Quote:
Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
From everything I've seen, that phone is the balls. I'd like to get one so i can use iS¥nc, as well.
Biggest worry: how's the GSM coverage?
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Coverage is actually pretty good. In my area (Philadelphia) the GSM overlay (over the old TDMA network) is pretty thorough. I have traveled by car south into Virginia and north into NY state, and there are only a couple of spots w/o a GSM signal (I have a nationwide plan, so I can roam onto TMobile and/or ATTWS when there's no Cingular signal). Also, I think that Cingular, having a ton of 800 mHz A&B-side licenses, will eventually have the best GSM network in the US, bar none (800 mHz penetrates buildings better than 1900 mHz).
When I travel to non GSM areas, I pop my SIM in my
6340i, which gives me GSM 800/1900, TDMA 800/1900, and AMPS 800. That phone will work anywhere, though it's huge and nowhere near as cool as the S56.
The S56 is by far the best phone I've ever used though, having used Nokias for a while, the UI took a bit of getting used to (it's still far better than Mot). Batter life has been a bit worse than my Nokia 6590i, though I haven't gone through the full "priming" charging cycles yet. RF reception is better than my 6590i, which was the best GSM phone I had used, so it's pretty terrific. All in all, I am very happy.
My only dislikes:
-screen could use higher resolution (jpeg's and bmp's are a bit grainy)
-ringer selection could be better (no "normal" fingers, only some strange polyphonic songs that are not very loud; easily remedied with a couple of downloads, however)
-It could be even thinner, though I'm really nit-picking on this one.
As for syncing with iSync, I haven't tried it yet, as I don't have bluetooth on my Mac. My next accessory will be BT-related however: the
Parrot ck3000 bluetooth handsfree kit. Here is a great install. Expansys.us has it for
~$150 . It apparently works exactly as advertised. If you drive a BMW, Circle BMW sells a
kit that integrates Bluetooth directly into your factory system. No more stupid wires hanging around in the cabin...
EDIT: Cingular has posted an updated GSM
map . Looking at this map, if coverage is what you want in a GSM carrier, Cingular is the best way to go (their GPRS data costs leave a bit to be desired).
