Section Editor Joni Blecher, a.k.a. the Cell Phone Diva, wants to answer all your questions about cell phones, service plans, and wireless connectivity.
Send her a question!
Nextel gets smart
Q:
Do you know if Nextel will be offering a smart phone anytime soon? You would think the company would add one of Motorola's smart phones to its system.
--Neil
A:
According to Nextel, a model is in the works. If you're in the market for a Nextel phone that does e-mail efficiently and has a keypad, check out the BlackBerry 7510. It's not nearly as sleek or compact as the Motorola MPx200, but it's a start.
Picture this
Q:
With the upcoming release of the Nokia 7610 in the United States, I'm feeling a case of tech-toy envy (especially due to its megapixel camera). Is it a smart idea to upgrade to a megapixel camera phone in the coming months?
--Joseph
A:
One of my favorite catchphrases is "if you can wait a month or two, then you absolutely should." However, I'm going to go against the grain on this one and tell you to go ahead and upgrade now. My maxim's still true because just about every manufacturer will release a megapixel camera phone by the end of the year. But here's the rub: differences in photo quality between the models will be negligible, since most will still be using a CMOS sensor.
Only a couple of models (the
LG 8000 and the
Sony Ericsson S700) will have a CCD sensor, which is used in digital cameras and produces better-quality images than an inexpensive CMOS sensor can. One final caveat: Those higher-end models probably won't appear until early 2005.
Besides, the Nokia 7610 is a nifty phone with interesting features. Most noteworthy is the LifeBlog software that ships with it so that you can store all your text messages and images on your computer in the form of an electronic diary.
Continental divide
Q:
I have an AT&T GSM Treo 600 world phone, and I'd like to use it abroad by inserting another SIM card. How can I utilize the service?
--M. Moussa
A:
All you need is the unlock SIM code from AT&T. You should be able to get it over the phone or in a store, but it can cost as much as $25. Once you've unlocked the SIM in your phone, buy a SIM card after you land, and insert it into the handset. Presto--you have service on your Treo in another country.
