[kman42]

Any comments on the new phones that are out? I've heard most about the p800 (seems a little big and expensive), T610, T608. I don't know squat about the Samsungs, Nokias. I'd like bluetooth so I can sync with my mac, decent calendar, about 1000 contacts, maybe email.

kman

[mc786030]

Sony Ericsson T610.

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by kman42:
Any comments on the new phones that are out? I've heard most about the p800 (seems a little big and expensive), T610, T608. I don't know squat about the Samsungs, Nokias. I'd like bluetooth so I can sync with my mac, decent calendar, about 1000 contacts, maybe email.

kman

T610 (608) or Nokia 3650 is where it's at. Don't get a SonyEricsson if the signal is weak in your area. T-Mobile has the best GSM service in this country at the time.

[kman42]

Originally posted by maxintosh:
T610 (608) or Nokia 3650 is where it's at. Don't get a SonyEricsson if the signal is weak in your area. T-Mobile has the best GSM service in this country at the time.

Well, I currently have a Sidekick with T-Mobile and the reception is really crummy (San Francisco). I just sort of assumed it was the phone. Do SE get poor reception?

My wife's Sprint Treo gets awesome reception everywhere (even worked in Mexico last week).

kman

[SciFrog]

Is it true that the t61* don't support all day events in calendars? That looks like a big oversight...

[LeeG]

I got a Siemens s56 about 2 weeks ago, and I LOVE this phone. Bluetooth works great with iSync, calendar (iCal) , address book, etc - can't say enough good about this, and it really takes advantage of iSync for me-

Lee

[ASIMO]

Just do yourself a favor and get the S56 from Siemens. Reception that will shame even phones with external antennae. But you will need to be with a GSM provider. I have had mine for almost two months.

Wait. You said 1000 contacts? You actually have 1000 contacts? I think the S56 tops out at 250.

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by kman42:
Well, I currently have a Sidekick with T-Mobile and the reception is really crummy (San Francisco). I just sort of assumed it was the phone. Do SE get poor reception?

My wife's Sprint Treo gets awesome reception everywhere (even worked in Mexico last week).

kman

Yeah. SEs have the worst reception in the industry. Don't know about the Sidekick, but the 3650 is rated at one of the strongest RF performers on the market. The T68 is one of the worst, the T610 marginally better, and the P800 is about average. The 3650 holds as many contacts as you can fit on the MultiMedia Card (I have a 64 MB card in right now.)

[MaxPower2k3]

if i get good Verizon in my area, would all GSM-based providers work just as well, or are they somehow separate? also, are the GSM providers verizon, cingular, and sprint? or am i completely wrong? i know Verizon works here, but they have no bluetooth phones yet...

[aaanorton]

Verizon is NOT GSM. GSM carriers are Cingular, T Mobile and AT&T's MLife.

[MaxPower2k3]

Originally posted by aaanorton:
Verizon is NOT GSM. GSM carriers are Cingular, T Mobile and AT&T's MLife.

ah, alright. thanks. do all carriers who use a particular network type use the same network? (meaning, reception on one carrier in a particular place would be the same as reception of any other similarly-networked carrier) if this is the case, how come cingular uses the T616, while T-Mobile and AT&T use the T610?

[aaanorton]

ATT doesn't share with anybody. Consequently, they suck. Cing and TMo do share as needed, in certain markets.
Cing has the T616, but as far as I know, they're the only ones carrying that phone. The T610 is the Euro version and is not available here directly.

[Graymalkin]

Avoid the T68i at all costs. The RF reception is absolutely horrendous. The phone in all other aspects is really sweet but the reception makes it practically worthless unless you live next to a tower. I live towards the edge of the nearest tower's range and the T68i I had could barely get a signal, the T306 I replaced it with is only marginally better. I think I've decided to save up for a Nokia 3650 because I've heard only good things with regards to its reception and it is iSync compatible. The T306 unfortunately is not, even with a serial cable. I've toyed with the idea of getting a SE T610 or P800 but I simply can't trust SE phones to get any reception at my house anymore.

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by aaanorton:
ATT doesn't share with anybody. Consequently, they suck. Cing and TMo do share as needed, in certain markets.
Cing has the T616, but as far as I know, they're the only ones carrying that phone. The T610 is the Euro version and is not available here directly.

