User:Mobile Writes

I was viewing Wikipedia from my new mobile phone and got a notice at the top of every page suggesting I try the mobile version of Wikipedia. When I visited that site there was no "edit this page" button. I wasn't sure if editing from mobiles was frowned upon, whether it be the shared IP addresses from the mobile network or some other reason, and decided on the name Mobile Writes as a double entendre: the right to write from my mobile.

The message disappeared when I switched from mobile view to desktop view (or whatever the equivalent option is in your browser of choice), which looks better anyway.

Mobile Internet plans

If a representative from the company tries to tell you a data plan is required even to use Wi-Fi hotspots, it's a load of rubbish. Depending on your service provider and phone model, however, you may have to have them specifically disable data usage on your account - i.e. you are unable to use their network to access the Internet at all, which is probably for the best when you're charged by the kilobyte. Otherwise the phone tries to go through their network regardless of Wi-Fi availability.

My feelings on this topic are very mixed. The average consumer isn't around hotspots as often as I am and would probably be happier with a data plan anyway if they want access to the Internet in the car, at the store, etc. But ask yourself: is it such a necessity that I'm willing to pay $30 a month for something I had never thought about previously?

The iPhone data plan costs $720 per person over the course of the mandatory two-year contract, and that's assuming you already had AT&T. (Emphasis added because a family of four who each want an iPhone cannot share data plans.) For those switching from a cheaper mobile provider like I would have been, the total price difference is easily over $1,000. Which may be completely worth it to you. But in a bad economy, it's something to think about.