Using Droid as PDA via WiFi in Europe (not a Global Phone)

[typetive]

I'm planning to travel to Europe (Netherlands & Germany) for a couple of weeks. I'm not planning on using a mobile phone while I'm there, but I'm thinking of taking my Droid anyway. It's not a global phone, so it won't work as a phone.

What I'm thinking is that I can still use the phone like a PDA or iPod Touch - I'm gathering maps and other apps that don't need internet access to be useful.

It will also work when I can get a WiFi connection, like in my hotel room. So I can use it to get my email and update my maps/transit schedules as needed.

My big question is could there be any possible way that I'll incur international charges? I read those bizarre stories about people who accidentally get huge bills by pocket dialing or roaming in some strange surcharge area.But the phone simply doesn't work with the European standards, so it can't connect and can't get charged, right?

Also, does anyone know if the GPS portion of the updated Google Maps (with cached maps) works when you don't have cell service? Or is there an app that anyone can recommend that would do that?

[gerio]

I am 99/99% certain that if you leave the phone in "Airplane Mode", the phone's radio is completely disabled and therefore unable to connect to a phone system. Anywhere. Just be certain that it stays in airplane mode. 

Oooh, wait, Airplane mode might disable the Wifi radio, too.

However, there is a setting in "Data Manager" that allows you to disable the phone's ability to access a mobile data network.

Actually, there are 3 settings in here - "Background Data", "Data Roaming", and "Data Enabled". Probably wise to un-check all of these...

Someone else confirm this either way so our friend's phone doesn't break the bank because of erroneous information.

EDIT: also, with regard to GPS services, Google Maps depends on a mobile data connection in addition to the GPS radio for the maps. But somewhere there is an app that claims to use only the GPS radio of the phone with no need for the mobile data connection (It's a HUGE file, with map data that loads onto the SD card). I'm trying to remember the name of the app...Ah, yes, it's the Co-Pilot app. And there are several different versions of the app depending on where you are going. 

Again, I can't promise you that these steps will completely prevent the phone from connecting to a data network. Maybe someone else can verify or correct this information.

Geri O

[steveanderson13]

Hi, you'll have to test it, but I believe you can use WI-FI in airplane mode.  But your manual says "

Airplane mode

Use airplane mode to turn ALL your wireless 

connections off—useful when flying. 

That said, I would take Geri O's advice just to be safe.  I don't know where Google Maps stands in regards to Europe; or CoPilot for that matter.  I remember reading that some places were a "work in progress"  So you'll want to confirm what is available.  Well, Google has Berlin.  

You could test everything now before you leave.  eg. put in airplane mode, get on wifi, etc....turn off data like Geri O said, then open your browser and see if it works.  You should get a prompt asking you if you want to connect.  

[typetive]

Thanks so much for your sage advice.

I did some tests. I turned off data and turned on WiFi and was still able to get my email.

I tried turning on WiFi and then going into Airplane Mode, but that definitely turns off the WiFi ... seems with the new WiFi on planes thing they'll want to have two versions of that mode.

I'm just surpised that there's no separate way to turn off the phone portion of the device without turning the whole thing off.

I'm going to set up Google Voice Mail, so that any incoming phone messages will go to my email box as well (I'll test that well before I leave, too - I think a lot of folks already do that anyway.)

I'm just not 100% sure that the phone part won't work or won't try to work in some way that dings me on my bill. When I asked Verizon, they said my phone wouldn't work in Europe, but they couldn't say that there was no way that I could get billed for some phone or data charge if I turned it on in Europe.

Thanks again for your help, let me know if you think of anything else. (I'll try to report back on the success and any other issues I encounter.)

[steveanderson13 · Accepted solution]

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typetive wrote:

I'm just surpised that there's no separate way to turn off the phone portion of the device without turning the whole thing off. You might check "Settings>wireless & networks" for phone only; can't remember

I'm going to set up Google Voice Mail, so that any incoming phone messages will go to my email box as well (I'll test that well before I leave, too - I think a lot of folks already do that anyway.)

I'm just not 100% sure that the phone part won't work or won't try to work in some way that dings me on my bill. When I asked Verizon, they said my phone wouldn't work in Europe, but they couldn't say that there was no way that I could get billed for some phone or data charge if I turned it on in Europe. Just make sure before you leave that you are able to turn everything on/off at will.  eg, you could turn off data for 24 hrs?, then check your data usage on MyVerizon.  If you want to be really draconian, you could suspend the service while you are gone.  Costs $15.  

Thanks again for your help, let me know if you think of anything else. (I'll try to report back on the success and any other issYues I encounter.)

You taking a laptop with a mic?  Or even on the phone, you may wish to learn Skype or Yahoo or Gmail (they all have talk and cheap international rates) since you still may need to communicate.  It'd be a lot cheaper than the hotel rates.

Lastly, I assume Wi-Fi standards are universal but really have no idea.  Verizon tech support should know as they deal with Blackberry, etc.

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[typetive]

You might check "Settings>wireless & networks" for phone only; can't remember

I poked around quite a bit in the settings. In the Mobile Network Settings there are three options - Data Enabled, Data Roaming and System Select (to change the CDMA roaming mode)

I can find the Airplane mode, but once that is clicked, it turns off the wifi, if it's on.

Everything else in those options is about bluetooth, VPNs and tethering.

You taking a laptop with a mic?  Or even on the phone, you may wish to learn Skype

Yes, I am taking a laptop and it should have Skype on it (with a mic and webcam). I'm also a big typer and plan to do a lot of emailing ... partly because of the time difference as well.

I don't think there's any issue with WiFi in other countries, at least I haven't heard of any friends who take their iPhones abroad having problems.

I'll try testing it over the weekend by turning off the data and seeing what happens and checking my bill. I also set up google voice so I'll know what calls I'm missing.

Thanks again for your great ideas and help.

[Ann154]

Once you are in airplane mode, you can turn the wifi back on.  I have done it several times while testing some wifi settings.

[steveanderson13]

Want to hear a funny story?  I read it- so who knows if it's true.  Google suspected some company was stealing their map data.  Of Ireland, I think.  So Google made up some phony towns, etc and it got copied, lol.

[typetive]

Once you are in airplane mode, you can turn the wifi back on.  I have done it several times while testing some wifi settings.

This is brilliant! I was so silly, when I selected the Airplane mode before, it appeared to gray out the option of WiFi, but I did it this time.

I tried calling my phone and it went straight to voice mail. The voice mail was collected by Google Voice and emailed to me, it showed up in my gmail box courtesy of my straight WiFi connection. (The transcription even worked!)

Thank you so much to everyone. I appreciate the help, it alleviates some of my anxiety about being connected while traveling without racking up huge phone charges. (Money I'd prefer to spend on gifts or perhaps saving up for a true global Droid for the future.)

[steveanderson13]

That's great; have fun on your trip and thanks for the posts.