Topic: Will someone please explain to me how mobile hotspots work
kook !!OPZbEQMT1 started this discussion 10 years ago #53,811
And why someone would purchase one?
Metæ joined in and replied with this 10 years ago, 12 minutes later[^] [v] #700,728
Yes. It's a small device that connects to 3G/4G networks (just like your smartphone) and has a small WiFi router built in. You would purchase one if you needed a mobile internet connection (like to connect to a laptop) for people who are on the move a lot. This is easier (and a bit more secure) than trying to find wifi at McDonald's or something.
kook !!OPZbEQMT1 (OP) replied with this 10 years ago, 54 seconds later, 13 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,730
Metæ replied with this 10 years ago, 3 minutes later, 16 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,735
So when you get one, you turn it on and it connects to T-Mobile/Verizon/whatever with a 3G or 4G, and it also puts out a secure WiFi signal so you can connect laptops or tablets to it (usually up to five) and surf the net.
They're fairly expensive and have low data caps so you can't do much streaming or torrenting on them but you can do general web surfing and email.
With the advent of smartphones these aren't as popular as they used to be. Many smartphones have hotspot capability, and for $2-3 a day you can activate the hotspot and connect a laptop to it (check with your provider for terms and conditions).
They're fairly expensive and have low data caps so you can't do much streaming or torrenting on them but you can do general web surfing and email.
With the advent of smartphones these aren't as popular as they used to be. Many smartphones have hotspot capability, and for $2-3 a day you can activate the hotspot and connect a laptop to it (check with your provider for terms and conditions).
kook !!OPZbEQMT1 (OP) replied with this 10 years ago, 1 minute later, 18 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,738
@previous (Metæ)
Well I want to use it to play Pokemon Go which uses a lot of data. What do you recommend? Will setting up a hotspot on my phone work for that?
Well I want to use it to play Pokemon Go which uses a lot of data. What do you recommend? Will setting up a hotspot on my phone work for that?
Metæ replied with this 10 years ago, 2 minutes later, 20 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,740
@700,730 (kook !!OPZbEQMT1)
It won't enhance your phone's data. So if you have (say) an AT&T phone and an AT&T hotspot it won't make any difference because they're connecting to the same network. It's possible some other network may have faster 4G data in your area but in that case it'd be easier to just switch providers (you can take your phone number with you) rather than pay pay a phone bill and then pay $50/mo for a hotspot.
It won't enhance your phone's data. So if you have (say) an AT&T phone and an AT&T hotspot it won't make any difference because they're connecting to the same network. It's possible some other network may have faster 4G data in your area but in that case it'd be easier to just switch providers (you can take your phone number with you) rather than pay pay a phone bill and then pay $50/mo for a hotspot.
kook !!OPZbEQMT1 (OP) replied with this 10 years ago, 1 minute later, 22 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,742
@previous (Metæ)
I wouldnt need faster data, but just more of it.
My stepbrother just purchased a hotspot device for Pokemon Go, but he is literally retarded
I wouldnt need faster data, but just more of it.
My stepbrother just purchased a hotspot device for Pokemon Go, but he is literally retarded
(Edited 23 seconds later.)
Metæ replied with this 10 years ago, 1 minute later, 23 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,744
Metæ double-posted this 10 years ago, 3 minutes later, 27 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,746
@700,742 (kook !!OPZbEQMT1)
Yeah buying a hotspot to connect a smartphone to is a bit silly. You're paying like $40-50/month for like 2GB extra data.
Yeah buying a hotspot to connect a smartphone to is a bit silly. You're paying like $40-50/month for like 2GB extra data.
kook !!OPZbEQMT1 (OP) replied with this 10 years ago, 2 minutes later, 29 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,748
Metæ replied with this 10 years ago, 1 minute later, 31 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,751
@700,742 (kook !!OPZbEQMT1)
If you're open to switching networks have you considered Virgin Mobile? $40/mo for 4GB high speed data and $50 for 6GB (both plans with unlimited talk and text).
How much data does Pokemon Go use??
If you're open to switching networks have you considered Virgin Mobile? $40/mo for 4GB high speed data and $50 for 6GB (both plans with unlimited talk and text).
How much data does Pokemon Go use??
(Edited 40 seconds later.)
kook !!OPZbEQMT1 (OP) replied with this 10 years ago, 4 minutes later, 35 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,756
@previous (Metæ)
I'm hearing conflicting things, but I've heard from 5mb to 20 mb for a continuous hour of play.
I'm hearing conflicting things, but I've heard from 5mb to 20 mb for a continuous hour of play.
Metæ replied with this 10 years ago, 3 minutes later, 38 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,760
@previous (kook !!OPZbEQMT1)
Let's take the high estimate and assume you can reduce all your non Pokemon Go phone usage to 1GB (leaving 4 for Pokemon Go)
4,000/20=200 So you get 200 hours a month of Pokemon Go. Or, you can play for 6 hours a day for 30 days with a bit left over
Let's take the high estimate and assume you can reduce all your non Pokemon Go phone usage to 1GB (leaving 4 for Pokemon Go)
4,000/20=200 So you get 200 hours a month of Pokemon Go. Or, you can play for 6 hours a day for 30 days with a bit left over
kook !!OPZbEQMT1 (OP) replied with this 10 years ago, 1 minute later, 39 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,761
Metæ replied with this 10 years ago, 7 minutes later, 47 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,774
You can switch to Opera Mini for web browsing. It compresses all images to cut down data usage. They say it cuts data by 80%.
kook !!OPZbEQMT1 (OP) replied with this 10 years ago, 5 minutes later, 52 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,778
Metæ replied with this 10 years ago, 4 minutes later, 56 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #700,780
@previous (kook !!OPZbEQMT1)
You just go to the Google Play store and search "Opera Mini" and install it, then use it as your web browser
You just go to the Google Play store and search "Opera Mini" and install it, then use it as your web browser
kook !!OPZbEQMT1 (OP) replied with this 10 years ago, 5 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #700,784
Dr. Whom !7MHPahvoGY joined in and replied with this 10 years ago, 2 hours later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #700,800
inb4 Syntaxadam djensen joined in and replied with this 10 years ago, 2 hours later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #700,816
lol