That's not totally true. AT&T was a little desperate to expand GSM coverage, so they do have an agreement with T-Mobile to roam with each other in some of the especially poor areas. Cingular piggybacks off T-Mobile in a LOT of areas while they build their network. Both companies are in big debt to T-Mobile later on when their GSM networks mature.

But you're right about AT&T not liking to share. They lock ALL of their phones so that you cannot switch providers. T-Mobile ships all of their phones unlocked, allowing you to use any SIM card you want. This is especially useful if you ever travel overseas; T-Mobile offers WorldClass roaming for no cover charge, but you might prefer to buy a prepaid SIM card.

[alpha rays max]

Also, Verizon currently has no Bluetooth compatible phones. There is an older phone, the Motorola 270c I believe (IIRC) that has Bluetooth and is CDMA (works on Verizon), however it's not 1xRTT compatible so if you'd be using it for Internet access, you'd be stuck with the 14.4kbps variety.

I'm told that Verizon should have Bluetooth phones available by the end of this year.

Most of the talk on this thread has been about T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. but I just thought I'd throw this out there.

[MaxPower2k3]

Originally posted by alpha rays max:
Also, Verizon currently has no Bluetooth compatible phones. There is an older phone, the Motorola 270c I believe (IIRC) that has Bluetooth and is CDMA (works on Verizon), however it's not 1xRTT compatible so if you'd be using it for Internet access, you'd be stuck with the 14.4kbps variety.

I'm told that Verizon should have Bluetooth phones available by the end of this year.

Most of the talk on this thread has been about T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. but I just thought I'd throw this out there.

thanks for that tidbit, since as far as i've heard verizon and sprint are the only providers that work reliably here (northern new jersey) and my parents already have a verizon account, so adding another would be cheaper.

[geekwagon]

Originally posted by maxintosh:
But you're right about AT&T not liking to share. They lock ALL of their phones so that you cannot switch providers. T-Mobile ships all of their phones unlocked, allowing you to use any SIM card you want. This is especially useful if you ever travel overseas; T-Mobile offers WorldClass roaming for no cover charge, but you might prefer to buy a prepaid SIM card.

Not disagreeing with you on your opinion of AT&T but I just purchased a 3650 a few weeks ago from TMo and it seems to be locked. I just get a "SIM unaccepted"(sic) when I try to use my AT&T SIM card.

[kman42]

Any Sprint bluetooth phones?

kman

[aaanorton]

Originally posted by maxintosh:
That's not totally true. AT&T was a little desperate to expand GSM coverage, so they do have an agreement with T-Mobile to roam with each other in some of the especially poor areas. Cingular piggybacks off T-Mobile in a LOT of areas while they build their network. Both companies are in big debt to T-Mobile later on when their GSM networks mature.

That's interesting about ATT. Do you mind me asking where you got this info? I have been doing a fair bit of research on this matter and was pretty convinced that ATT used ONLY ATT towers and that they were the ONLY carrier using those towers. I was also told this by a fairly senior tech at ATT, but really, this means little to me. It wouldn't be the first time ATT gave me false/erroneous info.
Also, my impression was that TMo and Cing were a little more equal. I thought that TMo used Cing's towers where it needed them as well. Cing has a very strong presence here in So Cal.

Originally posted by geekwagon:
Not disagreeing with you on your opinion of AT&T but I just purchased a 3650 a few weeks ago from TMo and it seems to be locked. I just get a "SIM unaccepted"(sic) when I try to use my AT&T SIM card.

Ya, my new Cing S56 is locked too, and Cing WILL NOT unlock it like they used to. Looks like unlocked phones may be a thing of the past...

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by aaanorton:
That's interesting about ATT. Do you mind me asking where you got this info? I have been doing a fair bit of research on this matter and was pretty convinced that ATT used ONLY ATT towers and that they were the ONLY carrier using those towers. I was also told this by a fairly senior tech at ATT, but really, this means little to me. It wouldn't be the first time ATT gave me false/erroneous info.
Also, my impression was that TMo and Cing were a little more equal. I thought that TMo used Cing's towers where it needed them as well. Cing has a very strong presence here in So Cal.

You can find the press releases on both AT&T and T-Mobile's websites.

http://www.t-mobile.com/company/pres...srelease68.asp

Not disagreeing with you on your opinion of AT&T but I just purchased a 3650 a few weeks ago from TMo and it seems to be locked. I just get a "SIM unaccepted"(sic) when I try to use my AT&T SIM card.

