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Author Topic: Google cell phone: Project Fi  (Read 57550 times)

Offline notanonymous

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Re: Google cell phone
« Reply #40 on: January 12, 2016, 10:51:36 AM »
Seems like there's no credit check for Project Fi.
Am I crazy to buy a Nexus 6 and activate Project Fi for just the dates when I travel abroad for the cheap 3G data?

Have an upcoming 9 day trip, so it seems tempting, especially as VZW won't let me have TravelPass with my unlimited data plan.
I have had it for awhile, but unless something has changed, I can confirm no credit check.

ETA - I have the 5x and the 6.  The 6 is a monster.  If you do want the larger one, get a 6P, though.

Offline sky121

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #41 on: January 12, 2016, 10:57:24 AM »
I have had it for awhile, but unless something has changed, I can confirm no credit check.

ETA - I have the 5x and the 6.  The 6 is a monster.  If you do want the larger one, get a 6P, though.
Big diff in price for a phone he won't be using too often.

Though the 6p is quite nice.  I'd even get the 5x over the 6. But not as a second device.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline Dan

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #42 on: January 12, 2016, 11:11:22 AM »
It's just for trips, so I'd just get the cheapest phone there is. Seems like that's the 6.

Any reports online of just using Google Fi for trips abroad?
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Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #43 on: January 12, 2016, 11:25:18 AM »
I know tmobile doesn't officially allow majority of usage to be abroad but they don't enforce it.

Offline Dan

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #44 on: January 12, 2016, 11:25:49 AM »
Wouldn't that require a hard pull every time you activate service?
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Offline luckyluck

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Re: Google cell phone
« Reply #45 on: January 12, 2016, 12:33:05 PM »
Seems like there's no credit check for Project Fi.
Am I crazy to buy a Nexus 6 and activate Project Fi for just the dates when I travel abroad for the cheap 3G data?

Have an upcoming 9 day trip, so it seems tempting, especially as VZW won't let me have TravelPass with my unlimited data plan.

Dan you can "pause" your service with Project Fi and meanwhile you are not charged. Service resumes as soon as you decide or after 3 months, at which point you can "pause" it again.

Offline luckyluck

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Re: Google cell phone
« Reply #46 on: January 12, 2016, 12:34:45 PM »
Seems like there's no credit check for Project Fi.
Am I crazy to buy a Nexus 6 and activate Project Fi for just the dates when I travel abroad for the cheap 3G data?

Have an upcoming 9 day trip, so it seems tempting, especially as VZW won't let me have TravelPass with my unlimited data plan.

And you don't need to buy any phone. The 3G abroad works with any GSM phone. Just get the Project Fi SIM card, it's free.

Offline Dan

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #47 on: January 12, 2016, 12:36:10 PM »
And you don't need to buy any phone. The 3G abroad works with any GSM phone. Just get the Project Fi SIM card, it's free.
Sweet, have you tried that?
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Offline luckyluck

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #48 on: January 12, 2016, 12:38:10 PM »
Sweet, have you tried that?

Yes it worked in my Nexus 4. I did activate the SIM in a nexus 6 first but I don't think it was necessary.

ETA: it seems that you have to activate it first on a compatible device.
« Last Edit: January 12, 2016, 01:21:22 PM by luckyluck »

Offline Dan

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #49 on: January 12, 2016, 12:43:06 PM »
Yes it worked in my Nexus 4. I did activate the SIM in a nexus 6 first but I don't think it was necessary.
Hmm. Any reports of activating it on a non-Nexus phone?
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Offline notanonymous

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #50 on: January 12, 2016, 12:45:22 PM »
Hmm. Any reports of activating it on a non-Nexus phone?
I have found the Fi forums to be helpful:
https://productforums.google.com/forum/m/#!categories/project-fi/non-supported-device

Offline Dan

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #51 on: January 12, 2016, 12:54:32 PM »
Darn.
"Tethering from a device with a data-only SIM isn’t supported."
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Offline luckyluck

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #52 on: January 12, 2016, 12:56:13 PM »
Darn.
"Tethering from a device with a data-only SIM isn’t supported."

You can order as many additional data-only SIM cards for all your devices. These will work in any device.

Offline Dan

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #53 on: January 12, 2016, 12:58:29 PM »
Doesn't help for a laptop without a SIM slot.
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Offline luckyluck

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #54 on: January 12, 2016, 01:05:42 PM »
Doesn't help for a laptop without a SIM slot.

1. Reports are that tethering is not actually blocked on data-only SIMs. http://www.androidcentral.com/how-set-project-fi-data-sim-your-tablet
2. This "restriction" is only for the additional data-only SIMs, anyways you have to first activate the main SIM (find a friend who has one of the compatible phones?) and you can then use it in your phone with tethering.

Offline luckyluck

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #55 on: January 12, 2016, 01:32:07 PM »
By the way if you plan of using a different phone, don't forget to check compatibility of GSM/UMTS/LGE bands. https://www.frequencycheck.com/carriers/google-project-fi-united-states

You might also need to change APNs.

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #56 on: January 27, 2016, 01:11:19 AM »
No issue activating and freezing Project Fi right away, thanks for the help!
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Offline luckyluck

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #57 on: January 27, 2016, 08:40:42 AM »
No issue activating and freezing Project Fi right away, thanks for the help!
Cool. Did you get a new phone just for activating?

Online mgarfin

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Re: Google cell phone: Project Fi
« Reply #58 on: February 08, 2016, 09:26:47 AM »
Thinking of getting one for traveling.

Do you select a new phone #  and forward your calls?
Dan, where you able to activate on other device then nexus?

Offline Thingywingy

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Re: Google cell phone
« Reply #59 on: February 08, 2016, 07:44:43 PM »
2) I was aware of the lousy service here in Lakewood for T-Mobile and Sprint, but I was counting on Fi's advertised usage of public hotspots.  I assumed they had contracts with the major providers (Comcast, etc), but I have yet to been connected to even one public WiFi.  If this continues, IMO in Lakewood the service is barely useable. 
You can't access Verizon network in Lakewood?
I am sometimes accused of overthinking things. I am still mulling over whether that accusation has merit.