Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sprint Drops Blackberry Curve 8530 to $199.99 with NO Contract
If you are in the market shopping for a blackberry, Sprint's Boost Mobile just dropped Blackberry curve 8530 to $199.99. Still sounds expensive? Remember, you pay only $60 a month for unlimited text, talk, and data, and, most importantly, there is no contract required!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Verizon Wireless' Samsung Tab Pricing - Not Desirable
I’ve been playing with a Samsung Tab from Verizon Wireless since November 11th. I will share my impressions of the device in the coming days but in the interim, I wanted to let the world know about how crazy Verizon Wireless has made the monthly payment for data usage, and what other fees are lurking.
When I purchased the Tab I paid $599.99 for the Tab itself, $39.99 for a case, and $44.80 in tax. So, my total price was $684.78. Since I purchased the Samsung Galaxy Tab without a contract, I expected to pay a premium, so this first part didn’t really bother me. However, moments after leaving the store, I read the fine print on the Verizon Wireless receipt. I have just now confirmed what the Samsung Tab will really cost me to operate on Verizon Wireless’s network.
First off, if you purchase from Verizon Wireless and decide that the Tab is not for you, you will be hit with a $70 restocking fee. If that’s not bad enough, if you return it after three days of having purchased it, you will not be credited back your $35 activation fee either. Oh, did I forget to tell you about that fee? Yeah, in addition to the price of acquisition, Verizon also throws a $35 activation fee onto your first bill.
The above would be bad enough, but it gets worse. The receipt that you get when you purchase the Tab has an estimated monthly bill on it. Since I opted for the $20 per month for 1GB, the first estimated monthly payment was a whopping $88.36!! Needless to say, this sounded alarm bells so I called Verizon Wireless to discuss it. Here’s what I found out:
1. Verizon bills you for one month in advance: In my case the service started on 11/11/2010, and the bill date was 11/12/2010. So, I owed 65 cents for that partial month.
2. My first real month is $20. That’s what I figured, but then it gets worse. Because the activation fee is on the first month, add $35, plus $5.67 for taxes and fees. That puts the first bill at $61.32–approximately. Not quite the $88.36 estimated, but still not just $20 for a month of broadband.
So, after finding out the two points above, I figured maybe I’ll just cancel the broadband for a month so I can think about whether or not I need to pay $20 for 1GB. Well, even though it’s advertised as “no contract”, Verizon Wireless will still hit you with a $35 reconnect fee if you stop and then want to re-start your broadband account. Thankfully, there’s a workaround. If instead of deactivating your account you “suspend” it, there’s a $15 fee for suspending, which my rep was kind enough to credit.
Long story short, I used to think that the pricing of the hardware itself on the Samsung Tab was too high. Now I see that there are a bunch of hidden fees if you decide to start and stop your service. This may be acceptable for some people, but I would think that most people are going to be shocked when they receive a bill that’s not only loaded with an activation fee and more taxes, but also a possible overage fee. Overage fee, you ask? It turns out that even though I mostly used my Samsung Tab on Wi-Fi this month, whatever time I spent demoing the Tab completely sucked away my 1GB of data. I can honestly say that I think the total demo time was maybe 10 minutes, so I’ll be researching that one, too. Verizon Wireless wasted no time sending me an email letting me know that my data usage was running out, though.
I’m not sure what the other carriers are doing for pricing and hidden fees on the Samsung Tab, but this definitely makes me appreciate my $14.99 a month fee for my iPad. In the case of the iPad, the $14.99 never changes, except when I have to renew it again for another $14.99 for the next month.
When I purchased the Tab I paid $599.99 for the Tab itself, $39.99 for a case, and $44.80 in tax. So, my total price was $684.78. Since I purchased the Samsung Galaxy Tab without a contract, I expected to pay a premium, so this first part didn’t really bother me. However, moments after leaving the store, I read the fine print on the Verizon Wireless receipt. I have just now confirmed what the Samsung Tab will really cost me to operate on Verizon Wireless’s network.
First off, if you purchase from Verizon Wireless and decide that the Tab is not for you, you will be hit with a $70 restocking fee. If that’s not bad enough, if you return it after three days of having purchased it, you will not be credited back your $35 activation fee either. Oh, did I forget to tell you about that fee? Yeah, in addition to the price of acquisition, Verizon also throws a $35 activation fee onto your first bill.
