Since google voice provides free calls/texts in the US and Canada, it's actually possible. With my iPhone, I managed to receive, send, and call on my Google voice number with WIFI. Since it's a Google number, and iPhone has an app working for it. It's natural for anyone to assume that an Android(developed by Google) would definitely have an app working with Google number. However, after spending time searching a free app(Talkatone on iPhone is free.) on an Android Xoom, the answer is no! I couldn't find any free app guaranteed working with Google number. Re-phrase, there are apps working with Google number, but only with one or two functions. The ones which are able to receive cannot send. And the ones you can make a call needs the receiver with the same apps. The best part is that all the apps charge the customers. It was a huge turn off after considering Xoom for good.
iPad has been more stable and reliable of all. However, the fact that I have to sync the Pad with iTunes all the time makes me sick of it. I never appreciate how Apple tries to dominate the market by producing products only working with Apple.
I also thought about Chromebooks. However, there is no actual Chromebook in the market before I make an order. It's hard to imagine how exactly Chromebooks work. There are apps for Chromebooks and I don't seem to find enough apps fascinating me yet. By looking at the price, it seems to be higher than the usual Netbook. Netbook 3G should be top on my list considering how little I need from a mobile gadget. Netbooks are still cheaper but there aren't enough popular developers yet to make me feel more comfortable of purchasing one.
Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have their own data plans. AT&T wants to sound cheaper by providing different amount of data plans from Verizon. T-Mobile's website is a hot mess. I don't seem to find the info I want to know in general. I didn't have time observing Sprint. On top of this broadband monthly plan or yearly contract, I discovered more disgusting facts. First, a 2 year wireless contract with a netbook is more expensive than monthly data plan with no contract.(T-Mobile) The fee for the same data plan changes for different gadgets.
I was an AT&T customer but constantly thinking about switching or just simply terminating my number. When I followed up the step of getting a Xoom, I realized that I could transfer my cellphone number to a Verizon iPad. When I was in AT&T, they told me that I can't have the same number. In order to make it happen, I have to first terminate my AT&T number. Three months later, the number will go back to the free market, and I can only hope to get the same number for my new device. I found this very upsetting.
There is another interesting thing I found. With Kindle, one can get free unlimited 3G network. But again, the 3G model doesn't have colors, and Kindle doesn't have their apps listed clear enough for me to browse.(The website mess must be a typical Amazon thing. I will get into that one day.) Should we all pray for Kindles' great success and ambition. Hopefully, one day, they will end the BS of paying so much for 3G, period!
We think about getting a good deal of something. The truth is that after you add the sum up, I mean, contract of data plan, the gadget, and etc. There isn't much difference in 2 years. The only one thing I am certain right now is to terminate my AT&T number no matter what. Call me old fashion, I actually enjoyed my life without a cellphone much more. And relax, I still have a cellphone number, thanks to Google. It's just that I am only able to access it with WIFI around.
I am looking at a free-WIFI-everywhere world. When will it happen, please?
