vB Easy Archive - Need small PDA phone, no internet?

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Need small PDA phone, no internet?
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Posted by: somno

I want a small phone (as close in size to my old RAZR) as possible and I want it to sync with Microsoft Outlook (calender, contacts, etc.). I just went to my local AT&T wireless shop and was told that they do not have any PDA phones that will do the above without a monthly $30 internet connect charge.

I do not need or want the internet service and thus do not want to pay $30 per month extra for this service (I already have the unlimited family plan texting plan). Are there any phone out there that will fit my needs?

I would love to get a 3G i-phone but of course you can't get them without signing up for the internet plan. If I buy an i-phone on Ebay, will it work on the AT&T wireless plan without getting the internet plan? Can I just put my old SIM card (from my RAZR) in the phone and have it work properly?

Posted by: Rob3rtx

You dont need a plan on any pda except the iPhone.

Posted by: efparri

The Motorola Q Global, Samsung Blackjack II and Samsung Epix all are bar type phones with QWERTY keyboard below the screen. They use ActiveSync or Windows Mobile Device Center to synchronize with Microsoft Outlook. The Nokia E71x, when released by AT&T, will use Nokia PC Suite to synchronize with Microsoft Outlook also. This phone also is the same form factor as the three above.

You can go here http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/co...5&id%5B%5D=1655 to see how these phones' dimensions compared to the RAZR V3.

Posted by: somno

I guess I got some significant misinformation from the AT&T salesman today. I will have to go back and visit the shop again but speak to another rep.

I still wonder if the i-phone will work without enabling the internet??

Posted by: petard

Quote:

Originally Posted by somno

I still wonder if the i-phone will work without enabling the internet??

no.

The reps will lie to you to get you to get a data plan. If you don't get the data plan you don't get the rebate but you can still get the phone.

Posted by: david9962000

Blackberrry Pearl, you can sync it and you will get use to Suretype and see that it's great for sms.

Posted by: stuntd97

If you don't need/want a hardware qwerty, I would recommend the HTC Touch Diamond. You would have to get it unlocked, and it would not be AT&T branded, but it is an awesome phone. Great call quality, 3g/HSPDA, wifi, gps, smaller than a blackberry pearl. Even if you need the data plan later, it would be $10 (because of your family text plan, $15 otherwise) since it is an unbranded phone. It runs WinMo 6.1, and does everything you need. Also, the TF3D is great. I almost never use the stylus except for a certain medical program that has a lot of small boxes. PM me if you need any help finding one.

EDIT: forgot to mention, if you want a qwerty, the FUZE is the same size, just thicker because of the physical keyboard.

Posted by: somno

I don't mind a soft keypad, however, the HTC Touch Diamond has gotten some mediocre reviews from CNET. Also, it is still quite an expensive phone (unless you have a place to get them cheaper). I am looking to spend about $300 (or less).

I don't quite understand the reduced data plan with non-branded phones. I have never heard of that before. Where can one find out more info these cheaper data plans?

Posted by: zephxiii

The e71x would be perfect for you. I don't recommend a blackberry because they need BIS for email. The e71x is slim as hell, not very wide, and has wifi among other things.

Posted by: momcat1

I've been researching the E71x as a replacement for myself. I currently use an N75 and have the $15 unlimited data plan. Do you think if I bought an E71x unlocked, they would catch up with me later and force my data plan to the $30 PDA plan?

I'm only averaging 15 MB of data a month, and I don't expect that to change. The $30 charge just isn't cost effective. I do need data, but I'm not a hog by any means. Most of my data use is email over Seven, and maybe a couple of weather maps.

The E71x is the PDA replacement for my office files that I've been waiting for, for over a year.

Posted by: zephxiii

Quote:

Originally Posted by momcat1

No they wouldn't since your device is unbranded. Hell, i've been using the 8125, 8525, tilt, and e62 for the past 2 years without any problems.

Posted by: momcat1

Well, I guess I can hope they don't catch up with me. They are getting smarter about identifying IMEI's and MAC's.

I haven't seen anything online about spoofing a MAC on a phone.

