Looking for Cellphone Advice

ScalerrEQ · Post by **ScalerrEQ** » April 4, 2005, 1:14 pm

I spent my life without a cellphone but i recognize it is time. I am looking for something that good on price of course. I would like camera phone. Something durable. I can see me dropping it about 10 times a years. Maybe a little water resistant i can see it going into the toilet once. Looking for a decent plan that is low on price low on minutes but will allow transfering of email and file functions jpg. All advice is welcome.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » April 4, 2005, 1:16 pm

My advice, once you get one, is to not having an annoying loud and stupid ringtone. Whatever happened to the nice pleasant chirp!

ScalerrEQ · Post by **ScalerrEQ** » April 4, 2005, 1:18 pm

I was thinking Downloading the Gay anthem it Raining Men.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » April 4, 2005, 1:24 pm

ScalerrEQ wrote:I spent my life without a cellphone but i recognize it is time. I am looking for something that good on price of course. I would like camera phone. Something durable. I can see me dropping it about 10 times a years. Maybe a little water resistant i can see it going into the toilet once. Looking for a decent plan that is low on price low on minutes but will allow transfering of email and file functions jpg. All advice is welcome.

Jackass!

I'd research your particular area to see which service has the best coverage. If you go with Sprint, they have camera phones, with internet access, games, wallpapers, download music ring tones if you must, etc as their standard phones for the most part. They have email as well but you'd probably need something more like a palm pilot if you're wanting to do file mangement and heavy email activity beyond text.

I'd go for the 35.00/month flex plan that increases your bill by 5.00 every 100 minutes you go over your limit. (basically you pay for what you use instead of paying out the wazoo for lots of minutes each month or worrying about how many minutes you're using before the .40/minute charges kick in.

As for ring tone. Why do people even use them? Vibrate mode!

ScalerrEQ · Post by **ScalerrEQ** » April 4, 2005, 1:34 pm

going to get the word of mouth first. then look into researching. will helps save me some time. OMGIAMRETARDEDCAUSEALOTISTWOWORDS of stuff looks great on paper but they dont say how messed up there service are.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » April 4, 2005, 1:40 pm

if all you need is basic phone functionality, you should price plans and providers, and then worry about what phone is for you.

find out what kind of plan is good for your lifestyle, then choose phones from that provider. If you find (for example) that Cingular and T-Mobile both have plans that are comparable for you, then yeah making a decision about which one offers the phone you want more is important.

but what Aslanna said is true. do not be THAT assclown who has the default (nokia) ringtone going.

ooloof · Post by **ooloof** » April 5, 2005, 12:39 pm

First thing is to find a provider/carrier. Ask friends and co workers which they have and see how good/bad their service is. Of course, having a nice phone on a cheap/inexpensive plan is pretty useless if you cant even use it. Make sure you check out the areas you spend a-lot of time in (home/work) to make sure there are no dead spots (which can be totally random).

After that is done, plan selection is pretty basic - chose what youre willing to pay.

As for phone selection, depends on what features you want - one thing to remember when deciding your phone - ask about acessories for transfering files (pics/txt messages/emails cause you specifically asked about that). I know some kits sell for like $150 (usb data cable + software) and some which you can just d/l from the manufacturer for free and just buy a $20 cable.

ooloof · Post by **ooloof** » April 5, 2005, 12:44 pm

Here's a link to a very helpful wireless forum

http://www.howardforums.com/

You can pretty much find out feedback on any phone thats available for our market.

ScalerrEQ · Post by **ScalerrEQ** » April 5, 2005, 7:10 pm

Thanx for the reply. Anything else i should consider while getting a phone.

Lohrno · Post by **Lohrno** » April 5, 2005, 7:12 pm

I like my LG VX 7000. It's durable, loud, battery lasts a long time, and pretty. No complaints whatsoever.

If you wanted though you could wait till later this year when the phones start shipping with 3D chips and you can play some 3D games...=D

Nilaman · Post by **Nilaman** » April 5, 2005, 9:25 pm

I bought a Verizon camera phone back when it was like 300 bucks. I think they are like buy one for 50 bucks get another free now. LG VX 6000.

I dropped it off of everything I could. Down a slate roof on to the brick floor below. Good 20 foot drop there. Dropped it into a pond once. Into puddles. Things have been spilled on it. If I could bang it into something, chances are I did. It got banged to hell and worked GREAT.

