What uses are there for a phone without a carrier/sim card?

S

SpanishGirl

New member
I recently canceled the contract on my AT&T Nokia e71x after over a year of service.

Today I successfully unlocked this phone using the information they provided. I was surprised to see that even without an account or SIM card, I am still able to connect flawlessly using WIFI and surf wherever I want.

Am I seeing things or is this really possible?.

This left me wondering exactly what else it might be possible to do for free (no account or SIM card). I know I can still use the camera, video recorder, notes, alarms, calculator, calendar, play games and many other things but I was curious...what else can I do and most importantly...is there a free service out there that will allow me to make calls for free on my phone (ie; Google voice, etc) and can I still send and receive instant messages?.

Bottom line is, what all can I do with this phone without an account or a SIM card?.

Thanks so much!. - Steve
 
My N95 is a baby monitor and music player for my baby :) I have a wireless webcam night vision in her room so I can stream the feed.
 
Why did being able to use wifi without the SIM surprise you? It's not dependent on the cellular service.

It may take a long time (several minutes at least) to get a satellite lock, but you should be able to use GPS and Nokia Maps. Download the map files to the phone via USB using your PC and Nokia Map Loader. Assisted GPS won't work because you need a cellular data signal, but with a clear view of the sky the phone should be able to get a GPS sat lock.

Not sure what VOIP services would work on the S60 platform via wifi but they should be out there. Maybe Skype?

ynohtna_lude, so you stream the video feed to your N95? How do you set that up?
 
The ability to text message and make voice calls for free would be super-nice if anyone has more info on this. There must be an app or service of some sort for this. Thanks again and yes, GPS and Google Maps works GREAT without having to have any account or SIM card much to my sheer amazement!.

- Steve
 
Without cellular data, I don't think Google Maps will work without a wifi signal, unless it's caching the map files. If it is caching the maps, then it may have some use around your home or office, but may not work if you take it out on the road away from those locations, at least in terms of showing where you are.
 
I'm using WIFI for Google Maps and the GPS pinpointed my exact location in under a minute and placed a green dot there. I was also reading about Fring for free voice/video calls, ICQ, AIM, MSN, Yahoo and a lot of other things. Apparently fring does everything over the internet. SIP is a good way to connect too.
 
The trendnet cam I have can output mpeg4 and 3gp streams... I rtsp connect to the 3gp, can't connect to the mpeg4 stream however... Limitation in real player I think. Even real player PC doesn't like the mpeg4 stream.
 
It surprises me, because my 5800 with no SIM is locked to the off-line profile and can't use WiFi. I have to install an inactive SIM to use the phone as a WiFi device with no carrier service.

But to answer the original question, you can install web based communication apps and use the phone with WiFi to make voice/video calls, chat, etc.
 
Hadn't thought of that. I just tried it with my N82 without the SIM and it asked me if I wanted to still use WiFi in offline mode. I selected Yes and it let me.

I haven't tried it with my X6 yet since that still has the SIM in it.

I may be in a similar situation to the OP soon. My employer had us transfer our cellular accounts to their corporate account, and I'll probably be getting a 'Berry to use with our corp. e-mail system. So I'll have two Nokia phones without SIMs most of the time.
 
maker;13997283']Although I am currently using the N97 mini as my main phone, I continue to actively use my older nokia's on wifi. To text, I use Google Voice. To call, I use Skype. To email, I use the native email client. You can do exactly what you used to do with the phone and SIM except the fact that your using WiFi. The only bad side is the fact that you cannot be in a moving car, you must stay put while connected.
 
My wife is using an old N81 for Voip calls at home. I have a SIP account set up in Fring to get around firewall and NAT in our ADSL modem/wireless router. We use it to call relatives in another country, international calls to mobile phone for 0.01 € / minute.

I have been thinking to add remote control for linux based digital TV recorder (MythTV).
 
I *JUST* started using my N95 8GB as my main phone. For almost 2 years, I used it for the following WITHOUT a sim card.

-GPS with Garmin Mobile XT
-MP3 player for car's aux-in, personal
-Camera for outings, emergencies
-Skype
-VOIP
-Web-surfing
-MSN

Now that it's unlocked, I use it as a phone, and it beats out most phones on the market today (not bad for a 3 year old phone), just lacks a touch-screen, but no biggie, less power use.
 
If it has wifi, it can be used like an iPod Touch. Pretty much everything around the Internet remains functional, browsing, Twitter, Facebook and all that.
 
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