On a positive note, I've had very good success using my z10 with verizon as a hotspot for my wife to be able to access the internet using her laptop where free wifi was not otherwise available.
Yes. I upgraded to the share everything plan to get the use of hotspot. On 2 vacations so far it has been useful for my wife to access the internet on her laptop. I've also used it for my laptop.
I also plan to get a tablet or something similar and use the phone as a hotspot for the tablet.