I recently switched to Nextel because that walkie-talkie gimmik got me. I thought it would be pretty cool to keep in contact with my family (who all had nextel) and so I switched. After about a month of playing with the walkie talkie feature I got sick of everyone hearing my conversations. So now I call them. Nextel camera phones (think there may be only one) are ungodly expensive, and I would not pay 300 bucks for another one. They are not - that - useful.

As much as Verizon dicks you around, I might switch back to them in two years because my Nextel drops me during calls all the time even if I have full bars. It fucks with my speakers all over the place, and it is just a pain in the ass. My Verizon phone only dropped me if I had bad signal.

Lohrno · Post by **Lohrno** » April 5, 2005, 9:33 pm

vx 6000 is pretty good, but it's not so good for games. IE: It's slow. It also doesn't take video. The vx7000 does.

I also like that the 7000 can be very loud. IE I can hear well it in a crowded room if it's set to loud.

It also has a flash on the camera but I woudln't really even dignify it with the word flash. More like "White LED."

Nilaman · Post by **Nilaman** » April 5, 2005, 10:35 pm

I should also mention! My nextel does not have an alarm clock. What a bitch!

retiredwikit · Post by **retiredwikit** » April 6, 2005, 11:49 am

I love my Motorola V551. Has all of the goodies, video, camera, internet, downloadable ringtones, also the feature I find most useful is the bluetooth technology. The phone *was* like 149.99 with a 50 dollar mir, but I looked around recently and have found it cheaper at Best Buy. Go to:
Best Buy

Click on go to partner site, type in your zip code and it will bring up a list of phones that are available in your area. The V551 was listed as 19.99 with all of the rebates. Its an automatic 130 dollar rebate if you sign a 2 year agreement before the 9th of April.

The bluetooth Headset was only an extra 50 dollars but well worth it.

archeiron · Post by **archeiron** » April 6, 2005, 12:36 pm

ScalerrEQ wrote:Thanx for the reply. Anything else i should consider while getting a phone.

Whatever phone you buy, no matter how sexy and brand-spanking-new it is, it will be old news when you wake up on the second day that you own it, so make sure that you are buying for the features/look that you want comfortably in your price range. Avoid being pressured into something at the last minute that is a little bit more as you will have just pissed down any research and forethought down the tube.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » April 6, 2005, 12:38 pm

Don't lock yourself into a contract for more than a year.

and dont lock yourself into a contract if you arent getting a substantial discount on your phone.

ScalerrEQ · Post by **ScalerrEQ** » April 6, 2005, 2:03 pm

I think i am going to go with the motorola that retire suggested. Now i have to get that through Cingular right. What are the problem with cingular what are the pro. I can get it hooked up at Best buy Right. And is the rebate something i send away from or is it just creditted to my account after like 3 months. Like i said i am a first time buyer. I want to avoid some of the pitfalls that i might encounter.

retiredwikit · Post by **retiredwikit** » April 6, 2005, 3:38 pm

ScalerrEQ wrote:I think i am going to go with the motorola that retire suggested. Now i have to get that through Cingular right. What are the problem with cingular what are the pro. I can get it hooked up at Best buy Right. And is the rebate something i send away from or is it just creditted to my account after like 3 months. Like i said i am a first time buyer. I want to avoid some of the pitfalls that i might encounter.

Cingular just merged with AT&T so they have a huge coverage area. I have yet to have a problem with reception, except for places that are way out in the middle of no where.

Best Buy will activate the phone for you. I'm not sure how the rebate works though. I bought mine from a Cingular Dealer and had to mail it in. There is a rebate center on the website I directed you to earlier. It asks for an e-mail address and the order number. Best bet is to go to Best Buy and check the phone out there before you order something off the internet. I'm not sure what the price will be at the store, but even if you only get a 100 dollar rebate, the rebate will be instant and the phone will only cost you the 39.99 + tax. I currently use the 49.99 nationwide plan that allows me 600 minutes + unlimited nights and weekends with rollover. A huge bonus with Cingular is now you talk to ANY cingular / AT&T customer for free. Meaning you don't use your minutes which is a good thing.

Also, going into a retailer, you are able to get a good look at the phone and play around with it and ask any questions about the phone before you spend your money on it. Also, my girlfriend bought me a bluetooth headset for 50 dollars in the Cingular store. I have looked all over the internet and have yet to find one cheaper then 70 dollars. Bluetooth isn't a necessity, but from my experience the quality of sound and not having to deal with wires is well worth the extra money.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » April 6, 2005, 4:42 pm

oh hey...if you have family or friends that you plan on calling a lot (even an hour a month), find out what provider they use. most providers dont count the minutes that you use within their networks on a lot of their plans.

