Dialed In

This is the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

The Nokia N86 has Wi-Fi, an 8-megapixel camera, and 30 fps video recording, but is only available unlocked.

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

I'm looking into purchasing a new phone and possibly upgrading to a smart phone with AT&T. The hitch is that I can't afford a data plan yet. I would like a smart phone with Wi-Fi so that I can take advantage of the capabilities and processing power of a smart phone, but just not web enabled everywhere I go. In reality, most places I imagine needing wireless data, there is an open WiFi network nearby, so 3G connectivity and dealing with expensive data plans isn't totally necessary either. I would also like this phone to have a decent camera (3 to 5 megapixels) and 30 fps video recording. I would also like the ability to view full HTML web pages with zoom capabilities (multi-touch). So what are my best options without buying an unlocked phone? -- Mike, via e-mail.

Unfortunately, you can't get a smartphone without a data plan unless you're purchasing an unlocked phone. This is the same with pretty much all U.S. carriers, and it's regardless of whether the phone has Wi-Fi or not. As for smartphones with Wi-Fi and a 3-5-megapixel camera with 30 fps video recording, I can only think of unlocked models, like the Samsung Omnia 2, the Nokia N97, and the Nokia N86. You could look into getting an iPod Touch or something similar if you just want to use Wi-Fi, but of course you won't get the camera in that case. Readers, let me know if you can think of other solutions.

I have been investigating cell phone options and I am stumped. I am currently a Verizon Wireless customer (no contract) and I need a new phone. I would like to get a phone with email and web access. My husband has an iPhone. We have a Mac laptop at home and subscribe to Mobile Me. An iPhone might seem to be a no-brainer, but I am not sure. My main concern is the network. I have never had service problems with Verizon and the coverage is great, and I hear there are many service issues with the iPhone especially in big cities (we live in Chicago). Do you anticipate improvements to AT&T's 3G network that would make it comparable to Verizon's? Also, how big a deal is it to buy a phone without wi-fi (which most of Verizon's phones lack)? -- Dana, via e-mail.

Since you're concerned about the iPhone coverage in your area, I'm assuming your husband has reported a lack of AT&T coverage. This is, as you might have heard, not uncommon in metropolitan cities like Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. This is not a universal issue by any means--we've heard reports of good coverage as well--but your mileage may vary depending on where you live and work. If your primary concern is voice and data coverage, then a Verizon phone would probably work better for you. You can certainly find a way to get a Windows Mobile or BlackBerry smartphone to work with a Mac (usually via third-party software), and if you can wait for the Motorola Droid, Android phones can sync with a Mac as well. You probably won't be able to use iTunes to sync music or podcasts though (Let us know if we're wrong on this). As for the lack of Wi-Fi, it's not a huge issue as long as you're not downloading big files. You do have to watch out that you don't hit Verizon's monthly data cap of 5GB though.

Could you please help me out? I do appreciate your time!! I am thinking of either getting the Hero or the Touch Pro 2 from Sprint. I will use the phone mainly for messaging,web browsing and utilizing NFL live whenever possible and maybe a word document every now and then but not too often. I like that the Hero has a smaller foot print but wonder if the keyboard on the TP2 is worth the extra size or not? Does the virtual keyboard work very well? Do you like the Qwerty on the TP2 better? If you were to choose one, which one would you choose? Could you please give me your opinion and help me out. I really do appreciate your time. -- Bruce, via e-mail.

It comes down to whether or not you would be comfortable with a virtual keyboard. For me, I'm fine with a virtual keyboard, and the virtual keyboard on the HTC Hero is actually quite usable. Still, it's not quite as easy and intuitive to use as a physical keyboard like the one on the HTC Touch Pro 2. If you think you'll only use the keyboard once in a while, then the Hero might be a better bet. Another thing to consider is that the HTC Hero runs on the Android platform, while the HTC Touch Pro 2 uses Windows Mobile. It sounds to me like you won't be using the Office apps that often, which again makes me think you might be better off with the Hero. Still, I would suggest trying out both phones in your local Sprint shop before you make the final decision.