The above would be bad enough, but it gets worse. The receipt that you get when you purchase the Tab has an estimated monthly bill on it. Since I opted for the $20 per month for 1GB, the first estimated monthly payment was a whopping $88.36!! Needless to say, this sounded alarm bells so I called Verizon Wireless to discuss it. Here’s what I found out:
1. Verizon bills you for one month in advance: In my case the service started on 11/11/2010, and the bill date was 11/12/2010. So, I owed 65 cents for that partial month.
2. My first real month is $20. That’s what I figured, but then it gets worse. Because the activation fee is on the first month, add $35, plus $5.67 for taxes and fees. That puts the first bill at $61.32–approximately. Not quite the $88.36 estimated, but still not just $20 for a month of broadband.
So, after finding out the two points above, I figured maybe I’ll just cancel the broadband for a month so I can think about whether or not I need to pay $20 for 1GB. Well, even though it’s advertised as “no contract”, Verizon Wireless will still hit you with a $35 reconnect fee if you stop and then want to re-start your broadband account. Thankfully, there’s a workaround. If instead of deactivating your account you “suspend” it, there’s a $15 fee for suspending, which my rep was kind enough to credit.
Long story short, I used to think that the pricing of the hardware itself on the Samsung Tab was too high. Now I see that there are a bunch of hidden fees if you decide to start and stop your service. This may be acceptable for some people, but I would think that most people are going to be shocked when they receive a bill that’s not only loaded with an activation fee and more taxes, but also a possible overage fee. Overage fee, you ask? It turns out that even though I mostly used my Samsung Tab on Wi-Fi this month, whatever time I spent demoing the Tab completely sucked away my 1GB of data. I can honestly say that I think the total demo time was maybe 10 minutes, so I’ll be researching that one, too. Verizon Wireless wasted no time sending me an email letting me know that my data usage was running out, though.
I’m not sure what the other carriers are doing for pricing and hidden fees on the Samsung Tab, but this definitely makes me appreciate my $14.99 a month fee for my iPad. In the case of the iPad, the $14.99 never changes, except when I have to renew it again for another $14.99 for the next month.
A 4G Phone on a Prepaid Plan
One thing most prepaid users hate the most is lack of the cutting edge smartphones. Now how about this - Sprint Samsung Epic 4G on Boost Mobile Unlimited Talk Txt Data $50 Plan? Yes, although obviously you have to foot the bill for a fancy smartphone upfront.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Where is the Best Broadband Value
The search for the best broadband value could end now. Virgin Mobile just partnered with Walmart introducing Broadband2Go at $20 a month for 1GB.
Why it's the best value?
1. Most tablet users consumer ~1GB data a month, so if you are an iPad or Galaxy Tab user, get this Virgin Broadband2Go offer, add free Wi-Fi to it, you are well covered at only $20 a month!
2. There are cheaper broadband offers on the market - even Virgin itself offers $10 for 100Mb, but that's obviously well too small usage for any serious broadband user.
3. Most tier 1 carriers offer $60 a month for 5GB usage, if you are not streaming video or watching tons of movies on your laptop/tablet, there is no need to waste the extra $40 a month for usage you will never use.
4. No contract
5. This offer is on a Novatel MiFi 2200 device, which means it could be shared by up to 5 devices simultaneously. On your next family vacation, don't forget to bring it along, so there is no need to fight that broadband card or line.
Why it's the best value?
1. Most tablet users consumer ~1GB data a month, so if you are an iPad or Galaxy Tab user, get this Virgin Broadband2Go offer, add free Wi-Fi to it, you are well covered at only $20 a month!
2. There are cheaper broadband offers on the market - even Virgin itself offers $10 for 100Mb, but that's obviously well too small usage for any serious broadband user.
3. Most tier 1 carriers offer $60 a month for 5GB usage, if you are not streaming video or watching tons of movies on your laptop/tablet, there is no need to waste the extra $40 a month for usage you will never use.
