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Seedersandleechers

(3,044 posts)
Mon Mar 25, 2013, 11:47 AM Mar 2013

Using the Ipad mini/with cellular to replace my cell phone?

I don't use my phone very much - probably around 270 minutes a month as I just don't talk very much on the phone. Lately I have been using skype on my macbook when at home because I live in a basement apartment and have shitty reception with lots of dropped calls. I am planning to buy an ipad and when I researched the mini I read an article by someone who said the ipad mini was the best cell phone he ever used. With google voice or maybe it's google talk, you can port your phone number and they offer voice mail, texting, and video. I could then ditch my cell phone, the cost, and use only voip. I also have wifi at home. Sprint is offering $100 off on the Ipad mini with 1 GB of data per month for $10 dollars for two years. I would only use the Sprint data for making calls when not wifi connected. To me this seems like a wonderful solution and want to know if there is any obstacle I am not considering. I know it will be a large cell phone but I'm okay with that as I do not use my cell much outside of home.

http://www.imore.com/using-ipad-mini-phone

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Using the Ipad mini/with cellular to replace my cell phone? (Original Post) Seedersandleechers Mar 2013 OP
Makes sense to me, mostly. onehandle Mar 2013 #1
I'm in Kansas City Seedersandleechers Mar 2013 #2
TalkaTone Shankapotomus Mar 2013 #3
What's a mifi device? I want to use my touch as a phone. Merlot Apr 2013 #4
A mobile wi-fi hotspot Shankapotomus Apr 2013 #5

onehandle

(51,122 posts)
1. Makes sense to me, mostly.
Mon Mar 25, 2013, 12:08 PM
Mar 2013

But keep in mind that you need a data connection to keep it as a phone.

Hopefully you are in a good coverage area.

Shankapotomus

(4,840 posts)
3. TalkaTone
Sat Mar 30, 2013, 08:01 AM
Mar 2013

is a great app that works with Google Voice and Email for that, btw. I use it on my ipod touch. I'm eager to get a mifi device so I can use my ipod as a phone when I'm on the go. That way I can ditch my cellular provider entirely and just use internet for my phone service. I have Ooma for a "land line."

Shankapotomus

(4,840 posts)
5. A mobile wi-fi hotspot
Tue Apr 2, 2013, 08:33 PM
Apr 2013

They work off cell phone towers. They are approximately the size of a credit card so very portable. Your iPod touch would connect to it via Bluetooth and, viola, your Touch is a mobile phone.

I can't vouch for what the sound quality or coverage would be, though, as I have yet to shell out the beans for a mifi device and accompanying subscription fee.

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