Welcome to the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of queries about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might be wondering about the same things, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

Hi Nicole, I'm thinking of upgrading my mobile phone in the near future. I've been a BlackBerry user for the past couple of years, and I've really given this thing a beating. I have dropped it more times than I can count, sometimes at a great enough velocity to send the battery cover flying well past the rest of the phone. What I am wondering is, how durable are today's touch-screen phones? I've heard that the Pre is particularly fragile. Are the OLED devices any better or worse? Would you recommend someone like me sticking with a non-touch device, since once you crack a touch screen, you are left with an expensive paperweight? -- Jay, via e-mail.

If you abuse your phone that much, I would say touch-screen phones are probably not the best for you. Touch-screen phones usually have a glass surface as the display, which, of course, is particularly susceptible to cracking. You might consider a durable case of some kind to prevent everyday nicks and scratches, though. There are also many manufacturers that make scratch-resistant screen overlays, like the Zagg invisible shields, for example. But if you're truly concerned, then yes, perhaps a more durable phone is in order. You can check out phones like the Sonim XP3 Quest or the Casio Exilim C721, both of which are rugged enough to withstand the elements. Check out our reviews of other durable phones, too, if you want more options.

The HTC Touch Pro 2's keyboard is very roomy.

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

I am due for an upgrade in October and was seriously considering a BlackBerry Tour on Verizon Wireless. The only thing is that I have big hands and while some people might laugh it makes for an uncomfortable experience on those BlackBerry devices. My question is this: Does RIM have any plans on coming out with a BlackBerry device that has bigger keys? Or am I doomed to never be able to use a BlackBerry device at all? -- Stu, via e-mail

RIM has been pretty consistent with the size and shape of its BlackBerry handhelds, so I don't think RIM will enhance the size of its keyboards any time soon. ... Read more

Welcome to the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

Thanks to Bonnie Cha for her help with the first couple of questions!

I am thinking of getting the BB Tour or the HTC Touch Pro 2 from Sprint. I was wanting to know, if you were going to purchase one of these phones, which one would you choose and why? I know the Pro 2 has Wi-Fi and may offer an OS upgrade later. Do yo think this would make a better phone than the Tour? -- Bruce, via e-mail.

It depends on your preference. For a simple messaging e-mail device, the Tour is probably the better handheld, since the interface is a little easier to understand. The Tour is also better if you want a world phone that you can use in any country on the globe. If you don't plan on using the phone outside the U.S. and you want a smartphone with a little more multimedia power, the HTC Touch Pro 2 is definitely the better of the two. The Touch Pro 2 offers Wi-Fi while the Tour doesn't, and the wider touch-screen interface on the Touch Pro 2 is also more conducive to video playback.

My cousin would like to get the Blackberry 8900 (I'll have to unlock it, of course) to use overseas, so I was just wondering what was the big difference between AT&T's 8900 and T-Mobile's 8900, because there is a $240 difference between the price on Best Buy Web site. Is there really a big difference between them just because AT&T calls theirs the Javelin and T-mobile's the curve? The specs look the same to me? -- Damion, via e-mail.

In terms of specs, both the AT&T and the T-Mobile version of the BlackBerry 8900 are about the same. The only differences are the carrier offerings. For example, AT&T has AT&T Music and AT&T Navigator on the 8900, while T-Mobile's version has UMA support so you can make calls via Wi-Fi if you have a T-Mobile HotSpot @ Home plan. But if you're going to unlock it and use it overseas, then it doesn't matter which one you go with, since you probably won't be able to use those services anyway. P.S. "Javelin" is just an internal code name, I believe.

Any comments on the Jabra Halo? I plan on using it mostly with my iPhone, (for hands-free driving), as well as for music enjoyment when not driving. Would you recommend this stereo Bluetooth device or suggest another? -- Frank, via e-mail.

I have to be honest, Frank: I wasn't a huge fan of the Halo. In fact, I didn't like it much at all. It just didn't sit well on the ears and the call quality was subpar. The best things I can say about it is that it's very attractive; it folds down to a more compact shape; and it does play music as promised. Even if I did like it, though, I wouldn't recommend using it while driving; I think only a mono headset is allowed in that scenario. If you want a headset that can be used in both stereo and mono, take a look at the Samsung WEP870, the Plantronics Voyager 855, or the Jabra BT8010 for starters. Do note, though, that the new iPhone OS does not have full AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile) support. This means that even though you can stream music from it, you can't control the music playback from the headset--you still have to play/pause and advance tracks on the phone itself.

