Comments on: Expat Technology: Six ways to get online from anywhere

By: Free Sat Nav

Free Sat Nav — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:54:10 +0000

Isn’t internet technology brilliant? I wasn’t aware of some of these technologies. I find it amazing that regardless of where you are you can pretty much haruntee connectivity in some way or another.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:09:36 +0000

@Jennifer. Hi. From your feedback you have a wide range to choose from and as Chris I think said perhaps the N95 is a good choice. One thing though is that if you think txt is expensive then be careful when tethering over 3G, you may need to be sitting very comfortably when getting that bill!

Another thing to consider is what devices have you used in the past? If you are used to a Nokia and are comfortable or like the Nokia menus and screens when using the phone then go buy a Nokia as opposed to say a Sony Ericsson which is different. Then you can get on with using the device as opposed to spending time learning how to use it.

One web site you can go to for comparisons on features is http://www.pdadb.net.

Regards

Hugh.

By: Eddy Tembilung

Eddy Tembilung — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:21:23 +0000

Yes, with internet, we do not need to win green card lottery anymore. We can work from anywhere on the earth, may be also in the space if possible. We can share each other, like I am doing now. I write this comment from small village Muaradua South Sumatera Province Indonesia.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:33:05 +0000

Good to see Mario’s now offering free WiFi as well.

@Hugh primarily a phone. I send a few texts, but less these days and never when in Spain as too expensive. I think I would like to be able to pick up my emails to check them, but I doubt that I would ever really get into ‘doing’ them on the phone.

A built in camera and MP3 would make sense as would save space, ditto a video facility although to be honest I don’t think that is a priority.

I would want one that could be tethered though as to use it to get access via the laptop would be great.

By: Chris Marshall

Chris Marshall — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:23:31 +0000

Given that Nokia have just launched the 900 I would look on eBay for an unlocked N95 16GB. Good camera, easy to tether, WiFi does a good all round job.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:54:20 +0000

@Jennifer. The right phone for you . Make a list of the features you really need and want and then pick the phone to suit. If you just want a simple device for calls and txt then a basic cheap as chips T9 will do. If you need email and other frequent typing then go for a BlackBerry or Nokia type device with a full keyboard. If web browsing and media is important then go for an iPhone or similar. HTH. Hugh.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:18:20 +0000

If I didn’t get a iPhone or BlackBerry what would you suggest I got?

By: Fan Boy

Fan Boy — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:55:59 +0000

Tethering would appear to be the way forward! So long as you buy the right phone saves on a USB Modem, makes the most of your 3G Data contract, and easy enough to drop a pre aid SIM card in when in Spain.

By: Chris Marshall

Chris Marshall — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:56:09 +0000

I haven’t tethered a BlackBerry but tethering an iPhone is really very easy indeed.

By: Chris Marshall

Chris Marshall — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:01:34 +0000

@Jennifer I used a BlackBerry when I was working in the US. It was before the iPhone was out. As a general ‘rule’ I have said before that if the primary use was work I would go with a BlackBerry, if the primary use was social stuff then the iPhone is best in my view.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:59:25 +0000

@John. Good point but so far we manage to do without a laptop so I’ll take the drinks LOL.

@Jennifer. Yes you can tether the BlackBerry and other non BlackBerry/iPhone devices too. Tethering is a very complicated technology made even more difficult by the attitude of the carriers. Some actively try to stop people doing it, others don’t care and the rest are somewhere in between. If you do decide on a BlackBerry then let me know and I’ll give you a hand.

By: John

John — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:42:01 +0000

Nice post Chris. @Hugh I see what you mean, and if it was just me I would do the same, but when we come over the family wont travel at all without a Laptop that we all share. There are now more bars and cafe’s offering WiFi which is great, but in the apartment we don’t have anything. I think what we will do is buy a 3G SIM and pay the 1€ a day as split between the family (although guess who pays it!!) that isn’t much at all, and is cheaper than the 4 drinks in a cafe LOL. I reckon I will be able to put the SIM card in my unlocked N95 and use that as a modem via bluetooth ….. or will give Chris a call

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:36:57 +0000

@Hugh. Can you tether the BlackBerry. I know Chris has said you can the iPhone and at the moment I am not sure which to get the iPhone or a BlackBerry?

By: Hugh

Hugh — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:28:13 +0000

Then again do you need to go online with a laptop if you are away from home for a short period or wanting backup. With my BlackBerry I have 3G, can browse the web, send and receive email, Facebook, Twitter, blog, listen to the radio/music/streaming video, Spanish to English translation & dictionary, Wikipedia, Google Maps and I have sat nav if I’m on the move.

No guesses who I work for but there are similar if not more apps for the iPhones, Nokias and Windows Mobile devices.

So far, when in Almerimar, I have managed to avoid the need to hook up with a larger machine.

Hugh.

By: Chris Marshall

Chris Marshall — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:19:33 +0000

Toady only Vodafone in the UK are offering free mobile Internet access.