Dialing in

	Motorola T720

A: You're definitely on the right track. As long as you want to use your own ISP, all you need to do is buy a connection kit such as Verizon's Mobile Office Kit ($40). You still can use the kit without upgrading to a data service plan, but you won't get as fast a connection as you would with the company's Express Data network, which enables DSL-worthy speeds. In fact, you'll hit closer to 14.4Kbps, which will feel like a snail's pace.

If you opt for the slower connection, be sure your existing plan can accommodate these changes; every time you use your cell phone to dial in to the Internet, those minutes will be deducted from your bucket of calling-plan minutes.

Outlook on the go
Q: I'm looking for a cell phone that will sync with both Contacts and Calendar in Microsoft Outlook (Tasks would be nice too, but it's not a deal breaker). I know this is easy with cell phones that have a Microsoft OS, but can non-Microsoft OS-based cell phones sync properly as well?
--Yuson

A: This is a myth worth dispelling. Truth be told, just about any phone can sync with your Contacts and Calendar data in Outlook. There are a ton of third-party solutions (such as FutureDial) available, and most carriers support at least one such application for just about all the phones they offer. Of course, there are a couple of catches.

For starters, much of the current software doesn't always sync both Calendar and Contacts. In this situation, you typically have to buy two pieces of software but can use the same syncing cable, which already comes in the package. If this sounds like a scam, it is--to a degree. But to be fair, more and more packages are becoming available that will sync with both Contacts and Calendar.

Second--and this is key--just because you purchase the apps, it doesn't mean all your Outlook info will make it to the phone. For example, if you use Motorola's Mobile Tools syncing software with the company's V series of phones, the handset's calendar doesn't support all fields (such as Notes and Location) available in Outlook. Thus, data from those fields will never make it to the phone.

Finally, if you use a Nokia phone with some sort of wireless connectivity (Bluetooth or IR), you can sync Contacts and Calendar appointments for free. Just download the company's PC Suite software from its Web site, make a wireless connection, and start syncing.

Bluetooth speeds
Q: I have a PalmOne Tungsten T3. I want to use the Bluetooth capabilities to connect to a cell phone and the Internet. How fast will my connection be?
--Andrew

A: As long as you have a Bluetooth-enabled phone, this isn't too difficult. But if you'd like to use your own ISP, your data speeds will be slow (about 14.4Kbps). For faster speeds, you'll want to get a data plan from your service provider, which can provide connection speeds around 56Kbps. Most current Bluetooth-enabled phones support GPRS data networks, which typically clock in with speeds in the 56K arena. While we'll see faster rates with network upgrades in the future, they're still a couple of years away.

	More resources