treo 600
 

I haven't used any of the Treo line, but the quad-band GSM Treo 600 looks pretty bad ass. It's still bigger than anything that I would carry in my pocket, but it's getting closer.

Treo 600 Smartphone
 

Yo everybody! I bought the Treo 600 Smartphone with Sprint as my carrier last week.

So far, very pleased with the phone features & reception. Really can do it all with one hand.....no need to use a stylus and your top 50 phone numbers can be placed on a separate "favorites" section so one not need scroll down on the presumably lengthy "contacts" section one has also presumably created by pasting. Speed dail/letter or number key also available to dail. Speakerphone handy when using phone in noisy pub/club.

Although a Qwery keyboard provided, obviously text/addresses/numbers etc. entry is easier by using computer keyboard and "HotSyncing" into phone.

Provided decent light available ( no flash on unit) the built in camera does an adequate job.....I use it extensively to take pictures of items for hobby collections and the jpeg color comes through fine. Picture quality sucks in low light.

I am not currently a big applications user on the phone. I prefer to paste/Hot Sync memos & lists into the phone so I don't have to look things up. But the list of Palm applications one can download is impressive and those with a need should find unit quite capable. I am not a gamer.

I log onto my AOL eMail on the unit....not the built in free Sprint system..... I usually just view any new messages rather than immediately responding....then respond from my computer.....though I imagine the Sprint system should be fine. Just want to minimize/avoid thumb typing.

I check my eBay bidding and surf various Web sites frequently....for $15 a month Sprint has unlimited data/web access. Basic phone plan is $35 per month......300 minutes/unlimited evenings/weekends satisfies my needs.....right now I'm probably web surfing more than using the phone.....except when traveling. Of course, more expensive plans are available.

Phone cost me $450 ( with a two year service plan) at Best Buy in Rockville. Cheaper on Amazon dot.com.....and, of course, as competitors come out I'm sure unit will cost $300 by June.

Treo 600 Smartphone
 

I love the phone, but the size still bothers me. I generally carry my phone in my front pocket, and would not be able to do that with a Treo 600. When this type of functionality approaches the size of my Siemens S56, I'll snap it up. This treo is a huge step in the right direction, IMHO, but it's not quite there yet.

Number Portability
 

So, as we speak, I am porting my number from provider A to provider B after provider A's phone stopped working and provider B gave me a nice flip camera phone with caller id on the cover for free, with a one year contract and a $35 activation fee.

I will keep you updated on the process, since I'm sure you're all waiting by the computer to see how it goes. Provider B is already sending me e-mail tellin me about my new phone number (which is the number being ported) but calls still ring through to provider A's phone.

Number Portability
 

Be glad it rings somewhere.

Number Portability
 

Oh, I have faith it will be completely down for a day or so at some point.

Number Portability
 

Mr Chick recently ported his phone number. He gave Verizon the boot and T-Mobile had his old number was ringing through to his new phone about 12 hours after he took new phone out of the box.

On a related note, I want to speak highly of the Nokia 3650. I actually use the camera option not infrequently, for example in stores when I want someone to see if what I am picking out is what they want, etc.

I have become convinced that the best way to buy a phone is through Amazon. When the SO got his last week (I got mine a couple months ago) they were offering $300 in rebates ($150 from Amazon and T-Mobile each) and had knocked the price on the 3650 from $300 to $200, so the Mr. got cash back for his phone. When I sent in the rebates on mine, I got them back pretty quickly and without hassle.

I also have to give the thumbs up to T-Mobile: who has a 600 minute national plan with their little wireless internet thingy for less than $50/month with MUCH better (for me anyway) service than AT&T wireless. So now I can actually use my phone in local office buildings.

Number Portability
 

I moved from AT&T to Sprint a couple of weeks ago. It took a total of 6 days and one (half hour) call to Sprint to get the transfer completed. Might have been quicker if I had placed the call earlier, but I waited to see if it would happen as promised. After phone call transfer occurred on same day.


ETA: w/r/t SEC's post, I bought the phone at Best Buy and switched services there. Seemed to work out fine other thant hte above-referenced need for a phone call to Sprint. They offer a bunch of rebates on phones (in addition to Sprint's) there too. Got a nice Samsung flip camera phone for free.

Number Portability
 

Most of the porting problems that I have heard about involve Sprint and AT&T. The others seem to have their acts pretty much together. Personally, I am sticking with Cingular, which seems to have the best GSM coverage in the US (plus, I re-signed a contract not too long ago, and early termination fees suck). The only reason I would switch is if someone gave me a free Motorola v600, which is only being released for ATTWS.

Number Portability
 

Wait a couple of weeks. ATTWS may be Cingular soon. although i doubt even cingular will make the v600 free.

Number Portability
 

That's all conjecture, though the recent news stories make it sound more and more probable. That said, I would guess that the regulatory approval process will take about a year to iron out (Cingular and ATTWS own competing licenses in many markets, and many will have to be divested). Agreed that the v600 will not be free, as the best prive seen on the v400 is about $130 with a 2 year K. It would be a good deal, but the v400 lacks bluetooth, which I have become WAY too accustomed to to live without (not to mention all of the bluetooth toys that would suddenly become expensive paperweights).

