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August 2005: the Cingular Sony Ericsson z500a rebate is a sham. The hoops you have to jump through to get that rebate are not worth the hassle. |
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The |
Cell Phone & Notebook |
Online Connection |
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and Portable Power |
Last update: March, 2005 |
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Hardware Cost |
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Go online just about anywhere between the coasts, with no wires.
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Brief thoughts; Portable Power Cellular And Power Links, Reviews and Articles |
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October 20, 2004: This was originally written in 2001. A lot has changed since then. Much of what you might read about the cellular technology further down is obsolete (dated 2001), but I leave it in because it still may have meaning to some people, if only for historical purposes. Today you can carry your 802.11x enabled notebook into a number of establishments, sit down and connect to the internet wirelessly. Likewise PDAs, etc.. Click here for a list of some “WiFi” hot spots in any zip code, free and for pay. Though I refer to Nokia in my article below, I’ve learned enough to say “Don’t buy Nokia”. Nokia is too proprietary – meaning that 3rd parties find it difficult to develop applications and hardware (cables, cards, etc.) for manufacturers that keep the necessary specs a secret. Do a search for “cables pc to phone” and find out which phones are 3rd party friendly. Go for those that provide numerous selections – such as Motorola or Erickson. I chose a Samsung x426 because AT&T was providing it for free and especially because there was an indication that it was data capable. In this case, that indication was found in the “Details” list where it said “Technology: GSM/GPRS”. Perhaps they all say that; I don’t know – but it was free and a search for “Samsung x426 reviews” suggested that it might work out okay. GSM is a new technology that AT&T and probably the others are pushing. It is a good thing; go for it, especially while the promos are still good – such as free replacement phones. Make sure your plan includes “Roaming”, though I believe that is now de facto – and free “Nights & Weekends”. GPRS is another new technology that requires GSM. Make sure that the new phone can handle GPRS. Recently I’ve been leaning towards getting rid of my land line phone and going solo cellular, subscribing to cable internet to go online. What’s held me back is lousy cellular reception in my home (still looking for an antenna that really boosts the signal as I harass AT&T to install a new tower) and the cost - including the $19.95/mo. ISP to connect by dial-up when I’m away from my cable enhanced home. Well, turns out, the latter is not necessary. Enabling your PC and cell phone to work with the GPRS technology is daunting, but once you get it working, you discover that you can connect quickly and seamlessly with no ISP involved. In fact it was so seamless and quiet that, at first, I didn’t even know I was connected, but I found that I could download my email and navigate web sites. However, though the connection is nearly instantaneous, the downloading and navigation is slower then a normal dial-up (that should improve as they refine the technology). But then that’s okay if you are out in the field (literally) with no wires available. You still have to pay the normal cellular fee of $43 or more, plus excess minutes if you go online between 7:00 am and 9:00 pm and use up your allotted minutes. Then there is the $73 for the cable internet and minimal TV package. But subtract the $20 ISP charge, the $15 cable TV only charge and the $40 land line phone charge. When I get a chance, I’ll pull together a description of how to get the GPRS system working. If you need to know now, send me an email and that will induce me to go to work on it before I forget how it was done. |
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Note: The author tends to stray into whatever else he thinks matters in life (it is occasionally insightful and interesting).
