Got my Siemens S55 today!

looks like a cool little phone. what network are you on?

The S55 has great features, and a nice aesthetic, if a bit fat-looking. The camera looks like a kluge, though I'd like to compare the quality on it to some of the other phone-camera-attachments out there (see <a href="http://www.phonescoop.com" target="_blank">www.phonescoop.com</a> for a phone-cam review going over four competitors).

How much did it set you back over there?

Wow, not bad pricing at all. I hope the native-U.S. pricing is close. I was expecting twice that. I wonder which provider is going to grab the first-year rights for that one.

excuse my ignorance, but how does one know which phones work with which networks? i see people talk about the t68i, but would i have to have a certain service to use this phone? how does one keep track which phones go with which provider? Again, i know very little about this, i don't even have a mobile phone or anything like that (though i do have cable tv and the internet)

It's like this.

There are different service technologies out there, different versions of the technologies, and for some of the technologies, different bands that they are in use on. Some examples of different digital phone service technologies:

GSM (800/850, 900, 1800,1900)
iDEN
TDMA
CDMA
CDMA2000
WCDMA
UMTS

Of course, in the U.S., only GSM 1900 is used, though Cingular is building out 800/850 coverage (who knows why they wanted to bring into use a fourth band of gsm). iDEN is a technology developed by Motorola and only in use by Nextel. GSM is actually based on the ideas set forth in TDMA, and AT&T has a network of both GSM and TDMA. Sprint, Verizon, Alltel, Qwest/USWest, Cricket, etc, all use CDMA or CDMA2000. WCDMA and UMTS are services that aren't even deployed in the U.S. yet, but set forth a brighter future for mobile communications.

Other terms you might hear are 2G, 2.5G, 3G.. this just describes the generation of different wireless technologies. 1G is analog. 2G is any PCS (digital == PCS) service for voice. 2.5G is any solution like GSM (digital) and GPRS (Global Packet Radio Service, a high-speed wireless internet connection), or EDGE (I forget the acronym, but it's the faster and better successor to GPRS that has not been deployed yet). 3G is a digital service where it's basically all data, and voice is just one application of it, rather than the other way around in terms of mainstream usage. UMTS/WCDMA are examples of this, some say EDGE as well but it's debatable from what I've read about that.

Anyway, phones are built for CDMA or GSM, pretty much, and GSM phones can be single-band, dual-band, tri-band, or quad-band (though there aren't any quad-bands yet). This is important if you go overseas. But unless you're dealing with a GSM service (AT&T, Cingular, T-Mobile are the giants), you don't have to worry if your phone will work. Sprint, Verizon, Cricket, etc, users can only use what their network (a) approves, (b) provides, and (c) enables. That is a big reason why CDMA sucks. With GSM, you stick your SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) into any GSM-capable phone, of which there are some amazingly cool phones out there, and it works, bam. You know it'll work with GSM.

Is there anything else I haven't covered?

Oh, yes. The Sony Ericsson T68i is a tri-band GSM phone (800/1800/1900MHz).

[quote]Originally posted by bradbower:
<strong>
Is there anything else I haven't covered?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Thank you for the very informative answer to my question. I honestly can't even think of a follow-up, you covered it all thanks again, and hopefully this info clears up any confusion others might be having too (or was i the only confused one?)

I'm very fond of my ME45, though I wish it played nicely with my Mac. Or maybe it does, and I just don't know how. Siemens tech support just flat out told me that they don't plan on supporting Macs.

[quote]Originally posted by macrescue:
<strong>Here are some pics for you...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks for the excellent pics, macrescue! The comparison with the Apple Pro Mouse is especially useful. This is a very lovely Siemens phone. I just hope the S56 (US version) is as fully featured. Did you get a Bluetooth adapter? Have you tested your S55 with your Mac? Now that we have the pictures we need a review!

Escher

I really like the S55 but would like to know how well it works with iSync. Have you tried synchronising it with iCal and Address Book?

thanks

[quote]Originally posted by bradbower:
<strong>Oh, yes. The Sony Ericsson T68i is a tri-band GSM phone (800/1800/1900MHz). </strong><hr></blockquote>

sorry to dig up an old thread here...but i'm looking at cell phones through ATT wireless right now, and can get the t68i for $100 through a promotion (yum!). However, it looks like ATT's GSM network is tiny! If i am outside of the small GSM area, am i SOL, or will this thing pick up TDMA too?

And I'll piggyback onto the last question by asking WHERE can you look to find the roadmap for a company's planned GSM network expansions? Namely I'm looking to find out WHEN ***CINGULAR*** will land GSM in Atlanta.

