vB Easy Archive - TracFone c261 Internet Access

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TracFone c261 Internet Access
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Posted by: ljjehl

I just purchased a Motorola c261. It's an awesome phone, but the only downside
is the lack of a USB connection or bluetooth, the latter which is supposedly
disabled by the manufacturer for TracFone. My current problem is the Internet.
I can access the Internet through TracFone's "Start Browser" link, but the "go
to Url" or "Web Shortcut" links do not direct me to the Internet if I use a
known working url. I receive a 403 error and get docked .50 unit each time.
I'm currently waiting for TracFone to give me an answer. Anybody out there had
any experience with this situation?
Thanks.....

Posted by: cellularfreak

I was thinking about buying the c261. How is the VGA camera. How do you like it?

Posted by: haydeno

maybe its too new and data not active yet

Posted by: ljjehl

The VGA camera is very nice and takes quality pics, but the only way to transfer it to PC is to use MMS, since the bluetooth is disabled by the manufacturer and there doesn't seem to be a way to retreive the info by USB connection. I assume the only other way is by expensive hardware. Taking pics in nighttime conditions will not work, since there is no flash available.

Posted by: iansltx

So how many photos can fit in memory? and how is the UI? Is it Moto's Synergy UI (3x3 grid) or is it the one-item scrolling one? And is there absolutely no internet on the phone or can you go anywhere?

Posted by: ljjehl

I have not used all my memory, but using an average of 20 kb per picture (biggest pic size is 40kb, smallest is 8 kb), I can store around 50 photos, depending on photo size. I was not sure about your UI question, but if your question is similar to the pics shown in this link:
http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/...ndex.php?p=8212

then I can say the UI is pretty much the same. The Internet can be accessed, but just not on your terms. For example, I want to use google's WAP link as my default browser, but I get 403 (forbbiden) errors. I can access the world news, sports, weather etc., but to get more detail, depending on what you want, you may need a subscription. I've also learned that I could transfer 3 pictures I took (not sure how many more) to my email address by MMS, though it seems to take 2-2.5 units to do it. (1 for MMS + .5 per minute transfer) I was also reading that some providers limit your total MMS size, hence the detail on the picture transfer. Please elaborate on the IU question,thanks....

Posted by: ljjehl

Regarding the c261 UI, here's a link to a couple of pics of the UI:

http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Page=2&Id=2298

Posted by: iansltx

I looked on MobileReview.com about the phone yesterday, so a lot o my questions are answered. But so does web access (news etc.) cost 0.5 units per minute or is it free? For MMS things look reasonably cheap if you get your airtime from the right place...too bad the phone has only GPRS.

Posted by: ljjehl

Web access is .5 unit per minute, which isn't too bad. There's no free stuff here, everything on TracFone cost units. I didn't like that I couldn't use my own url, such as gmail. I haven't ran the Internet too much since it does take quite a few units to play around.... as soon as I get brave enough and research enough, I'll be looking around the TracFone web

Posted by: ljjehl

I just got a reply from TracFone (about time), here's their reply regarding Internet Access:

We are responding to your recent inquiry in regards to accessing your gmail account from the Motorola C261 TRACFONE.

TracFone provides limited internet access with our data phones. Currently, customers are not able to access their personal email accounts (i.e. hotmail, yahoo, aol, etc.) from their data phones. However, these phones have capabilities which allows our customers the ability to:

Download Ringtones, Graphics (such as wallpaper and screensavers), and provide new services such as the weather, sports, and news.

Customers are able to send and receive MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) or picture messages.

Posted by: jophiptop

Last I heard Tracfone will offer general web browsing and E-mail account access by next summer. Their current web access is still in an early test phase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljjehl

I just got a reply from TracFone (about time), here's their reply regarding Internet Access:[/I]

Posted by: lmfoss

I have the c261 as well and like it okay but am also disappointed that the browser feature is very limited. I have a question though on how to send an MMS message from my email to the phone--if that even can be done I don't know. I stupidly bought some of the Tracfone $$$$ ringtones then found that there is a composer feature but was wondering if I couldn't just send an MMS with the sound to the phone instead. Any help is appreciated Thanks!