4. No contract
5. This offer is on a Novatel MiFi 2200 device, which means it could be shared by up to 5 devices simultaneously. On your next family vacation, don't forget to bring it along, so there is no need to fight that broadband card or line.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Which Carrier Has the Best Data Plan
Data Plan Pricings for Major Wireless Carriers:
AT&T: low usage $15/Mo for 200MB; high usage $25/Mo 2GB
Sprint: low usage $15/Mo unlimited; high usage: Only bundled with minutes
T-Mobile: low usage $24.99/Mo for 200MB; high usage: $39.99/Mo Unlimited
Verizon Wireless: low usage $15/Mo for 150MB; high usage: $29.99/Mo Unlimited
AT&T: low usage $15/Mo for 200MB; high usage $25/Mo 2GB
Sprint: low usage $15/Mo unlimited; high usage: Only bundled with minutes
T-Mobile: low usage $24.99/Mo for 200MB; high usage: $39.99/Mo Unlimited
Verizon Wireless: low usage $15/Mo for 150MB; high usage: $29.99/Mo Unlimited
Friday, November 12, 2010
Turn Your Old iPod Into a Cellphone
Carring an iPod from Apple to listen to music, play games, surf the web, but feel frustrated that you can only do all these where Wi-Fi is available? Now you can have the freedom of doing them anywhere a 3G cellular coverage from Sprint is available.
Sprint is launching ZTE Peel, a skin to iPod that automatically connects to Sprint's nationwide 3G network. Now you can bring your iPod with you anywhere you go, and use it like a smartphone!
Yes, it costs money - ZTE Peel itself costs $80, then Sprint requires a $30 monthly fee for 1G of data.
The good news is there is no contract from Sprint, so take advantage of Sprint's 30 no hussle trial period, see if this is for you. If not, simply return in 30 days and you owe nothing.
The catch? It only works with the old iPod version, not the ones currently sold by Apple.
Sprint is launching ZTE Peel, a skin to iPod that automatically connects to Sprint's nationwide 3G network. Now you can bring your iPod with you anywhere you go, and use it like a smartphone!
Yes, it costs money - ZTE Peel itself costs $80, then Sprint requires a $30 monthly fee for 1G of data.
The good news is there is no contract from Sprint, so take advantage of Sprint's 30 no hussle trial period, see if this is for you. If not, simply return in 30 days and you owe nothing.
The catch? It only works with the old iPod version, not the ones currently sold by Apple.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Best Smartphone Plans for People Need Unlimited Everything
If you are a smartphone user who is not crazy about iPhone, HTC 4G EVO, HTC 4G Epic, Motorola Droid, Blackberry Style, etc. You will find the best smartphone plan in, again, Prepaid. Below is a simple comparison:
Virgin Mobile (3G smartphone)
$60 a month for Unlimited Everything
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $250 = $1,540
Sprint (3G smartphone)
$99.99 a month for Unlimited Everything
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $100 = $2,500
T-Mobile (3G smartphone)
$99.99 a month for Unlimited Everything
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,500
Sprint (4G smartphone)
$110 a month for Unlimited Everything
24 Months + Evo(Lowest price 4G phone) $200 = $2,840
AT&T (3G smartphone)
$115 a month for Unlimited mins ($70), 2GB data ($25), Unlimited Text ($20)
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,860
Verizon (3G smartphone)
$120 a month for Unlimited mins, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,880
Virgin Mobile (3G smartphone)
$60 a month for Unlimited Everything
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $250 = $1,540
Sprint (3G smartphone)
$99.99 a month for Unlimited Everything
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $100 = $2,500
T-Mobile (3G smartphone)
$99.99 a month for Unlimited Everything
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,500
Sprint (4G smartphone)
$110 a month for Unlimited Everything
24 Months + Evo(Lowest price 4G phone) $200 = $2,840
AT&T (3G smartphone)
$115 a month for Unlimited mins ($70), 2GB data ($25), Unlimited Text ($20)
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,860
Verizon (3G smartphone)
$120 a month for Unlimited mins, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,880
Best Smartphone Plan for People Who Talk a Lot
If you want a smartphone and expect to talk at least 1,000 minutes a month, your best chance to find value again is at Prepaid.
See details and comparisons below.
Virgin Mobile (normal smartphone)
$40 a month for 1,200 mins, Unlimited data, Unlimited Text
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $250 = $1,060
Sprint (3G smartphone)
$89.99 a month for 900 mins, Any Mobile Anytime, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $100 = $2,260
T-Mobile (3G smartphone)
$89.99 a month for 1,000 mins, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,260
Sprint (4G smartphone)
$99.99 a month for 900 mins, Any Mobile Anytime, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + Evo(Lowest price 4G phone) $200 = $2,600
AT&T (3G smartphone)
$105 a month for 900 mins ($60), 2GB data ($25), Unlimited Text ($20.00)
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,620
Verizon (3G smartphone)
$110 a month for 900 mins, Unlimited text $80 & web
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,740
Note that ATT's price is slightly lower than Verizon's, but its data usage is capped at 2GB only, when you exceed it, your cost will be higher.