Number Portability
 

Agreed that it will take some time before the systems are merged. And regardless of any divestitures, they probably will keep the two companies separate for awhile, for customer purposes. What a bigger mess, too, since ATTWS already has two companies, one for TDMA and one for GSM. Entirely separate departments.

As for divestitures, has the FCC confronted this? Surely there are rules about the amount of spectrum. I assume it's not strictly licenses, but a certain percentage of spectrum or something. So perhaps they could spin off a half-license or something.

Number Portability
 

So, my new phone still isn't here, but the number's already been ported. I lost a voicemail on my old phone, but I'll just have to call the person who left it and see what she wanted. Considering I ordered Monday or Tuesday, this should all work pretty well if the phone is working when it arrives.

Number Portability
 

Delivery attempted by FedEx for new phone. I'm impressed. I'll have to try to pick that shit up tomorrow at FedEx. Both providers tell me that porting is done and that I'm good to go once I have the phone. All in all, not a bad experience. Now, I just need to change all the numbers over and take a bunch of pictures in the gym locker room with the new phone.

Number Portability
 

FedEx is a fucking disaster for residential delivery. I would say that less than 50% of the times they're supposed to deliver something to me do they actually do it. Sometimes it's a failure to see the signature waiver. Other times it's delivering to the wrong, but similar, address (e.g., 1st St. instead of 1st Terrace). But good luck getting the phone!

Number Portability
 

It's pretty rare that I get stuff from FedEx at home; all the vendors I buy from seem to use the cheaper UPS or USPS. I truly wasn't home, and signature waivers are a bad idea in my urban neighborhood two flat. My fucking snow shovel was stolen, so I'm sure that the local derelicts would love something like a cell phone.

I picked up my new phone at the FedEx station last night. It was all ported and ready to go, and I'm pretty happy with it so far. Haven't used the detachable camera yet, but that's just a luxury anyway.

I did _really_ like that you can pick up a FedEx package the evening of the day delivery is attemped, and they're open until 9:00 pm. UPS requires that you arrange to have the package held at the station anytime you want to pick it up before the third delivery has been attempted, and is only open until 6:00 pm. Plus, the wait is always long. So, FedEx gets points in this situation.

V600 (att'n Alex de Large
 

V600 coming to ATT Wireless

For $299 (with contract)

Scans on a wireless handheld
 

GP wants to receive e-mail on wireless device. So far, no problem --- Blackberry, right? But then he complains that more and more clients are sending him e-mails in which the important message content is in an attachment. I say, no problem, there are ways to open and even edit Word files on certain handhelds, especially Palm ones. Then he says, okay, but what about those PDF thingies. I say, you ain't got no problem, Jules. I'm on the motherfucker. There is handheld software to open text-based PDF files. He says, no, I'm talking about those faxes we can have scanned and sent to our enterprise e-mail. I say, you mean to tell me you want to be able to receive and read massive image files scanned from our office and e-mailed to your handheld? Umm, I'll get back to you.

It seems to me from a bandwidth perspective, there's no way you could cram entire 40-page image files over cell wireless to a handheld, and then be able to read it on a tiny handheld screen. Mebbe if he had a handheld with Wi-Fi capability, but you'd need to get to a wireless access point for that.

What says the panel? Impossible? Commonplace? Assume there is no massive IT infrastructure where I am who could tell this man he's insane.

Scans on a wireless handheld
 

What's the memory capacity of those phones? Surely not 40mb, or whatever a 40-page fax would take in TIFF format.

Tell that charming mutherfucker that if he wants to get a 40 page fax he should a) carry a laptop; b) get a sec'y who can call him and find the nearest fax location where secy can forward the fax.

and how, btw, would this fellow expect to be able to read a fax on a 2x2 inch screen?

Scans on a wireless handheld
 

He's young enough to carry a Blackberry, but old enough that he remembers typewriters. So he assumes that a lot of stuff is possible that simply isn't because he's got this "gee whiz, these things are amazing, is there anything they can't do?" approach to personal tech.

As for the 2x2 screen, I dunno, maybe he assumes the thing will read it to him.

Scans on a wireless handheld
 

Well, from a purely bandwidth perspective, it may take a loooooooooong time for that file to be transmitted to the handheld (assuming the handheld has enough memory to handle such large files). As you may know, a file is broken up into discrete data packets prior to transmission, so it's really a matter of whether you have the patience to wait for your handheld to receive every packet and reorder/assemble them, and also whether your handheld has enough memory to store the file. To speed up transmission, I guess you can use compression (again, with the caveat that your handheld has enough memory to uncompress).


There is, apparently, a utility that does this. See http://store.redmercury.com/acidimagepro.html

http://store5.yimg.com/I/redmercury_1756_484901



p(DISCLAIMER: I don't own/use a handheld device.)c

ETA: My 255th post (11111111 in binary -- it's a byte with all ones) is on a techie question. Woo hoo!