Posted by: Timetogo

I have had the Motorola C261, with Tracfone for 2 months and I have never been able to Access the Web....I always get the error message: Network Down. I just got off the phone with Tracfone and I was told that they donot offer Web Access....hmmm, not sure that the guy knew what he was talking about. Does anyone know if I am doing something wrong to connect to the internet? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Posted by: gotanmp3

Boy, this is an old thread.

If you're interested in WAP access on prepaid, your only real choice is Boost Mobile. Yeah, there's a hack to get free WAP on T-Mobile To Go if you have broadband at home, but last time I explained the whole thing my post got deleted.

So search and figure that one out yourself, if it interests you.

Until TracFone changes their policies, the only way to get full WAP access on the C262 / V176 phones is to reflash them. But then you're basically using a low-end unlocked GSM phone that can't run Opera Mini and they'll no longer work with TracFone's service once reflashed. Considering what TracFone charges for web access, I'm surprised they limited where you can browse to.

Posted by: new_age

I don't know whats going on with my phone then. I can access my gmail account, and most other wap sites. I have even visited 3gForFree.com, and downloaded a few ringtones.

Posted by: lmfoss

New Age,

So you can access the web from your c261? I wonder if it depends on where you live or who your carrier is. I have Tracfone via Cingular. Let me know if there is something special you have to do as I keep getting 403 forbidden errors anytime I try to go anywhere but Tracfone's site.

And I had to get them to send a different phone before I could even get it to do that. Also I get very poor reception as compared to the Nokia 1100 I did have. Anyone knowing of any signal booster that really works for the C261 please let me know.

THANKS!!!!!

Posted by: gotanmp3

Nokias are known for their excellent reception. As a compromise, you could exchange it for a TracFone V176, which has all the same features as the C261 except the camera, and gets a bit better reception by having a stub antenna.

Posted by: mharris127

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmfoss

New Age,

So you can access the web from your c261? I wonder if it depends on where you live or who your carrier is. I have Tracfone via Cingular. Let me know if there is something special you have to do as I keep getting 403 forbidden errors anytime I try to go anywhere but Tracfone's site.

And I had to get them to send a different phone before I could even get it to do that. Also I get very poor reception as compared to the Nokia 1100 I did have. Anyone knowing of any signal booster that really works for the C261 please let me know.

THANKS!!!!!

My understanding is that you are only allowed to access Tracfone sites on Tracfones, I guess that is why web browsing is so cheap. I understand they have news and sports on their WAP site, though. I will buy a C261 and try it out in the next couple of months.

Posted by: new_age

I live in Kansas. 66062 zip code to be more specific. I dont know what is going on if i can get on multiple sites that you guys cant. I have been able to get on gmail, since i got the phone about 6 months ago. About 3 months ago i was messing with it and it froze, and i called TracFone CS and they did a weird reset thing, but as I said, i was able to access any site since i got the phone.

Posted by: mharris127

Quote:

Originally Posted by new_age

I live in Kansas. 66062 zip code to be more specific. I dont know what is going on if i can get on multiple sites that you guys cant. I have been able to get on gmail, since i got the phone about 6 months ago. About 3 months ago i was messing with it and it froze, and i called TracFone CS and they did a weird reset thing, but as I said, i was able to access any site since i got the phone.

That is not what others have said on this site, one even copied a Trac message saying that only their site was accessible. Maybe that has changed in the last 3-6 months, though. This makes me want one all the more, so I can find out for myself.

Posted by: CSI_Nut

One thing Tracfone is consistent with is producing castrated and neutered phones that only work with their own offers. My guess is that new_age's experience happened because somebody fell asleep on the assembly line, and that it is an isolated experience.

Posted by: gotanmp3

I'll say it till I'm blue in the face

: T-Mobile ToGo + modified WAP settings & HoTTProxy = Prepaid Free WAP bliss.

Heck, if you don't feel like fiddling with your settings or you're worried T-Mobile might plug the hole someday - there's always Boost or AMP'd. I shudder to think about all the people who click away their prepaid minutes, paying for overpriced WAP.

