PhoneTalk

Q&A: Text messaging signatures on the BlackBerry and understanding tech terms

by Michael Cera Follow me on Twitter
Friday, October 30, 2009 (permalink)

This week our Question and Answer series comes from "Ask a Merchant," a new feature launched on LetsTalk.com that can be found in the middle of cell phone detail pages. This week's featured merchant is LetsTalk's Merchandising Manager for T-Mobile Michael Cera. He answers questions about text message signatures and tech terms. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

Does the BlackBerry Curve 8900 for T-Mobile have text message signature? - Justice

No, there is not a signature for your text message. There is the option to do it for your emails, but not text messages.

I’m looking at the T-Mobile Dash 3G, can you tell me what 3G Data Technology is, what Wi-Fi calling is, what Sync means and it means when a cell phone has Windows Mobile 6.1 OS? – Melissa

3G data technology means you can access the Internet on your cell phone at faster speeds than the normal EDGE network. Wi-Fi calling is very similar to a Voice over IP calling system such as SKYPE. However, for some cell phones that have the ability to do Wi-Fi calling on T-Mobile, you are able to use a T-Mobile Hotspot to make calls using Wi-Fi as opposed to your normal minutes. Lastly, Windows Mobile 6.1 is just the operating system for the phone. Similar to a PC’s operating system, it is a smaller scale operating system set to work on your mobile device.

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Q&A: Accessing Gmail on the Solstice and using WiFi

by Jack Cooper Follow me on Twitter
Friday, October 23, 2009 (permalink)

This week our Question and Answer series comes from "Ask a Merchant," a new feature launched on LetsTalk.com that can be found in the middle of cell phone detail pages. This week's featured merchant is LetsTalk's Merchandising Manager for AT&T Jack Cooper. He answers questions about GPS and WiFi. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

Can I access Gmail with this phone and AT&T plan? How does GPS work on the Samsung Solstice comparing with iPhone and other similar cell phones? – Xuemie

Yes, you can access Gmail on the Solstice. If you want to use the GPS feature on AT&T, you need to purchase AT&T Navigator, which is $9.99/month. That will provide you with turn-by-turn directions.

With a wireless network set up in my home, can I use the WiFi feature on the BlackBerry Curve 8900 even if I do not get the data package with the phone? – Nathan

Absolutely. That is the advantage of having a device with WiFi built in. You can use it on home, office, and other wireless networks.

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Q&A: AT&T plans and changing Ringback Tones

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter
Friday, October 16, 2009 (permalink)

In this installment of Questions and Answers, we discuss smartphone plans with AT&T and changing Ringback Tones on Verizon cell phones. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

I currently have the Propel with AT&T, but I want to get the BlackBerry Curve. Will getting this cell phone add to my monthly bill? – boopbie

In short, yes since you’re going from a messaging phone to a smartphone. As of September 6, 2009, AT&T set forth a new mandate that all smartphones must have a data plan associated with them. This mandate applies to both new and existing smartphone users. The minimum monthly data plan for smartphones is $30.

How do I change the Ringback on the Samsung Alias 2? – Trinka

If you'd like to change the Ringback Tone on the Samsung Alias 2, you'll need to log onto your account with Verizon Wireless on the web and select Ringback Tones. There you'll be able to change the tones based on songs already purchased or purchase a new one. We should note this is the case for changing the Ringback Tone on most Verizon Wireless cell phones.

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Q&A: Picking a cell phone and using a phone as a modem

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter
Friday, September 04, 2009 (permalink)

In this installment of Questions and Answers, we discuss choosing between the Propel Pro and the Samsung Impression as well as using a cell phone as a tethered modem. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

I am tied between the Samsung Impression and the Propel Pro. Can anyone help me make a decision? Pros/Cons? – Thanks!

In short, the big difference between the Propel Pro and the Samsung Impression is that the Propel Pro is a Windows Mobile smartphone and the Samsung Impression isn’t: it’s a multimedia phone. While both the Propel Pro sport a tactile slide-out QWERTY keyboard the display is going to be much brighter and larger on the Impression. The emphasis on the Propel Pro is really all about staying connected to work. It will also have a slightly smaller display than the one found on the Impression. Whereas, the Samsung Impression has a touch screen and isn’t a smartphone. The Impression has an emphasis on multimedia functionality (viewing videos, web access, etc.) and easy customization. You'll still be able to get web-based email on this cell phone with ease.