Welcome to the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

I really don't like having to sign any cell phone contract. If I buy an unlocked GSM phone, can I just pop in a SIM card and it'll work automatically?--Siri, via e-mail

Technically, yes, but it depends on the phone. If you really want to ensure that you can use the phone anywhere in the world, you should make sure it is a quad-band phone that is compatible with all four GSM bands (850, 900, 1,800, and 1,900MHz). Also note that even though you can make calls with it, most phones require you to activate a data or messaging plan with your carrier before you can use features such as MMS or e-mail. Kent German, a CNET senior editor, recently posted a quick how-to on activating MMS on unlocked phones, and you can ask your carrier if your phone requires more detailed settings. For the BlackBerry, for example, you need to know the APN or Access Point Name for your particular carrier to access the Internet. Here is a handy guide on how to enable full Internet access on the BlackBerry along with APNs of some of the more popular cellular providers. If our readers have any more tips on other platforms, please let tell us in the comments.

Welcome to the 411, my new Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

I notice that the Sony Cybershot C905i has built-in Wi-Fi, but the Cybershot C905a does not. Is this a mistake? If it isn't, why does one have Wi-Fi and not the other one? Thanks! -- Marcus, via e-mail

You're right, Marcus. When we first wrote about the Sony CyberShot C905 back in CES 2009, we reported that it had built-in Wi-Fi. In fact, the Sony Ericsson C905i, which is available in Europe, does indeed have Wi-Fi (here's a link to the Sony Ericsson C905 review on CNET UK). But our review of the Sony CyberShot C905a does not have mention of Wi-Fi. This is because, perhaps due to a deal brokered between AT&T and Sony Ericsson, the C905a had its Wi-Fi capabilities stripped out. In every other way, however, the hardware is practically identical. We're as upset about it as you are, but we think it's probably because AT&T wanted people to use its 3G network instead. This is just speculation, of course, but what other reason could there be? Let us know what you think.

I have a question about the iPhone. Currently, I have about 14 months left on contract with T-Mobile. Will an iPhone work with T-Mobile service correctly or do you know if T-Mobile will ever offer the iPhone in the U.S.? I know they offer it in Europe. -- Mark, via email

As far as I know, T-Mobile will probably never offer the iPhone in the U.S. The 3G band for T-Mobile USA is completely different from AT&T's 3G, so Apple will have to manufacture a whole different chipset for it to work with T-Mobile's 3G network. If you don't mind not having 3G, you could try unlocking the phone yourself (various techniques are easily found with a Google search), but you would be voiding the warranty and risking bricking the phone. Also, if you use an unlocked iPhone with T-Mobile, you won't have access to Visual VoiceMail. As for Europe, T-Mobile in Europe is operated separately from T-Mobile USA, so you can't really compare the two.

I have seen your review of the Plantronics Voyager Pro, and I decided to buy it because of the sound quality. Now, it appears the Discovery 975, with similar (or equal?) technology to the Voyager PRO, has a slimmer design. I am looking for best sound quality for business conversations at any environment (airport, street, restaurants, etc). Which do you recommend for me? -- Piero, via e-mail

I actually think either the Voyager Pro or the Discovery 975 will do just fine for you. Both have great noise-canceling capabilities and excellent audio quality. The Voyager Pro is meant to be worn for longer periods of time and is a bit cheaper than the Discovery 975. On the other hand, the Discovery 975 is a little more stylish and has a charging case that extends its battery life three-fold. So, it's up to you on which factors are more important. I would probably prefer the Discovery 975 if I had more cash to spare.

Welcome to the 411, my new Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

Samsung Jitterbug J was designed for seniors.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

What is your opinion of the Jitterbug for seniors? My dad is 93, in good mental and physical shape and travels quite a bit. He wants a phone for emergencies, but I can't justify the cost of a two-year service contract, etc. for a carrier. I can't add a line to my phone since I have a phone issued by my company. Jitterbug seems to fit the bill, unless you have a better option than the $150 for the phone and $15 a month I'd pay with JB. -- Gregg, via e-mail.