ScalerrEQ · Post by **ScalerrEQ** » April 6, 2005, 4:52 pm

what is bluetooth exactly?

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » April 6, 2005, 5:16 pm

ScalerrEQ wrote:what is bluetooth exactly?

Bluetooth allows you to find other bluetooth users that are within close range and have impromptu sex with them in subways.

ScalerrEQ · Post by **ScalerrEQ** » April 6, 2005, 5:21 pm

no way is this a reliable means for trying to get it on.

Lohrno · Post by **Lohrno** » April 6, 2005, 5:24 pm

It's also hackable btw (remember Paris Hilton's addressbook/pics on her phone?) ... But if you have one of those fancy new cars with the bluetooth integration, you it can hook up to the car and such.

retiredwikit · Post by **retiredwikit** » April 6, 2005, 5:25 pm

ScalerrEQ wrote:what is bluetooth exactly?

Bluetooth Technology

Basically a Wireless Headset.

This is the headset I use. This one It says the availablity is Asia / Europe / Australia... But I live in the USA

*edit* Lohrno is right.. There are many uses for Bluetooth Technology, not just headsets

Lohrno · Post by **Lohrno** » April 6, 2005, 5:28 pm

retiredwikit wrote: Basically a Wireless Headset.

Sometimes... They have bluetooth headsets, but phones with bluetooth capabilities are usually not just for headsets. They allow you to connect wirelessly to your computer or other device to share data or allow another interface in the case of cars. IE you might be able to download ringtones, wallpapers, games, etc.

ScalerrEQ · Post by **ScalerrEQ** » April 6, 2005, 5:33 pm

cool that makes more sense.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » April 7, 2005, 12:34 am

I'm very happy with the Verizon coverage in my area, i had tried at&t and nextel before that... Verizon has also been the cheapest for me. i pay about 50 a month for a lower end plan.

I'd look into trac fone if you really want to stay on the cheap side, like less than 20 a month or something...

a_guide · Post by **a_guide** » April 7, 2005, 1:44 am

Verizon eats shit. I have a contract with them that ends in 6 months or so and yesterday I switched to T-mobile. My Verizon phone shattered and they won't give you any credit on a replacement unless you've been with them for 2 years. Plus my reception sucks, my roommate can sit right next to me and have perfect service and I drop every call in my bedroom after about 5 mins for no reason at all. Grrrr

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » April 7, 2005, 11:13 am

Several co-workers and I have had nothing but problems with Cingular since the merger. We were with AT&T for several years before it happened. They have sent items out saying that certain offers are not compatible with our phone numbers, and then they say that we have to have those offers. They have said that some brands of phones cannot be used with their service, and then they send us those phones as "free" phones. They have done the same with phones that stopped working by saying that they are incompatible with the current service, but then they recommend the same damn phones as replacements.

WTB better provider!

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » April 7, 2005, 11:23 am

Bluetooth is used for wireless data transfers. Cellphones, cordless mouse, ect.

Tenuvil · Post by **Tenuvil** » April 7, 2005, 1:31 pm

Boogahz wrote:Several co-workers and I have had nothing but problems with Cingular since the merger. We were with AT&T for several years before it happened. They have sent items out saying that certain offers are not compatible with our phone numbers, and then they say that we have to have those offers. They have said that some brands of phones cannot be used with their service, and then they send us those phones as "free" phones. They have done the same with phones that stopped working by saying that they are incompatible with the current service, but then they recommend the same damn phones as replacements.

WTB better provider!

Come to T-Mobile!

ScalerrEQ · Post by **ScalerrEQ** » April 7, 2005, 5:12 pm

Well i got the Motorola v551 with a cingular planned today. Now how do i get ringtones from my computer onto my cellphone. Does it cost i see on bit torrent site they can allow you download a crapload of ringtones for free.

Lohrno · Post by **Lohrno** » April 7, 2005, 6:46 pm

You'll need a bluetooth adapter for your computer now, and some software to link the two. Some googling will probably help.

retiredwikit · Post by **retiredwikit** » April 7, 2005, 7:57 pm

ScalerrEQ wrote:Well i got the Motorola v551 with a cingular planned today. Now how do i get ringtones from my computer onto my cellphone. Does it cost i see on bit torrent site they can allow you download a crapload of ringtones for free.

yar... you have to pay for the data that's transfered from bit torrent to your phone.. because your using Cingular towers. Its like 1 cent per kilobyte you transfer. Basically .. a ringtone will cost you 4.99 *if you buy a music tone* + however big the song is. You won't pay more then 10 cents for the data transfer of a ringtone. Unfortunately the V551 only comes with 1 game, and its just a demo. The data transfer for games can get up to 2 dollars depending on how big the game is.

