Bitcoin Forum

The blockchain when downloaded to a new install on a computer is a very time consuming process. Downloading it to your mobile is a nightmare, and a costly nightmare. Based on AT&T’s data usage plan. If you downloaded the blockchain to your tablet, it would cost roughly $360 dollars.

http://www.adaptiveglass.com/?p=609

No problem. Just download the blockchain on your computer and transfer it to the tablet using USB cable...

And that is why mobiles don't download blockchains. :P

they would if they wanted to run their own client.   from the article:

yet avoids using a third party to do transactions (we are well aware of apps out there however you do lose control over the security of your bitcoins). We are also aware of a thing called wifi, but let’s face it.. mobile means literally mobile. Not trapped in your home or office.

Also, copying the entire blockchain by hand would take the average person several centuries and they would never be able to catch-up.

If you are running a full client on your smartphone you will want to transfer the blockchain from a computer via a data cable, or download it while in wifi mode. You may also consider using a VPN when connecting through a public wifi.

A USB MicroSD adapter (http://www.rakuten.com/prod/usb-microsd-flash-card-reader-adapter-black/220567259.html). Go to a neighbor's house or internet cafe. Maybe ten dollars total.

Most mobile clients do not download the entire blockchain. They keep track of your wallet based upon your spends and receives.

This or they download the much smaller headers only blockchain.

This is fault of your mobile ISP not Bitcoin. A perfect example why many of mobile data plans out there suck and are ripoffs.

Uh, I think that says more about AT&T's pricing than anything.  You can get unlimited unthrolled HSPA+ 4G on T-mobile for $70 a month.  You can get unlimited 3G for less than $50 a month pretty much everywhere.  And also, I don't think there's a single mobile client that downloads the entire fucking blockchain.  The closest I know of is the Bitcoin Wallet app that downloads the blockchain headers (still completely secure), and that's like only 30 megs or something.  I don't think this is at all a problem.  Has the guy who wrote that article ever used a mobile bitcoin app?  There's plenty and they work just fine.  The lite clients are great, but if you really don't want to trust anybody, the one that downloads the headers is perfectly safe and acceptable.  How does the author not know of these when he writes this?  This is either dishonest reporting or completely ignorant reporting, both of which are really bad.

You can get the exact same thing from Simple Mobile (prepaid provider on Tmo's network) for $50.

The article is also untrue for the vast majority of people.  The blockchain is maybe 6 gig? 

The most common plan at 3gb is $30/month plus $10 for each GB.  That turns into a $30 overage or if the entire usage was overage $60.  The only plan that would cause that is the 250mb plan which is a VERY dangerous plan to be on. 

Over here, I can get unlimited internet for my mobile around ~$10 a month, if you can live with the slow speeds.

Where is over there?  I want unlimited 10$ nets too ;D

It would be nice to stop signing transactions by hand and sending them over SMS...

Some prices from Finland:
9.90€ for 1Mb/s
12,90 for 21Mb/s
39.90 for 100Mb/s 4G

Max speeds, real speeds might differ, no limits though some fair use clauses might exist (no p2p, big servers)...

I forgot to mention Solavei, a cel company that works off of T-Mobile. They have $50 dollar unlimited everything, every month.

Aannnnnnd I just turned off my T-mobile auto-refill.  Thank you guys!!!  I ended up choosing Simple, but I appreciate both comments!