, 05:43 AM

I have unlimited data on my ipad and I want to do this with the mini. Not sure how convenient : feasible this is but ill let you know once the mini LTE comes out

silvetti · Nov 8, 2012, 06:23 AM

Get a data plan, get MobileVOIP from AppStore, charge an account with credit with a VOIP service and done.

Still not free calls sms, but prices are VERY low on some of the VOIP services.

I use actionvoip (VERY CHEAP!)

Aspasia · Nov 8, 2012, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by in2tech

Let me start off by saying I am not a big cell phone person and my entire large family and extended family all have an Apple devices, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, MacBook Air's, etc...
So I am planning on testing if I can just use the iPad M for communicating with the family members through FREE iMessage and Message in the Apple ego system. My only question if can I text the few none family members not on a Apple device easily? And is it Free or would use the data plan. This might only happen a few text a month to non Apple users. If this works no cell phone contract and a significant savings with a $20.00 monthly plan on Verizon!

Have you thought about doing this or trying it?

Remember I said I am not a big cell phone person at all and only use it when I absolutely have too when out and about! And that's no very often

Never tried Messages because I use TextNow, an app which allows texting to any device (including your laptop or desktop computer - you just go to texnow.com and sign into your account)

As a test, just sent a text from my iPod touch 5G to my TracFone. Arrived immediately. TextNow also allows you to send photos.

My family doesn't use smart phones; iPods or iPads and prepaid cell phones. Works great for us and saves a ton of $$$$.

Mrg02d · Nov 8, 2012, 08:39 AM

I've tried it. It's not as easy as it seems. Plenty of times I found data connection too weak to use when cell service was strong.

wlossw · Nov 8, 2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by in2tech

Let me start off by saying I am not a big cell phone person and my entire large family and extended family all have an Apple devices, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, MacBook Air's, etc...
So I am planning on testing if I can just use the iPad M for communicating with the family members through FREE iMessage and Message in the Apple ego system. My only question if can I text the few none family members not on a Apple device easily? And is it Free or would use the data plan. This might only happen a few text a month to non Apple users. If this works no cell phone contract and a significant savings with a $20.00 monthly plan on Verizon!

Have you thought about doing this or trying it?

Remember I said I am not a big cell phone person at all and only use it when I absolutely have too when out and about! And that's no very often

I had the same thought, but I like the idea of being able to call 911 or the odd business.

I don't know if you meant "EGO" or "ECO" system. I do like your use of "EGO" though...

in2tech · Nov 9, 2012, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlossw

I don't know if you meant "EGO" or "ECO" system. I do like your use of "EGO" though...

Corrected meant to type "eco", but "ego" I guess could work too

Awakener · Nov 9, 2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlossw

I had the same thought, but I like the idea of being able to call 911 or the odd business.

I don't know if you meant "EGO" or "ECO" system. I do like your use of "EGO" though...

Freudian slip?

Nov 8, 2012, 04:21 AM	#1
in2tech macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2012	iPad M and No Cell Phone! Let me start off by saying I am not a big cell phone person and my entire large family and extended family all have an Apple devices, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, MacBook Air's, etc... So I am planning on testing if I can just use the iPad M for communicating with the family members through FREE iMessage and Message in the Apple eco system. My only question if can I text the few none family members not on a Apple device easily? And is it Free or would use the data plan. This might only happen a few text a month to non Apple users. If this works no cell phone contract and a significant savings with a $20.00 monthly plan on Verizon! Have you thought about doing this or trying it? Remember I said I am not a big cell phone person at all and only use it when I absolutely have too when out and about! And that's no very often Last edited by in2tech; Nov 9, 2012 at 12:21 PM.
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Nov 8, 2012, 04:25 AM	#2
Fruit Cake macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2012	I got a galaxy note 2 for this reason. I don't talk lots but still need a phone and can't live like a hermit, so this was the next best thing. Still kept my ipad though, nothing could replace that.
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Nov 8, 2012, 05:15 AM	#3
in2tech Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2012	And for the few times needed how much bandwidth would FaceTime use?
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Nov 8, 2012, 05:43 AM	#4
AlvinNguyen macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2010	I have unlimited data on my ipad and I want to do this with the mini. Not sure how convenient : feasible this is but ill let you know once the mini LTE comes out
	0

Nov 8, 2012, 06:23 AM	#5
silvetti macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2011	Get a data plan, get MobileVOIP from AppStore, charge an account with credit with a VOIP service and done. Still not free calls sms, but prices are VERY low on some of the VOIP services. I use actionvoip (VERY CHEAP!)
	0

Nov 8, 2012, 08:39 AM	#7
Mrg02d macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2012	I've tried it. It's not as easy as it seems. Plenty of times I found data connection too weak to use when cell service was strong.
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