On 7/27/2023 4:41 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
Turns out the Pixel2 can't use a non-google eSIM, but the real SIM
offered by Keepgo looks really attractive for a data-plan substitute for
my T-Mobie $10/year SIM (which I would keep current because it would be
stupid not to).
https://www.keepgo.com/products/keepgo-lifetime-prepaid-data-sim-card
I'm wondering if there are any disadvantages to having a wifi-only
'phone' with google voice rather than an actual cell phone number.
I'm also wondering if there's a reason to NOT go with Keepgo. $25 for
2GB of data that rolls over as long as I add 100MB for $3 once a year.
I've used roughly 1GB of data in the last 30 days, but that's only via
my home network. I assume you get a choice if the default isn't
available... Correct? Does this cause any problems?
It's not the $25 I mind so much as the possible problems caused by the
temporary loss of my T-Mobile phone number which is used (against my
will) for 2FA stupidity. I guess I could put the T-M SIM in my old
Motorola...
Yes, OF COURSE I'M OVER-THINKING THIS! It's what I do :-(
Keepgo is ridiculously expensive for data.
Much better to use MobileX at $2.10/GB with rollover plus $1.99/month
line fee.
I used to have the $10/year T-Mobile plan but eventually I just
abandoned it and lost $160 or so.
First, T-Mobile coverage in my area is poor, so it was not all that useful.
Second, without any data at all, it was not that useful.
Third, at the time I had no phones with an eSIM or dual SIM.
It was cool to have a $10/year plan, but the reality is that if you did
not hate RedPocket so much you could have free service,
on AT&T's
network, with 100 minutes (plus unlimited WiFi calls), 100 texts, and
100 MB of high-speed data FREE every month.
Turns out the Pixel2 can't use a non-google eSIM, but the real SIM
offered by Keepgo looks really attractive for a data-plan substitute for
my T-Mobie $10/year SIM (which I would keep current because it would be stupid not to).
https://www.keepgo.com/products/keepgo-lifetime-prepaid-data-sim-card
I'm wondering if there are any disadvantages to having a wifi-only
'phone' with google voice rather than an actual cell phone number.
I'm also wondering if there's a reason to NOT go with Keepgo. $25 for
2GB of data that rolls over as long as I add 100MB for $3 once a year.
I've used roughly 1GB of data in the last 30 days, but that's only via
my home network. I assume you get a choice if the default isn't available... Correct? Does this cause any problems?
It's not the $25 I mind so much as the possible problems caused by the temporary loss of my T-Mobile phone number which is used (against my
will) for 2FA stupidity. I guess I could put the T-M SIM in my old Motorola...
Yes, OF COURSE I'M OVER-THINKING THIS! It's what I do :-(
When free-forever turned into $25/month I lost faith. Worst was the $20 hotspot with 220MB of data/month. I really resented losing that.
Turns out the Pixel2 can't use a non-google eSIM, but the real SIM
offered by Keepgo looks really attractive for a data-plan substitute for
my T-Mobie $10/year SIM (which I would keep current because it would be >stupid not to).
Turns out the Pixel2 can't use a non-google eSIM, but the real SIM
offered by Keepgo looks really attractive for a data-plan substitute for
my T-Mobie $10/year SIM (which I would keep current because it would be stupid not to).
On 7/27/2023 4:41 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
Turns out the Pixel2 can't use a non-google eSIM, but the real SIM
offered by Keepgo looks really attractive for a data-plan substitute for
my T-Mobie $10/year SIM (which I would keep current because it would be
stupid not to).
There's one workaround to this if you can get T-Mobile to provide an
eSIM for your legacy $10/year account. You can buy a physical SIM card
that adds multiple eSIMs. Not sure if that eSIM.me card will work with
such an old Pixel, it's not on their list but that may be because it's
so old that few people are using it anymore: <https://esim.me/esim-for-my-Google/>.
On 7/27/23 5:46 PM, sms wrote:
On 7/27/2023 4:41 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
Turns out the Pixel2 can't use a non-google eSIM, but the real SIM
offered by Keepgo looks really attractive for a data-plan substitute for >>> my T-Mobie $10/year SIM (which I would keep current because it would be >>> stupid not to).
https://www.keepgo.com/products/keepgo-lifetime-prepaid-data-sim-card
I'm wondering if there are any disadvantages to having a wifi-only
'phone' with google voice rather than an actual cell phone number.
I'm also wondering if there's a reason to NOT go with Keepgo. $25 for >>> 2GB of data that rolls over as long as I add 100MB for $3 once a year.
I've used roughly 1GB of data in the last 30 days, but that's only via
my home network. I assume you get a choice if the default isn't
available... Correct? Does this cause any problems?
It's not the $25 I mind so much as the possible problems caused by the
temporary loss of my T-Mobile phone number which is used (against my
will) for 2FA stupidity. I guess I could put the T-M SIM in my old
Motorola...
