T-Mobile phone with the ability to add stuff w/PC

arlabeth

New member
The title says it all. I need a phone that works with T-Mobile that is simple (voice and SMS is all I use). But the big thing I want is the ability to add ringtones and wallpapers with my PC. The phone I had that broke, the Motorola V188 allowed me to do this with a miniUSB and Motorola Phone Tools. I've had trouble making MPT work with newer phones, so I'm happy to avoid using it if I can.

I want it to be reliable (I've heard the Moto Vxxx's aren't), with good voice and SMS apps (I love Nokia's SMS interface, but don't know how hard it is to connect to a PC). I don't care about a camera, don't care about anything fancy, and I'm not too concerned about price. I really would like a good alarm clock, which on the Motorola worked whether or not the phone was turned off. I don't care about it working globally, but it wouldn't be bad either.
 
How much do you want to spend? Most of T-Mobile phones allow transfer of files via cable/bluetooth/IrDA. The Samsung T629 is a good choice since it allows you to use MP3s as ringtones.
 
Well, I don't care much about price. I found a PEBL unlocked for $134 in the for sale section here, and I think that's probably too much phone for me. So let's say no more than ~$150.

I have done some searching and reading of FAQs on here, and while the quality and ease of finding the information varies between the various manufacturer's forums, the one that was easiest to find the info I needed was the Samsung. From what I read, it seems the quirks of them would just be too weird for me.

I don't mind Motorolas, though I have had my V180 lock up on me and fail to wake me up with the alarm. They do have miniUSB connectors, which I like as I don't have BT or IR. MPT is plain awful though.

My Nokias were reliable as all get out, but lacked in sound quality and neither had an alarm. Plus from what I read, those Nokias are tough to get wallpapers and ringtones onto and off of via the PC.

I'm going to take a look at the T-Mobile shop to see if anything catches my eye, but if there's a phone I just need to see, let me know and I'll check it out tomorrow.

Thanks
 
Avoid MPT all together, and purchase a Bluetooth dongle, and you are done. Simply send stuff back and forth from each other via Bluetooth.

I would suggest the SE W810i, but that is out of your range, and is more than you need, but it is one awesome phone. It does have what you need though. Alarm works, even if phone is off, and it takes a standard size wallpaper - 176x220, and .mp3 ringtones, and there is an application or two to make your own themes. The UI is simple to use, and it has great reception, good earpiece volume, calls are clear, and takes a memory stick duo pro.
 
So via Bluetooth you don't have to use MPT to interface with the phone? How does that work, does it just show up as a drive or something? If it just shows a couple folders on my machine and I can drag and drop, I'll be estatic. If it is that way, do other phones from other brands work in the same way?

Secondly, I checked out your W810i. I'm not big on candybar phones because I damage the screen (the phone I'm replacing got a damaged external display). Secondly, I carry my 80GB iPod everywhere I go, I don't need a music player. Not to mention that ever since the rootkit thing, I'm trying to stay away from anything marked "Sony" (though I understand Sony isn't that involved in the cell phone side).

I'm going to read up on some SE on your advice, as you said the alarm is good. EDIT: I did some research on the Sony Ericssons, particularly this one. The same problem I have with Sony consumer electronics is listed as present here: overly restrictive DRM. Other than that, though, it looks to be a pretty good phone. Does anyone know offhand if the puremobile.com phones are unbranded as well as unlocked? If so, the mp3s work as ringtones, and this phone fits a good portion of what I need at a price $50 less than the PEBL (which I haven't dug into yet).

Thanks for the advice so far, this is far and away the best place to come for cell phone advice because of posters such as yourselves.
 
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