vB Easy Archive - What's up with FutureDial?

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What's up with FutureDial?
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Posted by: HorseWoman

I have some questions about SnapSync (I can't install or register it, which is kinda a problem...). I e-mailed them to FutureDial's tech support a couple of days ago, and haven't even received an "auto-reply", nevermind an answer.

From the looks of their packaging, they must be a pretty small company in a dumpy little office someplace, and according to their web site, they've had a pretty widespread problem with the registration, so I'm guessing they are drowning in angry customers. I feel for 'em, but still, I have this software that won't get past "Go", and they have my money.

Has anyone here had any luck getting ahold of them? Or are they hiding under their desks?

Are there any competitors to SnapSync out there? I'd sure like to get my *phone numbers* into my *phone*.

And BTW, why isn't a tool to upload one's business contact list phone numbers "standard equipment"? It seems like such a basic thing... Musical ringtones, sure! Send photos, no problem! Organize your whole life, of course! Oh... you want to use your phone to *call* people?

Thanks for any info.

Posted by: ke6zoy

Yes, I had the same issue and I called them as it says on their website and they say they will verify your serial numbers and send you a new CD free.

It's been a few days and I'm still waiting for the CD and I live not more than a few miles from there HQ. Hopefully it will arrive soon.
But that's the info I recieved from their tech support line.
-Brian

Posted by: HorseWoman

Thanks!

I'll just send 'em my s/n and address, and hope for the best.

Meanwhile, I'm still on the lookout for an alternative, 'cause I don't think it'll do what I want anyway (import contacts from a comma-delimited text file, so I can bring them in from Act! and my Palm.

Thank you for the info - I hope your CD shows up soon.

Posted by: kwd57

I called and got a hold of them to ask about this new CD and they had know idea what I was talking about. I was able to run and use the program with the 5500 using info. found on their website.

Posted by: HorseWoman

kwd57 - Thanks for the info. Really dumb question here... I can't download the SCP-5500 driver until after I've installed/registered the software. Should I just install it initially by choosing any ol' other driver (or a particular one?), to get me past that step in the install process?

Thanks!

Posted by: kwd57

I had my son, (the computer expert) set it all up and I think he started with the sanyo 8100, but when he got it working, he said there where alot of things he did that turned out did not need to be done. I remember he had a problem getting it to connect to a USB device and the phone needs to be connected to the PC to install the program.

Posted by: mjohns2

I installed the drivers for the N400then downloaded the drivers for the Sanyo 5500, which are the same as the Sanyo 8100 I may add, and the software works like a charm

Posted by: jaz0305

i recently upgraded from sanyo 5300 to sayo 8100, however no change in drivers, they were same, i assume they will same for sanyo 5500, i called them as i lost registration # they gladly e-mailed it to me, here is the # 408-541-9042, hold time was 5-10 min.

Posted by: Shilaeli

I hate FutureDial.

I was able to get an update for Snap Sync, by starting the program with my 8100, and registering. What if I sold my 8100? I wouldn't even be able to start Snap Sync.

Then they say the updates for Snap Media aren't available for download, and I need to mail them proof of purchase, and they will mail me a CD.

You'd think after spending 60 dollars on their software, and money for the cable, that they would provide some decent customer service.

Posted by: mjohns2

I just download the drivers I needed
http://www.futuredial.com/matrix/M_Sanyo.htm
They ask for your:
Email
Serial Number

Posted by: INTELLER2

can some one please post the update that will make the 8100 work with snap media.

Posted by: Shilaeli

Hey INTELLER2, check your PM.

Posted by: INTELLER2

thanks but it's not working, looks like that's the dll for version 1.3 i have 1.0. would you have the whole update?

Posted by: HorseWoman

Following up...

I finally got a reply from Future Dial, in response to my question about being able to import my contacts without using Outlook - say, via a comma-delimited text file. (The box, after all, says "Don't Have MS Outlook? No Problem! SnapSync Also Works As A Standalone Information Manager")

Their answer:

"SnapSync will only read and write to Outlook (not Express), no other
applications or file formats are supported."

How can a "Standalone Information Manager" not support even the most basic import/export functions?

So, anybody know of any competitors out there?

Why on earth don't phone manufacturers give us a way to put our contacts into the phone? What single feature, after actually connecting calls, could be more important in a cell phone? What do companies do who have dozens of salespeople and hundreds of contacts in Goldmine, Act, proprietary databases, etc.? Surely they don't hire a temp to sit there poking at the buttons every time they purchase a new phone... Do they?

Posted by: kwd57

Do you have your cantacts in your old phone?

Posted by: HorseWoman

No, I have about 300 in Act! and about 100 in my Palm.

I could get either one into a text format, no problem.

I just can't imagine entering them all into the phone by hand...

If I understand the box right, Snap Sync will let me back them up to my computer once I've gotten them into the phone. That would be good, at least.

Posted by: Woody182

I have the USB cord for the Sanyo 8100, is there anything I can do with it without buying software?
Also, what are the software options?
Thanks in advance.

Posted by: izzypoobah

The 2 main reasons most Sprint phones don't come with options to easily transfer contacts on/off the phone are:

1) They want to sell you services that perform this function, specifically PCS Business Connection.

2) To transfer without doing it via their services, you'd need a data cable. And with a data cable, you can use their old SprintPCS dialer software (have to look around for this on the net now) with your phone to get wireless data on a PC or PDA. Since they'd rather sell you that kind of connectivity instead of giving it to you free (if you have SPCS Vision), they don't offer the data cables on their site, and specifically prohibit such usage in their user agreement. of course, they can't really prevent you from doing this if you already have a cable and software...

