The Double Data Plan Dilemma

I recently picked up a Verizon Galaxy Tab off contract. My very first thought after powering it on was, "I want this to have a data connection 24/7. I will use this device for everything." After the voice of reason kicked back in - in this case, the cacophony of my 6 kids voices, I knew I wouldn't be adding another $30 data plan to our monthly budget. I remembered Kevin Tofel saying that he was considering ditching his smartphone in lieu of toting the Tab and a feature phone. So, I thought I'd give it a try for a week.


The experiment lasted about 4 hours before I knew this wouldn't be a feasible option for me. The Tab is a great size to carry everywhere. But it won't fit in my pocket (though it fits in my husband's pocket just fine). I also can't use it with 1 hand. And when I'm with my kids, I often only have 1 hand to spare.  So while I still want to carry the device everywhere, it can't be my primary device.

Solution: I'm currently carrying the Palm Pixi Plus as my smartphone. Verizon offers the Hotspot feature with 5GB of data free per month. I'm finding my speeds while tethered to the Pixi to be comparable to speeds while on my home wifi. So while Verizon would charge me $20 for 1GB on the Tab, or $35 for 3GB, I'm getting unlimited data on my Pixi plus 5GB for the Tab, or any other device via the mobile Hotspot app. 


I realize not everyone wants to use a webOS device on Verizon to make this work. There are options for other devices on all carriers that require root access (or jailbreaking) and accomplish the same thing as my solution. I expect the point I want to drive home is that there is really no reason to carry a data plan on both a smartphone AND a tablet unless you are a serious power user (using more than 5GB of data per month). And since most tablets coming out right now are being marketed with data plans, the average consumer is signing up for data plans in order to take home their shiny new tablet.  


The bottom line: unless you've owned a tablet in the past and KNOW FOR CERTAIN that you'll be a power user, a 2-year contract just doesn't make fiscal sense. If you've already pulled the trigger, have tablet in hand - or worse, under a couch cushion and dusty from neglect already, there's always Craigslist to pay off that pesky early termination fee.