Yes, OF COURSE I'M OVER-THINKING THIS! It's what I do :-(
Keepgo is ridiculously expensive for data.
Not if you only use it for a few hundred MB a year. Find something in
google maps, maybe. Uber, if I ever need to use it. Maybe a goole voice phone call in a T-Mobile dead area. $25 once + $3/year forever isn't
all that bad.
Much better to use MobileX at $2.10/GB with rollover plus $1.99/month
line fee.
I used to have the $10/year T-Mobile plan but eventually I just
abandoned it and lost $160 or so.
If the phone could use an eSIM I'd use both, but no such luck.
First, T-Mobile coverage in my area is poor, so it was not all that useful.
As long as you're in a city or near an interstate it's OK. I couldn't
call from the ski-slope with T-M, but I can use the resort's wifi.
Second, without any data at all, it was not that useful.
Third, at the time I had no phones with an eSIM or dual SIM.
It was cool to have a $10/year plan, but the reality is that if you did
not hate RedPocket so much you could have free service,
When free-forever turned into $25/month I lost faith. Worst was the $20 hotspot with 220MB of data/month. I really resented losing that.
on AT&T's
network, with 100 minutes (plus unlimited WiFi calls), 100 texts, and
100 MB of high-speed data FREE every month.
Overkill. We've got Charter/Spectrum as an ISP; they offer a some sort
of free cell line, but I haven't looked into the details...
On 7/27/23 6:01 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
On 7/27/23 5:46 PM, sms wrote:
On 7/27/2023 4:41 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
Turns out the Pixel2 can't use a non-google eSIM, but the real SIM
offered by Keepgo looks really attractive for a data-plan substitute for >>>> my T-Mobie $10/year SIM (which I would keep current because it would be >>>> stupid not to).
https://www.keepgo.com/products/keepgo-lifetime-prepaid-data-sim-card
I'm wondering if there are any disadvantages to having a wifi-only
'phone' with google voice rather than an actual cell phone number.
I'm also wondering if there's a reason to NOT go with Keepgo. $25 for >>>> 2GB of data that rolls over as long as I add 100MB for $3 once a year. >>>>
I've used roughly 1GB of data in the last 30 days, but that's only via >>>> my home network. I assume you get a choice if the default isn't
available... Correct? Does this cause any problems?
It's not the $25 I mind so much as the possible problems caused by the >>>> temporary loss of my T-Mobile phone number which is used (against my
will) for 2FA stupidity. I guess I could put the T-M SIM in my old
Motorola...
Yes, OF COURSE I'M OVER-THINKING THIS! It's what I do :-(
Keepgo is ridiculously expensive for data.
Not if you only use it for a few hundred MB a year. Find something in
google maps, maybe. Uber, if I ever need to use it. Maybe a goole voice
phone call in a T-Mobile dead area. $25 once + $3/year forever isn't
all that bad.
I bit. I bought the real SIM to put in the Pixel2 and will put the
T-Mobile SIM in my previous Motorola phone. Assuming the Keepgo SIM
works I'll have to carry two phones in my purse in case for some
godawful reason I need to use the T-Mobile number for some sort of authentication. Belt and suspenders. $25+$5 shipping, here in 5-7
days. We'll see.
Much better to use MobileX at $2.10/GB with rollover plus $1.99/month
line fee.
I used to have the $10/year T-Mobile plan but eventually I just
abandoned it and lost $160 or so.
If the phone could use an eSIM I'd use both, but no such luck.
First, T-Mobile coverage in my area is poor, so it was not all that useful. >>As long as you're in a city or near an interstate it's OK. I couldn't
call from the ski-slope with T-M, but I can use the resort's wifi.
Second, without any data at all, it was not that useful.
Third, at the time I had no phones with an eSIM or dual SIM.
It was cool to have a $10/year plan, but the reality is that if you did
not hate RedPocket so much you could have free service,
When free-forever turned into $25/month I lost faith. Worst was the $20
hotspot with 220MB of data/month. I really resented losing that.
on AT&T's
network, with 100 minutes (plus unlimited WiFi calls), 100 texts, and
100 MB of high-speed data FREE every month.
Overkill. We've got Charter/Spectrum as an ISP; they offer a some sort
of free cell line, but I haven't looked into the details...
Surprise, it arrived the next day. I put it in yesterday and had a reasonable amount of trouble with the settings, which didn't really
match the Keepgo setup instructions. Their email/chat (duplicates) tech support is very good, with replies within hours. Ultimately I sent a
number of screenshots late last night, and this morning they said they'd
done some sort of (magic?) tweaking and I should give it another shot.
Yup, works fine now. 3GB of data for a year. The Pixel data monitor is pretty crude, perhaps there's a good app...
