Samsung Galaxy question

[eyl]

I'm considering buying a Samsung Galaxy S (not S2). It's intended to replace both my current cell phone and my PDA. As I have zero experience with smartphones in general or this series in particular, I have a few questions if anyone's familiar with the device:

1) Apps installation: I don't actually expect I'll be browsing the Internet much with it, so I don't want to purchase a 3G connectivity package (i.e. to allow me to connect to the Internet through the cell phone) from my cell phone provider. IINM, I should be able to connect to the Internet through WiFi on the Galaxy, which is sufficient for my needs. However, I won't always have WiFi available. So the question is, do I need an active Internet connection on the phone to install apps, or can I download them to my PC and install offline? (in particular, can I do this with Android Market?)
2) On a related issue, can I connect the Galaxy to the Internet through my PC? (that is, connect the phone to the PC through USB, and then use the PC's connection).
3) I heard that it's possible for the user (without need for a lab) to manually remove the camera on the Galaxy (without wrecking it, obviously). Does anyone know if this is true?
4) The model I'm considering purchasing is the model with the 8GB internal storage. I have no idea how "heavy" android apps tend to be; should this be sufficient for "normal" use, or should I spring for the 16GB model? (both mdoels can accomadate a microSD card of up to 32Gb, in any event).

Thx!

[Executor32]

1) Yes and no. You can download apps in the form of APKs on your PC and either put them on the SD card and install them using the phone, or install them directly using the Android Debug Bridge program from the Android SDK. However, you can't do this with the Android Market, only with APK files that you've downloaded.

2) Here are some instructions on how to do it, but it seems pretty hit-or-miss from the comments. Honestly, I think you're better off just getting a wireless router.

3) I'm not sure about this one, but I can't imagine why you'd want to.

4) 8 GB is plenty. My Droid 2 has 8 GB of internal memory, and I have yet to even half fill it, even with nearly 300 apps installed.

[eyl]

3) I'm not sure about this one, but I can't imagine why you'd want to.

Restrictions on bringing a camera into my workplace.

[Edi]

I've got that phone as a work phone and the easiest way to install apps is to connect to the internet through wifi, then use Android Market. Everything else is a lot more cumbersome.

Connecting to the internet with the phone through a PC.... I suppose that can be done, but can't see why you would want to, as generally in that situation you should normally have wifi available. If not, then per instructions, I suppose.

[Enigma]

I've got that phone as a work phone and the easiest way to install apps is to connect to the internet through wifi, then use Android Market. Everything else is a lot more cumbersome.

Connecting to the internet with the phone through a PC.... I suppose that can be done, but can't see why you would want to, as generally in that situation you should normally have wifi available. If not, then per instructions, I suppose.

He'll have to make sure that it is legal to do so. I understood that AT&T is cracking down such practice. I may be mistaken though, it may be something totally different.

[url=http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/bust ... ring/11928]Tethering plan needed.[/quote]

Though this refers to the cracked iPhones, this AT&T message seem to include all smart phones.

Here's the relevant quote from AT&T if they catch you tethering your smart phone to the computer.

“AT&T Free Msg: Did you know tethering your Smartphone to a computer requires a tethering plan? Pls call 888-860-6789 for details or visit att.com/dataplans.”

And if you continue, you get another message.

Dear [Customer],

We’ve noticed your service plan may need updating.

Many AT&T customers use their smartphones as a broadband connection for other devices, like laptops, netbooks or other smartphones- a practice commonly known as tethering. Tethering can be an efficient way for our customers to enjoy the benefits of AT&T’s mobile broadband network and use more than one device to stay in touch with important people and information. To take advantage of this feature, we require that in addition to a data plan, you also have a tethering plan.

Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.

If you would like to continue tethering, please log into your account online at Cell Phones and Cell Phone Plans - Wireless from AT&T, or call us at 1-888-860-6789 Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. CST or Saturday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. CST, by March 27, 2011 to sign up for DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering.
Here are details on the plan:

DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering
• $45 per month
(this gives you 4GB in total, combining both your smartphone data plan for $25 and the tethering feature, $20)
• $10 per each additional GB thereafter, added automatically as needed
• Mobile Hotspot capabilities are included for compatible Smartphones

If we don’t hear from you, we’ll plan to automatically enroll you into DataPro 4GB afterMarch 27, 2011. The new plan - whether you sign up on your own or we automatically enroll you - will replace your current smartphone data plan, including if you are on an unlimited data plan.

