Save Your Cell Phone's Address Book
Tue May 30, 2006 10:10PM EDT
See Comments (13)
Since we're on the topic of losing gadgets (see post below), what happens if you lose your cell phone with SIM card and all? Do you have your cellphone data backed up?
Again, preventive measures will save you a huge headache in case you lose your cell phone. Often times, we don't take the initiative to do this because we may think "it won't happen to me," which as we all know is disaster's favorite time to strike. As a matter of fact, just when you're the least prepared, you're put to the test.
Don't let this happen to you. Back up, back up, and re-back up your cell phone address book. I will show you three ways to back up your data, starting with services offered by U.S.Carriers.
Here's a list of those U.S Carriers who offer phonebook backup services:
- T-Mobile and Cingular: Yahoo! Mobile Services offers this free service to Cingular and T-Mobile subscribers with SyncML compatible mobile phones. Users are able to synchronize and combine contacts from their Yahoo! Address Book. Wireless carrier data charges will apply.
- Sprint Wireless Backup Plans: Only available on two Sprint phones (Samsung A580 and LG LX350). Costs $2 a month, and saves and contact changes made on your phone in case it's lost or stolen. Dory wrote a nice post about this service.
- Verizon Wireless Backup Assistant: Available for "Get it Now" enabled phones, the service saves your cell phone address book on a daily basis. In case you lose your phone, you data is wirelessly transmitted to your new phone. It also costs $2.00 a month.
- Mighty Backup: Provides the same service as Verizon's Backup Assistant (powered by same company) to Alltel, Cellular One, and Midwest Wireless users.
- Cingular: VoiceDial Address Book stores thousands of numbers in your personal address book. Lets you import contact information from Microsoft Outlook, online or by phone. Cost is $5.00 a month.
As you can see, most U.S. Carriers charge you a monthly fee. To eliminate this fee, you should consider purchasing your own hardware devices or software to use at home.
Check out the gadgets that help you back up your cell phone address book, as well as the third-party software you can purchase to sync your phone directly with your computer. Here's how.
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Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.
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2 Posted by rachprime on Sun Dec 10, 2006 6:38AM EST Report Abuse
I have to agree, the sound quality with the FM transmitter is quite poor. My boyfriend found the quality was sufficient for audio books, but not nearly good enough for music. Also, we did encounter interference on longer trips, and a general static-like, buzzy sound most of the time...Although we have yet to try it, I know a lot of new car stereos come ready to plug your iPod into. That's the route we're going to try next!
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3 Posted by jmcciti on Mon Dec 11, 2006 10:56AM EST Report Abuse
Tried playing my Sansa e250 mp3 through my radio using a cassette converter. The selections would play but periodically would stop, the radio would display "tape1", or "tape2" or even eject from the cassette player. "Tape2" means that the player is trying to play the other side of the tape. Any suggestions?
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4 Posted by kim-mitchell@rogers.com on Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:43AM EST Report Abuse
I love our FM transmitter; we have never encountered interference and the quality is as good as the radio (1990 Toyota Corolla).
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5 Posted by eclecticsonnet on Thu Dec 28, 2006 11:19AM EST Report Abuse
From what I've seen of it (My friend uses it when he drives with me) the problems with the fm transmitter are pretty minimal, I mean, it's not perfect but I think it's pretty good for what you're getting. I love sirius and you don't actually need to have someone install it in your car for you, I mean you can, but you can buy set that you can install yourself quite easily. (My brother has that one). I'd rather control what I'm listening to myself though. My problem is that I love the Chocolate phone but I'm very concerned about listening to my music in my car. From what I can see I have no way of doing it. I don't see a jack and I don't have a tape deck. I was moving toward fusic as a solution for the fm transmitter but I'd much rather just plug it in. Does anyone know the simplest solution to this? Would I have to buy a tape deck to make it work? Or settle for another phone with an fm transmitter?
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1 Posted by hampot20854 on Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:21AM EDT Report Abuse
Using the FM transmitter option is good only for those who don't care a great deal about audio quality, or don't want to pay for anything else. Like you, I tried that as the first option when I first obtained an XM radio. After experiencing interference and other frustrations with the FM band option, I tried the cassette adapter and was amazed how much better it sounded. Obviously, better quality sound is one of the benefits of both digital music players and satellite radio. So, it would be a shame to sacrifice audio quality by sticking with the FM transmitter. For those with deeper pockets, it appears many new car stereo systems, either dealer or factory installed, are providing a direct connection. Similarly, aftermarket products, such as those purchased from a consumer electronics store, also have better quality options. If you are going to pay for an MP3 player or satellite radio, one should try to go the extra step and insure the connection helps deliver better quality audio.