October 25, 2001 We live on the cold, desperate and barren island of Cape Cod (I have no clue as to how those north of us survive – Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Canada, Nova Scotia – but I gather they do). It is 29º out as I type this. From December to March, it will probably dip below 0º now and then. We have braved these bitter wet winters, cold waters and gale force nor’easters for many-a-year. That is about to end; we are on our way to the sunny great state of California, or by the time you read this, we will be. The 4x4x8 box trailer is packed with equipment and clothing as it sits in our driveway waiting to go – it has been that way, as we have been consequently living out of our packed suitcases, for over a month. We are ready! Mo has been giving us that “What’s going on/Can I come??” look as he knows something is up. Missy just lays by the radiator trying to stay warm. In about two weeks, we should be on our way– the four of us, Missy, Mo, Eileen and myself, all of us near-seniors (I don’t know how that happened). We’ll connect with my girls, Brianny and Darby, over dinner before we go. We’ll head west, stopping in New Jersey to visit my sister Hannah and her grown kids Ginny & John - then south to Chattanooga, TN to pick up a 700-16 spare tire & tubes for the box trailer (they were that hard to find) - west to Tempe, AZ to visit with Eileen’s grown kids Jody and Sarah - then over the border and up the mountain to Joshua Tree, our destination. We’ll stay at The Joshua Tree Inn for a week or two. I have some land in JT, 10 acres of a rock covered hill purchased 30 something years ago. Though some of my neighbors are fully equipped, my place has no electric, no water and no telephone, and the cost of bringing them in is prohibitive - $5000 for the electric company to even talk to me. Therefore we bring with us a 5000 Watt generator, a 600 Watt inverter (converts the van’s 12 volt DC to 110 volt AC), lots of batteries, propane, and various propane heaters, lamps and stoves, most purchased new on eBay. There are also about 40 clean milk jugs we’ll fill in town with water. We’ll also have our notebook and cell phone, so I can sit on any rock on my hill and check our email. There is a home, of sorts, on the land – an old 19.5’ Branstrator trailer I renovated 30 years ago and a large steel 260 gallon water tank on an iron stand which I happened upon in Costa Mesa when a laundromat was being refurbished. I was in college at the time, Orange Coast College, fresh out of the Marine Corps. The box trailer that we are about to tow west is the same one that carried that tank up to JT, although it has been rebuilt a couple of times (including this summer). For that matter, it was a home-made job to begin with, though I don’t know who made it. I found it in a field on Balboa Island (yes, it had fields then) and did $35 worth of work for a local realtor, Harvey D. Pease, to pay for it. We had visited there briefly in January. I looked at it, took some shaky pictures and left; I could not handle any more then that. The renovated Branstrator had become totally de-renovated during the unexpectedly demanding and challenging decades of family, homes, jobs, businesses, divorce and destitution back east. All of those experiences made me who I am today and gave me two lovely daughters to love and enjoy (usually), so I am grateful for them, but the trailer fell to ruin. So it is time to start over, but this time with portable power, water and phone. I have designed a comfortable prospective addition to the Branstrator, but first I need to clear a new site of rocks and boulders, move the water tank uphill to the highest level of that clearing to get water pressure, and then the trailer to a lower level. I have a 12 ton jack, a winch and a few pry bars for that. After the tank is moved, we’ll have it filled. After the trailer is re-renovated, we’ll move into it. This is getting into another story which is already documented in the Joshua Tree area of this web site. More info will be added there as our new story develops, using our cell phone to upload it of course. |
Grafstick Tape & Label
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June 15, 2002 It did not quite happen that way. We were thoroughly punished for my arrogant reference to the cold Northeast. For much of our stay, Joshua Tree was colder then back east. Eileen flew back in March to some nice weather. I returned June 1. It is 40 degrees out as I write this, and wet. The cold is following me. I apologize; I was wrong - remove the hex! We did not go for the tire. Instead I ordered a spare tube which came in the mail. In Tempe, the box trailer lost its axle which was replaced immediately at Harvil’s Body Shop, an old-time family business that obviously prides itself on quality workmanship at a reasonable price. Where we pulled off the road and the hub literally fell to the ground was, by chance, in their driveway. Upon arrival, we stayed one night in The Joshua Tree Inn, very nice, and then commenced six months of living in the van. We could have done a quick and dirty job on the Branstrator, just to move into it, but we decided to do it right. That meant first installing a water system and clearing a new site. That took nearly 4 months. The actual renovation, primarily the exterior, took almost 2 months. It is not done but it is tight and clean; we can live in it now and enjoy that experience in relative comfort. We will probably not be able to add the addition I designed due to county restrictions on trailers. They want to get rid of them; not improve them. Mine can stay because it was there before the law, but that’s about it. The cellular-notebook combo was nearly flawless, though slow, and we learned a few things about the kind of bills you can get if you are not on the right service plan. Due to bandwidth restrictions, the phone cannot connect at greater then 9600 bps. Compare that to the roughly 56000 bps that most dial-ups enjoy today. However, it was not six times slower; maybe about half as fast.
