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OSX/iSync happy cell phone in Toronto

5K views 27 replies 16 participants last post by  pennywise 
G
#1 ·
Looking for something that can work with bluetooth and OSX happily. have done a bit of research on this, Rogers seems to be the only provider that has what I'm looking for (motorola V551) .. but of course they are out of stock on them from website, and none of the rogers stores I've called have them either.

Does anyone know of another wireless provider/phone combo for toronto area that will actually work with OSX isync? Looking for an affordable phone w/ bluetooth, I don't need all the bells and whistles, just want my addressbook and calendar on it! :)

Thanks

P.S. Bell mobility doesn't seem to offer _any_ OSX compatible phones at all. It's tough being a mac user some days. Their phone staff are no help at all, they have no idea what I'm trying to tell them about OSX and iSync.
 
G
#2 ·
I know there is also another phone from Rogers that will work, but I'm not willing to pay $300++ (after rebates and with a 3 year contract!) for all kinds of features I don't want or need (like camera, video cam, etc etc)
 
#5 ·
I was looking for the V710 but I can't get definate info if it will work with the address book since the bluetooth capabilities have been locked, and I know there is a fireware hack but I am still not even sure if it will work with address book now; if someone does know please let me know...
 
#7 ·
Bighead said:
Just go to the web (like .....and buy yourself an unlock phone. Then get a stand-alone SIM card from either Rogers or Fido.

Sony-Ericsson phones (Bluetooth) have been known to "sync" well with Mac.
http://www.shoprogers.com/store/wireless/products/phones/products_details.asp?shopperID=X95Q50R82VHC8GEB68FAPPCEBSUQ9BAC&PRODUCTID=6620&summary=1

Nokia 6620 from Rogers Wireless. It's not the prettiest thing out there, but it does a lot. It's also a Symbian/Series 60 smartphone, so you can download hundreds of apps for it, in addition to what it comes with: video player, music player, email client, camera (not the sharpest, but okay), and so on. I'm sure readers are tired of me going on about it. It has also recently come down in price, since it isn't this week's model.

It syncs amazingly well with Mac, using Bluetooth. You can also get an app called Salling Clicker (or various knockoffs that do the same thing) and use it as a remote for presentations.

Do NOT order from expansys.ca unless you like shipping your phone to the United States for warranty repairs.

Also, you can buy a SIM card and plug it into that international phone, but when you sign up for a plan with Rogers you'll get a heavily discounted phone (i.e., save hundreds now but pay for 2 or 3 years for a plan). If you are signing up anyways, at least take their discounted phone and sell it, or better yet just use it yourself and save the bother of dealing with the U.S.--which is where your expansys phone will come from and, if you are unlucky, one day return.
 
G
#8 ·
Thanks HowEver

So it works fine with address book and iCal? Those are my 2 biggest concerns ... I wish apple kept a more comprehensive list of phones that worked. I don't think they've updated the phone models on the isync supported devices page for some time now :(
 
#9 ·
mguertin said:
Thanks HowEver

So it works fine with address book and iCal? Those are my 2 biggest concerns ... I wish apple kept a more comprehensive list of phones that worked. I don't think they've updated the phone models on the isync supported devices page for some time now :(
I think Apple updates that list only when they know for certain that the phones work. I waited until the 6620 showed up there before getting one, in fact.

I don't sync iCal since I don't use it on my computer, but it is cool to watch contacts get synchronized, with the newer of any changes being updated from the phone to the computer and from the computer to the phone. That means that any old number I happen to have added to my phone list gets blasted into Address Book on the computer, and I really can't think of an easier way to back up phone numbers that have been entered on the fly.

There are also some cool texting apps that will bluetooth right from the computer, I'll post a note about that later.
 
#10 ·
somewhat related question

I just got a Motorola v265 and I need to get the data cable to sync it. Not wanting to pay $50 (Telus price), I've been looking around a bit. Some stores have it for $20-$30, while on eBay it seems to go for $1-$10.

Now I'm assuming I just need the cable itself and not any of the Motorola software. Am I correct?
 
#11 ·
I just ordered a V551 late last week. Got no indication that they were sold out or that they were even low on stock. I should get it early next week. I ordered mine over the phone as an add-on to my exisiting phone (second line on family pan). Cost me nothing, no activation fee and the family plan is the same minutes and cost as my exisiting plan. I will only be charged the monthly network access fees (about $7 per month). Two lines and phones for the price of one. Sounds good to me.

I'll report back as to the timing of the delivery (hopefully not held up) and the OS X iSynch capabilities.
 
#12 ·
GratuitousApplesauce said:
What's an "unlocked" phone?
Most phones are locked to a particular service provider, meaning they won't work on another providers network. For example, if you take your new, shiny V551 from Rogers and pop a Fido SIM card in, it won't work and will ask you for the subsidy code.

An unlocked phone will work on other networks (providing they are using the same technology, CDMA, GSM, or iDEN).
 
#14 ·
The difference being that GSM providers (Rogers, fido) allow you to use foreign handsets (i.e., unlocked phones) any time you like, you just take the SIM card from your GSM phone and use it in another Rogers/fido phone or another unlocked phone, easy as that.