Boogahz, my family was told the same thing. If you are using an AT&T phone and had a cingular signal, you aren't roaming. Also, you signed a contract that gave you the offers you wanted. Until you signed another contract or made a change to your plan they can not take the offers away from you. If your old phone was a GSM phone, you shouldn't have worried about getting a new phone. Now if it was still using the digital signal then I would have gotten a new phone anyway. Most cell towers are being converted to use the GSM signal and towers that are using the digital signal are being taken down.

*edit* ScalerrEQ if you can direct me to the website you are talking about to get free ringtones, I may be able to help out. Most sites require you to sign up then put in your cell phone number and the ringtone will be sent to you in a multimedia message. you open the url and it will take you to the site where you can download the ringtone on your phone or you can just go to *My Media --> Sounds --> Shop Ringtones* on your phone and you can browse around on your phone.

ScalerrEQ · Post by **ScalerrEQ** » April 7, 2005, 8:10 pm

i download like 32 meg of ringstones for nokia from suprnova.org while it was up i can send you some one day through messanger or something. It an amazing collection. it a collection of midi etc. i dont know if they can be used or not.

retiredwikit · Post by **retiredwikit** » April 7, 2005, 8:39 pm

I don't know if the midi files work or not... I don't have an adapter for my compter to tranfer files from the computer to the phone. I usually just download the ringtone from cingular.com. It just adds whatever the cost is to your bill.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » April 7, 2005, 8:46 pm

The problem with Cingular that I am talking about are mainly only there because we are on a business plan that was set up with AT&T. Our employer has these with many companies across the country, and the fact that AT&T actually labeled the lines as Business lines apparently has Cingular confused. One person will tell you that a business line cannot be migrated, while another will say it is no problem at all. The phone itself (NEC 525HDM) is not bad except for how thick it is when closed, and I haven't found many others that can offer the size of screen and other options for the price. I think that the providers that we currently have some sort of contracts set up with are: Sprint, Cingular/AT&T Wireless, Nextel.

It is a shame that Cingular has the better coverage/deals but the worst service (customer).

Lohrno · Post by **Lohrno** » April 13, 2005, 12:07 pm

retiredwikit wrote:I don't know if the midi files work or not... I don't have an adapter for my compter to tranfer files from the computer to the phone. I usually just download the ringtone from cingular.com. It just adds whatever the cost is to your bill.

Usually they will. You should get one of those adapters...

ooloof · Post by **ooloof** » April 20, 2005, 4:38 pm

It is a shame that Cingular has the better coverage/deals but the worst service (customer).

So true, for a company that boasts about having 45+ million customers now, you would wish for at least and expect 24/7 customer service and no outrageous wait times --- Yea right

(expect 15-45 minutes hold times, same as the AT&T days).

Bluetooth data trasnfer info:
http://69.238.132.85/~ninetoez/vxxx/bt_java.html

For free cheap ringtones, games, apps, wallpapers - this site used to be pretty good
http://www.3gupload.com
Dont pay, unless you want to (it gives you access to your files -i think). Otherwise, what ever you pick, gets stored in your account which you have no access to. Only thing you pay is for the conenction and data D/L that YOUR Carrier charges.

As for making your own personal ringtones, if you have data transfer capabilities - directions can be googled - its pretty easy to do too.

http://69.238.132.85/~ninetoez/vxxx/maketones.html

ooloof · Post by **ooloof** » April 20, 2005, 4:42 pm

I Used to use 3G to find the hard to come across tones. Im not sure if they have voice tones though. I can send out some wav file tones if anyone wants - just PM. I used to sell nextel ring tones for $2.50 each when i owned my shop. I thought it was pretty outrageous - teenage kids changing songs like weekly/monthly $10-$20 at a time. Was lovely - pure profit

ScalerrEQ · Post by **ScalerrEQ** » April 20, 2005, 8:20 pm

Thanx olong understanding cellphones is like trying to understand the interenet back in the day. This was extremely helpful. i end up with the motorola v551 with cingular cover aint that great but i really wanted to go with the strongest company.

VeeshanVault

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