Can a tablet take a mobile sim and be used as a phone?

acc

Can any of the up to date tablets be used to take a mobile sim, and replace the phone completely? The tablet presumably has to have 3G sim card compatibility and be unlocked to all networks.

The Maplin description below of a very old Viewsonic Viewpad 7 tablet suggests that it can be used as a phone. Does this work, and is it practical?

I would like to use the unlimited internet allowance on my mobile contract without tethering and would be grateful for advice on mobile broadband for a tablet.

Thanks



ViewSonic ViewPad 7 ( 7 inch screen, Android 2.2, ARM11 600MHz, 3G, Wi-Fi, BT2.1, Micro SD slot, front and back camera) - Sim Free - £120.

All purpose 7 inch Google Android 2.2 Touch Tablet unlocked and untethered
7” Touch TFT, touch and capacitive type screen with 800 x 480 WVGA resolution
Access thousands of applications through Google marketplace and experience the full certified Android experience
Lightweight, stylish and robust, making this a perfect mobile device, unobtrusive and built with the best materials
Fully multimedia capable, the ViewPad 7 can be used as a high quality eBook reader, play movies, video conferencing or to make a phone call
With built in Wi-fi, Bluetooth, GPS, GPRS and 3G GSM connectivity the ViewPad 7 is ready to go anywhere at anytime
Built-in camera 3.0 megapixel (front) & VGA camera (rear)
512MB NAND Flash and MicroSD expandability up to 32GB
G-Sensor, E-Compass sensor and ambient light sensor
3.5mm audio jack for stereo headset, mini-USB connector with data sync, Micro-SD card slot and SIM slot
GSM quad-band, UMTS band I, II, VIII
Battery: 3240mAH, Standby 600hrs, Talk time GSM 26hrs, WCDMA 96hrs, Music 36hrs, Video 5hrs
Dimensions: W x H x D 110mm x 179.4mm x 11.5mm

The ViewPad 7 is the perfect tablet for those wanting to see how a fully enabled communications device with full Android experience can change their life.

Designed to fit into your life, the ViewPad 7 offers the latest certified Google Android experience with access to over 100,000 application via Android Market, Google mail and maps.

The ultra light, yet durable design means that this device can literally go anywhere and will always be ready when you need it. The ultra responsive capacitive multi-touch display is a window into this phenomenal device, allowing users a level of interaction previously not experienced.

With integrated phone capabilities, Bluetooth, wireless, GPS and MP3/video playback, the next hardest decision you will have to make is which of your previous redundant devices you should leave at home.

Expandable storage
The integrated 512MB hosts the impressive Android experience, with the micro SD slot providing up to 32GB additional storage if required

bcl999

This Samsung Galaxy did but don't know if it is any more recent than the Viewsonic and if it still available anywhere. I don't think any of their latest ones have this.

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_p1000_galaxy_tab-3370.php

googler

I find it hard to visualise someone holding a tablet/iPad to their ear and succeeding to make a phone call in this way.....

joannaspanner

googler wrote: »

I find it hard to visualise someone holding a tablet/iPad to their ear and succeeding to make a phone call in this way.....

like a modern version of trigger happy tv!

acc

googler wrote: »

I find it hard to visualise someone holding a tablet/iPad to their ear and succeeding to make a phone call in this way.....

You don't need to struggle so much.

See post 1: 3.5mm audio jack for stereo headset

chico

acc wrote: »

Can any of the up to date tablets be used to take a mobile sim, and replace the phone completely? The tablet presumably has to have 3G sim card compatibility and be unlocked to all networks

The Amazon website offers some tables that allow this, such as:

StarPAD 3G Tablet PC. 7 inch Android 4.0.3 (LATEST VERSION OF ICE CREAM SANDWICH). With Built in 3G, built-in Bluetooth, Capacitive Touchscreen, LATEST Flash 11.1, 2160P HD output, UK GooglePlay Market + FREE SKYPE VIDEO CALLS. JUST INSERT YOUR SIM CARD. NO NEED FOR 3G DONGLES!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SANDWICH-Bluetooth-Capacitive-Touchscreen-GooglePlay/dp/B005A82UNW/ref=zg_bs_429892031_56