See details and comparisons below.
Virgin Mobile (normal smartphone)
$40 a month for 1,200 mins, Unlimited data, Unlimited Text
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $250 = $1,060
Sprint (3G smartphone)
$89.99 a month for 900 mins, Any Mobile Anytime, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $100 = $2,260
T-Mobile (3G smartphone)
$89.99 a month for 1,000 mins, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,260
Sprint (4G smartphone)
$99.99 a month for 900 mins, Any Mobile Anytime, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + Evo(Lowest price 4G phone) $200 = $2,600
AT&T (3G smartphone)
$105 a month for 900 mins ($60), 2GB data ($25), Unlimited Text ($20.00)
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,620
Verizon (3G smartphone)
$110 a month for 900 mins, Unlimited text $80 & web
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2,740
Note that ATT's price is slightly lower than Verizon's, but its data usage is capped at 2GB only, when you exceed it, your cost will be higher.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Best Smartphone Plan for People Who Don't Talk a Lot
The good thing about the wireless service offerings in the U.S. is there are many options available.
The bad thing about the wireless service offerings in the U.S. is there are many options available.
We will use several blogs to analyze and recommend the best wireless value for the right kind of users.
This issue, we will deal with someone who wants to have a smartphone, doesn't talk a lot (300 - 450 minutes a month), but needs unlimited data for email checking, web surfing, game playing, etc. Our consideration will not be limited to Postpaid (i.e. you are locked into a contract), we will consider Prepaid (i.e. non-contract binding) as well because most Prepaid service providers also offer smartphones (not the fancy ones, just the basic ones, thoug).
The finding - if you are OK with an ordinary smartphone, you can get the best value from Virgin Mobile. If you care about fancy phones and don't mind being locked into a contract, Sprint Postpaid is the one with the best value. Details below -
Virgin Mobile (normal smartphone)
$25 a month for 300 mins, Unlimited data, Unlimited Text
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $250 = $850
Sprint Postpaid (normal smartphone)
$69.99 a month for 450 mins, Any Mobile Anytime, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $100 = $1780
T-Mobile Postpaid (normal smartphone)
$79.99 a month for 500 mins, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2020
Sprint Postpaid (fancy 4G phone)
$79.99 a month for 450 mins, Any Mobile Anytime, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + Evo(Lowest price 4G phone) $200 = $2120
AT&T Postpaid (normal smartphone)
$85 a month for 450 mins ($40), 2GB data ($25), Unlimited Text ($20)
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2140
Verizon (normal smartphone)
$90 a month for 450 mins, Unlimited text ($60), Unlimited data ($30)
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2260
The bad thing about the wireless service offerings in the U.S. is there are many options available.
We will use several blogs to analyze and recommend the best wireless value for the right kind of users.
This issue, we will deal with someone who wants to have a smartphone, doesn't talk a lot (300 - 450 minutes a month), but needs unlimited data for email checking, web surfing, game playing, etc. Our consideration will not be limited to Postpaid (i.e. you are locked into a contract), we will consider Prepaid (i.e. non-contract binding) as well because most Prepaid service providers also offer smartphones (not the fancy ones, just the basic ones, thoug).
The finding - if you are OK with an ordinary smartphone, you can get the best value from Virgin Mobile. If you care about fancy phones and don't mind being locked into a contract, Sprint Postpaid is the one with the best value. Details below -
Virgin Mobile (normal smartphone)
$25 a month for 300 mins, Unlimited data, Unlimited Text
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $250 = $850
Sprint Postpaid (normal smartphone)
$69.99 a month for 450 mins, Any Mobile Anytime, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + Samsung Intercept $100 = $1780
T-Mobile Postpaid (normal smartphone)
$79.99 a month for 500 mins, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2020
Sprint Postpaid (fancy 4G phone)
$79.99 a month for 450 mins, Any Mobile Anytime, Unlimited text & web
24 Months + Evo(Lowest price 4G phone) $200 = $2120
AT&T Postpaid (normal smartphone)
$85 a month for 450 mins ($40), 2GB data ($25), Unlimited Text ($20)
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2140
Verizon (normal smartphone)
$90 a month for 450 mins, Unlimited text ($60), Unlimited data ($30)
24 Months + $100 Smartphone = $2260
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