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
[...]
[About Keepgo SIM:]
Surprise, it arrived the next day. I put it in yesterday and had a
reasonable amount of trouble with the settings, which didn't really
match the Keepgo setup instructions. Their email/chat (duplicates) tech
support is very good, with replies within hours. Ultimately I sent a
number of screenshots late last night, and this morning they said they'd
done some sort of (magic?) tweaking and I should give it another shot.
Yup, works fine now. 3GB of data for a year. The Pixel data monitor is
pretty crude, perhaps there's a good app...
I use 'My Data Manager' for monitoring mobile data usage. You can configure it for your plan(s), set usage alarms, etc.. It can also
report per-app usage for the top users (per hour, day, week, month,
period), which is very handy to find data-eating culprits. I've been
using this app for many years and am quite happy with it. Even works in
the US! :-)
'My Data Manager - Data Usage' <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobidia.android.mdm>
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
[...]
[About Keepgo SIM:]
Surprise, it arrived the next day. I put it in yesterday and had a
reasonable amount of trouble with the settings, which didn't really
match the Keepgo setup instructions. Their email/chat (duplicates) tech
support is very good, with replies within hours. Ultimately I sent a
number of screenshots late last night, and this morning they said they'd
done some sort of (magic?) tweaking and I should give it another shot.
Yup, works fine now. 3GB of data for a year. The Pixel data monitor is
pretty crude, perhaps there's a good app...
I use 'My Data Manager' for monitoring mobile data usage. You can configure it for your plan(s), set usage alarms, etc.. It can also
report per-app usage for the top users (per hour, day, week, month,
period), which is very handy to find data-eating culprits. I've been
using this app for many years and am quite happy with it. Even works in
the US! :-)
'My Data Manager - Data Usage' <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobidia.android.mdm>
On 8/5/23 10:34 AM, Frank Slootweg wrote:
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
[...]
[About Keepgo SIM:]
Surprise, it arrived the next day. I put it in yesterday and had a
reasonable amount of trouble with the settings, which didn't really
match the Keepgo setup instructions. Their email/chat (duplicates) tech >> support is very good, with replies within hours. Ultimately I sent a
number of screenshots late last night, and this morning they said they'd >> done some sort of (magic?) tweaking and I should give it another shot.
Yup, works fine now. 3GB of data for a year. The Pixel data monitor is
pretty crude, perhaps there's a good app...
I use 'My Data Manager' for monitoring mobile data usage. You can configure it for your plan(s), set usage alarms, etc.. It can also
report per-app usage for the top users (per hour, day, week, month, period), which is very handy to find data-eating culprits. I've been
using this app for many years and am quite happy with it. Even works in
the US! :-)
'My Data Manager - Data Usage' <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobidia.android.mdm>
I replied to this message and can see it in my message list as well as
my retained copy, but the message itself is blank. Can you see the reply?
This happens frequently with other people's messages and is a real
mystery.
Anyway, I downloaded yours and like it better than the one I chose.
The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
...
I replied to this message and can see it in my message list as well as
my retained copy, but the message itself is blank. Can you see the reply?
Yes, I saw your reply. It was sent OK, as you can see here:
<http://al.howardknight.net/?STYPE=msgid&MSGI=%3Cuamcce%241sert%241%40dont-email.me%3E>
This happens frequently with other people's messages and is a real
mystery.
Perhaps another Thunderbird user can help with that. And there's a dedicated group for Thunderbird. (I use Thunderbird only for e-mail, not
for Usenet/NetNews).
Anyway, I downloaded yours and like it better than the one I chose.
Great!
Rebooting TB fixed the problem. Duh. We need to be more appreciative
of kick-the-side-HARD solutions to problems.
The Real Bev wrote:
Rebooting TB fixed the problem. Duh. We need to be more appreciative
of kick-the-side-HARD solutions to problems.
Sometimes just clicking File > offline > work offline
twice, or the corresponding icon in the status bar does the trick ...
I'm pleasantly surprised by the Keepgo experience. The tech support guy
was timely, competent and helpful and the price is certainly right. The hotspot would have been more convenient, but I wasn't willing to pay
that much extra for marginal additional convenience. I'm glad I put the T-Mobile SIM in my old phone because I needed to get an authentication message from google within a few hours.
On 8/6/2023 7:29 AM, The Real Bev wrote:
<snip>
I'm pleasantly surprised by the Keepgo experience. The tech support guy >> was timely, competent and helpful and the price is certainly right. The >> hotspot would have been more convenient, but I wasn't willing to pay
that much extra for marginal additional convenience. I'm glad I put the >> T-Mobile SIM in my old phone because I needed to get an authentication
message from google within a few hours.
Also check https://vegolink.com/ . U.S. data is 0.5¢ to 0.9¢ per MB
($5-$9 per GB).
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