We had been hit by "roaming” charges. If I recall correctly, the original salesman had indicated that this would be “no problem”. We had free long distance and thought that would do it. When I called and complained, they added free roaming to our service plan at no additional charge.
It has remained in the $44 range since in spite of fairly extensive night-time uploading. We almost never had any connection problems with AT&T. For some reason the exception was in Tempe; we could not connect at all. (In subsequent years: no problem in Tempe.) Everywhere else gave us a strong signal, even while driving along the highways across the nation. Keep in mind that our JT home is tucked into the edge of a valley surrounded by small mountain ranges and I have not seen any cellular towers on or even near the area. But the signal is good. Interestingly, my neighbor Bill, whose full-blown home with all utilities is located more central to the valley, can rarely connect at all from there, and he is with Verizon Wireless. We kept a journal of our experiences over that six month period and you are welcome to read it. By the way, for the phone to ring, it has to be on. That, of course, is obvious – or at least it became so in one of those “Duh!” moments of enlightenment. Until then I and the AT&T techs had no idea as to why it would not ring. |
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What You May Need:The object is to be totally wireless– no phone line to the wall, no AC power grid – and yet be able to connect to the internet to check email, stocks, bank balance, credit card status, and browse web sites, etc.. The following is a quick list of what you might need. Each is then fleshed out further down with additional pertinent and un-pertinent information, things I’ve learned, personal experiences that may be of help and anecdotes that may be of little value.
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Equipment required: 1. A notebook computer with a PC Card slot (PCMCIA Type 2). 2. A data capable cellular-ready PC Card modem with a cable kit for cell phone or standard wall connection. 3. A data capable cell phone (including AC charger) specifically designed to connect to a computer. 4. A nationwide cellular service that provides analog and digital data support, and good reception. Wise options: · A UPS (contains its own battery) to absorb power fluctuations and extend usage time between charges. · An external antenna to improve reception. · A pouch to protect the keys from being accidentally activated while in your pocket, with a belt clip. · An earplug/mikepod to keep your hands on the wheel and/or the computer keyboard - but especially useful when trying to punch in Voicemail selections and account numbers while listening to what they say on the phone. · A spare of everything, stored in your car under the seat (not the trunk if temperature sensitive). · Chargers that plug into your cigarette lighter receptacle, one for the notebook and one for the cell phone. · An inverter that converts your car’s DC to AC into which you can plug both the notebook & phone. · A handheld generator that will charge both items and strengthen your grip. · A gas powered generator & heavy duty extension cord. · A trickle charger to recharge the car battery from the generator when the inverter drains it too much, if you do not install the additional battery listed below. · A high Amp deep cycle battery that can be charged by the car, the above generators, the wind, or sun. · Again, a UPS to keep the power clean. Note: get the power going smoothly first, then plug things in. Unplug them before you turn the power off. |
Note 6 months later: |
What It Costs (in 2004)Note that the following information is based on my research and/or experience, but the pricing you discover may vary considerably, depending on where, when and how. The links at the very bottom of this article provide more options. This list also includes items you might need when plugged into household or portable AC power sources. Look for discounts. The list below was originally compiled in 2001. Some things have changed since then, including my recommendations. If I no longer recommend an item, it is crossed out but still legible, since your experience may differ. Often it is better to run a search for an item from Google, rather then going directly to a specific site. The Google results will usually lead to better pricing, but also excellent and current reviews. |
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Equipment: |
One Manufacturer Of Many: |
To Find A Retailer: |
Approximate Price 2004: |
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Notebook |
Hewlett Packard |
$700 + |
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PC Card with cellular kit |
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$99 |
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Service provider |
AT&T Wireless |
$45/mo incl LD & Roam |
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Phone with charger & earplug/mikepod |
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$4 after rebates |
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Wise options: |
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UPS with surge suppression |
Tripp Lite |
$68 |
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External antenna |
Nokia 5165 External Antenna Glass Mount |
$15 |
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Pouch, spare battery, DC charger |
Nokia 5165 Handsfree Car Kit |
$33 |
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Portable power options: |
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DC notebook charger from cigarette lighter |
QVS 400 Watt Dual Outlet Charger |
$25 |
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DC phone charger from cigarette lighter |
see Starter Kit above, or: |
$25 |
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Hand generator/charger for cell phone |
AladdinPower |