Telus and Bell allow unlocked foreign handsets to be used only on occasion, and always for a fee. Also, their own phones usually have locked browsers (you have to surf via their site first, and download only from there, if you want ringtones or games, etc.).

pennywise said:
Most phones are locked to a particular service provider, meaning they won't work on another providers network. For example, if you take your new, shiny V551 from Rogers and pop a Fido SIM card in, it won't work and will ask you for the subsidy code.

An unlocked phone will work on other networks (providing they are using the same technology, CDMA, GSM, or iDEN).
 
#16 ·
The majority of the newer Nokia Bluetooth handsets sync fine right out the box with iSync... in my case this evening I synced all my contacts on my Nokia into the Mac addressbook program...I simply paired the two up via btooth and added new device in iSync...it Mac OS X identified it and asked to install an iSync mobilesync app on the Nokia (it's a Symbian based phone Nokia 6682)... and everything was easy as pie :) ..I then proceed to do the same with my Moto v3 RZR...it did not req. the iSync app to be installed and just synced straight away...

cheers!

-clearNET
 
#17 ·
I have the Moto V551. I had to buy a Bluetooth adapter/dongle because I have a non-BT iBook. Works perfectly.

And while I don't think I can live without my V551, I would suggest that people look at alternatives. I've had to suffer through poor battery life and dropped calls. It can get frustrating at times, but manageable for the most part. I should bring my phone to Rogers to fix the problem but I keep putting it off.
Also, memory's quite low.

Otherwise, it's a great phone. Very good cam quality.
 
#18 ·
HowEver said:
Do NOT order from expansys.ca unless you like shipping your phone to the United States for warranty repairs.

Also, you can buy a SIM card and plug it into that international phone, but when you sign up for a plan with Rogers you'll get a heavily discounted phone (i.e., save hundreds now but pay for 2 or 3 years for a plan). If you are signing up anyways, at least take their discounted phone and sell it, or better yet just use it yourself and save the bother of dealing with the U.S.--which is where your expansys phone will come from and, if you are unlucky, one day return.
I feel sorry for your bad experience. I have actually purchased a few phones from Expansys.com (before the .ca even existed) and have had no problem with their phones and sales whatsoever.

Furthermore, Expansys and other online cell phone vendors offer so much more selections than Rogers. But then they do cost more than your typical subsidized cell phone from the local carrier.
 
#20 ·
Got my V551 from Rogers today. It took a little over 1 week to get it. It seems to work well with my PB but I can't figure out how to get it bring up a card in address book when the phone rings.

I don't have a data plan so I don't have connection details and haven't tried connecting for email. I also haven't tried sending an SMS message from the address book through the phone.
 
#21 ·
The V551 doesn't support the address book for SMS sending or pulling up names when the phone rings. When I run through the Bluetooth setup, the "Support Address Book" check box is greyed out.

When synching from address book to phone, a new entry is created on the phone for each phone number for each contact. In some cases I have 3 or 4 entries in my phone for one person.

Picture, video and sound transfers are easy (but slow) and I was easily able to set my ring tone to an mp3 track of my son playing piano (keyboard into GarageBand, out to iTunes, converted to mp3, dropped into phone).

I wish the other stuff worked but, such is life. My Palm PDA does support the SMS messaging so it's not so bad.
 
#22 ·
Not a bad experience, just one I'll avoid.

As for costing more, that's for sure, but yes the choice is much more substantial.

Still, if you check the marketplace at www.howardforums.com or their b/s/t forum, you never know what might come up, and if you're careful there are some reputable sellers there.


Bighead said:
I feel sorry for your bad experience. I have actually purchased a few phones from Expansys.com (before the .ca even existed) and have had no problem with their phones and sales whatsoever.

Furthermore, Expansys and other online cell phone vendors offer so much more selections than Rogers. But then they do cost more than your typical subsidized cell phone from the local carrier.
 
#23 ·
I have the Motorola V551, but I got it at a place called "The Telephone Booth" which set me up with a Rogers account that I got through that store. Perhaps there's one in the TO area - I got my phone for $25 bucks. They might have some in stock.

I haven't used the BT option, so I can't comment on that but I've been really impressed with this phone. I charge it usually once every 2 weeks, and that's only when it drops one battery bar (of three). It's the best phone battery wise I've ever had.

I've heard from others about Rogers having dropped calls and in and out signal (which I've experienced). But for the most part it's worked when I've needed to use it. Bell sucks. I wouldn't recommend them.
 
#25 ·
happy phone hunting

i have a sony ericsson t610 which works beautifully with iSync via BT. I have all of my contacts migrated over to my phone, as well as dates from iCal. Plus with the BT feature and additonal software (Salling Clicker 2) I can use my phone as a remote control to say forward through songs in itunes or slides in keynote. my servie provider is fido, who have the best rates in the gta. all in all a great phone - and it only cost me 25$ with a 2-year contract.
 
#26 ·
clearNET said:
(it's a Symbian based phone Nokia 6682
ClearNET - how do you like ur 6682?? Where did you get ur hands on it?? I was thinking about that one - but decided on a few others: 7610 and I just got my hands on a barely used 6630, both for hella cheap.

H!
 
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