Which Mobile Phone?

[Calbrit]

I am a long time user of Psions (since 1992) but I've never used my Psion in conjunction with a mobile phone (or Cell Phone as they prefer to call them here in the USA). I am considering buying my first Cell Phone since moving to the USA and need some advice as to the model(s) that are compatable with my 5mx/Mako/Revo Plus and my Psion wireless travel modem. Am I right in thinking that providing the phone works with the Psion full access to the web is just the same as using land lines? Also where does WAP fit into all this and can I access this from the USA?

Thanks.

[bobbyr]

I live in the States and wanted a mobil phone so that I could get my email and surf from where every I am at. I go to the beach a lot and take my 5mx and my Motorola P280 and it works great. As NetbookBabe knows, I tried a Seimens and couldn't get it to work. But the Motorola works great. It will work here in the States or in anywhere around the world so when traveling it can be used anyplace. It also has GPRS capability, I just haven't worked it out yet, but I am not hurry as the regular GSM mode works fine for me. And there is no charge for using just the GSM mode, but there is a fee for GPRS--which isn't to bad. I have what used to be called VoiceSteam, it is now called T-Mobile. I am very happy with the Motorola and T-mobile. I hope that this helps. Oh, by the way, I use it on my 5mx and Netbook. I just find the Series 5mx much more convenient when going to the beach or anywhere else because of its size and in the sunshine you can't see the Netbook Screen. So I mostly use it with my 5mx.

Thanks,

Bobbyr

[Calbrit]

Thanks for the info. DO you have to use a Psion modem or does the phone connect directly to the Psion? Also forgive my ignorance but what is GPRS as opposed to GMS?

Thanks

[MikeMcC]

But the Motorola works great. It will work here in the States or in anywhere around the world so when traveling it can be used anyplace. It is my understanding that GSM is not available throughout the USA but only in certain areas. Other mobile technologies are in use as well, unlike Europe where GSM is used universally.

[netBookBabe]

Thanks Bob for the info - I was hoping that you would have some input on this one. I'm not quite sure how things operate in the US, so bear with me.

Calbrit - since it seems that you travel quite a bit, then I would think that a triband cellphone is essential. Therefore, that does narrow down your choice a little - maybe makes it easier!

I have always found the Ericsson phones (with inbuilt modem) extremely reliable in conjunction with my Psions. I currently have the triband R520m, which I use on both GSM and GPRS. Very straightforward. Bob had a nightmare with a Siemens, but instant success with a Motorola. A previous Motorola of mine was hopeless, and others here have done great with Siemens - it's a bit of a minefield!

Here in the UK, a lot of our cellphone contracts have a 14-day exchange policy on the handset - that is VERY useful in terms of finding out whether it works with your Psion. I don't know whether that applies in the USA.

Another option could be to buy a GSM handset SIM-free, without a contract. More expensive for the handset, yes, (it's not subsidised) but you're not tied to a monthly payment, and can buy SIM cards to use in the country you are visiting.

As for WAP - I'm sure someone will disagree, but personally I have no need for it when I can have full access to the Internet with my cellphone and Psion.

Julie

[Calbrit]

Thanks all. The US cell phone market is quite complicated and to find a reasonably simple solution even more so! They even still charge for in coming calls on all but one or two carriers - what a rip!

I realise I need to know more - does anyone have any web links regarding this subject?

[bobbyr]

All you need is your phone and 5mx. I lay the phone right behind the 5mx for infrared and it hooks right up. It works real well. Mike might be right about different locations, I haven't had a problem so far. I am in the Seattle/Tacoma area of Washington State--not sure where you are. If is very easy to set up. The phone has many features, as I said works around the world so its what I want as I will be traveling to England and Europe and ohter places. Julie and Mike can correct me, but GSM is your standard mode to transmit data over the mobile phone and it works great for email and is a little bit slow, but it works---just be patient, for surfing the net. GPRS is a faster mode for surfing and stuff like that. As I mentioned when using the standard GSM mode there is no extra charge for transmitting data, but if you use the GPRS mode there are several plans for the amount of use to anticipate you will need. Julie is right I kept the Siemens for 29 days--they have a 30 day trial period---and I never could get it to work. The Motorola worked within about 5 minutes. Very pleased with it. And guess what----it even has an FM radio built in. You just buy this headset and you can listen to the radio and when a call comes in, it takes priority over the radio and you answer the call and go back to your radio---cool.

If I can help more please let me know.

Thanks,
Bobbyr

[MikeMcC]

Originally posted by Calbrit
Thanks for the info. DO you have to use a Psion modem or does the phone connect directly to the Psion? Also forgive my ignorance but what is GPRS as opposed to GMS?
If you are buying a phone for use with a Psion, ensure that it has an Infrared port and built in modem. This allows connection without any wires or an additional modem.

GSM is one of the main technologies used for data transmission over the cellular phone system with different speeds depending on the system used:

GSM - basic data transmission at 9600bps
EGSM - enhanced GSM allowing a 14.4kbps connection
HSCSD - (high speed circuit switched data) which usually uses several channels simultaneously allowing, for example, 3x9600bps giving a 28.8kbps connection.

These are "dial up" connections where you dial an ISP and pay for the charges while the phone call is running.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is an "always on" connection to the internet (though because of its nature, the Psion still has to go through a dial up process to connect). You don't dial up to an ISP but connect directly through your phone network provider and the cost is based on the amount of data transferred instead of a time online. I understand that the speed you actually get with GPRS can vary dramatically because the networks still give priority to voice traffic and services such as GPRS have to take what's left of network capacity! I also believe that in the UK data speeds with GPRS have been capped at about 28800 although much higher speeds are possible - this makes it no faster than HSCSD. The difference is that if you are sitting viewing a web page with no transfer of data, GPRS isn't costing you where with HSCSD the charges are still mounting.

Also bear in mind that a particular technology has to be supported by both the phone handset you buy and the network you connect with.

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by Calbrit
DO you have to use a Psion modem or does the phone connect directly to the Psion?Best choice in my opinion is a phone with built-in infrared modem, then that is all you need.

Also forgive my ignorance but what is GPRS as opposed to GMS?

This is another of those questions where we say "how long have you got?", but basically GPRS is charged by the amount of data transferred, GSM is by the minute, like any standard phone call. I use both, and choose which to use according to what I'm intending to do.

Will be happy to supply more detail if you neeed it, Calbrit.

Julie

[Calbrit]

Thanks BobbyR, Mike & Julie too. This is a great Forum! I've learnt so much in such a short space of time. No further questions you honour!

Do you guys get any sleep in the UK? - Woops - that was a question!

[netBookBabe]

Originally posted by Calbrit
Do you guys get any sleep in the UK? - Woops - that was a question!
If you're asking me, then, nope, not a lot!

J

[Calbrit]

Well it's 11.20pm Tuesday and I need sleep - night all!

[bobbyr]

I have talked to Julie well in to the night--here in Washington---early morning in the UK to her. By the way the P280 has all the goodies IR, built in Modem and as I said earlier you only need it and your Psion.

Have a great evening or morning,

Thanks,


Bobbyr