Use as a phone

Alcibiade

Senior Member
Dec 23, 2006
2,065
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New York
Yeah I know, not the first thread on the subject
I am a rather happy owner of a Galaxy Tab for the past 36 hours and I just wanted to share my feelings about the usage as a phone. Until I own it I was pretty much convinced this was going to be my main phone, just a question of being able to use a Bluetooth headset with it.

I am not 100% sure anymore.

First, and probably because it's the first time I use a headset I have found this much less convenient than using a phone (This is hopefully just a question of getting used to it). Can't see who is calling (Yep with the right headset the name will show, I may purchase one, but still wont have the picture), people around can hear much better what you're saying, if if you have to manipulate the tab for whatever reason, given its size you feel clumsy

Second, texting while walking in the street is pretty much more difficult. The Tab is big, easy to drop (Read the few threads around of people who broke their screen). It takes me half a second to take my Touch Pro 2 out of my pocket, get the keyboard out and type some messages while walking. And given its size I nearly never dropped it (And whenever I did it always survived without being wounded :) ). I am definitely slower with my tab (Plus I have to get used to use an on-screen keyboard, but then yeah on this I guess it's a question of getting used to it)

Third (maybe funny): while in meetings I didn't see anybody raise an eyebrow whenever I was texting with my TP2 (looks a bit like a blackberry and anyway quite discrete) I can see how much attention I draw whenever I answer some txt or emails now ! And with the screen size it make sit easy to see what I ma doing... Not the Tab's neg, but for me kind of a drawback

Last one (This one may make some laugh): I love clubbing, bar hoping, etc... I thought it would fit my back pocket. And it does ! however try dancing with that in your back pocket... That's not gonna work :( And there is no way I'd leave my phone at the cloak, I need it with me (take phone numbers, give direction to friends, etc...). I'd be better off leaving the Tab in the cloak and still go around with a small device (Even an average sized device like my TP2 handles OK while dancing)

I love the form factor, so easy to carry around, but in the end I understand much better Blackberry's approach with the Playbook, it's probably the best way to go, and I am considering using the Tab as a second device.
However I see the pain ahead... Don't wanna have 2 plans. And that's where it sucks. It seems in many countries you are able to have 2 SIM cards with the same number (With kind of a master device and a slave one). Couldn't find anything similar with AT&T in the US :( If anybody ever heard of this kind of services.... It would be perfect. Then I can still swap SIM cards but that sucks... (And I guess if you do it 5 times a day you may damage your SIM (If not lose it while dropping it)). Another solution is to tether the phone to the Tab (Great I paid for a 3G Tab for nothing !!) but on that I am quite worried about the battery life of both devices :( Maybe through Bluetooth rather than Wifi ? Would consume less ? If anybody has an idea... Or could try SIM cloning... But it seems it's not really possible anymore with SIM v2 (And besides if the operator doesn't offer the service described above I guess there will be conflicts between the 2 devices at some stage (Not 100% sure but possible)

Anyway... Don't flame me, would just be happy to exchange on the subject with people who have found solutions, have ideas on the matter, or just inform future buyers
 
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NickTheCreator

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2010
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California
Well, i dont have one, but i can defiantly see where using it as a phone could lead to some problems, even if it does fit in you back pocket. It is interesting that you attempted it though, but pulling it out at meetings...thats priceless :)
 

foxmeister

Senior Member
Mar 10, 2008
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Ealing
I love the form factor, so easy to carry around, but in the end I understand much better Blackberry's approach with the Playbook, it's probably the best way to go, and I am considering using the Tab as a second device.
I think the irony is that most of us in Europe wouldn't consider using the Tab as primary phone even though it is a fully functional phone, whereas in the US it's the other way around.

However I see the pain ahead... Don't wanna have 2 plans. And that's where it sucks. It seems in many countries you are able to have 2 SIM cards with the same number (With kind of a master device and a slave one).
In the UK, we don't have the ability to have multiple SIMs with the same phone number either, but it is far less of an issue compared to the US because we have an extremely competitive market for data.

For example, on T-Mobile in the UK, for £20 (around $32) I can get 6 months worth of mobile internet with 1GB FUP which is ideal for a Tab which doesn't go out and about too often - and there's no overages, just an understanding that they may restrict service if you regularly go over your FUP allowance.