Yes, Cingular GoPhone ($10/meg) and TracFone/Net10 (per minute), this means your WAP prices stink.

Posted by: Eael Camembert

Quote:

Originally Posted by new_age

Some people have reported being able to access the web outside of TracFone's sites. I can't, I get the forbidden message. It costs me 30 units a month for access to all of TracFone's content, plus air time. Do you have internet access without having to pay extra units?

Posted by: new_age

Yes, actually, i just noticed that my web browsing in only like 1 unit for 5 minutes.

Posted by: Eael Camembert

Quote:

Originally Posted by new_age

Yes, actually, i just noticed that my web browsing in only like 1 unit for 5 minutes.

You have a golden phone, I hope TracFone isn't lurking. This is from TracFone's web page.

Quote:

Restrictions
Attempting to go to a URL outside of the TRACFONE Mobile Web on your TRACFONE is not possible, and you will be charged units if you type in another URL and try.

That is the way it is with my phone. It costs me over 30 units for a month of access. You can read all about it on TracFone’s site.

Code:

 www.tracfone.com/data/data_services.jsp? source=conversion

If you ever want to get a real phone I may be willing to take the C261 off your hands

Posted by: SpiralSlash

Quote:

Originally Posted by new_age

Hey, you're only about 5-10 minutes away from me!

I've never bothered to check Tracfones out around here, who's the underlying carrier? I'm guessing it's Cingular...

I've been meaning to snag a black C261 some time. One day...

Posted by: iansltx

The c261 is actually a pretty okay phone, aside from a screen that solarizes too easily and the tendancy to go completely dead after going through the wash (yes my beautiful red c261 went through the wash and obviously drowned). But hey, at $40 plus tax off of Trac's site the black Moto isn't a bad deal at all, though the red is very nice...

Of course, if someone made it worth my while I might as well send somebody else my red phone casing as it's doing my waterlogged phone no good...though it has been sitting around for three months now and should be dried out...

Posted by: Kitsunexus

Here's an answer for you:

http://www.howardforums.com/showthr...261#post9180261

Posted by: looking16

Can you send more than one picture per MMS toyour PC to avoid the 1 unit charge per picture, or is the anount of data per MMS limited and if it is do you know the max amount of data?
An also can you send sounds (ringtones) and graphics to your phone from your PC by MMS, if you can whats your phone´s e-mail adress if your using tracfone or net10?
thanks!!!!

Posted by: iansltx

IIRC you can only send 100k per message on the c261 at least, and I'm really not sure whether Cingy strips rngers and such out of messages...I'm sure they couldn't strip out pictures! On the topic of phone email addresses, you need to know the carrier your phone is on (very likely Cingular), but if it's on Cingular the address should be your10digitnumber@mms.mycingular.com

Posted by: CSI_Nut

Quote:

Originally Posted by iansltx

IIRC you can only send 100k per message on the c261 at least, and I'm really not sure whether Cingy strips rngers and such out of messages...I'm sure they couldn't strip out pictures! On the topic of phone email addresses, you need to know the carrier your phone is on (very likely Cingular), but if it's on Cingular the address should be your10digitnumber@mms.mycingular.com

Cingular doesn't strip stuff out, but T-Mobile does. If the format for email address given above doesn't work, you might be on T-Mobile, and in that case, good luck getting ringtones! T-Mobile's format is xxxxxxxxxx@tmomail.net I'm not sure if the mms. as shown above might work or not on T-Mobile.

Posted by: iansltx

AFIK though the c261 is sold\activated only in Cingular areas; there are as of yet no agreements, it seems, to lease data from T-Mobile or Dobson with Tracfone...

Posted by: Kitsunexus

You can send multiple pics and ringers, but there is a filesize limit on EACH file.

In my earlier post I stated you could send via PC, it's (yourphonenumber)@mms.mycingular.com.

Posted by: EdwardP

Can a C261 access all of the mobile web, or is it limited to certain sites?

Also, is there any word on when the mycingular.com e-mail address domain will be changed to AT&T's?

