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If by waiting for takeoff, you mean you're on the plane with the door closed and in line on the taxiway, you're not supposed to have your phone on.

According to the flight attendants, we're allowed ;) . It's only if you have a longish delay that you're allowed to. I was on one once when we were stuck on the tarmac waiting for 45 minutes. This was 'in line' to takeoff. Flight attendants said we could use phones or anything else until the pilot made an announcement saying we were next in line.
 
My Netflix use is where the rubber hits the road for my 2 gb cap. Netflix on iPhone is great for shows like The Office or 30 Rock. Not so great for movies like LOTR. Still a great app that Android doesn't even have right now.
 
If by waiting for takeoff, you mean you're on the plane with the door closed and in line on the taxiway, you're not supposed to have your phone on.

I would say less than 50% of frequent travelers actually abide by this policy. And yet, planes take off and land everyday without crashing.....
 
who is surprised 5 movies = 2GB?

5 movies should be more like 3+GB. When I stream movies over 3G on my iPhone 4, each movies is roughly 500-700MB for about 1 hour 45 minutes.

I stream all the time because my classes are so far apart, and I don't want to drive home, just to go back to campus. Have unlimited data, and this is the only reason why I have not given it up.
 
5 movies should be more like 3+GB. When I stream movies over 3G on my iPhone 4, each movies is roughly 500-700MB for about 1 hour 45 minutes.

I stream all the time because my classes are so far apart, and I don't want to drive home, just to go back to campus. Have unlimited data, and this is the only reason why I have not given it up.

Same here I have like 2 hour gaps between classes 5 days a week and my ride home is 1 hour + so my iphone is like the only thing keeping me sane especially during the winter when there's nothing to do on campus
 
Who in their right mind streams Netflix on 3G

As others have said, I do it all the time and love it.

Well I guess a few do, but the real issue on this is the impact on everyone else. This is why all the carriers have increasingly looked for ways to stick it to anyone that uses over 2GB a month.

Well, the reasons for companies sticking it to those over 2GB is more for extra $$$ rather than them actually caring about network stability.

If network stability was ACTUALLY a concern, the cap limits would be significantly higher.

2GB? I mean, huh? Several movies on netflix hits the cap. How we have come to a society where several movies on a phone makes someone an "abuser" is shocking to me.
 
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I didn't read all the replies, but... Do you have an unlimited plan?

OP here. Yes I have unlimited data. Honestly I rarely use more than 500mb each month the max I used prior to my weekend draining my battery by playing Netflix over 3G was 1.5GB and that with sling box streaming while on a road trip.

But ATT needs to revise their advertising. Instead of telling the public they can view tens of thousands of webpages. They need to say that with 2GB you cam stream about 5 Netflix movies..maybe 6 a month before you go over your 2gb data plan.

The public will understand the number 5 movies streamed much better than "tens of thousands of webpages".
 
OP: I agree with what you're saying, but it's hardly like AT$T is looking out for us. Why tell you "only" 5 or 6 movies when "tens of thousands" of web pages has such a ring (and by ring, I mean cash register ring) sound to it?!
 
Netflix on the iPhone is great especially for those who travel. Using the hdmi adaptor, I can hook it up to any HDTV and watch all the movies I want in 720p. No need to bring along another portable device such as roku or laptop to connect to tv. Most places I stay have wifi so it streams great. The only flaw is when displaying Netflix through a tv, the red Netflix screen stays on, on the iPhone. You can't run it in the background, so the red screen stays on through the whole movie.
 
I fly to and from Newark int. You can guarantee spending at least 30 minutes on the ground waiting to takeoff or taxing to the gate.
I'm sorry. I did that for a while. I feel your pain. The only good thing about that airport is they are allowed to serve you booze on the ground. :D
 
Sometimes I watch/listen to stand up comedy shows from netflix while I'm driving.

I listen to TV shows while I drive as well. I don't "WATCH" them (except at a stoplight, maybe). Mostly I listen to John Stewart and shows or acts that don't require you to watch.
 
Same here I have like 2 hour gaps between classes 5 days a week and my ride home is 1 hour + so my iphone is like the only thing keeping me sane especially during the winter when there's nothing to do on campus

Why not try doing something rather controversial while you're on campus between classes like, I don't know, studying? You might be amazed at how much an extra hour a day quietly recapping will achieve.
 
Why not try doing something rather controversial while you're on campus between classes like, I don't know, studying? You might be amazed at how much an extra hour a day quietly recapping will achieve.

Or you can befriend freshman chicks and bang them during your break...your call
 
I use my iPhone 4 and my iPad for Netflix streaming. I still have the unlimited plans on both so I really don't worry about the amount of data used. Recently I took my eight year old daughter and her two year old sister to Walt Disney World. It's a seven and a half hour trip each direction. Those devices got a workout.

Note that device is a Woogie that is from Griffin Technology and is only $20, you won't be afraid to let a child have your expensive phone. http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/woogie

Another big data usage for me is the XM radio app. I have XM radio in the car and have come to like it, so I got the app. Now, there are days where I kick on XM at work with my iPhone in one of these docking radios.
 

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I use my iPhone 4 and my iPad for Netflix streaming. I still have the unlimited plans on both so I really don't worry about the amount of data used. Recently I took my eight year old daughter and her two year old sister to Walt Disney World. It's a seven and a half hour trip each direction. Those devices got a workout.

Note that device is a Woogie that is from Griffin Technology and is only $20, you won't be afraid to let a child have your expensive phone. http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/woogie

Another big data usage for me is the XM radio app. I have XM radio in the car and have come to like it, so I got the app. Now, there are days where I kick on XM at work with my iPhone in one of these docking radios.

I wish they made that Woogie thing for the iPad. That is handy.

On topic: if it's bandwidth issues that cause heavy users to "hurt" other customers, then I submit to you the carriers should not be offering unlimited plans at all. As long as I am paying for unlimited and using the 3G solely for the phone (without tethering), then I can't see the problem with streaming whatever I want.

The responsibility in my estimation falls on the carrier not the consumer.
 
netflix and iphone

Just signed up for nexflix. Read briefly through the site. Quick question:
Can you download movie etc through iphone app while in wifi area and then watch later ? Then there would be no concern on data usage.
 
Try going to your local DMV for a new drivers license. Where I'm at, you can get there early, and still plan on a 3 hour wait for a 5 minute transaction.

So I'll toss on a movie, video podcast, or stream one from the net.
 
There are other reasons for airlines requiring electronic devices to be off during takeoff that are not related to interference with plane avionics.

A lot of it has to do with trying to make sure that as many passengers as possible are paying attention and the psychology of crowd control.

If something is going to go wrong during a flight, then the worst times are during (you guessed it!) take-off and landing. There might only be a 0.0001% chance that a device being on causes (either directly or indirectly) a problem during these times, but when you are in the business of flying thousands of people through the air at 20,000 ft. every day, it probably helps to be a little paranoid about safety.
 
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