For £10 ($16) a month, I can get truly unlimited internet (excludes tethering) on Giffgaff which is ideal for the more mobile Tab.

When it comes to contracts, I have a mobile broadband contract on 3 that gives me 15GB a month for £15, which allows tethering etc.

I'm planning on heading over to Florida for 6 or 7 weeks early next year, and I'm probably going to get a MiFi of some sort with a T-Mobile Web Connect SIM, but it's going to be a hell of a lot more expensive than something comparable in the UK.

Regards,

Dave
 

Alcibiade

Senior Member
Dec 23, 2006
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New York
Well, i dont have one, but i can defiantly see where using it as a phone could lead to some problems, even if it does fit in you back pocket. It is interesting that you attempted it though, but pulling it out at meetings...thats priceless :)
The thing is since not so many people know what it is, it attracts attention... So it's not very discrete, while a small phone you can type your personal messages during meetings people don't really pay attention (Or think you're sending professional messages)
 

Alcibiade

Senior Member
Dec 23, 2006
2,065
144
0
New York
I think the irony is that most of us in Europe wouldn't consider using the Tab as primary phone even though it is a fully functional phone, whereas in the US it's the other way around.



In the UK, we don't have the ability to have multiple SIMs with the same phone number either, but it is far less of an issue compared to the US because we have an extremely competitive market for data.

For example, on T-Mobile in the UK, for £20 (around $32) I can get 6 months worth of mobile internet with 1GB FUP which is ideal for a Tab which doesn't go out and about too often - and there's no overages, just an understanding that they may restrict service if you regularly go over your FUP allowance.

For £10 ($16) a month, I can get truly unlimited internet (excludes tethering) on Giffgaff which is ideal for the more mobile Tab.

When it comes to contracts, I have a mobile broadband contract on 3 that gives me 15GB a month for £15, which allows tethering etc.

I'm planning on heading over to Florida for 6 or 7 weeks early next year, and I'm probably going to get a MiFi of some sort with a T-Mobile Web Connect SIM, but it's going to be a hell of a lot more expensive than something comparable in the UK.

Regards,

Dave
Well... I am European... :) (Although I live in NY)
US carriers suck for data plans. I lived in japan and HK before where for half the price I got much better service... Definitely for £10 a month I wouldn't even bother thinking about using my phone SIM card in my Tab to take advantage of my unlimited data plan (Which by the way in the SU looks more and more like it will be limited by throttling down once you reach a threshold.............)
 

silversubie

Member
Dec 4, 2010
27
4
0
Why would you need 2 plans with AT&T tab? I guess you didn't want to flash her.

Your other points are completely valid. It is just a matter of personal opinion/wanting to replace the phone with tab enough. Thanks for sharing!
 

PLinga

Member
Nov 30, 2010
34
3
0
Here are some workarounds you could investigate:

  1. Try a bluetooth stereo headset with a display.
  2. Use the Sony LiveView and wear as a watch.
  3. Type with a tiny bluetooth keyboard.
  4. Get a separate smartphone with a VNC client. Turn on the mobile hotspot, on your Galaxy Tab, and then control it with the smaller smartphone.

How is the Galaxy Tab's battery life as a phone, by the way?
 

heru

Senior Member
Mar 10, 2005
94
3
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Bern
Thanks for the post. I've been thinking to get the tab to replace my I9000 as the main phone, but after I read your post, I think I'll hold it for a while .....
 

Alcibiade

Senior Member
Dec 23, 2006
2,065
144
0
New York
Here are some workarounds you could investigate:

  1. Try a bluetooth stereo headset with a display.
  2. Use the Sony LiveView and wear as a watch.
  3. Type with a tiny bluetooth keyboard.
  4. Get a separate smartphone with a VNC client. Turn on the mobile hotspot, on your Galaxy Tab, and then control it with the smaller smartphone.

How is the Galaxy Tab's battery life as a phone, by the way?
I thought about these options... Still not satisfying
Battery life ? I dont phone much but definitely much better than my Touch pro 2 (And I use activesync, bluetooth, etc...)