And to repeat the question above mine, will it still have functionality with older networks? I think the answer is yes?

I was looking at that lastnight. How is the reception? My T68 sucked.

after much deliberation, i decided against the t68i. review after review said the reception was bad, and i travel a lot so i might be in places where the phone needs some strength. i also decided against AT&T and went with T-Mobile. I did this because AT&T's GSM network is tiny! Most of their network is still TDMA, which is crap compared to GSM. T-Mobile has a very mature GSM network that goes where i need to be. Plus, through amazon, you can get any phone almost free after rebate! This includes T68i, Motorola V70 (my choice) and other nice phones.

hopefully i'll be satisfied with the V70 and T-Mobile

I've been with Voicestream (T-Mobile) for about four years now and the service has been getting better every year. If I have a signal it is crystal clear, but there is no in between. I either have a signal or not.

I got a Samsung S105 a while back and I have been very happy with it. The only thing that it doesn't have is Bluetooth and MMS. Both of which are absent in the V.70.

[quote]Originally posted by Slotracer152:
<strong>I've been with Voicestream (T-Mobile) for about four years now and the service has been getting better every year. If I have a signal it is crystal clear, but there is no in between. I either have a signal or not.

I got a Samsung S105 a while back and I have been very happy with it. The only thing that it doesn't have is Bluetooth and MMS. Both of which are absent in the V.70.</strong><hr></blockquote>
What's MMS? Honestly, the only reason i got the V70 is because it is tiny and looks cool in an odd kind of way

Some sort of really cool messages that you can't send because all of your friends still have Nokia 5100s.

Anybody know if iSync sees the S55?

[quote]Originally posted by Slotracer152:
<strong>Some sort of really cool messages that you can't send because all of your friends still have Nokia 5100s.

Anybody know if iSync sees the S55?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Compatible mobile phones with iSync:

Sony Ericsson T68i
Ericsson R520
Ericsson T39
Ericsson T68
Ericsson T68c
Ericsson T68m

Sorry

[quote]Originally posted by progmac:
<strong>Sorry </strong><hr></blockquote>

That really sucks. Apple now has shipped its first hardware with built-in Bluetooth (the new PowerBooks) and more and more phones are shipping with Bluetooth and SyncML functionality. I sure hope that Apple will broaden BT support with OS X 10.2.4! They would be fools not to do so.

Escher

When Image Capture came out, I think Apple rolled a lot of their own support for the cameras out there that themselves rolled their own protocols. And then of course they had support for PTP, which lots of cameras support now. Is this true?

I would hope iSync would, in addition to supporting SyncML over Bluetooth, support some popular phones that don't use SyncML? Or is it completely not worth the effort. As it stands, the idea of the Address Book and iCal and everything else syncing with my phone is a wonderful idea; however, there are MANY more phones than the ones that Apple supports now, so iSync is a pretty sad hub for phones, as much as I love it.

[quote]Originally posted by macrescue:
image removed as per host's request
<hr></blockquote>

are you trying to breed your mouse and phone??? :eek:

[quote]Originally posted by boy_analog:
<strong>I'm very fond of my ME45, though I wish it played nicely with my Mac. Or maybe it does, and I just don't know how. Siemens tech support just flat out told me that they don't plan on supporting Macs.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hi,
well yes there is a way :-)....a German guy made a program called 'GSM Remote' which is capable of doing many things between e.g ME45 (and many other Mobile phones) and OS X, between other things, you are able to download your contacts with it, change the Addressbook from the Mac..etc..

GSM Remote 1.2.3

Q.:_\tWho should use GSM Remote?
A.:_\tActually everyone who has a GSM or UMTS mobile phone and a Mac OS computer should give it a try. This application is right for you, if you want to transfer contacts from your computer or from another phone and simply hate to type this data via the small mobile phone keypad!


Q.:_\tWhat are the main features?
A.:_\t
*\tRead all available standard phonebooks
*\tSending long SMS via phone
*\tExport & Backup all standard phonebooks
*\tEditing of the SIM and mobile phonebook is a three click task.
*\tVery powerful but easy to use import function
*\tDrag & Drop contacts via vCard standard
*\tExtensive use of Balloon help
*\tSupport for a wide range of different mobile phones

Q.:_\tWhat are the costs?
A.:_\tThis application is shareware ($10). You can use the whole application and give it a time-unlimited test drive. Only the "saving back" function is disabled in the unregistered version. Pay via secure Kagi...

take a look at:

<a href="http://www.traud.de/gsm/remote/" target="_blank">http://www.traud.de/gsm/remote/</a>

by the way, you can also by in Germany a ME45 USB adapter or you just buy a USB - Serial Adapter to be able to plug the phone to a Mac


good luck :-)

[quote]Originally posted by meta4:
<strong>I really like the S55 but would like to know how well it works with iSync. Have you tried synchronising it with iCal and Address Book?

thanks </strong><hr></blockquote>

A few days ago, a guy from Apple (Europe/Germany - can't recall) appeared on a German TV show (neues on 3sat) synching his S55 via iSync.

