Music for your mobile

Q: I have T-Mobile's Nokia 6133, and I recently tried to load music on the digital music player with a MicroSD card. While I was able to transfer music that I ripped from my own CDs, the phone refused to play tracks I bought from Napster. Do you know what the problem is? Is it a problem with the memory card?
--Eric

A: You can blame your problem on digital rights management (DRM), as it has nothing to do with your MicroSD card. Napster files--even if you pay for them--are in a protected WMA format. While Nokia designed the 6133 to play MP3, AACPlus, and WMA formats, T-Mobile ensured that the handset will play only unprotected WMAs. That's one reason that cell phones are so unique in the gadget world. When you involve a carrier, a device's specifications can change. On the other hand--and as I'm sure you know--you can transfer your Napster tracks to a compatible MP3 player.

In comparison, Verizon's V Cast Music also supports unprotected WMAs only, while the Sprint Music Store doesn't support the file format at all.

Q: I have a Samsung MM-A900 (Blade) from Sprint. I was wondering if there was any way that I could use my phone in Italy or if I have to rent a phone. Obviously I would rather use my nice Samsung than some cruddy rental phone. Is there anything that I can do?
--Kyle

A: Sprint has coverage in about 32 countries when using one of their CDMA-only phones, including your Samsung MM-A900. But unfortunately for you, Italy--or any other European nation for that matter--is not one of them. Europe is a GSM-only zone, with no coverage for CDMA devices. So that leaves you with two choices for using your Sprint service abroad.

Your first option, as you mentioned, is to rent a GSM phone. Granted, the selection will be limited, and you won't be able to get a GSM copy of your MM-A900, but you can rent a Motorola Razr V3, which is somewhat comparable. And if a thin phone isn't a necessity, Sprint also rents a Motorola V555 and a Nokia 3120. Just keep in mind that the GSM handset selection changes over time, so Sprint might have different options if your trip is several months away. On the upside, the GSM handset will have your same Sprint phone number, though some data features will be limited.

Another option, and this should be used only if you travel abroad frequently, is to replace your MM-A900 with one of Sprint's dual-mode CDMA/GSM handsets. Those phones work on Sprint's CDMA network when stateside, then on a GSM network when traveling outside of the United States. Currently, Sprint offers the Samsung IP-830w. Though it's a smart phone and may be more than you want, it will work both in the United States and in Italy. Sprint previously offered the Samsung IP-A790 as well. It's no longer listed on Sprint's site, but they should support it if you find one. Be sure to read CNET's Quick guide to world phones for more information.

Q: I really like Sony Ericsson phones, but most of them are triband (GSM 900/1800/1900), and I have Cingular. I've heard that Cingular is moving toward using the 850 band almost exclusively. Is this true, and if so, will they be phasing out their 1900? I live in New York City and I've looked at different coverage maps on the Web, but I don't know if I should trust them.
--Randall

A: You can rest easy, Randall, as Cingular has no plans to abandon the 1900 band. While it's true that Cingular puts some emphasis on the 850 band, you should have few problems using a triband Sony Ericsson handset, particularly in an urban area such as New York City. Coverage in the 1900 band can be spottier in more rural locations, but if you're mainly concerned about finding reception at home, then you should be fine. And on a related note, Cingular is phasing out their TDMA coverage, but that won't affect you in the least.