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iPad mini Should the iPad Mini replace my iPhone 5?
- Thread starter dinosaur1
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OP,
I am doing the exact same thing. I have cancelled all AT&T cell phone service (a savings of $120/month) and will be using my new iPad mini LTE as a hotspot for VOIP calls at a cost of only $30/month. Plus I have the added bonus of NO CONTRACTS.
The default codec for most VOIP services is G711. The G729 codec is a more bandwidth-friendly codec but requires a paid upgrade. A small comparison is below.
For a 10 minute phone call:
- G711 codec: approx. 6.39 MB
- G729 codec: approx. 2.29 MB
For additional information, play around with these two bandwidth calculators:
http://www.faktortel.com.au/support/faq/basics/bandwidth_result.php
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/datacalculatorPopup.jsp
check the calculators I linked to.
1.5GB of data will get you about 35 HOURS of talk time on VOIP.
I'll be using the mini with LTE as a data hotspot tethered to my iPhone. The iPhone will actually be used to make/receive calls via VOIP. It may not be the ideal setup for everyone, but I am able to use the savings from dumping my AT&T phone bill to cover the complete cost of my iPad mini and still come out ahead; so it works for me.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Not sure where you read that. It seems very high. I did a quick search and found this: http://voip.about.com/od/voipbandwidth/f/How-Much-Of-My-Mobile-Data-Plan-Does-Voip-Consume.htm Maybe you found something on VIDEO calling via VOIP (which would make that number make more sense to me)?
Relative to "weird", what I notice is lots of people use their cell phones without holding them to their ears. Either it's bluetooth wireless (so they appear to be talking to themselves (which I find weird(er) myself) or they are using ear buds + microphone and holding their phone out in front of them to also see the screen. While I don't have an iPhone, if I did, I perceive that I would likely use it like that (the latter scenario). So when I think about using iPad Mini + VOIP for the little bit of voice calling I might need/use, I don't perceive that it would look weird at all. Maybe it would look weird, but I don't really care what strangers think anyway; I'm more interested in just efficiently doing whatever it is I'm trying to do.
A selling point of iPhone is using it while talking to someone (such as looking up information like movie times or a location on a map). The only way to do that is to NOT hold it to our ears but hold it out in front of our eyes so that we can see the screen. If that is a marketing benefit for a smart phone, it should be a marketing benefit for VOIP + iPad Mini too.
In my own situation, I've simply avoided the monthly toll of a cell phone. Yes, I've needed to call people sometimes but have found that Skype + laptop covers almost all of my needs. Yes, that can be a bit cumbersome in some situations which is why a VOIP app + a Mini seems like a very interesting alternative. I would still avoid the cell phone toll but would have cell phone-like benefits in a more mobile/convenient package. And, should I really need to make a call when I can't find some free wifi, I could pay a small fee for some on-demand 3G/4G that won't involve 23 more months of ongoing, higher charges (whether I make another such call or not).
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I prefer the huge battery life of the Mini vs the iPhone 5 which I am charging most of the day. Plus I love looking at the Mini screen vs the iPhone. Only downside for me would be carrying a basic phone for calls and a Mini for data, but I don't mind it at all.
For you, it may be a good idea.
But for me, it's my phone over my iPad and MacBook.
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But for me, it's my phone over my iPad and MacBook.
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Get the Nexus 4 for $350.
I have no idea how and why you need to keep charging your iPhone the whole time 
,it easily lasts a whole day,just plug it in at night !
,it easily lasts a whole day,just plug it in at night !I meant a basic phone. Not a smartphone.
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I have no idea how and why you need to keep charging your iPhone the whole time
I am a very heavy data user. The Mini will be perfect since it has such a long battery life.
I've been doing this for a while and saving big $$$. Even 10 microphones in a smartphone are still no match for my Motorola or LG flip phone or their 20+ day battery.
I currently also use an iPhone, with a ipad (data only) sim. Once the LTE mini arrives, it will replace the iphone.
You can probly use an unlocked iPhone (go for a 4 if you want to get a deal) on a basic plan and tether your mini to it.
I'm pretty torn right now. I'm on a family plan and my bill with unlimited talk / text / and about 3 GB data (we have 8GB plan but the other lines don't use anything in terms of data) - and I'm paying $50.