The Jitterbug phones are usually our go-to suggestion for seniors, because that's who they were designed for. Indeed, the most recent Jitterbug J is one big handset, with big keys, a bright screen, an easy-to-use menu interface, and even a dial tone when you open it up to better simulate a land line phone. You also get a lot of operator services when you sign on to the Jitterbug/GreatCall carrier, but you should be aware of the additional costs associated with those. And as you've noticed, it does cost around $150 up front. However, the upside is that the Jitterbug requires no contract, and is available for the starting price of $15 a month (You can also carry over your minutes in case you don't use all of them in a month). You could go with a contract phone like the Pantech Breeze for AT&T (which we think is another senior-friendly handset), which is a lot cheaper at around $30, but that one requires a two-year contract for a lot more than $15 a month. So yes, I do think the Jitterbug J is the best bet for your father. But be careful! Check with Jitterbug to make sure it has service in the areas it doesn't cover the entire country.

I think I'm stuck. I've read so many reviews across tons of sites, and I don't know what to do. I honestly have to get rid of my current phone. I have the Samsung SPH-M520, and it was great, but not so much right now. As for a new phone, my decision is between the Palm Pre and the BlackBerry Tour for Sprint. People complain about the battery (on the Palm Pre), which is a serious issue. I've been to the store though, and really like this phone. I have yet to see a bad review for the Blackberry Tour. It almost seems as if nobody hates RIM. Kind of weird. But the Blackberry Tour doesn't have Wi-Fi, its menus are completely old and eye-fatiguing, and no one seems to know whether or not the BlackBerries actually have true threaded txt messaging. Another pro for the Tour is that fantastic keyboard, another great display, but no touch screen or world roaming features. I probably will not use this phone around the world, but this means that the phone has a SIM card which would allow me to buy unlocked phones later on that usually only work on GSM bands. Is that correct? Since they are both the same price, what do you think is the better decision? -- CNET reader, via e-mail.

Let me parse your question into a couple of sections. First let me address your concerns about the BlackBerry. As I understand it, Blackberries don't quite have "true threaded text messaging." While it is true that you can see a back-and-forth conversation between you and the other person on the BlackBerry messaging interface, it does not store the entire conversation in just one thread--all of that person's messages will still fill your message in-box, one by one. "True threaded text messaging" is one entire conversation stored under the message recipient's name, like how it appears on the Apple iPhone and in the Palm Treo, thus minimizing the load in your message in-box. I think of this as a rather minor point, but I understand if it matters to you. Also, you are correct that the BlackBerry Tour comes with a SIM card. However, it is only configured to work with certain carriers outside the U.S. Sprint does not have roaming agreements with AT&T and T-Mobile USA, so you won't be able to use that SIM card here.

Now, as to whether you should get the Palm Pre or BlackBerry Tour. It truly depends on whether you think the battery life of the Palm Pre is a big enough issue to stay away from it. I personally think there are ways to maximize the battery life of the Pre and that it's possible to get away with just daily charging. It also seems like you dislike the menu interface on the BlackBerry Tour, and that you won't be using its world roaming features as much. All that in mind, it seems as if the Palm Pre is the better phone for you.

Welcome to the 411, my new Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

Will you please explain to me the difference between 2G and 3G phones? Thank you ever so much in advance.--Michael, via e-mail

The short answer is that 3G's data service is faster than 2G's. The longer answer is that 3G brings wireless broadband data services to your phone, while 2G phones are far slower. There are also 2.5G phones that are somewhere in between. If a phone has 3G, that means it has a potential speed from 144Kbps to 2.4Mbps, which puts it close to cable-modem speed. A compatible phone on a 3G network lets you download Web pages faster, stream music and video, and more. Examples of 3G standards are EV-DO for CDMA phones and UMTS for GSM phones. There are some phones that support an even faster 3.5G standard -- HSDPA for GSM phones and EV-DO Rev. A for CDMA phones--that boast up to 7.2 Mbps. Do note that 3G networks aren't available everywhere; they're typically in major metropolitan areas but your mileage may vary if you live outside certain zones. We advise you to check with your carrier to see if there is 3G coverage in your neighborhood.