$60 |
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Solar Battery Chargers |
Universal Charger with Meter |
$25 |
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Wind turbine kit |
Southwest AIR 403 - 12VDC 400 watt |
$500 + shipping |
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DC to AC inverters |
Statpower, Tripp Lite (search for Inverter) |
$84 |
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cable pair to car battery or deep cycle |
48” 6 gauge copper- 1 bare end, 1 clamp |
$19 |
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Gas generator |
5000 Watt DeVilbiss |
$535 new |
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extension cord for generator |
Extension Cord Hvy Duty 10 gauge 100’ |
www.ebay.com or local building supply |
$75 new |
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Heavy duty car battery (looses charge quickly) |
AutoZone Duralast 900 cold cranking Amps |
$92 |
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Heavy duty deep cycle battery (holds charge) |
AutoZone Duralast marine 875 Amps |
$92 |
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heavy duty alternator for FULL charge |
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$163 |
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isolator directs charge to 2 batteries |
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$24 |
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Discussion, Analysis And Opinion on Items Purchased |
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Brief thoughts: · You might want to assure that the modem can handle faxes and that it is voice capable so that you can use your computer as an answering machine and so that you can screen your calls by eavesdropping on the callers. Of course this requires phone answering/faxing software with caller ID that cleanly integrates with your mail/message/scheduling software and that is also 100% compatible with your Operating System. · If possible, try to set everything up using the standard modem to wall cable connection, then confirm that it works with the cellular cable & phone. If it works on the wall line but not the cell line, it could be that: 1. the dial-up is set to wait for a dial tone. There is no dial tone on a cell phone. Turn that setting off. Or... 2. the modem has mysteriously reset itself to look for another make of cell phone, such as Motorola vs. Nokia. Check this out by running the utility provided with the modem. If the utility cannot see your modem, then uninstall the Win-modem that came in your machine, or disable it in its Properties, and try the utility again. · If you are nomadic, such as if you live North in the summer and South in the winter, be very sure that your cellular service includes free long distance and free roaming. · Everywhere
you turn, a password is required. In many cases this is ridiculous
– it matters where your credit card number or financial info
is available online; otherwise, it is a waste of your time. For these
cases, use something easy to remember and easy to key in like 0000aaaa.
Decide now what it will be and then use that same bogus password in all
situations where it does not matter. · Using
your credit card online is generally safe as long as they provide a
link (icon) pointing to an outside agency that has checked them out.
Wherever you actually type in your CC#, make sure that the URL in the
address box at the top of your browser begins with
“https” – note the
“s” for “secure” – it
means that a malicious hacker cannot tap into the page and steal your
CC# as you type it. · Everybody knows about virus checkers such as Norton,
but do you have a firewall running whenever you are connected? If not,
then it is quite likely that hackers do explore the contents of your
machine now and then. Currently, one of the best is ZoneAlarm. Once you’ve trained it, it is completely unobtrusive, but it makes your system invisible. · If you don’t own your own domain name, get one. It will cost you between $13 and $40 +/- per year, depending on who you get it from. Make sure they are set up to automatically renew it for you each year. Mine is blakeman.net which costs me $15 per year in conjunction with my web site at Lunarpages.com. (Note: in the following paragraph I have placed some asterisks in odd places for the purpose of foiling Any email sent to anything ending with @bl*keman.net goes to me, period, unless I have specified otherwise. Then, whenever my email address is requested online, I begin that address with their name. For example, my normal email is van@blak*man.net, but I no longer give that out to everybody, instead at AMEX I typed in amex@blakem*n.net; at Buy.com I gave buycom@blakeman.n*t; at AT&T Wireless, attws@bl*keman.net; etc.. When email comes to me from an unknown source (spam) I know which company sold it. Bear in mind that most retailers have a box to uncheck that gives them permission to provide your email address to other sources. |
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Dell Inspiron 7500 notebook: Purchased from Dell Computer on 10/06/2000 for $3,165 + 18.99% interest (including Norton Anti-Virus, MS Money, MS Office Pro, “Resolution Assistant”, “Portable Rapid Response 3 Year”, external keyboard, external MiniScroller 3-Button Scroll mouse, HP Photosmart C200 megapixel camera, $150 discount) Dell products have been known for being expensive but they had the reputation for quality and service to back it up. I’ve worked with many clients in my computer tutoring/diagnostic business and do not recall coming across any problems relative to Dell. That is why I went with them, this time. As compared to my positive experiences with other companies, such as Hewlett Packard and Lunarpages.com, I have been very disappointed. I now discourage clients from going with Dell and can only look forward to having better luck next time; my faith in iron-clad reputations has lost its luster. Their financial service embodied my