New phone favorites
Q: Back in May, you were asked the question, "Which phone would I buy?" Your practical answer was the Samsung SCH-6100. Would that still be your answer today? If not, which phone would it be?
--Mark

A: I am still a huge fan of the Samsung SCH-6100. However, since newer models have been introduced and prices have dropped, I thought I would reexamine my choice. Here are my favorites from each of the major carriers, based on the most bang for the buck:

• AT&T Wireless: Ericsson R289LX--It's practically free and not a bad phone--just a tad bulky.
• Cingular Wireless: Nokia 3390--It may not have as many features as the more popular 8290 model, but it's a good value if you need a compact, no-frills phone.
• Sprint PCS: Samsung SPH-N200--There's currently a $50 rebate available for this phone, which brings the cost down to $150. Not bad for a pretty reliable, dual-mode phone that won't put a big bulge in your pocket.
• Verizon Wireless: Black LGIC TM-510--It's a good-looking phone, and I particularly appreciate the dual LCDs. Essentially, this phone is the poor man's Motorola V60c.

A: The product you're looking for is called the VoxLink from Vox2, and it's basically a charger/docking cradle for your cell phone. Yes, it's true that you can also hook the cradle up to the landline in your home. Here's how it works: when the cell phone is in the cradle and charging, you can answer all calls that come into your mobile line on your home telephone. The device costs about $200, and the company's Web site provides a list of places where the product can be purchased and what phones it supports. Presently, it's not compatible with Nokia's 7100 series.

Sync or swim
Q: Your review mentions that the Sanyo SCP-5000 phone does not sync with any contact-management software? Do you know of a third-party company that sells software that offers this feature? To be quite honest, this will be the definitive purchasing decision for this phone.
--Brian

A: Actually, the included Sanyo SCP-5000 syncing solution is a little strange. The phone comes with a cable and software that allow you to upload images to the phone. But that's it--there's no PIM syncing.

Unfortunately, FoneSync, a popular PIM-syncing software package, doesn't work with the Sanyo SCP-5000. However, Sprint's voice-activated dialing feature might be a good compromise. On Sprint's Web site, you can input a limited number of contacts (you have to sign in to your account to access the feature) that you'll then be able to dial from your Sprint PCS phone using voice commands. Granted, it's not as convenient as having all of your Outlook contacts in your phone, but if you don't have a lot of important numbers to store, it's a good alternative.