Cell phones: Phone similar to PDA but not smartphone
Phone similar to PDA but not smartphone
by busterbrown885 - 9/23/09 4:39 PMMy PDA is about gone. Looking for phone that I can sync with my outlook account to download calendar and contacts but I do not need a data plan. I would sync via usb or cable provided by the phone mfg. I have my service with AT&T and am reasonably happy with them. I would prefer to purchase an unlocked phone, since I am not under contract with At&T and would prefer not to have a new 2 year contract, although I would consider that.
Your suggestions please
So far, any Windows Mobile 6 and up smart phone.
by R. Proffitt
- 9/23/09 7:28 PM
In reply to: Phone similar to PDA but not smartphone by busterbrown885
Why not a smart phone? I'm authoring some WinMo apps and have some dozen phones that are not activated and they all sync fine.
Bob
No need for Data Plan
by busterbrown885 - 9/23/09 8:14 PM In reply to: So far, any Windows Mobile 6 and up smart phone. by R. Proffitt
At&T requires that you have a data plan with a smartphone and I have no need for a data plan
Can't be true.
by R. Proffitt - 9/24/09 4:45 AM
In reply to: No need for Data Plan by busterbrown885
One of the units here is from ATT and no dataplan. It syncs fine. I can only guess you are looking at "subsidized" phones. That is phones they sell you discounted.
Research "unlocked" phones.
Bob
Look for the Nokia E71 unlocked @ Amazon.com
by Pepe7 - 9/24/09 7:06 AM In reply to: Phone similar to PDA but not smartphone by busterbrown885This will allow you to continue w/o a data plan. Insert SIM and you are good to go. Having wifi will be very convenient as well.
-Pedro
Unlocked and messaging
by handel50 - 9/28/09 1:23 PM In reply to: Look for the Nokia E71 unlocked @ Amazon.com by Pepe7If one were to get an unlocked phone, put in the SIM card, could I still use it with a family, non-pda message plan? I'm beginning to think it would be easier to get a regular phone like the samsung eternity - thoughts?
Yes
by Pepe7 - 9/29/09 1:48 PM In reply to: Unlocked and messaging by handel50It's a matter of personal preference and what you want to pay for service IMHO. You could bring in an unlocked phone and keep your features like you have now.
-P
more info needed
by busterbrown885 - 9/24/09 1:38 PM In reply to: Phone similar to PDA but not smartphone by busterbrown885What phones are you referring to, I dont know much about cell phones but when you say wifi, I assume that they only way that would work is with a data plan, my needs are not that complex, just the abilty to sync a calendar and some contacts. What are models or a link to the web site.
Clarification
by Pepe7 - 9/24/09 2:13 PM In reply to: more info needed by busterbrown885The unlocked E71 you could purchase via amazon is not an ATT branded PDA/smartphone. Hence it does not require a data plan. The addition of a wifi radio onboard would permit you to connect to free wifi hotspots, a work WLAN or your wireless home network at no additional charge. What ATT markets is utilizing their 3G data network (3G not wifi), which is what incurs the $30 extra monthly fee for their PDA data plan. Again, this would only be a requirement if you went with the ATT branded version, the E71x. Here's a link to the E71-
http://www.amazon.com/Nokia-E71-Unlocked-Slot-U-S-Warranty/dp/B001BZJ54U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=wireless&qid=1253826684&sr=8-1
There are other phones that can sync with contacts, although I'm not sure about the calendar function of outlook per se. The one above would provide a fuller functioning PDA w/o the data plan requirement.
hth,
Pedro
Still get email?
by ceceliaPalmer - 9/24/09 5:15 PM In reply to: Clarification by Pepe7Hi - reading this thread, you can still sync AND get email without the data program if unlocked?
Thanks -
Yes- email works fine this way
by Pepe7 - 9/24/09 7:25 PM In reply to: Still get email? by ceceliaPalmerBut the unlocked handset cannot be an ATT branded one. For example, if you bought a used E71x on ebay, they could justify charging you for the monthly data feature. Buy the unlocked E71 and you make up for the extra cost of the handset by saving $30/month not having to add the data feature.
-Pedro
PDA w/ no data plan
by Patty_Sims - 9/24/09 4:36 PM In reply to: more info needed by busterbrown885Hi, I have a BlackBerry from AT&T. When I first activated it, I had to have a data plan, but the next month I dropped the data plan and do not need it to keep my service. If you can find a used BlackBerry you can just put your sim card in it and go without a contract.
YMMV
by Pepe7 - 9/24/09 7:27 PM In reply to: PDA w/ no data plan by Patty_SimsNot necessarily. If it's a BB that ATT sells they might still try to force you to keep the data plan. Keep in mind the landscape changed on Sept.6-2009. They now require the data plan with ATT branded PDAs/smartphones. Going with non-ATT unlocked versions is a temporary workaround right now. Some folks may be grandfathered for awhile though.
-P
Nokia E63
by kkaaz - 9/24/09 2:53 PM In reply to: Phone similar to PDA but not smartphone by busterbrown885I bought one at Dell.com unlocked for under $200. Has wifi and syncs with my contacts and calendar from outlook. Order the sync cable to do this. Pretty happy with the phone and performance. I picked this one because of it being a Nokia and two the headset jack wasn't a special adapter. I just swapped out the SIM card from my old Blackjack and was making calls.
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