He expressed that he was using a beta version of iSync and to expect it in a future revision. He mentioned that iSync is being developed in Paris but I hope we don't have to wait that long.

The lack of Mac support on the manufacturers' side is really annoying.

[quote]Originally posted by macrescue:
<strong>But I will inform you immediately when it works...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Glad to hear you had a long vacation, macrescue. We look forward to your feedback about Bluetooth. And if it doesn't work yet, RolandG's post above indicates that it will work with the next update to iSync.

Even in the fast-paced computer and mobile industries, we still have to exercise patience. <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />

Escher

[quote]Originally posted by macrescue:
<strong>I bought a $50 USB-Bluetooth Stick.
BUT unfortunately the phone does not sync.

[GSM Remote] works really nice.</strong><hr></blockquote>

macrescue: Thanks for the updated review of the Siemens S55's Bluetooth/Mac compatibility. I guess GSM Remote is a good first step. But Apple really needs to get cracking to expand iSync's compatibility list. Without expanded compatibility, iSync is near useless.

Get on it, Apple!

PS: I wonder whether Mac OS X 10.2.4 could add support for the S55 and other phones (like the Sony Ericsson P800) or whether we'll have to wait for an update to iSync itself.

Escher

[ 01-31-2003: Message edited by: Escher ]</p>

[quote]Originally posted by progmac:
<strong>

sorry to dig up an old thread here...but i'm looking at cell phones through ATT wireless right now, and can get the t68i for $100 through a promotion (yum!). However, it looks like ATT's GSM network is tiny! If i am outside of the small GSM area, am i SOL, or will this thing pick up TDMA too?</strong><hr></blockquote>

the only at&t gsm phone that will switch to tdma when gsm in unavailable is the siemens s46.

on gsm, you either get reception or you dont, there's rarely an inbetween.

im going to take a chance on at&t's gsm network... if it really sucks, they said i can switch back to my tdma phone (also on at&t) for a full refund within 30 days.

I didn't want to let the thread about the pretty Siemens S55 die.

[quote]Originally posted by mac's girl:
<strong>the only at&t gsm phone that will switch to tdma when gsm in unavailable is the siemens s46.</strong><hr></blockquote>

That's actually pretty cool. GSM coverage in the US is still concentrated in urban areas. Having a GSM/tdma phone lets you stay connected in the countryside as well.

I wonder whether there's a chance Siemens will make a GSM/TDMA version of the S55.

[quote]<strong>im going to take a chance on at&t's gsm network... if it really sucks, they said i can switch back to my tdma phone (also on at&t) for a full refund within 30 days.</strong><hr></blockquote>

So, mac's girl, how is your GSM trial working out? Will you keep the GSM phone or go back to TDMA?

Escher

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bradbower:
[QB]It's like this.
UMTS/WCDMA are examples of this

question: is umts exactly the same as wcdma?

what i want to know is: is umts the technical standard and wcdma the implementation of it??

said in another way: is there any umts network in existence that is NOT wcdma? is edge a flavour of umts?

thnx

[ 02-23-2003: Message edited by: niji ]</p>

[quote]Originally posted by niji:
<strong>[QUOTE]Originally posted by bradbower:
[QB]It's like this.
UMTS/WCDMA are examples of this

question: is umts exactly the same as wcdma?

what i want to know is: is umts the technical standard and wcdma the implementation of it??

said in another way: is there any umts network in existence that is NOT wcdma? is edge a flavour of umts?

thnx

[ 02-23-2003: Message edited by: niji ]</strong><hr></blockquote>

UMTS == WCDMA

"3G" = WCDMA, CDMA2000, EDGE (to some) and some Chinese variation of the above ...

Somebody at a Cingular board just mentioned that my area hasn't received its GSM overlay (at 850) yet, but that I should be patient because good things are coming!

They have until NOVEMBER, when the cellular phone portability act goes into effect!

[quote]Originally posted by drewprops:
<strong>Somebody at a Cingular board just mentioned that [snip] I should be patient because good things are coming! </strong><hr></blockquote>

Someone from Cingular said that?

No shit.