Cell Phone question

[huggy59]

T-Mobile is a big GSM provider, and AFAIK the SIM card was originally developed to be used on a GSM network and its phones. I went with GSM years ago when I was given a phone to try at work while we were looking for "world phones". At that time, GSM was the most popular standard in Europe and other areas, and just starting to come into the US. I started way back with Omnipoint, then they became VoiceStream, and finally T-Mobile. All GSM and all had SIM cards. The company I worked for was looking for phone that could go fromt he US to Europe without requiring a change of gear.

The SIM card also contains some memory, which in some cases can be used for storing phone numbers (phone book), SMS messages, and other info depending on the phone.

Also, in addition to the SIM card for GSM networks and the capability for a phone to have different network signaling systems (GSM, CDMA, etc.), there is also the now 4 frequency GSM bands to deal with. I had a Treo 270 in South Florida (well, I still have it here) that is a 2-frequency phone (900MHz and 1900MHz), but when I moved to Maine, I found the local GSM network here used another frequency, so I had to get a different phone. I ended up getting a Treo 600, which supports all 4 GSM frequencies: 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz and 1900MHz.

Of course, now I wish I had the extra features that are on the Treo 650... mainly Bluetooth, a removable battery, and MP3 playing.

The one thing that I wish they made for the Treo phones that I haven't seen yet is a good car system. I have a Nokia 5190 phone and installed a complete system in my truck - snap the phone in the cradle and it locks in, connects to a mic, speaker, handset, power and antenna in the car. It can even mute the radio when the phoen rings, and it auto-answers in the car so you don't have to touch it at all. Nice! Wish all phones had a similar system. Alas, I can't use that phone here in Maine - wrong frequency!!!!! :-(

 

[Steve]

OH! On another note:

BraveSire Robin wrote:

(AT&T was bought out by Cingular).

That is true, and Cingular spent around 1 billion dollars converting the AT&T stores, kiosks ect over to Cingulars look, Plus a huge marketing campaign.

What some people don't know, is that AT&T just recently bought back Cingular, and it is estimated they will spend around 1.5 billion dollars to convert everything back! AT&T has said they will drop the cingular name, and the Cingular little "orange paint splotch looking guy" logo all together.

And we wonder why cell phone plans are so expensive!

Actually, you are close. Cingular is owned by its parents, SBC Corp and BellSouth Corp. AT&T has purchased SBC and is in the process of acquiring Bellsouth. When that is complete, Cingular will be 'owned' by AT&T outright. The good news is that when Cingular 'acquired' AT&T wireless, most of the merger work has been completed, so when AT&T fully owns Cingular, the wireless side of the house will undergo very few changes. Excpect a lot more change on the Bellsouth landline side of the house...

And yes, the Cingular logo aka 'Jack' will most likely be laid to rest and everything likely will be rebranded AT&T.

 

[Digger]

And the lawyers all get richer on these deals.................

 

[JohnWPB]

Huggy, sounds like you lost Bluetooth in the transition to your new phone as well.... so this will not help you.

For anyone else watching this thread, I have a Parrot Bluetooth Device in my car. It works via Bluetooth when you pair your phone to the device. Once done, all you have to do is have your phone with you. I keep my cell phone in my back pocket, and never have to take it out to receive or place a call in the car. With the Razr it supports voice dialing, so to make a call, I simply push the green button on the device and speak the name. When the phone rings, the stereo mutes, and the caller ID is displayed on the device. All you have to do to answer is press the green button.

It took Circuit City less than a hal hour to install it for me. I COULD have done it, but honestly was just too lazy at the time . They placed the mic above the drivers sunvisor, and the audio comes through the car stereo speakers. The device itself drives the speakers, so a special stereo is not needed.

This is the best hands free option I have come across. I have a Bluetooth headset, (That makes me look like Lt. Uhura on Star Trek!) and used it twice before putting it in a drawer. The ones that plug in the cigerette lighter are just to bulky and big for in my car.

If you check around, you will find the the price is GREATLY different from one place to another with the Parrot devices. I have seen the CK3100 range from $117 all the way up to $299!

One other thing, if you are talking on the phone, and have got to where you are going. Simply take your phone out, hold it up to your ear and turn the car off. It immediately transfers to the cell phone when the ignition is turned off. It works the other way around as well, if you start the car when you are on the phone, it transfers to the device and you can toss the phone on the seat next to you