Google Project Fi

[Luke-Jr]

Any hints as to whether the cellular module can handle Project Fi's special SIM/networks?

Looks like the Nexus 6 (only current Fi-capable phone) uses a Qualcomm MDM9625M modem, and that it supports both the US and international bands in the PLS8 - any particular reason to use the PLS8 chip(s) instead of this?

 

[Grench]

Any hints as to whether the cellular module can handle Project Fi's special SIM/networks?

Looks like the Nexus 6 (only current Fi-capable phone) uses a Qualcomm MDM9625M modem, and that it supports both the US and international bands in the PLS8 - any particular reason to use the PLS8 chip(s) instead of this?

Mmmm... because all of the circuit paths have already been drawn into the circuit boards for the PLS8?

 

[comradekingu]

Can it be a standalone unit, or is it built into a SoC?

 

[Xcl4m4t10n]

Google? No, thank you.

 

[Luke-Jr]

Can it be a standalone unit, or is it built into a SoC?

It looks like it's only standalone, from this teardown: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+6+Teardown/29213#s69254

Google? No, thank you.

Hey, I hate Google too - but it's much cheaper and better coverage than any of the other options here

 

[comradekingu]

And how does it connect to the SoC, what kind of antennas does it need? Will the one already on there do?

 

[levi]

The antennas are probably still fine; wifi can search for other networks while it's connected to one, and LTE can also look for other towers - it's how to hands over to maintain your connection when you're moving.  This just stops it filtering the towers based on your subscription.  I guess you'll need dial SIMs to authenticate with the towers though, which'd mean the Pyra can only look for one brand of cell tower.

The rest of the problem is security and fees as far as I can tell.  You'll need to pay for two LTE subscriptions, unless there are mulitple pre-4G PAYG providers in your region.  And high quality secure VPNs are not common, and not cheap (although with a lot of them you're actually paying for outs in a specific foreign country to get around region locks).

For others who were confused as to what Google Project Fi is, to be explicit, it's a data connection that enables you to seamlessly migrate from up to two types of cell tower to open wifi points and back as you travel.

 

[Luke-Jr]

The rest of the problem is security and fees as far as I can tell.  You'll need to pay for two LTE subscriptions, unless there are mulitple pre-4G PAYG providers in your region.  And high quality secure VPNs are not common, and not cheap (although with a lot of them you're actually paying for outs in a specific foreign country to get around region locks).

I don't understand this. Doesn't Project Fi's $20/mo include the LTE connectivity on both Sprint and T-Mobile towers?

 

[levi]

Ah, so it's US only?  They didn't make that clear to me.

 

[Stellanatus]

I use Google Fi with my Nexus 6. Its good enough that I dumped home internet for it and tosses verizon/cox in the trash.

I am actually very interested in this topic so *BUMP*

Also Now we are on the subject does chromium work on Pyra devboard? Chrome is my current operating system and I'd like to move everything in the cloud over so I don't have to set up 200+ bookmarks all over.

 

[Stellanatus]

Ah, so it's US only?  They didn't make that clear to me.

Google is feared in Europe. There are more smaller businesses in Europe because there are a lot more of them. The fear is that big american businesses could come in and crush smaller business. This also effects politics as this would mean the USA would be siphoning resources for virtual services (basically air).


Its already been outlawed in Australia for American internet and network providers to work there. And all over the world there is mass censorship over online stuff to stop resources from being sucked from the local countries.

 

[levi]

Most of us still use google to search the web for stuff.  And have google mail/youtube accounts.  And as far as I know, Android is still the most popular phone OS here too.

And News International (aka Fox) provide internet services here too.  I do think most ISPs in this country are home grown though.

But it's fair to say the EU set are rather suspicious of big US firms, especially google.  But only because google likes to do business with its citizens if it can.

 

[bzar]

Google is feared in Europe.

I wouldn't go as far as feared, but... it is kept in check. Given how Microsoft is being ordered to produce data for US courts residing on irish servers, I can see how potentially routing potentially much of a country's internal internet communications through a large american company's- especially one with an ongoing antitrust case about abusing market power -servers might be disencouraged.

 

[Luke-Jr]

Ah, so it's US only?  They didn't make that clear to me.

No, apparently it's over 100 countries: https://fi.google.com/about/rates/

 

[LEOXD]

While you can call/text people outside the US, you cannot sign up for fi if you live outside the US.

https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6172835?hl=en

 

[Askarus]

I use Google Fi with my Nexus 6. Its good enough that I dumped home internet for it and tosses verizon/cox in the trash.

I am actually very interested in this topic so *BUMP*

Also Now we are on the subject does chromium work on Pyra devboard? Chrome is my current operating system and I'd like to move everything in the cloud over so I don't have to set up 200+ bookmarks all over.

You dumped home internet?

According to their site it's 20$ per month and 10$ per GB.

That's one of the most expensive offers for mobile Internet I've ever seen.

I mean I get unlimited phone + SMS + 42mbit(3G) 8GB/month for 30€/months.

It might be nice if one travels a lot but else it sounds pretty bad for me.

 

[edgex004]

It sounds reasonable for me since I usually only use 1-2GB mobile data per month. But it would be unfortunate to use 8GB and be stuck with $100 bill. I would definitely use 10-20GB if I used it for home internet, and that would far outstrip my current unlimited cable internet plan for $65 per month. Downloading the codeblocks pnd would cost you $20 on that plan! I'd prefer to donate that to ptitSeb.

 

[Stellanatus]

I use Google Fi with my Nexus 6. Its good enough that I dumped home internet for it and tosses verizon/cox in the trash.

I am actually very interested in this topic so *BUMP*

Also Now we are on the subject does chromium work on Pyra devboard? Chrome is my current operating system and I'd like to move everything in the cloud over so I don't have to set up 200+ bookmarks all over.

You dumped home internet?

According to their site it's 20$ per month and 10$ per GB.

That's one of the most expensive offers for mobile Internet I've ever seen.

I mean I get unlimited phone + SMS + 42mbit(3G) 8GB/month for 30€/months.

It might be nice if one travels a lot but else it sounds pretty bad for me.

I use public wifi for everything. When I head home I download everything media wise and just do browsing with little videos & streaming possible. Its super effective on my cost of living. I can purchase a new $100 tv every other month or a tripple A game.