Posted by: attdude

Quote:

Originally Posted by somno

I want a small phone (as close in size to my old RAZR) as possible and I want it to sync with Microsoft Outlook (calender, contacts, etc.).

Nokia 6650. Symbian OS, extensive personal organizer, MASSIVE battery and battery life, syncs with outlook via Nokia's PC Suite (google it, as a disc doesn't come in the box). If you don't have one, you'll need either a MicroUSB data cable or a bluetooth enabled computer to sync.

Posted by: sharksfan

Quote:

Originally Posted by zephxiii

No they wouldn't since your device is unbranded. Hell, i've been using the 8125, 8525, tilt, and e62 for the past 2 years without any problems.

Same here. My SIM has also spent some time in my laptops embedded 3G card.

Posted by: somno

Quote:

Originally Posted by attdude

The problem with the 6650 is that there is no word keypad. I don't text that much but find it very hard to use the alphanumeric keys for texting or entering text in general. I don't mind a soft keypad as long as the keys are big enough.

Also, I would like as big a screen as possible for showing pictures.

Posted by: efparri

Quote:

Originally Posted by momcat1

I've been researching the E71x as a replacement for myself. I currently use an N75 and have the $15 unlimited data plan. Do you think if I bought an E71x unlocked, they would catch up with me later and force my data plan to the $30 PDA plan?

I'm only averaging 15 MB of data a month, and I don't expect that to change. The $30 charge just isn't cost effective. I do need data, but I'm not a hog by any means. Most of my data use is email over Seven, and maybe a couple of weather maps.

The E71x is the PDA replacement for my office files that I've been waiting for, for over a year.

If you are referring to the Nokia E71x, which is about to be sold by AT&T, unlocking will not change its identity. If you are referring to the Nokia E71-2, no one knows what AT&T will do if their system identifies that phone to be the same as the one they are selling. Changing of the firmware does not change the underlying identity of the phone.

Posted by: hsu

I thought AT&T has a general rule for non-Blackberry smartphones, where you can "legitimately" get the $15/month data unlimited on ones that don't have a touchscreen. If I go to the Add Features page for a phone running Windows Mobile Pro, there is no option to add the $15/mo data. But if I choose a Windows Mobile Standard phone (e.g. Blackjack II) or something like the Nokia 6650, I get the $15/mo option. I think it's strange that they treat Windows Mobile Pro differently from Windows Mobile standard. While you can get the cheaper data with the Blackjack II, you can't with the Epix. Since the Nokia E71x is a not a touchscreen phone, I think the chances are high that they will not require the $30/month plan on it. No guarantees, of course...

Posted by: zephxiii

Quote:

Originally Posted by hsu

I thought AT&T has a general rule for non-Blackberry smartphones, where you can "legitimately" get the $15/month data unlimited on ones that don't have a touchscreen. If I go to the Add Features page for a phone running Windows Mobile Pro, there is no option to add the $15/mo data. But if I choose a Windows Mobile Standard phone (e.g. Blackjack II) or something like the Nokia 6650, I get the $15/mo option. I think it's strange that they treat Windows Mobile Pro differently from Windows Mobile standard. While you can get the cheaper data with the Blackjack II, you can't with the Epix. Since the Nokia E71x is a not a touchscreen phone, I think the chances are high that they will not require the $30/month plan on it. No guarantees, of course...

No, anything smartphone w/ QWERTY will cost 30 dollars a month. BJII, q9h etc. that are WM standard still require PDA Personal, you are just seeing a glitch.

Posted by: hsu

You're right.. I tried again and couldn't get the $15/mo for BJII. Now I even wonder if there was a glitch or if I was just hallucinating.

Posted by: stuntd97

I think what you are thinking of is a plan that Cingular had where certain phones got a "smartphone data" and others got a pda data plan. I think these ended with the merger. Anyway, as everyone has stated here, if you get a phone that is not carried by AT&T, you can get a $15 plan, otherwise you get essentially ripped off with the $30 plans.

Posted by: momcat1

We'll see. I bought an E71, and mine is identified by Nokia as 'E71', no 'x', no'-2', just 'E71'.

Someone on one of the other threads reported last week that ATT has started IMEI sweeping and upping the data plan charge based on the IMEI.