By: J Rowe,
Salt Lake
You may have to download the driver from the website to a computer first, then connect a cord to the phone to upload if your provider blocks it. Look for the PDA.net website to download for your type of phone for free wi-fi.U
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Response from Vicki:
Thank you for sharing. As we do not have the technology about which you write, I had to do some research on a cell phone used as a wireless modem from the info in your original submission text and title: “Use PDA.net to tether your cell phone to a computer without a $60 CHARGE.”
First, if it is a website to which you refer, there is a problem with PDA.net. However, if it is an “app” for a cell phone to which you refer, there is one called “PDANet” (no “dot” in between “PDA” and “Net”).
Second, we found some information on PCWorld.com about “tethering” an “android phone” as a wireless modem to a computer.
Third, you want to be sure that the cell phone and the plan you have allow for such a use. If you have a voice-only plan, doing anything data-related is sure to cost you dearly. By necessity, the phone itself will be separate from the monthly charge associated with the service.
Fourth, if we understand this technology correctly, it may be possible for professional truck drivers to use it to avoid having two separate plans and two separate costs — one for a cell phone and another for mobile broadband or WIFI — in order to stay connected on the road.
Fifth, be aware that some downloads for software and apps, depending on where they are obtained, may cost something but other sources may provide them for free. If the quality is the same, always opt to get the software and app for free.
We would be interested in hearing from professional truck drivers who have an android phone and use it as a wireless modem for accessing the Internet, as to how it works for them:
* Is the connection strong and stable everywhere you go?
* What restrictions, if any, have you encountered?
* What pros and cons have you experienced in setting up and using a wireless modem via a cell phone?
* How much money are you spending per month on your cell phone plan to utilize this capability?
* How much money are you saving per month by not having a separate WIFI or mobile broadband plan?
For those who are unfamiliar with it, you may read more about the Android (operating system).
Thanks again for sharing.
We wish you safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.
Best regards,
Vicki Simons
https://truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/
—– Comment —–
It was PDAnet, not PDA.net by Anonymous
Date: May 01, 2011
Correct. It was PDAnet. The service is free. But after 15 day you pay only if you want to additionally open secure web pages. I downloaded the PDA software. It worked. But I had to additionally download Samsung Keis from the UK Samsung site so my computer could read videos on my Samsung phone. (It is a issue peculiar to my phone). Once I downloaded PDA I also had to install or open the driver in the PDA section of my computer since I have a droid. Then I had to go to settings>applications>development, and enable “USB Debugging”. After that it worked great. Just as fast as DSL if you have a good signal-3G, but some say it won’t be as fast with a poorer signal-an “e” at the top of the phone. The directions for an Iphone involved jailbreaking.
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Response from Vicki:
Up until reading your comment, we were unfamiliar with the term “jailbreaking” (it sounded bad!), but have since learned from this page iPhone Jailbreak: The Ultimate Guide that “In short, iPhone Jailbreak is the process of hacking an iPhone to free it from Apple restrictions.”
appleiphonereview.com/iphone-jailbreak/iphone-jailbreak/ (no longer online)
Not being iPhone users, and certainly not being familiar with the topic that got this ball rolling (using an Android phone to surf the web), there is much about this that we don’t understand or use. Please make sure that you stay within the bounds of the phone and plan you have so that you don’t get surprised on your monthly bill.
Thanks again for your comment.
We wish you safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.
Best regards,
Vicki Simons
