Smartphone + Netflix?

[Techie]

Looking into the possibility of upgrading my current phone to an HTC Thunderbolt (or possibly waiting for the Bionic) in order to get 4G and Netflix with the purpose of viewing Netflix on my TV and takign advantage of the unlimited data plan for the phone itself.

Has anyone tried this or have an opinion and is it even worth pursuing?

[lblampman]

I have an HTC Inspire 4G on AT&T and use tethering. I've successfully used Netflix this way on my laptop and the Roku (both connected to the Internet via the phone's Hotspot capability). I've done it with a 3G modem as well.

Here's the thing I think might be the gotcha...as I understand it (and I'm not an expert on things Verizon) the Thunderbolt gives you free use of the Hotspot feature through May 15th. The word is that Verizon will then start charging for tethering (hotspot) just as they do on their other phones...that charge is currently $20 for 2GB of data.

I don't know if they'll do something different with the 4G Thunderbolt but no Verizon 3G phone has an unlimited data plan when tethered (legally). The unlimited data applies to the phone itself and not to a tethered device.

Things change all the time and my information may not be the current situation but I'd sure ask the questions and get a commitment (in writing, in the contract) as to exactly what you do and don't get for your monthly fees.

Les

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techie Looking into the possibility of upgrading my current phone to an HTC Thunderbolt (or possibly waiting for the Bionic) in order to get 4G and Netflix with the purpose of viewing Netflix on my TV and takign advantage of the unlimited data plan for the phone itself. Has anyone tried this or have an opinion and is it even worth pursuing?

[HD4Mark]

Might want to take a look at the Android market for tether apps before paying a monthly fee.

Ya didn't get this from me

[John Hilley]

Netflix has an Android App. I plan on using that with an HDMI cable to connect my Droid X to the TV when it is available for the Droid X.

[jcthorne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techie Looking into the possibility of upgrading my current phone to an HTC Thunderbolt (or possibly waiting for the Bionic) in order to get 4G and Netflix with the purpose of viewing Netflix on my TV and takign advantage of the unlimited data plan for the phone itself. Has anyone tried this or have an opinion and is it even worth pursuing?

The Netflix android app runs fine on my EVO and outputs 720p video via the HDMI. Other than data plan limits, what you wish to do works as long as you are in a good strong 4G signal area. In a 3G area, there is insufficient data bandwidth for HD video.

[chrismw]

Verizon just confirmed today they will be eliminating unlimited data over the summer, approach this cautiously if you want to do this over the duration of a 2 year contract, it could get expensive!