I also have unlimited data plan from the original iPad that's now on my 3 with LTE. I'm going to get a mini LTE whenever they're available. I'm not sure if I want to continue paying for a phone but at $50 a month it's a great deal. If I was paying for 1 line by myself (did that a year ago) for $120 I would pass!
I only did it for a year but I was so sick of how high the bill was. Not sure how you guys handle it.
I'm pretty torn right now. I'm on a family plan and my bill with unlimited talk / text / and about 3 GB data (we have 8GB plan but the other lines don't use anything in terms of data) - and I'm paying $50.
I also have unlimited data plan from the original iPad that's now on my 3 with LTE. I'm going to get a mini LTE whenever they're available. I'm not sure if I want to continue paying for a phone but at $50 a month it's a great deal. If I was paying for 1 line by myself (did that a year ago) for $120 I would pass!
I only did it for a year but I was so sick of how high the bill was. Not sure how you guys handle it.
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I am a very heavy data user. The Mini will be perfect since it has such a long battery life.[/QUOTE]
Then it kinda does actually make sense
I am a very heavy data user. The Mini will be perfect since it has such a long battery life.[/QUOTE]
Then it kinda does actually make sense
This is what I use: PagePlus $29.95 plan (1200 min/3000 text) + $30 for 3GB tablet plan. $62 all up and that includes taxes and fees.
The equivalent all in one plan would cost about $134 with taxes. PLUS, I would be locked into a contract for 2 years. Actually, $144 if I added a tablet to the share plans.
I am saving a whopping $1.9K over 24 months. This allows me to buy a new phone and tablet every year, yet I am still be ahead.
The equivalent all in one plan would cost about $134 with taxes. PLUS, I would be locked into a contract for 2 years. Actually, $144 if I added a tablet to the share plans.
I am saving a whopping $1.9K over 24 months. This allows me to buy a new phone and tablet every year, yet I am still be ahead.
Nice work! If I didn't have the family plan I'd do the same thing! Although I have to say straight talk has better coverage than page plus if you want faster speed (HSPA+) and more coverage areas.
OP, I think this is a good idea but I would hate to have a dumb phone. Not because I'm so in love with my iPhone but for the fact that I would feel like I'm living in the 90's or something lol. Maybe that is just me....
lol i could never replace my iphone for my ipad. I need both for different things. Since the OP doesn't actually use calls much and obviously doesn't mind having a 10 year old nokia then it might not be so bad for him.
My # is the main # on a 5 line family plan. An unlocked iPhone 4 would work for just voice? It wouldn't need any data plan?
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I wouldn't choose a flip phone, but something that still "looks" like a smartphone that really isn't
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I would opt for a phone that looks like it has a data plan, nothing ancient.
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I have a family plan with 5 lines. My line is the main one. I use at&t, but I hate their network. Can I use Verizon's data plan $30 for 3gb for the Mini and keep my at&t basic phone plan?
In my case I see more positives then negatives. If I have a basic phone I would have no contract(once my current one expires in April 2013), I have a ton more battery life on the Mini vs my 5, larger display which is easier on the eyes and I get to buy a new mini every year.
Is there an ambient noise mic on the iPad and iPad mini like there is in the iPhone models? If not, even VoIP calls are going to be very noisy without the background noise canceling
If you can do this, then more power to you, but I would advise against it. The mini is nice and small but there are situations where you just won't have it on you, but your iPhone will be sitting comfortably in your pocket. I can see the rationale but my advice is to definitely keep your iPhone.
Well, maybe it is time to create a dumbed down small phone device for "better" voice communications, rather than go with a full featured iphone.
The funny thing is, everyone has different needs. Sometimes I do wonder why I have a full powered 17" laptop (PC) for gaming and heavy duty work software, a MBP for mobile computing, an ipad for ultra mobile content consumption, and a powerful smartphone (android) with a 4.3" screen.
Someone has to figure out convergence of all of these technologies that make more sense.
R
The funny thing is, everyone has different needs. Sometimes I do wonder why I have a full powered 17" laptop (PC) for gaming and heavy duty work software, a MBP for mobile computing, an ipad for ultra mobile content consumption, and a powerful smartphone (android) with a 4.3" screen.
Someone has to figure out convergence of all of these technologies that make more sense.
R
1.5GB? No where close. VoIP is lower quality and more compressed than MP3 music.
I think 1 hr of streaming music is like 100MB.