iOS vs Android

MrWizard wrote:

I am now going to need a Smart Phone for controlling my new hearing aids. We frequently camp in an area with wifi but no and I mean NO cell coverage and cell via wifi would be nice. So my questions are, do I need a data plan for hearing aid control or calling via wifi and can I do it from a tablet?

the hearing aid connection is most likely Blu-Tooth

you can make a call via wifi, provided the phone supports that feature and has an APP for that,
in which case it uses a special IP address and connection protocol all transparent to the you

BUT to try this with your tablet, you will need your own internet phone account, and possibly some additional hardware plugged into the tablet

this is called VoIP "voice over Internet Protocol"
services like Majic Jack use this

There are different ways to do calls over wifi:
- Some phones you use the normal phone app and it's seamless (if there is wifi, it uses it)
- Then there are VoIP...skype (if you pay for a phone number), majic jack and a host of others. You need to use the system app but otherwise, you have a normal phone number and can call other phones.
- Then there are independent systems. Here you can call people who use the same system. WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype (if you don't pay for a phone number)...What you can't do is call someone on Facetime with WhatsApp. You can only call peopl on WhatsApp with WhatsApp.

Skype is a little odd because it has because it has both systems that partially blend.