It's been nearly 7 years since I got a new phone and now that my current antique Motorola Timeport is on it's last legs I'm confronted with finding a replacement.
My primary requirements are reception quality and laptop tethering via usb. I use cell phones quite infrequently...the occasional call for directions or emergencies and the occasional remote tethering for for ssh or terminal server sessions. I have zero interest in cameras/music/browsing the web on my phone etc although I wouldn't discount a phone with these features if it met my primary requirements.
Questions:
1. Which current phones can I tether to a laptop via usb?
2. I used to use the Verizon Mobile office kit to connect at 14.4kbps and have it deduct from my minutes with no extra fees for data use. With the current phones do you have to buy the Mobile office kit and use that goofy software or is it possible to just buy a cable and configure Windows to directly interface w/ the phone?
3. What is the fastest connection speed you can get without paying extra for some kind of data plan?
I know there is sticky thread on Verizon tethering but the last post there was over 2 years ago and I am unsure of the current situation. A visit to the local Verizon store resulted in a whole lot of blank stares and upselling attempts.
thanks
My primary requirements are reception quality and laptop tethering via usb. I use cell phones quite infrequently...the occasional call for directions or emergencies and the occasional remote tethering for for ssh or terminal server sessions. I have zero interest in cameras/music/browsing the web on my phone etc although I wouldn't discount a phone with these features if it met my primary requirements.
Questions:
1. Which current phones can I tether to a laptop via usb?
2. I used to use the Verizon Mobile office kit to connect at 14.4kbps and have it deduct from my minutes with no extra fees for data use. With the current phones do you have to buy the Mobile office kit and use that goofy software or is it possible to just buy a cable and configure Windows to directly interface w/ the phone?
3. What is the fastest connection speed you can get without paying extra for some kind of data plan?
I know there is sticky thread on Verizon tethering but the last post there was over 2 years ago and I am unsure of the current situation. A visit to the local Verizon store resulted in a whole lot of blank stares and upselling attempts.
thanks