Posted by: Kitsunexus

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdwardP

Can a C261 access all of the mobile web, or is it limited to certain sites?

Also, is there any word on when the mycingular.com e-mail address domain will be changed to AT&T's?

If you get it from Tracfone, you can only browse Tracfone.com. I have no clue when the domain name will change, or if it will.

All I know is that as of today C261 is obsolete and not supported by Tracfone anymore.

Posted by: CSI_Nut

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitsunexus

All I know is that as of today C261 is obsolete and not supported by Tracfone anymore.

What do you mean by this? Where did you get this information? Details please....

Posted by: ljjehl

You may want to elaborate, Tracfone still has 2 options of the c261 on their website, at least in my zip code area.....

by the way, my c261 is still ticking great after over a year, though I still wish I had more options on Internet service than the minimal service that Tracfone offers.

Posted by: Kitsunexus

All I was told by the retailer was that these phones were obsolete and about to be replaced. I wanted to buy a C261 as a Father's Day gift, because he likes my phone. However that's what they told me, and why I couldn't buy one.

I got him one of those Motorola V-series Tracfones, looks like a RAZR without the camera.

Posted by: CSI_Nut

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitsunexus

All I was told by the retailer was that these phones were obsolete and about to be replaced. I wanted to buy a C261 as a Father's Day gift, because he likes my phone. However that's what they told me, and why I couldn't buy one.

I got him one of those Motorola V-series Tracfones, looks like a RAZR without the camera.

Was the retail store actually out of stock on the c261? I have seen them marked down in price, but the website did seem to still be carrying them the last time I looked (a couple weeks ago?). I really think Tracfone is just promoting their newer phones, but look how long you could still find the Nokia 1100 in stores as an example of how long it takes a Tracfone to become obsolete!

Posted by: ross222

is the tracfone website on the c261 obsolete or the phone itself? they still have those phones in walmart and a local dollar store, i dont wanna buy my first phone, and it not work anymore a week after i have it.

Posted by: ljjehl

Why don't you call or email Tracfone themselves? As long as the c261 is selling on Tracfone's site, they will still support it, way beyond the time they pull it from the website. This phone has only been on Tracfone's website for only about 1 to 1 and half years. Just like any phone retailer, they want to keep the merchandise fresh. I still have the Nokia 1100 and Tracfone did pull it from their stock, though it seems to have made a comeback due to the free incoming texts.

Posted by: Kitsunexus

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSI_Nut

Nah man, this was out of stock, and they said they tried to order them but they couldn't get any.

Posted by: dd78749

The c261 is not obsolete nor will Tracfone discontinue support. I see loads of them in Wal-Mart, Target, and the Dollar Store.

Tracfone is, however, heavily pushing their newest phone, the w370. It simply means that newer phones are more heavily marketed, but older models will still continue to be sold (if available) and supported.

Posted by: Eael Camembert

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitsunexus

You should go back and ***** slap that ***** until he cries for his momma.

Posted by: Eael Camembert

Are you teling me I can't pet my ***** cat?

Posted by: Eael Camembert

***** noun: Female of any member of the dog family

Posted by: solfan68

Not only do they have new C261's for sale at the website, but you can buy a 400 unit air time card and get a C261 thrown in to sweeten the deal.

Posted by: calvinj15

so only in some places i can get the whole internet on my phone?

Posted by: chribrac

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmfoss

I don't think location has anything to do with it. carrier is att on our w370 phones and I can access the web and my wife can't.

Posted by: Warzx

Im Not Sure If Im Right Or Anything...Im Only 99.999999999999999999999% sure Your Using A Computer At The Moment? This Is To EVERYONE....Why The Heck Dont You Just GO HOME And Use The Internet!?!??

I Mean, COMON! Use Your Heads!

Anyway, That's Changed, And Yea, The Web is Free To Roam Now.

Posted by: Tracfoner

Wow!!! Congratulations on your first post! It's quite something!

Anyway, could you please clarify your following remark?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warzx

Anyway, That's Changed, And Yea, The Web is Free To Roam

What's changed? And where is the web free to roam?