A Siemens on Cingular

Q: I've been looking at purchasing the new Siemens SF65 and SL65 phones, but I don't know how to tell if they will be compatible with my network (Cingular). Also, how can I tell if my SIM card will be compatible with the phone?
--Matt

A: Unfortunately, we haven't been able to get our hands on the SL65, which is an upgrade to the SL56 (a favorite of our departed cell phone diva). The Siemens SL65 is sold primarily in Europe and Asia, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to use it stateside. Since the SL65 is a GSM triband cell phone (GSM 900/1800/1900), it should be relatively operable on Cingular's network. That said, Cingular uses mainly the 850 band so that coverage will be spotty in some places, especially in buildings. There's one caveat, though: make sure that you buy an unlocked version that's not tied to any specific carrier. That way, all you'll need to do is pop in your SIM card to get started. You'll be able to tell if your SIM card is compatible as soon as you put it in the phone. If you see Cingular displayed on the screen and are able to make calls, then you're good to go. You'll still have to get the correct data settings from Cingular, however, to use the wireless Web browser and some of the messaging features.

A syncing feeling
Q: I purchased a cell phone data-cable kit on eBay so that I can transfer photos from my Audiovox CDM-8910 on to my PC. There is a cable driver all right, but there's no application that allows me to do anything. When I asked the vendor, they only said their supplier didn't give them the software and that I should look around on the Net. I have done a search and cannot come up with any source. Do you know where I can get help? Obviously, some freeware would be appreciated.
--Jacques

A: Sadly, Jacques, it sounds like you might have been scammed--a frequent problem with purchasing tech on eBay. That's why we typically caution readers against purchasing a used cell phone on auction sites. Unfortunately, it's hard to give you recommendations without knowing your carrier or the product you purchased. But your question about freeware intrigues me. While the data kits I've used are not free, I haven't tested any, so I can't recommend one product over another. But I wouldn't be surprised if there were some out there. If there are readers who know of any options, I'd love to hear about them.

Souvenir cell phones
Q: I have a phone that I bought in Asia, and I would like to use it in the States. Is it possible to use the phone here with a prepaid card?
--chaochi

A: In theory, using an imported phone in the States shouldn't be a problem, but you need to do your research first. If the phone is unlocked, you'll be able to use almost any SIM card, whether it's prepaid or from a carrier. Yet there's a more important issue to consider: The primary GSM bands used in the United States are 850 and 1900, so it's important to make sure your phone supports those bands. The bands are listed in the phone's user manual. Many Asian cellular networks have already moved on to 3G CDMA2000 networks, which is a more advanced network. If that's the case with the phone you want to use, you may end up with a very showy but unusable gadget.

Finding a signal

Q: Are some phones better at receiving low-strength signals than others?
--Meryl

A: Cellular reception is a two-part equation. The first factor is the strength of the carrier's network. Without a doubt, signal strength plays a huge role, so if you're having trouble getting a signal in a specific area, I'd blame the network first. But the cell phones themselves also have an effect. Since no two phone models are the same, they will differ in the strength and the accuracy of their antennas and receivers. In my experience, Nokia phones tend to offer solid reception, but there's not an industry consensus by any means. I'd be interested in hearing your opinions. TalkBack to me.