Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Ditching iPhone for iPad only
- Thread starter Mr. Donahue
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
If it takes a Micro Sim and not a Nano Sim you should be able to find adapters on eBay for like $5. Just search Nano to Micro. Glad to hear it's been working out for you!
It's been almost 3 years since I got the Mini and I have progressively brought it with me more and more until about 1.5 years ago when I decided to just bring it with me every time I left the house. Best decision I ever made. I can do anything that I need to do, for business or play, on a device that is actually comfortable to use.
To some, perhaps most — maybe. I know having a phone is extremely important in today's society. However, some people simply don't need it for what the contracts can cost, it's usually pretty expensive for something that doesn't always pay itself for what people use it for.
With subsidized models going out the wayside, to me it makes it seem like the days of having a phone for cellular plans might very well be like how cable television is fizzling out. People are cutting the cord for it, and I think that there might be a little revolution for phone contracts in the coming years. It seems very plausible and far cheaper to use a cellular plan for an iPad instead of the bloated prices of extremely overpriced data plans for phones. I'll probably consider it once it becomes a little easier and more practical to manage, but until then, I need my handset.
It's very refreshing to read this acknowledgment of the truth about Apple.
And I'm not hating on them or making accusations. It is what it is.
I freely expose myself to Apple out of choice. Yet I've been aware for quite some time just what the true scope of their operation is, and is capable of.
If more Apple users could speak freely without fear of outright attacks from the deniers, or being banned, we would have a truly free environment in which intelligent information rich discussions could be held.
Please share how you've setup your mini to function as a phone.
I have a mini, I fully embrace Google Contacts, Calendar, Voice and I'm ready to embark on this.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
mini with cellular + voip software + earbuds or headphones with microphone can be a GREAT alternative to an iPhone with a monthly cellular bill. In my case, I have Comcast Voice at home. They have an app too. Shockingly, it's a pretty good VOIP app, which "rings" my Mini whenever anyone calls the home number. I can also call from it and text to anyone (and receives texts from anyone).
My cell phone needs for voice have always been sparse so this works well. To pinch costs further, I use the AT&T 3 month or 1GB data plan on the cellular side. At $25 for 3 months, it covers my needs anytime I'm out of a wifi zone. Often I can let it lapse for a while since I'm typically in wifi zones. So for 2 or 3 payments of $25 during an entire year, I feel like I'm not missing a thing in terms of cell phone benefits.
There's lots of great VOIP apps in the store, so try a few and find one you like best. This is an especially good option for those who use their phones mostly for texting & internet vs. voice (though it covers voice just fine). Instead of about $40 to about $120 per month (depending on plan and carrier), about $50-$100 can cover cellular service needs for an entire year, saving somewhere between about $380-$1340 every year.
Now, if you are someone constantly talking on a cell phone, you may find that an iPhone is a better option. It takes a bit more effort to take & make calls when you can't just hold your "phone" up to your ear. But otherwise- and especially if one tends to be carrying both phone and tablet around most of the time- it's a pretty good alternative that does save a lot of money.
My cell phone needs for voice have always been sparse so this works well. To pinch costs further, I use the AT&T 3 month or 1GB data plan on the cellular side. At $25 for 3 months, it covers my needs anytime I'm out of a wifi zone. Often I can let it lapse for a while since I'm typically in wifi zones. So for 2 or 3 payments of $25 during an entire year, I feel like I'm not missing a thing in terms of cell phone benefits.
There's lots of great VOIP apps in the store, so try a few and find one you like best. This is an especially good option for those who use their phones mostly for texting & internet vs. voice (though it covers voice just fine). Instead of about $40 to about $120 per month (depending on plan and carrier), about $50-$100 can cover cellular service needs for an entire year, saving somewhere between about $380-$1340 every year.
Now, if you are someone constantly talking on a cell phone, you may find that an iPhone is a better option. It takes a bit more effort to take & make calls when you can't just hold your "phone" up to your ear. But otherwise- and especially if one tends to be carrying both phone and tablet around most of the time- it's a pretty good alternative that does save a lot of money.
This describe my usage precisely.
Thank You for the excellent detailed outline of your setup.
I'd only casually considered doing this until the thread reminded me of the viability. I agree that VOIP apps are refined enough now that a solution like this makes perfect sense and will easily save me over $1,000 annually.
As much as a smartphone is ideal for me, passing up the savings would be foolish.
Cheers
I just ditched my iP6 for a Jitterbug flip phone. I may get an iPad for my commute (movies, reading pdfs, comics and email) but I was 100% fed up with dealing with AT&T etc. and their expensive BS plans. I rarely used data and the phone itself. I am in WiFi for the majority of the day so...
I cannot not financially justify an iPhone and iPad, so I'll see what Apple reveals this week(?) and go from there.
I cannot not financially justify an iPhone and iPad, so I'll see what Apple reveals this week(?) and go from there.
I want to go from using iphone6+ to mini 4 for calls/texts etc. I will probably keep my iPhone and cell plan for now, as we have two other iphones on plan. But how does one call 911?
And when using Skype, they charge per text correct? I want to be able to txt/mms frequently and call some
And when using Skype, they charge per text correct? I want to be able to txt/mms frequently and call some
There is no actual phone service. They are using the iPad just for data. And like your Internet connection at home, you can have a VOIP phone running too. There are a number of limitations and it is not a true replacement for an actual cell phone. Just have Google Voice running on your iPad and you've got the same thing. With many providers the data is bundled into the voice so the price differential is minimal. But if you want the benefit of having just one device to carry around, it's a nice option.