first negative experience. I use my credit card for all online purchases for purposes of efficiency, security, bookkeeping and no-hassle convenience. In turn, my monthly credit card payments and occasional paydowns are handled online with a direct and free withdrawal from my local bank account. The transaction history is easily downloaded into my Quicken bookkeeping system. I love that. All of my regular monthly payments, such as my phone bill and my ISP, are automatically debited from my CC account. Not Dell! Dell is somehow unable to arrange payments through my Amex account. The Windows Help system does not work, and this was pre-installed. Their response was that I must reinstall the entire Operating System. The point here is that the system was not adequately tested prior to shipping. The internal modem is defective – came that way! Up front, I told them that it is defective and I would like them to simply send me a new one and I’ll handle installing it. I am qualified to do so. It’s a "cheap” circuit board and not worth anybody’s time messing with. You wouldn’t believe the long convoluted rigmarole required to prove that the thing is defective. Then after all that, they tell me to send them my computer – right; just hang my business on a hook for a few weeks. I dropped the whole thing; I have a very good external USR modem and I eventually purchased a Viking PC Card modem that simply plugs into the PCMCIA slot. With that said, I should also say that the quality of service with any company goes up and down over time. I’m typing this additional paragraph in 2004 where I must say that the Dell service has improved greatly, as has the Microsoft Operating System, as have “Knowledge Base” Help Systems in general. You usually have to pay for good help now, but these better systems also considerably reduce the need for service. |
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Hewlett Packard digital camera, model C200: This has nothing to do with cellularity but I need to mention it. This camera has become an essential asset to my business, if not just about every aspect of my life. I emailed HP about a “suspect” problem; I wasn’t sure it wasn’t me. After some minor back and forth discussion, their tech gave me a phone number, which I called. The next morning, there was a new camera on my door step. |
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AT&T Wireless “Digital Advantage” cellular service: (($40 service charge + $5 toll free nationwide plan + $4.77 taxes)/per mo. + out-of-USA long distance [Canada] + AT&T connect calls [whatever that is] + directory assistance + $.05/kb when used as wireless modem + $25 start of service + $84 Nokia phone minus $80 rebates) |
Note 6 months later: It costs us about $44 per month, plus excess minutes, period. |
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Thursday, September 06, 2001, 6:54 PM email to AT&T Wireless: We signed on to a $40 promotional deal and received our Nokia 5165 phone. Now we want to plug this phone into our Dell notebook to go online for general purposes. I could not find anything on your website that allows a Personal user to make a data connection. I assume we will need to buy a modem that plugs into the PCMCIA slot, and perhaps some additional data connection service – I don’t know. We need you to tell us what to get and how to get it, as cheaply as possible. |
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Sunday, September 09, 2001, 4:25 PM email back to me: Thank you for contacting AT&T Wireless regarding tethering. This will enable you to tether your phone to a PC or laptop. At this time, AT&T Wireless does not endorse or support using the tethering kit to utilize your phone as a wireless modem. Should you choose to configure this on your own, your usage will be billed on a per Kilobyte basis (which is currently charged at .05 per Kb). You can use the following information for contacting Nokia. Nokia, www.nokiausa.com, Customer Care: 1-888-665-4228 You would need to contact your equipment manufacturer in order to obtain part numbers and products necessary to complete this task ... Monday, September 10, 2001 7:16 AM email back to AT&T Wireless: I do not really understand. This is the main reason we bought the service and phone, to be able to access the internet and our email when we are out in the boondocks. The salesman assured us that this would be no problem – just to contact you after we get the first bill, buy the necessary hardware and set it up. Now you are saying you don’t support it?? AT&T?? You appear to support it for your business customers – I believe it was called “data” something or other. I should think every sales rep out in the field would need this capability. Also, what do you mean by “.05 per Kilobyte”? Kilobyte of what? Kilobytes of emails downloaded? How many Kilobytes is the average email? Cookies and Temporary Internet image files that are automatically downloaded at every web site you visit? We need some help here – how is AT&T going to help us make this happen – not "AT&T Wireless does not endorse or support...” something that your salesman said would be no problem. Why do they not endorse or support this process? I received no further communication from AT&T Wireless. 3 years later: I have been thinking seriously about getting rid of my traditional land-line phone and going straight cellular. |
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Nokia cellular phone, model 5165: Purchase included in AT&T contract above Nokia 5100/6100 Starter Kit (12V cig lighter power cord, leather pouch w belt clip, spare battery): Purchased from www.us.buy.com on 10/16/2001 for $21. Viking 56k pccard modem- cellular ready for Nokia with cable to cell phone & cable to standard wall jack: Purchased from www.us.buy.com on 10/10/2001 for $123. Though I am pleased with Viking and their customer support, you may also wish to check out the USR PC card as I did: Thank you for your interest in U.S. Robotics.
