Gris, mostly I'm wondering if my hardware will run ICS. But anything that can run 2.3 can run 4.0, right?

I got the international data plan for my iPhone, MFNlaw. And while I generally remembered to turn the data roaming on and off as I specifically needed it, there were a few times I went to turn it on to check something and, ooops, it had been on since the last check time. Luckily I didn't accidentally download enough data to go over my plan limits, but I knew that would be all too easy to do on a device designed for data, so I got one where it wouldn't be a possibility.

Gris, mostly I'm wondering if my hardware will run ICS. But anything that can run 2.3 can run 4.0, right?

This I don't know. I imagine that somebody will get it working on the G2, but whether it will work well is another question entirely. I will say that most Android phones seem to be technically able to function significantly better than they usually do out of the box; since installing a new kernel that overclocks or underclocks my processor based on what I'm doing, I've noticed that my phone has gotten significantly faster while simultaneously showing greatly improved battery life. I didn't plug my phone in two nights ago and dropped from 69% to 63% in 9 hours of mostly standby, which put my previous life, and old iPhone's life, to shame.

thanks for the info, you guys. my phone bill is slightly less than $100 at the moment. so if i want to add the hotspot option, it wouldn't kill me.

Kalshane, i'm probably going to sell my Nook Color when i buy the iPad. if you don't mind one that's a little less than a year old, i'd be happy to discuss price.

tiggy, do you have unlim data right now on phone? You have to give that up if you want a hotspot.

unlim data right now on phone? You have to give that up if you want a hotspot.

Allow me to be the umpteenth person to grumble about how COMPLETELY FUCKING STUPID this is. Unlimited should mean unlimited! (See also, texting not included. HOW IS TEXTING NOT DATA???)

I get why they do it, though. Unlimited and hotspotting? Let me become a wi fi hub for myself and five of my closest friends...

Not that it costs them more, but it does deny them the chance to make good on that potential extra income.

(See also, texting not included. HOW IS TEXTING NOT DATA???)

It is now, if you both have iphones!!

I can see ita's point, but but it seriously bugs that they want $20 for me to use the DATA PLAN I ALREADY PAID FOR THAT HAS LIMITS, just to be a hotspot. I mean, seriously!? Maybe if it was some token amount ($5?) I would give in, but $20 is ridiculous if I don't get extra data for that price (or if I don't want/need extra data)

Yeah, the $20 does include an extra 2 GB of data.

Oh, OK--when they introduced it maybe it didn't or something?

But still beside the point--$20 for extra data I may not need? Harumph, i say!

I'm thinking of buying myself an iPad for Christmas though, and can't decide if I'll want the 3G or not...occasional use of the $20/month hotspot, or pay extra for the 3G and occasionally pay for that (rather than squandering battery in my phone)? Hmm.