Hmm... that's strange. I've used a Cingular SIM card in my 3650 from them and it worked. Maybe I'm wrong? You could always try calling CS and asking for the unlock code, they might be willing to do that for you. It's pretty easy to find an unlock code generator for the 3650 on the web anyway.

[subego]

Just found Celluloco which sells unlocked phones.

If I'm willing to drop $358 I can get an Siemens S55 that should theoretically take my T-Mo SIM card and call me mommy.

Edit: Just found it for $270

More Edit: Keeps getting lower $234 with the camera attachment!

[TAZ]

I am currently trying out a T610 with T-Mobile. I took the plunge and decided to get the phone and use the 14 day return policy to take it for a test drive. For the sake of comparison I used a T68i, Nokia8390 and Siemens SL46 with ATT GSM. Also currently have a Samsung A500 with SprintPCS. ALL the ATT phones sucked as far as reception went so I dont think that it was the phones fault but, the poor GSM network established by ATT. To date only Sprint has been able to offer signal to my phone on a consistent basis inside my office. Right now the T610 gets the same signal level (2 maybe 3 bars) as the A500 while I'm at my desk. However, the T610 is able maintain the signal as I walk out of the complex, while the A500 cuts in and out. It does help that I have a T-Mo tower close to work. I drove between Austin and Conroe this weekend and had useable signal most of the way. I did have reception problems inside of a restaurant in Houston, but got signal as soon as I stepped outside. So far on my 14 day trial the T610 is doing very well compared to the A500. Will have to see how a Siemens stacks up if I can get my hands on one.

Also I am told that T-Mo will give up any unlock codes AFTER the 14 day trial period has ended. Not sure if they will continue this "service" with the new number portability coming into effect in Sptember.

[Naz]

Originally posted by kman42:
Any Sprint bluetooth phones?

kman

T608 is the first Sprint Bluetooth phone

it is not out yet, I'm waiting on it myself

[RGB]

Originally posted by LeeG:
I got a Siemens s56 about 2 weeks ago, and I LOVE this phone. Bluetooth works great with iSync, calendar (iCal) , address book, etc - can't say enough good about this, and it really takes advantage of iSync for me-

Lee

I can't find this phone for sale anywhere - is it available on ATT?

[aaanorton]

Originally posted by RGB:
I can't find this phone for sale anywhere - is it available on ATT?

Yep. But, of course, only for the GSM MLife accounts. If you keep having troubles finding one, PM me.

[RGB]

Originally posted by aaanorton:
Yep. But, of course, only for the GSM MLife accounts. If you keep having troubles finding one, PM me.

I'm only seeing the C56 from ATT's online store, and the S46 elsewhere.

[TAZ]

Originally posted by Naz:
T608 is the first Sprint Bluetooth phone

it is not out yet, I'm waiting on it myself

I wouldnt hold my breath waiting for it. Discussions at Howardforums has the phone only seeing a very limited release since SE cut CDMA research for the US markets. This is one of the reasons why I am thinking of switching away from SPCS.

[subego]

Oh Yeah!!!!

Just got my unlocked S55 from Expansys for $239.79.

This thing is SMALL!!!

I haven't played with it yet, so I can't comment on how it functions, but anyone who thinks the Nokia 3650 is a monster phone will be very, very happy with the S55/S56 form factor.

It's almost too small.

I post some updates (and maybe some pix) as I go along.

I literally scream with glee each time I look at it in the box. I'm a very happy camper.

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by subego:
Oh Yeah!!!!

Just got my unlocked S55 from Expansys for $239.79.

This thing is SMALL!!!

I haven't played with it yet, so I can't comment on how it functions, but anyone who thinks the Nokia 3650 is a monster phone will be very, very happy with the S55/S56 form factor.

It's almost too small.

I post some updates (and maybe some pix) as I go along.

I literally scream with glee each time I look at it in the box. I'm a very happy camper.

The S55/S56 is very nice... it has often been described as what the T68i SHOULD have been. Siemens makes very high quality stuff. It IS tiny but it doesn't do a quarter of the things a 3650 does, so you can't really compare them. But it's a great "executive" phone. Enjoy

[aaanorton]

Another VERY happy S56 owner here. This phone rocks.

[Powaqqatsi]

Get a Siemens or an Ericsson. Did you see the Nokia 3650 ?? I mean how ugly can it ever get ?? (that's the same for all the newer Nokias) and it weighs a ton.

