Verizon iSync Phone

[billyb]

hi,

I'm looking for advice on getting a Verizon phone. I would like the following:

1) iSyncs with iCal and Address Book
2) the smaller the better

i don't care whether it syncs over USB or bluetooth (I have a 12" PB w/ built-in BT), i don't care about a camera (in fact, I'd rather not have one). i don't care if it's currently available or if I have to buy it from eBay. I'm just looking for a small, good phone. Don't care about bells and whistles (unless they're required for iSyncing).

If anyone has any input, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks,

-bb

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

I have a Motorola V710 from Verizon. It has a slot for a transflash card, USB iSync connectivity (or Bluetooth, via an iSync hack) and Bluetooth functionality. It's not the smallest phone in the world, but it's got one of the best radio units I've ever used on a cell phone.

Hope this helps.

 

[anotherjeff]

Isn't the 710 a fairly big phone? How do you like the syncability with iCal?

 

[billyb]

event alarms on the V710

How do you like the syncability with iCal?

That's one thing I was wondering...what the datebooks on phones like this look like. Does everything from iCal transfer over, including alarms for event?

 

[crazydreaming]

I've got the V710 also. I love it I think it's the best phone available for Verizon at the moment. However the e815 just came out, it's basically the same phone but aluminum, get that if you have the choice.

Mine syncs over USB perfectly. I do need to get to a Verizon store to have my software updated. I hear there is a way then to make it so sync over bluetooth.

It's not that big, I haven't noticed that being a problem at all. I wear it on my belt with the included belt clip.

Coolest feature: The ability to go online through your phone with bluetooth. With most Verizon plans, service is free after 9:00PM and it's also free on the weekends and holidays. I can get online through my phone without even taking my phone off my belt. Just go to Internet Connect and connect. If you use it during normal day hours, it just uses minutes. However, first double check to see if this is true with your plan. It's not that slow either.

One con is the battery life. It is mandatory that you charge it every night. There is an extended life battery you can get, but that does add size.

Signal Strenth is great. Speakerphone is very good. Overall, a great phone.

 

[puckhead193]

i think the only phones that sync are the moto e817 and the 710. I have the e815, awesome phone, i love mine and would recommend it

 

[djkny]

i think the only phones that sync are the moto e817 and the 710. I have the e815, awesome phone, i love mine and would recommend it

what about the LG VX8100 --- their newest offering? I felt this had a sturdier, more attractive build than the Motorola E815. The LG's also features Bluetooth.

However, not sure if it syncs with Mac. Anyone know?

 

[billyb]

don't think so?

what about the LG VX8100 --- their newest offering? I felt this had a sturdier, more attractive build than the Motorola E815. The LG's also features Bluetooth.

However, not sure if it syncs with Mac. Anyone know?

I don't have one of these (obviously) but from Googling around, it doesn't seem to sync. But I'd love for someone to point out that I'm wrong on this.

 

[puckhead193]

here's a list of everything that can be sync using isync
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/isync/devices.html

 

[billyb]

others?

here's a list of everything that can be sync using isync
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/isync/devices.html

Right, I saw this...but I'd heard that certain other phones could be iSync'd that weren't on this list. Thanks for the list, though!

 

[crazydreaming]

what about the LG VX8100 --- their newest offering? I felt this had a sturdier, more attractive build than the Motorola E815. The LG's also features Bluetooth.

However, not sure if it syncs with Mac. Anyone know?

Personally, based on my experiences with LG phones, I'm not a fan of LG phones.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

Isn't the 710 a fairly big phone?

Yeah, it is, but it's got a great radio and I tend to use a belt clip, so size isn't much of an issue.

I'm actually waiting for Verizon to get their **** together and pick up the Blackberry 7100. Once they do that and drop their Blackberry rates a touch, I'll be upgrading.

How do you like the syncability with iCal?

I sync once a week or so for address book changes and to get a reference copy of my calendar. For that, it works as well as I've wanted, but I have pretty low demands for the functionality.

