Tim wrote: "Bluetooth? I think it hits the sweet spot for me. I’d totally love one of the hot new phones with high-speed flat-rate data that I can leave in my bag. Then I stick a Bluetooth headset over one ear, and then have my computer connect through it so I’m really on the Net all the time.
But... iPod? Blackberry? Texting? Not for me, thanks; at the moment anyhow. Are there others like me?"
Today I use a Nokia 3650 phone and my PowerBook. Both support Bluetooth. The phone has a (primitive) camera, and I can easily transfer the photos to my PowerBook and into iPhoto. I also use Romeo and Veta Universal to use my phone as a wireless mouse for the PowerBook. I sometimes use my phone to display speaker notes during presentations, which I transfer from the PowerBook. I'd like to sync my PowrBook's iCal calendar into my phone, but I haven't yet taken the time to sync Sun's EdgeCal service with iCal. I don't use my phone as a modem, not because I can't but because people tell me it's far to easy to run up enormous phone bills. (I don't have an "unlimited data" plan.) All of these features use BlueTooth.
iPod? Yes, I have one: I love it for long flights, or walks; I also play it through my car stereo. Texting? Not outbound, but absolutely inbound. I have EdgeCal set up to send a text message to my phone 10 minutes before every appointment, including location and phone number (for phone conferences). Not only does this work when I'm not online; the discreet "beep" is a great way of initiating a graceful end to my previous meeting, so that I can actually get to the next one on time! (An alien concept to many, I know.) And I definitely use the browser on my phone for ad hoc information - headlines, stock prices, sports scores (GO SOX!!!), flight schedules. (Oh, yes: I use text messaging to get flight and upgrade notices.)
Having said all this, I'm probably going to switch to the Treo 650 when AT&T Wireless starts shipping the GSM version. Better screen, cleaner browsing, more apps, usable games.... I've tried games on the Nokia 3650, but it's really not quite usable - partly because of the quirky circular keypad. I figure that the Treo 650 should be almost as usable as my GameBoy Advanced.
Hmmm I have a Motorola V600 Bluetooth enabled camera phone. For some reason, I can send photos back and forth with my Mac via Bluetooth as well as sound but still can't sync my calendar or contact data!
I do inbound email and txt messages which is that's great! It makes me much more mobile and less on line. At night I turn the phone on vibrate and it flashes different color lights depending on incoming email address. Much less jarring than ringing. You can set it to only let certain numbers/addresses through.
My phone is also my alarm clock. I haven't tried using my cell as a modem but I guess I could, my Mac and the phone seem to want to do it sometimes all by themselves. I am considering a Bluetooth headset, but so far I am happy with the speakerphone. I have never used the browser or games.
I wish I had a calendar program that could txt msg. my phone like Geoff. The date book on the phone is rather primitive, it lets you set alarms for 15, 30 mins, 1 hr, 1 day before and nothing in-between.
I don't have an Ipod, though I really would like one. I considered the Nokai 3650 but it felt too big for my hands, I dial one handed with my thumb.
Posted by: Susan in St. Paul at October 28, 2004 02:29 AM