[tonywriter]

It seems to me that you have to speak to someone who lives in your neighborhood, owns the phone you're interested in and is running it on the network you have.

Before I bought my T68i I heard nothing but praise for this phone. It was only after purchasing that I learned AT&T's GSM coverage in New York is abysmal. This is nothing to do with the phone: I've had great reception (all 5 bars) in Paros, Greece; Santa Monica, CA and London England. But as it is right now, when I'm at home (Brooklyn) my phone goes straight to voicemail and service is patchy at best in Manhattan.

My point is: it doesn't matter how many great features any of these phones have - if you can't make and recieve calls where you live, even if it's your provider's fault, this is not the phone for you.

[LeeG]

I got my S56 from Cingular (which I think was the first US provider to offer it), I believe the S55 is the euro version.




This phone rocks so hard,

Lee

[aaanorton]

Shameless plug, sorry.

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by Powaqqatsi:
Get a Siemens or an Ericsson. Did you see the Nokia 3650 ?? I mean how ugly can it ever get ?? (that's the same for all the newer Nokias) and it weighs a ton.

I don't pull out my phone to wow the audience, although it certainly attracts a lot of attention. People love to play with it and use it. Nokia's design department is very... offbeat.., but it turns out the 3650 is right on the mark in terms of winning fans. It looks better in person, it's unique to say the least, and no, it doesn't weigh that much. 130g with battery and memory card installed. The T610, by contrast weighs 100g.

Actually, since I bought my 3650 (for free, from T-Mobile), I have 3 friends/acquaintences that also got them and 2 friends-of-friends. And I'm hardly a fashion setter.

[kman42]

Another nice feature of the SE's that I hadn't really considered is Clicker. Anything similar for other phones?

kman

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by kman42:
Another nice feature of the SE's that I hadn't really considered is Clicker. Anything similar for other phones?

kman

Not to the same extent, although they're porting Romeo (hopefully) to Seimens and Nokia's 60-series. The 3650/7650 can control DVD player now with a free app. You can find it on VersionTracker.

[subego]

Originally posted by maxintosh:
The S55/S56 is very nice... it has often been described as what the T68i SHOULD have been. Siemens makes very high quality stuff. It IS tiny but it doesn't do a quarter of the things a 3650 does, so you can't really compare them. But it's a great "executive" phone. Enjoy

Don't worry, I'm not bustin' on your Nokia.

At the very least, it has:

1) Better RF reception (so I've heard)
2) Integrated Camera (the S55/56 has a dopey attachment I don't want to carry around that I'll end up loosing anyways)
3) More recent technology (I think)
4) Better screen with more colors
5) More color choices for the phone
6) Better button layout (the S55/56 sacrifices utility for size here)
7) Looks cooler (slightly)
8) Cheap (If it's offered by your provider, which for me it is)

If I had a "lifestyle" that could accommodate that big of a phone (like I if carried a bag around) I would have taken it in a second.

Since I don't though, I'm afraid of people asking me "Is that a Nokia in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by subego:
Since I don't though, I'm afraid of people asking me "Is that a Nokia in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

Are you sure they attached your pockets right? People way over exaggerate the size of this phone. It's smaller than the old 5xxx series.

[subego]

Originally posted by maxintosh:
Are you sure they attached your pockets right? People way over exaggerate the size of this phone. It's smaller than the old 5xxx series.

Awww... C'mon, cut me some slack. I did say 8 nice things about your phone.

You're right though, it's not really that big. I would say however, for most peoples hands, it's larger than what I would call "palmable".

I think this breakpoint carries a lot of weight, and is what people (who have actually seen and held one) are really talking about when they exaggerate.

I know that was what I was exaggerating about.

Well, that, and how it has a certain... banana-like shape

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by subego:
Awww... C'mon, cut me some slack. I did say 8 nice things about your phone.

You're right though, it's not really that big. I would say however, for most peoples hands, it's larger than what I would call "palmable".

I think this breakpoint carries a lot of weight, and is what people (who have actually seen and held one) are really talking about when they exaggerate.

I know that was what I was exaggerating about.

Well, that, and how it has a certain... banana-like shape

I know, it's just funny when people act as if you need a guitar case to tote the thing around. Just a violin one

[ASIMO]

Originally posted by maxintosh:
I know, it's just funny when people act as if you need a guitar case to tote the thing around. Just a violin one

But...you must admit that it *is* bigger than the average male organ in question. So perhaps in that regard, the jocular analogy is not too off the mark?