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Note 6 months later: The spare cellular battery proved essential. |
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Viking to Nokia replacement cable: Purchased from Amazon.com on 8/19/2003 for $24, including shipping. During the second year of usage, the original cable that came with the Viking PC card began to give me problems. I resolved the main problem with a steel document clip as described in my Journal. That fixed one end of the cable but after about 3 months the other end seemed to go, maybe. I could not really be sure what was going on without proper test equipment and a standard land line connection to rule other things out, like the card itself. After returning east where I could connect normally, I began an exhaustive search for a replacement cable. It was exhaustive because I could not find one using the obvious search engine terms like “Viking PC card cable” and “Nokia to Viking cable” and a few hundred other combinations. Eventually I got smart and filled out Viking’s online tech support form : |
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| Me: | I am looking for the data cable (or a work-around) that connects the Nokia 5165 to the Viking PC CARD in my notebook. The old cable broke and I can't find a new one. | |
| Viking: | Thank you for using Viking components online support. You can purchase these cables from The SupplyNet (800-826-0279). | |
| Me: | The only thing I can find at http://www.thesupplynet.com/
that even comes close is the Nokia: 5120, 5120I, 5160, 5160I, 6120,
6120I, 6160, 6160I, 6161, 6161I, 7160I (Works With King of Heart and
King of Club cards ONLY!) ........... TR14082 $44.95 I have a Nokia 5165, which is not in that list. They do not provide a photo, so I cannot check it out visually. I have a Viking Cellular-Ready 56K PC Card Modem, which I don't believe is a King of Heart or King of Club card. Do you have a manufacturer and model number for this data cable? |
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| Viking: | The Viking part number for the Nokia cellular cable is 5009040. | |
| Me: | Found it at Amazon. Thank you. The part number entered into Google brought up all sorts of options. Until then all variations of search words such as Viking, PC card, Nokia 5165, data cable got nothing, including the links to Amazon and others listed on your Viking Cellular-Ready 56K PC Card Modem web site. Thanks again. |
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Ositech King of Clubs pccard modem kit 01/01/03 with shipping: www.us.buy.com: $114. www.discountcell.com: $144 (not a typo). 11/21/02: Reader Jennifer S. of Austin provided the following information: |
| JS: | I like your page about the cell/notebook connection - very informative. I just bought a notebook and I am going to get a cell modem card (King of Clubs by Ositech) for my Nokia 5165, but what did you use to mount the phone to the display of the notebook? | |
| Me: | I
attached the phone to the edge of the lid with a strip of Velcro and
contact cement. However, eventually that fell apart and turned out to
be something of a nuisance. For a year or so now, it has not been
attached at all. I just lay the phone down nearby and everything works
fine. Let me know how the Ositech card and service work out. I'll add that to the article. | |
| JS: | 12/16/02:
I have been using the cell modem and it has worked out well for me. It
is sometimes slower than dial-up, but it gets the job done. I think two
times during the past three weeks, I have had trouble connecting or
staying connected and that was due to the phone and/or service. It was
very easy to install and easier to use. The only glitch in the installation was when the modem software went through the configuration and testing process. When it got to where it called out to make sure it would work, it failed. So, I closed the testing process and went to the instructions. I am currently using AOL and apparently AOL is different than any other dial-up as far as how the internet connection is configured; there were separate instructions for AOL users. Once I went through that configuration, everything worked fine. | |
| Me: | How will you be putting this setup to use? Travel? Sales? Archeological digs? Or just because it is cool and unfettered? | |
| JS: | Cool and unfettered is right up my alley. I like to sit anywhere I want and use my computer without worrying about cords and cables. I also travel about 4 days every two weeks - I can stay connected when away. | |
| Me: | 12/31/02: Your review is online. What cellular service provider are you using? I would like to include that. Have there been any further developments? | |
| JS: | 01/02/03: I am using AT&T. So far, things are working fine. The only downside to my setup is AOL, but since it is free for a year, I will suffer through. I have had to go through AOL's modem setup a few times, apparently it gets confused every once in a while as to which modem to use - don't ask me why. Other than that the cell modem works great and my cell phone and service have also worked without any problems. |
