OT: Free cell phone ?

[johns]

I know this is entirely possible. But does it exist ?
I've been asking around the stores, and nobody seems
to be able to answer my question for sure. So here goes.

I can sit in a coffee shop with my laptop, and use voip
and my gmail account to phone anybody anywhere.
I call that a WiFi phone. All I need is an ear-set w/
speaker and mic plugged into the laptop.

Is there a cell phone that will do the same thing?
I see all these cell phones ( that use tower protocols
and cost a bundle each month ) that can access the
internet, and therefore should be able to get to gmail.
Do any of them use WiFi protocol ... and not require
an expensive cell-phone monthly account ???

If so, that is a free cell phone with no monthly charge.
Big deal that you have to go to a coffee shop hot spot.
Most cities now have internet access for the entire
town from anywhere on the street. Get it ?? All the
small towns have coffee shops everywhere. So again,
it is very convienent.

So .. as I have asked before ... if you don't understand
protocols, don't respond like a know-it-all. WiFi protocol
will have a range of ( tops ) a few hundred feet .. or less ).
I want to BUY ( one time payment ) a WiFi phone.

johns

 

[johns]

So .. as I have asked before ... if you don't understand

protocols, don't respond like a know-it-all. WiFi protocol
will have a range of ( tops ) a few hundred feet .. or less ).
I want to BUY ( one time payment ) a WiFi phone.

PS. Skype requires a "plan". It is NOT a true
internet phone.

johns

 

[Bug Dout]

Yes. It's called iPod. Get one with WiFi, you're good to go.

 

[johns]

Yes. It's called iPod. Get one with WiFi, you're good to go.

I really like that new iPod. Thanks. Think I'll go bug
the sales girl again. She didn't think so, but we'll
see.

johns

 

[johns]

IPod Touch will do it. Still some minor things to figure
out, but the iTunes account is free ( so far ), and that
enables the WiFi access somehow. $229 is not bad
if I can get access to any phone number going voip.
Geek at Best says I have 30 days to test it, and I
can return it.

I found a bunch of mpgs on YouTube showing how
it's done .. how to download the voip apps. My goal
is to be able to walk in to Starbucks, login, and make
a phone call .. possibly even receive a call ( although
that is not a priority ).

They even claim I can access my home WiFi, and
go voip. And if I can recieve calls that way, I'm fat
city ... no phone bill at all. Friend says she has
already done that over her AT&T dsl account.

I don't really trust any of that, but I would like to
have a portable phone for those few times I really
need one ... without paying a monthly account ..
or WORSE .. without having the clock ticking
on my minutes I purchase. What total crap.

johns

 

[Bug Dout]

If it's just a portable phone for the occasional phone call, look into
the prepaid plans. T-Mobile I think has one ($100/1000min/year?). Net10
is OK but there is another provider even cheaper, I forget their name.

 

[johns]

I have a Net10. I can pay $30 for 300 minutes for 3 months.
Still, I never finish using up the minutes before the 3
months is gone. That's a pretty good deal for me, but
I think if I can get voip to work with WiFi, I can drop my
landline and just go free voip, and save about $50 per
month on the landline. I can get voip at home, plus
have WiFi phone on the road ... all of that for a one
time charge to purchase the WiFi phone. At home
it will go WiFi to my DSL modem, and on the road
it will go WiFi in coffee shops .. all for free if I can
figure out what works. The ipod is very close to doing
this. I just need to see if I can download a Voip app
that will receive phone calls from a plain old telephone
that dials a number.

johns

 

[Bug Dout]

Skype has something like this: Online Number
http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/online-number/

Not free though at $18/3 months.

 

[johns]

Not free though at $18/3 months.

Yep. It's half way there. I have an idea about how
to use the iPod that should work fine in coffee shops.
Use my email "ping" to signal incoming, and go to
voice from my end if needed. The iPod will be in
the mode to always immediately "beep" when
email is automatically pushed to me. I can set it
to signal me as soon as the server gets it. Basically
that is "texting", but it can hold if I'm not available.


It looks like I need to be able to use the iPod in
many modes at the same time to get what I want.
I have a manual that says VOIP works on the iPod.
I just have to figure out the best app to use. Skype
has a good idea, but then it's also a come-on to
get into a pay-as-you-go service. No way. I ain't
doing it. Instead, I'm a good customer at Borders
where I intend to use my iPod for free. Borders
gets my business all the time. I buy all my books
there. I buy coffee there. And I might make 2 phone
calls a month there. That is a good deal for both
of us. Same for any Shopping Mall. I'm there getting
ready to spend a bundle, and I would like to make
one phone call for free. Again, good business.

johns