[subego]

Woo-Hoo!

No problems to report using my S55 with my T-Mo SIM card.

T-Mo very kindly posted their WAP settings here. The only issue was figuring out where to stash the settings on the phone.

Half of them are put in the Setup>Connectivity>Data Services>MMS,WAP, where you set-up a "Connectivity Profile". The other half are put in Surf & Fun>Internet>Profiles, where you have to be sure to point to the right MMS,WAP Connectivity Profile (this is what snagged me for a bit).

Bingo! Websurfing on a really tiny screen!

[kman42]

Well, I've narrowed it down to the T610 or the Nokia 3650. I'm going to hit a store this weekend to check them out.

kman

[Mastrap]

Haven't read the thread in its entirety but I've got a t610 as a free upgrade from my provider. Excellent phone.

[TAZ]

Just got my S55 going. Used the pointers from HoFo and Subego's link and it was a snap to get e-mail and WAP going. Kind of bummed though as it appears that I will not be able to use it to connect my 12PB to the net via GPRS as there are no modem profiles available in network settings for the Siemens.

[midwinter]

Man, I'm trying hard to choose between a PDA and a new cell phone to manage my life, and I'd like a bluetooth phone, but I'm on Sprint. How are you guys switching providers so easily? I'm in a 2-year contract!

Cheers
Scott

[Macpilot]

I wanted a Bluetooth phone that supported iSync with Sprint since I get a corporate discount on Sprint. They still don't offer one yet. The Sony-Ericsson phone coming out for Sprint looks weak and has that crummy joystick.

So I switched to T Mobile and got an unlimited data plan for $20 per month added to my minutes. I bought a T39 on eBay and it is AWESOME!

I use it to connect my Powerbook and get email, browse using Camino (Safari and IE won't work), use iChat, etc.

The speed of the connection is good enough considereing it is unlimited data!

Now, the phone. The T39 is a great phone:

The ONLY phone that has all that wireless capability, small (REALLY small!) form factor, and Bluetooth.

It does NOT have all the cheesy crap like zillions of ringtones and pretty colors and screensavers. I wanted a phone that I could hear, got good reception, and was small, and supported iSync with BT. This phone does it all.

Get one on eBay. "New" generation does not always mean the best. I still think there is no phone even today that comes close to this model.

This phone was introduced over two years ago and it still rocks!

It will work on any GSM network (AT&T, T Mobile, and others).

[ARENA]

Originally posted by Macpilot:
I wanted a Bluetooth phone that supported iSync with Sprint since I get a corporate discount on Sprint. They still don't offer one yet. The Sony-Ericsson phone coming out for Sprint looks weak and has that crummy joystick.

So I switched to T Mobile and got an unlimited data plan for $20 per month added to my minutes. I bought a T39 on eBay and it is AWESOME!

I use it to connect my Powerbook and get email, browse using Camino (Safari and IE won't work), use iChat, etc.

The speed of the connection is good enough considereing it is unlimited data!

Now, the phone. The T39 is a great phone:

The ONLY phone that has all that wireless capability, small (REALLY small!) form factor, and Bluetooth.

It does NOT have all the cheesy crap like zillions of ringtones and pretty colors and screensavers. I wanted a phone that I could hear, got good reception, and was small, and supported iSync with BT. This phone does it all.

Get one on eBay. "New" generation does not always mean the best. I still think there is no phone even today that comes close to this model.

This phone was introduced over two years ago and it still rocks!

It will work on any GSM network (AT&T, T Mobile, and others).

i still like my old T39 for what you said. I never wanted to replace it with thw T68i...now, i'm really tempted with the T610 though.

[kman42]

I think I have narrowed it down to a T610.

Sorry, Maxintosh, but the 3650 is pretty big. I've been carrying around a Sidekick and find that I am reluctant to take it with me sometimes. The 3650 is actually longer. And while it is thinner, the length means it doesn't fit comfortably in a lot of pockets, especially if you sit down.

I really haven't followed the cell phone technology closely, so I could use a bit of a primer. Can someone explain GSM to me? I've read up on the GSM web site, so I have the basics, but I'd like to hear something outside their marketing spew. Is GSM where it's at? Do all of the GSM carriers interoperate for roaming purposes? If I can't get a T-mobile signal, but ATT is strong in that area, will the phone work? Is Sprint the only other real competing standard to GSM?

thanks,
kman