The only gripe I have is that I managed to get a ton of duplicate entries when I formatted my Powerbook, upgraded to Tiger, copied my home folder (not all of it, just the data files), and did a sync. It copied stuff from the phone (which was from iSync) back to the Powerbook, so I had to clean that up. Other than that, I've been quite happy with the whole configuration.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

That's one thing I was wondering...what the datebooks on phones like this look like.

I keep a digital camera in my laptop bag. I can take some pictures tonight if you're that interested.

Does everything from iCal transfer over, including alarms for event?

Not sure about alarms, but appointments and such all tranfer.

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

Coolest feature: The ability to go online through your phone with bluetooth.

Are you just using the phone as a fancy dialup modem to connect to an already-established dialup ISP account? I've looked into trying that, but don't have a dialup ISP to use.

AOL's latest prepaid offerings are mighty tempting, though. Hrm.

 

[MacFan782040]

The Moto e815 is the best phone I've ever had, and it syncs perfectly with iSync and Bluetooth

 

[paleck]

Anyone have instructions or a link to the iSync hack for the v710? I've been very happy with mine except for it not wanting to sync via bluetooth.

 

[dxm113]

Anyone have instructions or a link to the iSync hack for the v710? I've been very happy with mine except for it not wanting to sync via bluetooth.

check out howard forums

 

[crazydreaming]

Are you just using the phone as a fancy dialup modem to connect to an already-established dialup ISP account? I've looked into trying that, but don't have a dialup ISP to use.

AOL's latest prepaid offerings are mighty tempting, though. Hrm.

Nope, Verizon is the ISP. You don't need a dialup ISP. Verizon includes it. However, I can get you the information you need to connect if you need it as Verizon doesn't make a big deal about this.

 

[Flyinace2000]

Nope, Verizon is the ISP. You don't need a dialup ISP. Verizon includes it. However, I can get you the information you need to connect if you need it as Verizon doesn't make a big deal about this.

http://www.howardforums.com

I also have the e815. Out of the pbox it syncs with iSync perfectly. If you have a PC (or access to one) you can do seem edits to enable BlueTooth file transfers and a whole bunch of other things. EVDO network access is really cool for when no WiFi is available. I use it everyonce and a while and get speeds approx 500/60 (D/U). Plus the camera is 10x better then the crap that was on the 710

 

[billyb]

Anything else?

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. Does anybody have any recommendations other than the Moto E815 or V710? Any older phones that still sync well? Or do only the newer ones sync with iCal?

thanks again, everyone

 

[Flyinace2000]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. Does anybody have any recommendations other than the Moto E815 or V710? Any older phones that still sync well? Or do only the newer ones sync with iCal?

thanks again, everyone

I have had good luck with several moto's and samsungs syncing via data cables. Though i can only speak of the e815 and v710 when it comes to blue tooth and all its coolness.

 

[billyb]

got the 815

hi everyone, thanks for your help. i went out and got the e815, and am currently working out the kinks. I'm figuring out with types of phone numbers from Address Book won't sync on to the phone, etc. However, i've come across another problem.

I have way more contacts in my PB's Address Book than I want on my phone. So, I made a "Group" in Address Book for all the contacts I wanted on my phone, and then told iSync only to sync those. I deleted everything on my phone and then sync'd again. It worked great. however, if I create a new contact on my phone, and then sync, the number doesn't go into that particular Group--it just goes into the main Address Book "All". Any comments on this, or ideas from other people?

thanks,

bb

 

[ChrisBrightwell]

Datebook photos, by request.

 

[billyb]

thanks

Datebook photos, by request.

thanks, ChrisBrightwell! I appreciate it.

bb

 

[alcatholik]

More info on Verizon plans and Modem speeds

http://www.howardforums.com

I also have the e815. Out of the pbox it syncs with iSync perfectly. If you have a PC (or access to one) you can do seem edits to enable BlueTooth file transfers and a whole bunch of other things. EVDO network access is really cool for when no WiFi is available. I use it everyonce and a while and get speeds approx 500/60 (D/U). Plus the camera is 10x better then the crap that was on the 710

Can you post more info on what kind of modem speeds you get with Verizon and the e815, and what kind of plan you need to get to those speeds?

I'm just confused on whether I would need to get a data plan, a vCast plan, or just use my minutes and get 14.4 speed, etc.

Thanks!