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Q&A, Commentary, etc: |
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October 25, 2001: Received $40 rebate from Nokia. Still waiting for the other $40 rebate. |
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October 28, 2001: Extracted from the Nokia web site: |
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Q: I want to connect my Nokia phone to my computer. Which phone models are data compatible? |
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A. Your Nokia phone must be data compatible to connect to a laptop PC. Some Nokia models may require additional accessories for data communications. This feature is available only if your service provider's network supports data and fax services. A subscription to these services may also be necessary. Please check with your service provider prior to making or receiving data or fax calls. |
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Nokia 636, 638, 918, 2170, 2180, 3390, 5170, 5170i, 5180, 5180i, 5185i, 8260, 8860: these models are not data compatible. |
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Nokia 2190: The data accessories for this model have been discontinued and are no longer available. |
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Nokia 5190 and 6190: These phone models use the Nokia Data Suite software package to make a data connection. The Nokia Data Suite 3.0 is compatible with most PCs running Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.0 (an upgrade patch for Windows 2000 is available for download from our Web site). Data Suite 3.0 allows you to send faxes, check email, connect to the internet, import or export information from MS Schedule+ or MS Outlook 97/98, and file, edit forward and reply to your text messages. You can also use Data Suite 3.0 to compose your own ring tones and create special graphic logos. This package includes the software and a data cable. This accessory can be ordered on the NokiaUSA Web site or by calling the NokiaUSA Hotline at 1-888-256-2098. |
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Nokia 6185: Prior to purchasing your data accessories, please contact your service provider to verify their network will support "digital" data and fax calls. The DLR-3 Data Cable and software is needed to make a data connection between your computer and your 6185. To order this cable and software, please call the "Nokia Original Accessories" Hotline at1-800-204-2567. |
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Nokia 7160 and 7190: These models use either the infrared port or the DLR-3P Data Cable to make a data connection. The DLR-3P and necessary software are included with the phone. Please review the "PC Connectivity Guide" on the 7160 and 7190 Web pages for more information. |
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Nokia 8290 and 8890: These models use the Nokia PC Suite to allow for a data connection. Please note that the data connection is made through an infrared connection between your phone and your computer. There is not a data cable option for these phones. Please review the "PC Suite" information on the 8290 and 8890 Web pages for more information. |
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Nokia 5120i, 5160i, 6120i, 6160i, 6161i, 6162i: Please contact your service provider to verify if their network supports "digital" data and fax calls. If their network supports "digital" data, please call the "Nokia Original Accessories" hotline at1-800-204-2567 to order the DLR-3P cable and software that is needed to make a data connection between your computer and your phone. If your service provider does not support "digital" data, please see the information on the "analog" data solution below. |
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Nokia 232,252,282,2160, 5120, 5120i, 5125, 5160, 5160i, 5165, 6120, 6120i, 6160, 6160i, 6161, 6161i, 6162, 6162i: These models can transmit data via analog networks. However, the data connectivity solution accessories are not manufactured, warranted, endorsed or supported by Nokia. The third party vendors 3Com (data cable) and US Robotics (PCMCIA card) provide one of the data connectivity solutions available. For more information about the data cable, please contact 3Com at 1-800-846-2233 or please visit their Web site at www.3Comparts.com . For more information on the PCMCIA card, please contact US Robotics at 1-866-287-7669 or please visit their Web site at www.usr.com. However, please note that Nokia does not officially recommend or endorse these companies; assumes no liability for their services or products, including for direct, indirect, incidental, special or punitive damages; and, specifically disclaims all warranties, whether express or implied, related thereof, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and of fitness for a particular purpose, to the extent permitted by applicable law. For purposes of clarity, Nokia affirms that it assumes no responsibility for any problems you may encounter in connection with third party services or products, such as, for example, in ordering or receiving accessories. |