If you discontinue tethering, no changes to your current plan will be required.

It’s easy to track your usage throughout the month so there are no bill surprises. For example, we send you free text messages when you reach 65, 90, and 100 percent of your plan’s threshold. If you would like to monitor your account more closely, go to www.att.com/dataplans to learn about other ways to track your data usage.

As a reminder, our smartphone data plans also include unlimited usage of Wi-Fi at no additional charge. AT&T smartphone customers can use Wi-Fi at home or on-the-go at any one of our more than 23,000 U.S. hotspots already included in your data plan.

Thank you for bringing your account up to date. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve your mobile broadband needs.

Sincerely,

AT&T

[eyl]

I've got that phone as a work phone and the easiest way to install apps is to connect to the internet through wifi, then use Android Market. Everything else is a lot more cumbersome.

Connecting to the internet with the phone through a PC.... I suppose that can be done, but can't see why you would want to, as generally in that situation you should normally have wifi available. If not, then per instructions, I suppose.

The main problem is that I often don't have WiFi access either - I don't have it either at home and at work (and I don't intend to buy a wireless router in the near future).

I don't really view it as a major problem; if I can install non-Market apps offline, by downloading apks, I can do that on my PC and wait to install Market apps on the occasions when I do have WiFi available.

He'll have to make sure that it is legal to do so. I understood that AT&T is cracking down such practice. I may be mistaken though, it may be something totally different.

IINM, that refers connecting your PC to your smartphone and then connecting the PC to the Internet through the phone - what I want to do is the reverse. In any event, not being American, I don't really care about AT&T's opinion on the matter

[Sharp-kun]

Out of interest, how do AT&T actually tell that you're tethering?


One warning is if you don't have any data package ensure that data is turned off on the phone. Many apps assume that you've got some form of data and will connect (checking email, twitter etc). I know someone that bought a Wildfire and didn't bother to upgrade their plan. First bill was a surprise

[Netko]

In that vein, you really should consider some sort of minimal data package with a modern smartphone. Pretty much every application that does something useful expects an Internet connection. Most of them don't use up much traffic (I have a 512mb package and rarely do more then 200mb a month with light surfing included), but even minimal traffic can be brutal if your plan only gives you the overcharge price.

[Isil`Zha]

In that vein, you really should consider some sort of minimal data package with a modern smartphone. Pretty much every application that does something useful expects an Internet connection. Most of them don't use up much traffic (I have a 512mb package and rarely do more then 200mb a month with light surfing included), but even minimal traffic can be brutal if your plan only gives you the overcharge price.

If you get a limited plan like this, there's the "3G watchdog" app that monitors how much data you've used for the current billing period (you just manually set when the reset date is, as well as your bandwidth limit.) Will warn you when you get near limits, etc.

[eyl]

In that vein, you really should consider some sort of minimal data package with a modern smartphone. Pretty much every application that does something useful expects an Internet connection. Most of them don't use up much traffic (I have a 512mb package and rarely do more then 200mb a month with light surfing included), but even minimal traffic can be brutal if your plan only gives you the overcharge price.

If you get a limited plan like this, there's the "3G watchdog" app that monitors how much data you've used for the current billing period (you just manually set when the reset date is, as well as your bandwidth limit.) Will warn you when you get near limits, etc.

Actually, it's not really relevant in my case - my provider doesn't have limited-data plans anymore (they came to the conclusion that no-one was staying in the limits, so they went to a single unlimited plan). The issue is that I currently don't pay much for the phone (as I have a plan through my company, which covers a lot of the costs), so a data plan will actually multiply my monthly phone bill almost tenfold. I may wind up going that route in the end, but given the needs I currently anticipate, I'd be better off buying a wireless router for home.