Google Project Fi – long term report

I’ve had my Google Nexus 6 smartphone using service from Google’s Project Fi since July of 2015.  Back then you had to request an invitation to the program and then be invited.  Recently Google changed the program so that anyone can sign up for this service, provided they have or purchase a compatible cellphone.

Google Project Fi is a pre-paid cellular phone service that offers unlimited minutes and text messages for $20 a month.  Data is metered and priced at $10 per GB for what you use.  I spend most of my time in places where I use WiFi for data, so my cellular data use is a couple hundred MB a month.

A great thing about Fi billing is that you are refunded the amount you pre-paid for cellular data that you didn’t use during a billing cycle.  I pre-pay $10 for 1 GB of data but typically only use and pay for about 1/2 a GB or $5 worth a month.

Google Fi monthly data total
Google Fi monthly data total

Project Fi uses cellular networks as well as calling via WiFi for it’s coverage areas.  The requirement to use your Project Fi cellular calling SIM in a limited number of handsets from the Google Nexus line of Android devices, is tied to supporting the way that Project Fi uses BOTH the T-Mobile and the Sprint networks for primary coverage.  You have a single phone number, but your Nexus phone will move it’s connection between either of the cellular networks when needed to maintain a connection.  If you happen to be somewhere without either T-Mobile or Sprint coverage, it will attempt to use the roaming partners those networks have agreements with in that location.  You phone will use WiFi for receiving and making calls automatically if you are in an area with no cellular service.  Project Fi also has your device looking for open WiFi networks that it can use to make a high quality and secure connection to.  A small KEY icon will appear in the device’s status bar when this connection is present, which also helps to reduce the amount of cellular data used, the amount of your bill, and increases your connectivity.

The screen shot below shows my monthly Fi bills over the past 7 months, and how they are averaging about $26 a month, all taxes included.

Google Fi bills
Google Fi bills

 

Is Project Fi the BEST service?  I think it depends on each person’s specific needs and location.  There’s no universal “best” for everyone.  Some folks use a lot of data each month, and look for an unlimited plan or at least one that includes a lot of data.  Other folks don’t use as much data, or find it possible to use WiFi for their data needs most of the time.

Project Fi allows for using your phone and data devices in over 120 countries around the world.  The price for data remains at $10 per GB although the speed of the data may be limited to 256 kbps when outside of the US.  Calling rates vary but are very affordable, usually 20 cents per minute.

Some folks have multiple devices and need to tether or have multiple SIMs using data from the same monthly allocation.  Fi lets you order additional data only SIMs and install them in compatible devices.  Fi also allows for tethering a notebook or other things that use WiFi.  The cellular data use for all of your devices comes from the same amount of data that you pre-paid for on your plan.  There’s no need to try and budget or manage an amount for cellphone, and a different amount for tablets or tethered devices.

Google Fi data use by device
Google Fi data use by device

The Fi app allows you to see data use by device.  In the screen shot above I’m looking at all of my devices, but there are tabs for selecting my Nexus 6, or Nexus 7 to see data use for each device only.  The portion of the bar graphs that is colored green shows data which was used by a tethered device.  In this case, I tethered by notebook computer to my Nexus 6 a couple of times.  I have also installed Project Fi data only SIMs in my Nexus 7 and Nexus 9 tablets.  Unlike the voice and data SIM in my Nexus 6 cellphone, the data only SIMs only connect to the T-Mobile cellular network in the US.

So far I’ve only used my Project Fi service in the US, Panama, and Colombia, and it’s worked well in all of those places.  I use Google Hangouts to integrate my text messaging and chat as well as to provide me with a way to take or make calls using VOIP on my data only tablet devices and my PC.  Most of the time when someone calls my cellphone number, I answer the call from my PC at home using Hangouts.  My cellphone, my tablets, and my PC all notify me of the incoming call, and I can answer it on which ever device is most convenient.  I can also call out using all of these devices and in both cases, to the caller, they dialed or see my one telephone number on their caller ID screen.

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If you begin a call using WiFi on your cellphone, and then start to lose the WiFi signal, Project Fi can automatically switch the call over to a cellular connection, if a good cellular signal is present.  I haven’t had this happen very often while using my phone, since I get a good signal indoors in the places where I make calls, but an example would be starting a call indoors where only WiFi was available, and having it switch the call to cellular when you were leaving that building.

I realize that most folks aren’t going to be willing to buy a new supported phone in order to be able to try out a new cellular service provider.  That’s probably the single greatest reason that more people haven’t switched to Project Fi.  I wanted to try it, and had already developed a real preference for Google Nexus handsets, based on my use of a Nexus 5 prior to buying my Nexus 6.  Why I think the Nexus line of Android devices are the best available for Android users is the subject of an upcoming post to this blog.

I should mention that for a limited time, Google is offering a price discount on a Nexus 5X phone if ordered as part of the Project Fi activation process.

 

 

Sonic Drive In Mobile Pay app review

Sonic Drive In Mobile Pay app
Sonic Drive In Mobile Pay app

Sonic Drive In is a franchised chain of fast food restaurants, and they have a Mobile Pay app for iOS and Android devices.  I installed the app on my Android phone and then created a My Sonic account, and placed $50 worth of credit on it using one of my credit cards.

Sonic Mobile Pay app
Sonic Mobile Pay app

You can also use the app to purchase credit and then gift that to someone via email.  For this test I just placed it into my own account.

Account balance in Sonic Mobile Pay app
Account balance in Sonic Mobile Pay app

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Google Chromecast initial impressions

Google Chromecast 2nd Gen
Google Chromecast 2nd Gen

A new Google Chromecast arrived at my home this past weekend.  It was the reward for making 10 purchases using Android Pay in a promotion I was invited to participate in.  I wrote about the promotion and using Android Pay in this post, and this post.

The packaging was nice and inside it was the Chromecast, as well as a USB power cord and AC adapter.  This model Chromecast is the one designed for video, and it outputs that video and any audio via it’s HDMI cable.  They also have a model made for audio only.

Google Chromecast 2nd Gen
Google Chromecast 2nd Gen

Besides requiring a TV or monitor with an HDMI port, you’ll also need that TV or monitor to have speakers if you want to hear any accompanying sound.  This model of the Chromecast does not have a separate audio out connection.

There are no controls on the unit, except for a small reset button.  You need to use software on an external device to setup and control the operation of the Chromecast.  You can use a system running Chrome OS, Android, a Mac, or Apple iOS along with the Chromecast app.  You can also use the Chrome browser with the Chromecast plug-in installed.  For my use I used the Chrome browser plug in on Windows based systems, and the Chromecast app on Android based phones and tablets.

Chromecast setup diagram
Chromecast setup diagram

After plugging the Chromecast’s HDMI cable into a TV, and connecting it’s power cord, I used the app to set it up.  It was pretty easy to follow the instructions, and once connected it found my new Chromecast unit quickly.  There was a PIN displayed on the TV that I was asked to enter on the app, and I was given a chance to name my Chromecast and modify it’s settings.  A short little tutorial video auto played.

Chromecast setup
Chromecast setup

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