The LG Neon is good for texting.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

I can't decide between the LG Vu or the LG Neon. I text a lot and they both seem to be good. Can you tell me (since you're an expert) which one is better for me?--Camil, via e-mail

They're very different phones, Camil. The LG Vu is a touch screen only device that was one of the first phones to support AT&T Mobile TV, AT&T's live mobile TV service. It's a nice-looking phone with a full HTML browser and 3G speeds, but you won't get a physical keyboard. If you're a frequent texter, the LG Neon is probably more your taste. The Neon has a good slide-out QWERTY keyboard for easy thumb typing. We don't really like it that the display on the Neon can only be used as a touch-screen for the number dial pad, but that's a relatively small gripe. The Neon doesn't have the features of the Vu--there's no 3G, for example--but for simple texting, the Neon is better.

I bought a headset (plug in type) for my LG Dare phone. It says it fits LG phones, but when I plug it in, my phone says it has no microphone and it just doesn't work. I did have to adapt the plug from 2.5 millimeter to 3.5 millimeter to fit my phone. Please help.--John, via e-mail

The Klipsch S2m headphones has microphone input

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

It sounds to me as if your plug adapter jack does not have a microphone input. The easiest way to find out if a jack (be it 2.5 millimeter or 3.5 millimeter) supports microphones, is to count the number of lines on the plug--if there are only 2 lines, the jack does not support microphone input; if there are 3 lines, it does. I would suggest either getting an adapter that does support microphone input, or just finding a new wired headset that plugs into a 3.5-millimeter jack. A couple of the ones we like are the Klipsch Image S2m and the Etymotic hf2.

Welcome to the 411, my new Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

LG enV Touch

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

I'm looking to buy a new cellular phone, and seek your advice. I want the best CDMA (for Verizon) phone that isn't a BlackBerry or 3G/smartphone for plan purposes. I've pretty much come down to the Versa and the enV Touch. I've found the enV to be superior in terms of hardware specs, but it's difficult to know without reviewing them both myself. But you reviewed them both yourself! So you could help me! -- Dillen, via e-mail

I've answered this on the Dialed In podcast already, but thought it would be good to put this in the column as well. Both the LG Versa and the enV Touch have pros and cons, but I tend to lean toward the enV Touch for the better keyboard and design. The features are very similar, and the Versa is better if you like having optional modules and like to go without a keyboard every once in awhile. Still, the enV Touch has a better camera and is a little more affordable. Perhaps we should have a Prizefight between the two phones--thanks for the idea!

Welcome to the 411, my new Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

The Palm Pre's battery life is an issue, but is that enough to avoid it?

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

I have the new Palm Pre and I am very concerned about the battery drain. The last phone that I had was the Instinct and was a smartphone and a good phone. But it was not an iPhone, so when the Palm Pre came out, I was happy that they had a phone that can holds a match to the iPhone. But the battery has me worried so I went out and got an iPhone 3G 8G and am trying it out. The iPhone is really a great device. But I have heard that AT&T has poor signal and service. I have been with Sprint for nine years and love their service and signal is dependable and the everything plan is great and affordable compared with AT&T. Do you have any help for me making this choose. -- Bradford, via e-mail

You'll have to decide which is more important for you--battery life, proper coverage, or affordability. As you've already mentioned, the Palm Pre has problems with battery life, and AT&T sometimes has poor coverage depending on your area (You should investigate this further in your own home and office instead of just relying on random hearsay though--you might find that you have good AT&T coverage in your area). It's also not as if the iPhone doesn't have battery issues either, depending on how much you use it. Since you seem to be more keen on sticking with Sprint though, I would suggest you stay with the Palm Pre for the time being, despite the poor battery life. Our own Bonnie Cha has released a brief how-to on maximizing the battery life on the Palm Pre. If that still isn't good enough, I would encourage taking a look at some of Sprint's other smartphones like the HTC Touch Pro, which might have a slightly longer battery life.