I have a Dell Inspiron 5150 with a regular wireless card installed. However, I have a Motorola w315 with USB cable and have installed its drivers to my laptop. How do I use this w315 as a modem for my laptop. - Jeff

There are a few things you need to check before getting started. First, you need to make sure you have a data plan that will support using the phone as a modem. Next, you don't need the wireless card installed - that can interfere with using the phone as a modem. So either remove the card or turn off the wireless functionality on your computer. Next, if you have Bluetooth on, you'll need to turn that off, too. On some computers it can interfere. Then if your service is with Verizon you'll need to follow these directions from Verizon Wireless.

However, if you already have a wireless card you'll likely get faster service with that than the cell phone you want to use, but that does require its own data plan.

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Q&A: Ringtones and Streaming music over a smartphone

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter
Friday, June 26, 2009 (permalink)

In this installment of Questions and Answers, we discuss ringtones for the Samsung Trance and streaming music on the Nokia E71x. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

I just got a Samsung Trance and would like to install my OWN ringtones from a CD I have. How do I do that? – Thanks, Martha

Unfortunately, the Samsung Trance can only use ringtones downloaded from Verizon Wireless. You will not be able to use ringtones from your CD on this cell phone. However, if the CD is in MP3 format you can still transfer those MP3s to the cell phone and listen to them in the music player.

I have a Nokia E71x smartphone and want to know if when using AT&T music are you also using the Internet? – Zoo

If you have music stored on the Nokia E71x and want to play it back, you won't be using the Internet to play it back. However, you can stream music from a website on this smartphone and in that case you would be using the Internet. Additionally, you can access the Internet from the Nokie E71x as well by selecting Media Net from the main menu. We suggest getting an unlimited data plan if you're going to do a lot of web surfing.

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Q&A: Connecting a BlackBerry to a Mac and changing ringtones

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter
Friday, May 22, 2009 (permalink)

In this installment of Questions and Answers, we discuss syncing a BlackBerry with a Mac and changing ringtones. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

How do I transfer my contacts on my Mac to my BlackBerry Bold? How do I get my photos from my BlackBerry to my Macbook Pro?– B

There is software from BlackBerry that should help with transferring contacts and synching other data. You can find that information by clicking here.

As for getting your photos from your BlackBerry to the MacBook Pro, you might want to try it via Bluetooth. You can connect your BlackBerry to your Mac via Bluetooth and you can then probably move photos from your BlackBerry to your Mac. However, if that doesn't work, I've always found the easiest way is to save the pictures to a microSD card on your BlackBerry and then take the card out of the smartphone and insert it into a memory card reader that connects to your Mac via USB. The card will appear as a drive on your Mac and from there it's as simple as drag-n-drop.

How do I change the ringback tones on my Samsung Flipshot U900? The built-in tones are lousy. –S

Unfortunately, you can't use any songs that you transfer from your computer to your cell phone as a dedicated ringtone. However, if you get tones from Verizon's Get It Now service, here are the steps to change the ringtone.

1. While in standby mode, press the OK button for Menu

2. Highlight Settings & Tools, using the navigation keys

3. Select Sound Settings (4)

4. Select Call Sounds (1)

5. Select Call Ringtone (1)

• Highlight the desired (Read more)

  Tags:	AT&T Wireless	Samsung	Ringtones	BlackBerry
  	Bluetooth	Q&A

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Q&A: Ringback tones and understanding Bluetooth

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter
Friday, February 27, 2009 (permalink)

In this installment of Questions and Answers, we discuss ringback tones and how Bluetooth works on cell phones. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

What does "discovery mode" mean on a Samsung SCH-u620? -Vivian

Discovery mode is the same on just about any cell phone. It means that the cell phone is available to start identifying other Bluetooth devices in order to make a connection. When a Bluetooth-enabled device appears that will work with your cell phone the name will appear on the screen and you will be prompted through the steps necessary to make a connection. You can learn more about Bluetooth in our Bluetooth Buying Guide.

How do you get a tone on your phone for people to hear while they wait for you to answer? – Lil

What you're referring to is called a ringback tone. You can get them directly through your cell phone. There is typically an application under ringtones or personalization that will allow you to download a ringback tone. There is usually a large selection of popular songs available. Once you pick a song that's what callers will hear instead of a traditional ring while they wait for you to answer the phone. Think of it as cool elevator music for your cell phone. Ringback tones are usually not free, so be sure you know how much it costs before you select one.