Posted by: GeXX

Ok for the phone contact, yes Futuredial sucks for it, but with the update it will work. I have used the Futuredial program, it looks like it doesn't look because the program from what I can tell is poorley tested, or not tested at all. It says that it cannot send to phone, but yet I look at my phone and it works just fine. And yes that whole sending in a copy of the recipt, and proof of purchase is lame, they spend more time attempting to protect it from pirating, then they do in actually making it work!.

Anyways, Grab there USB driver from Futuredial.com and then go to this page
http://205.137.195.84/servlet/Selectpage

If you have Windows XP, all you need is the USB drive, from there, make a new network connection, choose dialup, and then for phone number put #777 in, no username or pw required, walla online. If you are runing any other OS, go to the page above, and download the right app.

As far has contacts, if someone knows of a better program, let me know, Futuredial is just annoying to use, but it does work.

Also if you want to be nifty, and have readylink, go to sprintpcs.com click on my pcs, and then login blah blah blah.. Then go to the readylink list, you can update that list over the web. It isn't has cool as a program, but it still works..

Hope that helps.

Posted by: HorseWoman

Thanks for all the info!

Izzypoohbah - Are you saying Sprint offers on-line contact management? Is it something that can be added to a regular (personal, not business) account? Do you know what the service is called?

I do have the USB cable (bought it when I bought SnapSync). So I could use the Sprint Dialer program to manage contacts?

GeXX - My phone can do ReadyLink. I didn't get that service ('cause I don't know anyone else with it), but if I add it, are you saying I would be able to manage my phone contacts on-line? Or would that only let me manage a separate ReadyLink list? Geez, I'd pay $5/month to avoid entering everything via the phone keypad.

What's really wierd is that the folks at the Sprint store have not mentioned any of these options (they told me to buy SnapSync, and that it would take a text file, which it won't...).

Posted by: izzypoobah

The service is called PCS Business Connection, it's $10 / month, I think, and it's available to any customer. Check it out on their site, there are only certain configurations it'll work with.

The USB cable working with Sprint Dialer will only let you do wireless data on your PDA or laptop through the phone, it can't actually configure anything on the phone.

If I were you, I'd probably keep hacking at the SnapSync people until you can get your copy updated or otherwise working properly. Or I'd look for a crack or something online (which is still somewhat difficult to find, I hear). Going all of these roundabout ways to get your contacts on the phone will be arduous, to say the least!

Posted by: HorseWoman

I think I should be able to get SnapSync to work, once I put my mind to it (now that I know where the drivers are on their site, and that I can install it with another driver, *then* add the right one), I hope... I just haven't bothered yet, since it plain doesn't do what I need, which is to import contacts from sources other than Outlook, via a text file.

I'm still amazed 1) that Phones don't come with a civilized way to put *phone numbers* into them - I mean, I can manage my *photos* on-line, but not contacts (?), and 2) that it should be so hard for SnapSync to include functionality that would open up their market to users of *any* contact management software. Sheesh, it's only a dozen or so fields that already exist in their database. How hard could it be to parse a comma-delimited file?

I'll go ahead and install it anyway, so at least I can back up the ones I have entered, and enter more directly (by typing all the info into SnapSync).

I'll check into the Business Connection thing, too. Heck, Sprint's kept me waiting since 12/6 for my LNP, maybe they could throw it in for free, to make it up to me.

Thanks again for all the info!

Posted by: stalion_420

Check out:

http://www.susteen.com/universalfeatures.htm - Seems to do almost the same as Futuredial.
Says it works with Sanyo 4900, 5300, and 8100. Supports Contact Management, Internet, Ringtone Composer, and Image Editor. $79.95

http://www.syncsoftwaresolutions.com/ - Seems to be for sync of data (contacts, emails) but not for ringers, pics, etc. Might be good for someone who uses a pda and cell phone and outlook to sync data between all three.

Anybody else find any?

Posted by: izzypoobah

Quicklink Mobile Phonebook (not to be confused with regular Quicklink Mobile, which is a mobile phone data connect package):

link

I'm pretty sure they make the dialer software for Cingular and SprintPCS. I have no idea if it's any good or not, but the page said it would sync with Outlook, ACT! and others.

Posted by: stalion_420

Quote:

Originally posted by HorseWoman
No, I have about 300 in Act! and about 100 in my Palm.

I could get either one into a text format, no problem.

I just can't imagine entering them all into the phone by hand...

If I understand the box right, Snap Sync will let me back them up to my computer once I've gotten them into the phone. That would be good, at least.

One way to get around the software limitations might be to import your contacts to outlook through delimited text and then move them to your phone. It would be a pain to maintain them that way(sync), but for the initial upload would be much faster then entering them on the phone, or typing them all again in the manager. Just a Thought, Hope it Helps.

Posted by: Jim Lunsford

I bought the software from futuredial a while back and it worked great with my old phone. I have since switched phones and would like to start using the software again the only problem is Futuredial will not let me download the latest updates! They told me that someone else is using my serial #. I tried to tell them that the someone that has used that serial number is me but the wanted me to buy the software again. Could one of you fine folks download the update for me? Please pm me if you can. I really wish I would have saw this thread before purchasing this.....

Posted by: rich568117

OK everyone!!!!
Here is your answer!!!!
http://bitpim.sourceforge.net
Works with ANY CDMA phone to read the file system, and most sprint phones are supoprted now... I have a 5500, and it was able to sync EVERYTHING in my phone, simply by telling the program it was an 8200...
Pretty amazing software... Please support the author, that way bastards like futuredial will eventually go out of business!!!!

Questions? email me chunk419@yahoo.com