Hotspot wifi devices...Your experiences? Your recommendations?

[Norrrm]

I have heard that a smartphone can also be a hotspot device. Any good?
What brand/company do you recommend?
What to look for in features?
They are pushing the Ryoko device like crazy lately.

Any that have a USB connector?

[jmbar2]

2. I've been using a hotspot for years and love it.

I am using a Franklin mobile hotspot. Mine is from PCs for People, a nonprofit in Minneapolis that helps low income people stay connected. You purchase the hotspot for around $20 (promo price as of today), and pay $15/month for internet.

I've used mine heavily all day - not throttled or limited in any way. I'm on my second one, but they last for years.

[anciano]

3. My smartphone service provider includes hotspot capability

that I can use to power my tablet whenever our home wifi is not available. It's easy to turn on in Settings with no tethering necessary. Just turn it on in the phone's settings and then select the phone device name in the wifi options on the tablet and you're good to go.

[Enter stage left]

4. I have a Google Pixel 8 Pro with a built-in hot spot that I use every day.

I use Visible ( a on-line only derivative of Verizon) and travel all over the US and Canada.

It works very well, with occasional glitches.

I'm actually happier with Visible than the phone, thinking of going back to Samsung.

[RainCaster]

5. I have the P8Pro too

It's been great for me. Photos are awesome, watch integration is first rate. What are you having problems with?

[Enter stage left]

6. I agree, the camera is great, but there are times I can't answer the phone without logging in.

It is a frustrating phone.

I've had cell phones since 1990, starting with the Brick, moving to the very first flip phone (which Motorola replaced 4 times under warranty) to their later flip phones and finally to a Blackberry.

The Blackberry was undoubtedly the best phone I've ever had.

When they failed I went to Samsung. Had very few problems with their phones, and had 4 of them.

I was convinced by friends and family to buy the Google phone, and I needed a 5G phone. Since I bought it 18 months ago, I've never been so frustrated with learning and using a new phone.

Maybe it's old age, but I still function way above what I should be doing at my point in life. I'll give the 8 Pro 6 or so months, if I'm still unhappy I'll go back to Samsung.

[RainCaster]

7. I agree, there are times when I can't answer my phone

It doesn't happen often, but some times I can't find the "answer" button when my phone is ringing.

[Enter stage left]

8. Thanks! Google needs to fix this problem. I thought it might just be me...

But my brother has had it happen and now you've verified it.

C'mon Google, get your ass in gear!