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candie_yams
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I'm traveling across the country soon. I will be on a train that doesn't have the Amtrak Wi-fi. Is there any other way for me to get internet access on my laptop. Also, I have an Iphone.
I used an old 3G usb stick and had pretty good speed and coverage. It is expensive though, especially for only the time used on the train.I'm traveling across the country soon. I will be on a train that doesn't have the Amtrak Wi-fi. Is there any other way for me to get internet access on my laptop. Also, I have an Iphone.
Yes. Sign up for a tethering plan with your cell provider and you can use your iPhone as a hotspot, either via WiFi or USB. I have AT&T and it works great, I use it all the time, on the train, on my commute to work, in shops that don't have WiFi, etc. Verizon offers a similar plan, not sure about Sprint but I wouldn't be surprised. You can take the feature off at any time, it's not part of the contract, and runs about $20 a month (at least on AT&T). It's a real lifesaver for me and it works a lot better than any of the USB cell cards or MiFi's I've ever played around with. Cheaper, too.I'm traveling across the country soon. I will be on a train that doesn't have the Amtrak Wi-fi. Is there any other way for me to get internet access on my laptop. Also, I have an Iphone.
On Verizon I believe the Hotspot is a part of your data.. My Girlfriend activated it.. That is what she stated. I have no interest in it unless I'm going on a long haul ride.. Which I won't be for a while. Not sure how much data it sucks up though... I really don't have to worry about it as I'm grandfathered into the Unlimited Plan. She isn't she went to Verizon a few months ago.Yes. Sign up for a tethering plan with your cell provider and you can use your iPhone as a hotspot, either via WiFi or USB. I have AT&T and it works great, I use it all the time, on the train, on my commute to work, in shops that don't have WiFi, etc. Verizon offers a similar plan, not sure about Sprint but I wouldn't be surprised. You can take the feature off at any time, it's not part of the contract, and runs about $20 a month (at least on AT&T). It's a real lifesaver for me and it works a lot better than any of the USB cell cards or MiFi's I've ever played around with. Cheaper, too.I'm traveling across the country soon. I will be on a train that doesn't have the Amtrak Wi-fi. Is there any other way for me to get internet access on my laptop. Also, I have an Iphone.
You have an iPhone and an iPad?? I'll take a gander and guess you have an iMac and or macbook.. :giggle: But really you don't need an iPhone and iPad.. The iPad is a big iPhone! More so with the iPad 2. I'm just curious on why you have both an iPhone and iPad.On my cross country trip this march, I plan on taking my iPhone to check email, go on Facebook, and of course, AU. Since my cell plan is with Bell Canada, I had to splurge and purchase the 1gb USA feature for a month. It's pricy, but bell partners with most of the major US cell providers, so I won't have to rely on one carrier's network alone. I also plan in bringing my iPad and teathering it to my phone. I don't expect to get amazing service, but it's better than nothing, right?
Firstly, I had my iPad before I ever had any cell phone, and I use my iPad more like a laptop. (Word processing, keynote presentations, surfing the web.) I use my iPhone more for texting, calling, listening to music, and playing games. You may think it's redundant, but imagine how hard it would be to write a 1000 word essay on an iPhone.You have an iPhone and an iPad?? I'll take a gander and guess you have an iMac and or macbook.. :giggle: But really you don't need an iPhone and iPad.. The iPad is a big iPhone! More so with the iPad 2. I'm just curious on why you have both an iPhone and iPad.On my cross country trip this march, I plan on taking my iPhone to check email, go on Facebook, and of course, AU. Since my cell plan is with Bell Canada, I had to splurge and purchase the 1gb USA feature for a month. It's pricy, but bell partners with most of the major US cell providers, so I won't have to rely on one carrier's network alone. I also plan in bringing my iPad and teathering it to my phone. I don't expect to get amazing service, but it's better than nothing, right?
I have an iPhone and a tablet computer (HP touchpad, but its like an iPad that runs adroid software). They fulfill two totally different functions. The iPhone is my PHONE - I carry it with me everywhere, and I do small stuff on it when that is all I have.You have an iPhone and an iPad?? I'll take a gander and guess you have an iMac and or macbook.. :giggle: But really you don't need an iPhone and iPad.. The iPad is a big iPhone! More so with the iPad 2. I'm just curious on why you have both an iPhone and iPad.On my cross country trip this march, I plan on taking my iPhone to check email, go on Facebook, and of course, AU. Since my cell plan is with Bell Canada, I had to splurge and purchase the 1gb USA feature for a month. It's pricy, but bell partners with most of the major US cell providers, so I won't have to rely on one carrier's network alone. I also plan in bringing my iPad and teathering it to my phone. I don't expect to get amazing service, but it's better than nothing, right?
Disclaimer: I don't have an iPadI guess the iPad is just a little too magical for me. I'd rather get some actual work done, usually on a laptop or netbook that does twice as many things for half as much money. Even if I just want to relax with a movie I'd rather use a device that doesn't require me to hold it in my hand or balance it with a folded screen cover.
I agree re: the iPad. My HP touchpad cost $99 (when they were discontinued and firesaled) which is the only reason I bought one. And it came with an annoying proprietary OS (webOS), but luckily my H was able to hack it and put on android. I do like to bring it places instead of my laptop - like a weekend trip or something where I do not need heavy computing power - because it is lighter. It is great for watching movies, reading ebooks, surfing the web, and responding to emails. But you are right that it only has half the functionality of a laptop.I guess the iPad is just a little too magical for me. I'd rather get some actual work done, usually on a laptop or netbook that does twice as many things for half as much money. Even if I just want to relax with a movie I'd rather use a device that doesn't require me to hold it in my hand or balance it with a folded screen cover.
You've actually identified the problem - the little to weak cell service along many of Amtrak's LD routes. Which I'd suggest is a very hard fix, at least from Amtrak's perspective.I just got back from a cross-country trip myself, and as much as I enjoyed the trip, I really do think that lack of available wi-fi on long distance trains is a major failing of Amtrak.
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Yes, I have a data plan on my phone, but there are a surprising number of areas that do not get cell service (or get incredibly weak cell service) through those rural towns in Utah, Colorado, Nevada, etc.
This really shouldn't be such a hard fix.
As of June 2011 there was still no cell service at the Izaak Walton...the hotel advertises Wi-Fi available in their downstairs bar/lounge; I tried it but found it discouragingly slow (and I'm talking on the order of 300-1200 baud slow, for those of you who remember modems). However, the weather (overcast and rainy) may have had something to do with that; I believe their internet connection is via satellite and the weather could well have been interfering.When I was on the EB service was very hazy in Montana. We stayed at the Izaak Walton and No Service in Essex, MT period... Just the pay phone in the hotel and phones for residents and hotel reservations. Yet again it's been 5 years who knows.
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