Prospective buyer - some questions

[Chawlz]

I don't have a 3G data plan and I don't plan on buying one. Is it still possible to purchase the Captivate and use it with 2G and wifi? When in a wifi location, would all of the "online" features that 3G plans offer be available to me? My girlfriend does that with her Palm Pre Plus, but I read that someone on here was having problems turning off 3G. So I'm wondering if it will work without 3G at all.

Secondly, I found the Sideload Wonder Machine here. This would allow me to get any app I want onto the phone, right? From a brief search, it looks like to get most of the apps, you need to visit the marketplace on your phone to begin with. Where would you find the same apps on your computer to then put on your phone?

Thanks in advance.

 

[rob989_69]

You will be required by AT&T to carry a minimum of $15 a month data plan for the captivate.

When connected to wifi, yes, you have all the same access as 3G.

There a a couple different methods to side load apps, some require rooting the phone, some don't, but yes, that would allow you to put non market apps on your phone.

Most apps that are not available from the market are betas or pirated copies (generally speaking) You can browse sights like androidforums and androidcentral and use the QR code from there. Basically scan the code with your phone, and it directs you to a place to download the app, generally the market.

 

[Lyanheart]

ATT makes you buy one of their data plans whenever you buy/upgrade to one of thier smartphones, there just isnt any way around it unless you buy the phone elsewhere. However, everything with android is so closely tied with the google and internet services that it makes no sense to not have a data plan. You dont need 3G service (I dont have 3g at home) but everything seems to work ok on edge/2g plus im usually around wifi anyway.

As for loading apps, the sideloading is only important if you find something online that isnt in the market. Everything Ive wanted so far has been available in the market, though, so its not much of a limitation.

 

[rob989_69]

Just to clarify what Lyanheart said about buying elsewhere, the only way you can get around the data plan by buying elsewhere is buying elsewhere UNLOCKED. Otherwise AT&T is able to figure out what kind of phone you have.

To my knowledge there is no unlock available, nor unlocked Captivate. Maybe (though I doubt it) a European Galaxy S.

 

[Chawlz]

I'd like to have a data plan. I'm just on a family plan and I'm not the one paying for it, so it's really not up to me.

I was just confused because my girlfriend bought a Palm Pre Plus from AT&T, which also says "Requires a minimum data service starting at $15/month." She asked the representative on the phone if she'd be able to buy the phone without a data plan and the person said they'd make a note on her file to not include the data plan or something of that nature. And she's been using wifi on her phone without being charged for a data plan since.

 

[rob989_69]

Wow... Hey, if you can get them to do it good for you. I highly doubt it'll happen though. Just my honest opinion.