Note: Viking (see above) also provides the requisite hardware for this connection. |
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The dual-mode (analog/digital) phones noted above are data compatible only on analog networks. At the service provider's request, some Nokia phones have been programmed to always default to digital even if analog service is available -- only if digital service is not available will the phone then automatically switch to analog. As a result, BEFORE purchasing any data accessories, it will be very important to contact your service provider to verify that they will allow access to analog service in areas where you want to use your Nokia phone for data applications. You may also want to disable the Call Waiting feature on your phone to prevent interruptions during data transmission. |
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Due to the bandwidth limitations of the current analog cellular networks, the maximum transmission speed of our phones is 9600 bps. However, please note that although faster connections are technically possible, the nature of the wireless channel means connection rates of only 1200 to 4800 bps are common. If you are planning to use the data connection to access the Internet, please contact your Internet Service Provider to verify if they will support this slower transmission speed. Some Internet Service Providers will have an alternative connection number for customers with a slower transmission speed. |
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Q: Is it possible to share contact information, such as an address book, between my computer and my Nokia 5100 or 6100 series phone? |
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A. You can share your personal computer contact information with the Nokia 5100 and 6100 series phones using FoneSync software. FoneSync enables you to download names and phone numbers from your computer to your Nokia phone from programs such as: |
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Microsoft Outlook |
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Outlook Express |
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Symantec ACT |
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Lotus Organizer |
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Internet/Intranet Web |
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For more information or to order the FoneSync software and data cable accessory, visit www.fonesync.com or please contact them by phone at 1-888-777-6820. Please note that the DAU-9P Nokia data cable is required for the Nokia 5100 and 6100 series phones. I have hundreds of names and addresses in my MS Address Book. I’m not sure I would want all of them in my phone. Perhaps FoneSync allows one to select from the list – probably does. Actually, if that is so, it would be a heck of a lot easier and quicker then entering them one by one – spelling names and email addresses is definitely a hunt and peck situation. For instance, to type a “V” you first have to verify that it is set to upper case, then you hit “8” three times in succession quickly – if you're too slow then instead of a “V” you get “TTT”. Now, if you want “TT” you hit the “8” twice with a pause in between. Got that? |
Note 6 months later: |
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A day in the life of ... Fri 8/24/2001 2:45 AM: email to my sister: This
morning when I woke up at 7:00, the first thing I did was put on my
shorts and loafers and, not even having had my first coffee and smoke,
grumbled/stumbled on down the street looking-searching-seeking through
my still foggy head for the source of the music that was playing LOUD
and had been doing so when I went to bed about 1:30 and had been doing
so for about a month or so. |
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11:00
am arrived and I got my first beer in preparation for my noon nap. As I
popped it open, another FedEx truck rolled down the drive by my office
window. She handed me our new AT&T-Nokia cell phone package. I
gleefully carried it back into my office and opened it and examined it
and plugged it in to get the 24 hour requisite charge going and began
reading the reams of literature that came with it.
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As
I was drinking my beer and reading about the great quantity of amazing
combinations of detail that would allow this tiny little phone to do
just about anything, wondering how the heck I would remember them all,
a UPS truck rolled down past my window. I thought "Oh no - it must be
Hannah's Rewritable CD drive birthday present and I've been wanting one
for so very long - but I'm doing the cell phone now and Christ I'm
getting overloaded - I can't handle two nirvanas at the same time, so I
stayed in my chair determined to finish the phone first, knowing the
UPS guy will leave it on the step. |