If you’ve wanted to try Project Fi but don’t have a Nexus 6, 5X, or 6P, you’ll be happy to know that you’ll soon be able to use other devices on Google’s wireless service. The catch is that that only includes data devices.
Google is adding data-only support to Project Fi, which means that you can use tablets and other connected hardware. Google says that the Nexus 7 (K009), Nexus 9 (0P82300), iPad Air 2 (A1567), iPad mini 4 (A1550), and Galaxy Tab S (SM-T807V) are all confirmed to work with Project Fi. You may be able to use other devices, but Google says that they must be unlocked and have support for T-Mobile’s network.
As for pricing, data devices on Project Fi are similar to phones, save that you don’t need voice service. That means that you’ll be charged $10 per gigabyte and you’ll only pay for what you actually use.
Google does have a couple of restrictions when it comes to data-only devices on Project Fi. The first is that you can’t tether with your tablet like you can with your phone, and the second is that each account can have a maximum of nine data devices.
The addition of data-only service to Project Fi is a big deal for Google’s service. Not only does it mean more people can use Fi, which helps Google to grow its user base and see how the service handles it, but the data-only service is a part of most other major service providers, so adding data-only support brings Fi more in line with those other operators.
Are you going to sign up for data-only service from Project Fi?