Scans on a wireless handheld
 

I think you should refer him to this article

Scans on a wireless handheld
 

Thanks. This was the best part:

That's great --- computers as the third sex.

Scans on a wireless handheld
 

Good point re: packets. He'd be seriously pissed if it took days for him to get a complete e-mail with an attachment.

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Of course, the minute we successfully implement this, he'll be asking why there isn't a way for the handheld to receive only the important faxes and scans. He's The Guy With 3,000 Old E-Mails Stacked Up in His In-Box, too, BTW.

Scans on a wireless handheld
 

Hey--do we work in the same office? One of my bosses gets a zillion spams and doesn't filter or sort any email, and occasionally asks me to sort through them and find stuff. Not fun looking through an in box that has about 5,000,000 emails dating back to 1995.

Scans on a wireless handheld
 

I think The Guy With 3,000 Old E-Mails Stacked Up in His In-Box is some kind of archetype to which all GPs eventually aspire.

I doubt we work in the same office. The only feces we fling around here are metaphorical. Usually.

Scans on a wireless handheld
 

Here's another approach. Take the first page of one of those faxes. Use image viewer or whatever to shrink it to the phone screen size. hand it to him. ask if he can read it. when he can't, ask him whether he wants to tie up his phone for 3 hours receiving 40 pages like that that he can't read.

Scans on a wireless handheld
 

I tell you. I work at a place that's in the technological stone age. Having some tech savy (I am one of the few that knows how to save documents to the network) I often get the retard calls (Let me ask pony -- "How do I install Kazza so I don't get caught?")

But except for that little doo hickey, I kind of prefer technological idiocy. I am not expected to work on documents at home, write briefs on the road (no firm laptop); have plenty of email free days (no blackberries) and check in by cell (no cell phone subsidy) only when I want to.

WiFi peer-to-peer
 

God damn, I wish I'd thought of this first. {Spree: News story re: startup introducing free downloadable software that turns any wireless router into a gateway for individual users to sell WiFi access, with profit-sharing between the software provider and the home user.}

So everyone with a wireless access point can "sell" Internet access, including WiFi telephony, and kick back 15% to LinSpot. Brilliant. When they introduce the PC version of this, it could kill T-Mobile and other WiFi providers paying to install their own infrastructure.

Cingular and AT&T post-merger
 

The combined Cingular and ATTWS gsm coverage will look something like this.

spree: coverage map from a recent FCC filing by Cingular.

Toothing
 

OK, is this for real?
LONDON (Reuters) - British commuters take note -- the respectable person sitting next to you on the train fumbling with their cell phone might be a "toother" looking for sex with a stranger.

"Toothing" is a new craze where strangers on trains, buses, in bars and even supermarkets hook up for illicit meetings using messages sent via the latest in phone technology.

"Toothing is a form of anonymous sex with strangers -- usually on some form of transport or enclosed area such as a conference or training seminar," says the "Beginner's Guide To Toothing" on a Web site dedicated to the pursuit.

He said potential toothers begin by sending out a random greeting -- usually "Toothing?."

"If the other party is interested, messages are exchanged until a suitable location is agreed -- usually a public toilet, although there are tales of more adventurous spots such as deserted carriages or staff areas," his guide adds.

Isn't this dangerous? How do you know who's toothing you?
Why not just wear a t-shirt that says "I'm looking for random sex. Call me. 555-1212. Isn't that the same?

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...toryID=4867149

Toothing
 

Yeah, HIV never killed anyone.

But at least we have an explanation for Kevin Spacey's cell-phone fiasco.

(but none for why he would have reported it in the first place)

Toothing
 

I thought that was what hookers were for. I understand cruising - at least you know that others are there to cruise. But if I'm sitting the train and some random creep asks me if I'm toothing - that's going to freak me out.

Toothing
 

I have been toothed (or bluejacked, as it is alternatively known) while sitting on a trian. It wasn't a sexual come-on, just a friendly message. I have no idea who sent it. Since then, I never leave bluetooth turned on when I am not using it. Saves batteries, too.

Toothing
 

But why would a random stranger even send you a message?

Toothing
 

I've bluejacked (insert joke here) people before. It's just funny to watch people react to whatever idiotic comment I send to them, such as "That CD sucks ass" or "Don't turn around". Overall, it may be fun for the kids, but it loses its appeal after doing it once or twice. Then again, I'm not out looking for the sex.

Toothing
 

So if 4 people are using the wireless, all 4 of them get your message? I guess I don't know how it works. Whoever's in range gets it?

Toothing
 

Yeah, your bluetooth enabled phone will search for other bluetooth enabled phones within range, and you can send them the message. It's kinda neat.

Toothing
 

But if you were wanting a "private" conversation, is that possible as well?

Toothing
 

Yeah, as long as you can identify the phone to the right user. If you're in a crowd with multiple users, it might be hard unless you had really good eyes/they are savvy enough to respond with identifying info re: "I'm the small monkey flinging crap in the corner".