Comment Re:Bluetooth Phones (Score 1) 220
I found myself in the same quandry with cingular. Signed up in July, bought a cheap phone, knowing that I would switch to a bluetooth enabled one when they came out. Then found out that I would be charged an arm and a leg as a current subscriber, while they were basically giving them away to new subscribers.
The solutions for me was to buy an unlocked Ericsson T39m. I paid about $225, but you can now get them for under $200, both online and in the right nyc shop if you pay cash (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). Just switch in your sim card and away you go. note: I did have something odd happen two weeks after I did this, where my account was locked as if I had reported my phone stolen. Cust. Serv. said they did not know how this happened and reactivated it, were chagrined that I was using an "unsupported phone" and I agreed that it was at my own risk. Have had no problems since. Note also that unlocked phones can use disposable sim cards overseas at much cheaper prices than locked phones from a US carrier, which will force you to call from anywhere at their roaming rates.
Pros: Battery life is amazing- 5 days w/ bluetooth off, 2 days with it on. Phone is light, slim, sturdy and has a flip, which i value for both protection in pocket and better voice pickup on calls. Syncs with my TiBook without issue. Controlling settings on the phone is easy, but address book is difficult, but the UI has the same issues on the newer, more expensive phones.
Cons (depending on your needs): grayscale screen, no camera built in (attachment available, i think), non-standard wired headset jack (cheap converters available), address book, calendar & to do UI is wacky (but usable overtime)
Overall, I am happy with this solution. The phone has worked consistently better than any other I have had, except possibly a motorola flip on sprintpcs. My palm gathers dust in a drawer, while all my info is available on and backed up from the phone - in fact setup of all info on the phone took less than 10 minutes. I think this would be your best bet.
The solutions for me was to buy an unlocked Ericsson T39m. I paid about $225, but you can now get them for under $200, both online and in the right nyc shop if you pay cash (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). Just switch in your sim card and away you go. note: I did have something odd happen two weeks after I did this, where my account was locked as if I had reported my phone stolen. Cust. Serv. said they did not know how this happened and reactivated it, were chagrined that I was using an "unsupported phone" and I agreed that it was at my own risk. Have had no problems since. Note also that unlocked phones can use disposable sim cards overseas at much cheaper prices than locked phones from a US carrier, which will force you to call from anywhere at their roaming rates.
Pros: Battery life is amazing- 5 days w/ bluetooth off, 2 days with it on. Phone is light, slim, sturdy and has a flip, which i value for both protection in pocket and better voice pickup on calls. Syncs with my TiBook without issue. Controlling settings on the phone is easy, but address book is difficult, but the UI has the same issues on the newer, more expensive phones.
Cons (depending on your needs): grayscale screen, no camera built in (attachment available, i think), non-standard wired headset jack (cheap converters available), address book, calendar & to do UI is wacky (but usable overtime)
Overall, I am happy with this solution. The phone has worked consistently better than any other I have had, except possibly a motorola flip on sprintpcs. My palm gathers dust in a drawer, while all my info is available on and backed up from the phone - in fact setup of all info on the phone took less than 10 minutes. I think this would be your best bet.