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Q&A: Old school SIM cards and managing music on a cell phone

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter
Friday, February 06, 2009 (permalink)

In this installment of Questions and Answers, we discuss SIM cards and deleting songs from the internal memory of Verizon Wireless cell phones. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

I have an old AT&T Family plan that I won’t give up. I also have an old blue SIM card. My wife wants a cell phone with a good organizer on it. We don’t use data or text. Will my blue SIM card work in most unlocked smartphones? Thanks. – Chauncey

Wow, an old blue SIM card that’s before AT&T was Cingular and then AT&T again. First, changing a SIM card doesn't mean you have to change a plan. In short, your SIM card should work in many unlocked cell phones, but there has been an occasion where an older SIM card might not work in some cell phones. This is usually a compatibility issue resulting from the new advances made in cell phone technology. If that turns out to be the case, you can request a new SIM card from AT&T and get all the content stored on your existing SIM card migrated to the new SIM card.

I just got the LG VX10000 Voyager. In your review you said "The LG Voyager sports an MP3 player and comes with a spacious 180MB of internal memory, so you can store tons of music (at least a couple of albums' worth of tunes) and pictures on the cell phone." I put a few songs in the internal memory and wanted to know if there’s a way to delete them? Thanks for your time. – Cody

You can easily delete songs from the LG Voyager’s internal memory. I would suggest making sure you have a backup first, since once it’s gone, it’s gone. Here are the steps you need to do and we should note this should work the same on most Verizon Wireless cell phones.

1. Go to the Get It Now menu.

2. Select Get Music & Tones.

3. Choose My Music.

4. Select Songs.

5. Choose a song.

6. Press Options.

7. Select Erase Song.

Once the songs are erased, this will free up memory in your cell phone.

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Q&A: Advice on personal vs. work cell phone and tips when switching providers

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter
Friday, October 24, 2008 (permalink)

In this installment of Questions and Answers, we discuss how to handle a work cell phone and a product that can ease transitioning from one provider to another. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

If you get a cell phone from your work, should you keep a personal cell phone as well? - Missy

In short, the answer is yes, definitely still get a personal cell phone. The reason is simple, since your employer has provided the cell phone for you everything you do (pictures, text messages, e-mail) on that cell phone is the property of your employer. Try to think of the work cell phone as you would think about your work computer. What would you do on your work computer? Probably not many of the activities you do on your home computer. Additionally, some employers restrict certain cell phone features such as a camera and accessing personal e-mail, so you might need to get your own cell phone anyway. Finally, when you go on vacation from work do you really want to be tied to your work cell phone where anyone from work can reach you? How much will you enjoy that vacation?

I have a Sprint Rumor, but I recently switched to AT&T. Can I use the rumor with AT&T? Do I have to get an unlock code?-dn

Unfortunately, you will not be able to use your Rumor with AT&T service. Sprint and AT&T use different networks: Sprint uses CDMA and AT&T uses GSM. This means the Rumor will not be compatible with AT&T service. You'll need to get a new AT&T cell phone or GSM-enabled cell phone to use with your AT&T service. However, if you'd like to save your contacts and other information (pictures, etc) on the Rumor and port it over to the new AT&T cell phone you can with the Universal DataPilot Kit. That should make the cell phone transition a lot easier for you.

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Q&A: All about text messaging

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter
Friday, September 19, 2008 (permalink)

In this installment of Questions and Answers, we explain sending text messages from the Internet and if deleted text messages can be retrieved from your cell phone. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

Can you send text message to a T-Mobile customer by from the Internet? – Heather

The answer is yes. You can send a text message to a T-Mobile customer's cell phone from the Internet. You can do it directly from this link. In fact, all the carriers have a way to send a text message to a cell phone customer from the Internet. I’ve provided links to each carrier’s offering below. Just be sure they have a text messaging plan, so they don't get billed extra for receiving it.

• AT&T: For AT&T you need to be logged into an AT&T account to send a text message to a cell phone. However, if you don’t have an AT&T account, but want to send a message to an AT&T customer you can still do it via email. Click here for directions.

• Sprint: Click here to send a text message to a Sprint cell phone. Click here to send a text message to a Nextel cell phone.

• Verizon Wireless: The Company offers the feature directly on the home page. However, you can also send a text message to a Verizon Wireless cell phone by clicking here.

Is there any way that I can retrieve deleted text messages from my Sprint LG Rumor cell phone? - Night

Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do on your cell phone to retrieve them yourself. However, you should check your online account to see if there’s a copy there or call Sprint customers service and see if there’s a way for them to restore the messages for you.

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