Treo troubles

Q: I would like to transfer my Treo 600 from AT&T/Cingular to Verizon by unlocking it. Is that possible?
--Kyle

A: Sorry Kyle, you're out of luck here. Since Verizon and Cingular operate on different networks (Verizon uses CDMA, and Cingular uses GSM), a phone that works with one carrier will not work on the other. In the case of the Treo, PalmOne developed different version of the smart phone for most of the major carriers, so if you're intent on switching carriers, you would need to purchase the Treo specifically designed for Verizon.

Only GSM phones can be unlocked--that is, the settings that tie the handset to one carrier can be removed. So, for example, you could unlock a T-Mobile Treo and switch it to Cingular by swapping out the SIM card. There are a couple ways to do this if you don't buy an unlocked device in the first place. Sometimes a carrier will unlock it for a fee, but that is becoming much less common. Alternatively, there are hacks available (try a Web search for unlocking a cell phone), but I can't guarantee they'll work.

Cell calendars

Q: Do all cell phones with calendars have limited memory for storing events, or do some have enough space to store a lot of events? Specs quote phone book capacities of phones, but no one seems to be talking about calendar capacity. People mumble about PDAs being overtaken by cell phones with PIM functionality but not if the PIM functions are useless, like they are with my Samsung.
--Tom

A: Virtually all cell phones have some sort of built-in calendar, but as you said, their capacity and interface are somewhat limited. CNET lists calendar details in many of its reviews (for example, the calendar on the Sanyo MM-5600 has daily and monthly but no weekly views), but if you want a high-functioning date book, your best bet is to go with a smart phone. Armed with operating systems from Palm or Windows, smart phones can sync with Microsoft Outlook through the Exchange server and come with enough memory to store a large number of events.

You also might want to check out syncing software that enables you to transfer calendar and other data between your phone and your computer. Not only does it allow you to manage your mobile's date book, it also lets you edit your calendar from your computer keyboard--easier than on a standard phone keypad. You can find the software through your carrier, your handset's manufacturer, or through third parties such as Mobile Action Handset Manager and Susteen's DataPilot.

Coverage crisis
Q: Is there any way a person can find out where a phone will or will not work before buying it (salespeople tend to overestimate)? For example, we have a cabin near Barnes, in northern Wisconsin. We'd like to get a cell phone, but if it won't work there, we aren't interested. How can we find out in advance--or at least get a refundable guarantee?
--Coleen

A: First off, remember that salespeople in a carrier's store are just that. They're paid to sell you a phone and a plan, so they're going to assure you that everything is hunky-dory. That's not an excuse, and I'm not condoning it, but you should certainly take your own steps to find a phone that will work for you. It's all about being a smart customer. The colorful carrier maps in the store aren't always accurate, so take them with a grain of salt. Even within the map's service area, coverage will vary sharply from building to building and block to block. Take San Francisco, for instance: Though all the major carriers have coverage here, a phone that works downtown may not work in an outer neighborhood. Some carriers such as Sprint and T-Mobile publish maps with their tower locations, but more detailed information can be hard to find from all the carriers. And if Verizon has any say, this this scarcity of information won't be addressed, but customers absolutely deserve to know the details.

Besides asking your Barnes, Wisconsin, neighbors which carrier they use, you can always buy a phone and test it out for a few days. All the major carriers provide grace periods during which you can return a phone and back out of a contract without penalty--you'll be liable for only the calls you make during that grace period. The length of the grace period varies by carrier, but you can see them in our cell phone buying guide.