Mobile Hotspot and Other Data

[NegativeCreep]

I'm taking a nice long road trip down to Atlanta with my wife and her friend next week. I'll be using my X for navigation and to keep them occupied in the car I'll be enabling the mobile hotspot so they can surf on their laptops during the ride. My question for the hive mind is, will the two data intensive apps (Google Nav and 3G Hotspot) interfere with each other? Can I use them both at the same time? I did some searches on this forum and wasn't able to a thread where this question was asked.

 

[Bond32]

Doubt it, but I would try it to make sure.

 

[NegativeCreep]

I guess my worst case scenario is I'm stuck using my old Garmin while the girls use my data, but I would like to find out before I add the hotspot to my plan for next month.

 

[Topweasel]

As far as I know the Navigation features really are not that intensive. If there was going to be a real issue with multiple devices tethering to it they would not be supporting 5 devices.

 

[NegativeCreep]

That's a very good point. Having 5 devices pulling data would be no different than using the Nav program while 4 devices pull data. I'll test it before we leave by surfing on a computer and using something really data intensive like Youtube at the same time.

Then again, they meter data over 3g hotspot differently, as you're only allowed 2GB for the month. Do you think that would make a difference?

Also on the subject, is there a program that tracks the amount of data used via the hotspot?

 

[moosc]

Hey why dont u just root and us barincle wifi to tether? Atleast this way u don't have a cap.

 

[NegativeCreep]

I'd rather go the legit route for now as I'm still on my parents' family plan. I don't want to risk getting caught and having them slapped with fees/penalties/etc . Easier to just hand them an extra $20.

Add to that, I'm not completely comfortable rooting my X just yet.

 

[Topweasel]

That's a very good point. Having 5 devices pulling data would be no different than using the Nav program while 4 devices pull data. I'll test it before we leave by surfing on a computer and using something really data intensive like Youtube at the same time.

Then again, they meter data over 3g hotspot differently, as you're only allowed 2GB for the month. Do you think that would make a difference?

Also on the subject, is there a program that tracks the amount of data used via the hotspot?

Most programs over the cellphone are written to keep actual communication to a minimum. Thats why a blackberry, browing the webb, using RSS feeds, and getting fed emails will only use 100-200 MB's a month. So usage of Cellphone features shouldn't be an issue. Now in terms of Tethered communication you need to be careful. Rule #1 do not download big files if you don't have to. Downloading a DVD ISO for a legal beta, is still going to use all of the data limits. #2 Don't stream HQ video. Youtube videos on the general video quality level are fine in doses, but even then 10-15 hours of youtube and your shot. Stay away from Netflix, or Hulu and other full episode viewers, they can go all the way up to 2-3 Mb (Megabits not Megabytes but still a dangerous amount). Rule 3. Web games are fine, but online games are bad, some worse then others but to keep everything lined up they have to send and receive lots of data (FPS's for example doesn't receive much information but transmit a heck of a lot).

Basically use the a laptop connected like you would your cell phone, check mail, access the web, do a couple of tasks, and download a couple files. But don't use it like you are at your desktop and go crazy on it. The theory is this shouldn't be an issue because the tethering is more of an emergency connection and not a daily component.