[ibook_steve]

This has not been discussed in a long time. Sanyo phones are *still* not listed as compatible with iSync, and I stupidly did not check this before I switched to Sprint and selected this phone because I again stupidly assumed that by now, pretty much any new phone with Bluetooth (which is a standard) would work. Now I've got hundreds of contacts to transfer from my old phone and MBP, and no way that I know of to do it (other than manually).

Are there any solutions for this problem, either on the Mac side (preferred, of course) or the PC (Boot Camp and Parallels are options)?
Steve

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by ibook_steve 

This has not been discussed in a long time. Sanyo phones are *still* not listed as compatible with iSync, and I stupidly did not check this before I switched to Sprint and selected this phone because I again stupidly assumed that by now, pretty much any new phone with Bluetooth (which is a standard) would work.

Far from it - not only are there plenty of phones that don't work with iSync, but often even the phones that are supposed to work with iSync don't, because Apple checks the GMM and GMI strings to see what model a phone is, and the different carriers like to change the GMM string (I think Sprint adds "SprintPhone" to the end of each one). My sister has a KRZR K1m, which is supposed to be supported by iSync, but it's on Alltel whereas Apple only seems to include the GMM string for Verizon's version of the K1m, so iSync thinks her phone isn't supported, even though it would most likely work. I haven't been able to get ahold of her to try some .plist hacking yet, but I think we should be able to get it to work if I change the GMM in iSync's internal plist files.

With the Sanyo, though, it's a different story - the Katana DLX doesn't support SyncML, according to this page. This means it most likely won't work no matter how much plist hacking you do, as iSync depends on SyncML. BTW, Samsung and LG also don't support SyncML on most of their phones, so the only choice you really have on a CDMA carrier is Motorola. And since Verizon is the only CDMA carrier Apple seems to care about, you'll probably have to do some plist hacking to get it to work.

[amazing]

Can you still return and exchange the Katana? That'd be the way to go: just tell them it has no reception where you live or work, or something like that.

[ibook_steve]

The problem is I really like the phone! (Waiting for hopefully cheaper iPhone version 2 or 3)

No way to do it even through vcard transfer?

Steve

[amazing]

Doesn't Sprint offer a Moto Razr that looks fairly similar (and a lot more capable?)

Gotta tell you that a mobile that won't sync is the pits. No amount of looks can compensate...

[ibook_steve]

It's not about the looks, it's about the functionality. And already I like Sanyo's interface and use over any crap Motorola puts out. I'll never get another Moto phone.

Steve

[CharlesS]

Well, if you won't get a Moto phone, then you won't be using iSync on Sprint, as they're the only maker of CDMA phones that supports SyncML.

And even with a Moto, you'll still probably have to hack the plist files...

The whole situation is slightly .

[amazing]

I agree about Moto's abysmal functionality, but if that's the only way to get iSync going? Unless, that is, you're willing to switch away from Sprint...

I switched from Sprint to Cingular way back. And I did it even while I was pissed from being very upset with Cingular over having to deal with disastrous customer service from the work phones--mainly because Cingular had better coverage and better phones.

Have never considered going back to Sprint. Have considered switching to T-Mobile but never Verizon, mainly because I wanted GSM phones.

So, given that you're looking at new phones, that means you're at the end of your contract, right?

Time to switch?

[ibook_steve]

Long story short: I was with Sprint a long time ago and left them for AT&T (because Sprint really used to suck and we had a deal through work with AT&T). AT&T became Cingular and then Cingular went back to AT&T. Through all this, AT&T coverage has seemed to degrade (or it might have been my Moto V551). In any case, I was clued in to the SERO deal discussed in great detail at fatwallet.com. A number of my friends went in and were getting great service at a good price ($30 a month for everything including 500 minutes and unlimited data!). I picked the Katana DLX last month and I really like the feature set and the way it works, much better than any Moto phone I've tried. I read tons of reviews. The one thing I forgot to check was syncing capability. There must be a way to copy something to the microSD or to use a feature Sprint calls "wireless backup" to make this work. I'll keep researching and post my findings.

Steve

[amazing]

Just don't let it go beyond the time period where you can back out of the service: something like 14 days, isn't it?

[ibook_steve]

Update: Well, I found no solution other than Sprint's "Wireless Backup" service which costs $2 a month. It works, but why it costs $2 a month for the service is beyond me. I went to their online web page and entered my contacts by copying and pasting from Address Book. After saving, the contacts all get updated on my phone. I may just end the subscription now that I've accomplished what I wanted. But this seems to be the only way to do it quickly and easily. Of course, I'll have to update manually anytime something changes.

Steve