Spending a fair amount of time out and about lately. Which is to say that I haven’t been anywhere near my Mac or an Internet connection, short of email/Facebook access from the Blackberry. Boy would it be handy if I had Internet access while out in the field. So I’ve been checking prices and I’m not happy with what I have found.
My local Starbucks use AT&T for wifi internet connectivity. I can buy 2 hour blocks for $4 or sign up for an account, locked into a 1 year contract for $20 per month. I could also add tethering to the Blackberry. For the ability to do this, Verizon will gladly charge me an additional $30 per month, again on a 1 year contract. While I’m not terribly keen on either of these, AT&T is appealing because it’s $10 a month cheaper, but I would be stuck getting access at Starbucks. Verizon is as well because I know the service is good and I would have the flexibility to access anywhere as long as I have a USB cable.
There is a new option that I will be researching this weekend as well. As it turns out, since I am a Verizon FiOS customer, they are offering WiFi connectivity free at select locations. From what I understand, I only need install an app on my computer to use for connecting. I think this would be the way to go, mostly because I’m such a big fan of free.
I am curious as to how you connect when mobile via computer (not iPhone).
Today was the big day. Verizon Wireless finally released the Blackberry Storm into the wild and I wanted to check it out and, quite possibly buy one.
Which I did. But I don’t have it.
You see, it would appear that Verizon took a page out of the Apple playbook and only had 18 units delivered to my local store. They sold out by 8:00a. This is ok since I ended up getting a smokin’ deal!
The price for this new gadget is listed at $249 with a mail in rebate of $50. Since they were out of stock when I get there, they had an inconvenience fee of -$50, plus free overnight shipping. Plus, since they were out of stock and since I am what they call a VIP customer, I still get the rebate, but now it’s in store. No activation fee or anything else either.
This means that I ended up buying a new Blackberry Storm to have as my very own for only $149.00. Or, to put another way, the first 3 months of my data plan are covered. Not too shabby, not too shabby at all.
There is a chance I could get it on Saturday, but that is highly unlikely. Monday or Tuesday look like the day.
More when it arrives.
Update: Looks like I got in just in time.
