Questions about 2G/3G and Cellphone to PC networking

Hi,

I've been using TDMA for 10 years and now I am looking for a new phone
(Nokia is at its end) and I am looking at a Samsung A717 (almost identical
to A707/SYNC) and it they use the 3G network.

(1) What is 2G and/or 3G, and how does that equate to vanilla flavored GSM
which I understood a few years ago?

(2) Also, I only want to use voice. I do not want to use add-on services for
data transfer. If the A717 has a data access feature, can I disable that
option and stay pure voice when online?

(3) What I optionally want to use is a camera (pictures and video) so can I
capture those OFFLINE without using add-on or costly data services?

For example, the A717 comes with an optional USB cable for a fee (sadly, it
should be part of the phone's bundle). I was hoping I could use that to
transfer data to my PC, exactly the way my digital camera does.
Unfortunately, they charge extra for a USB cable and software.

(4) Can I get a standard USB cable from a Micro Center or Best Buy, or is it
proprietary for the Samsung? I know that Bluetooth is normally used with a
headset. Optionally, can I use Bluetooth to network data (pictures/video)
from my phone to my PC?

(5) The Cingular forum at AT&T wireless is laced with PO'd users who swear
they are now getting dropped calls after the AT&T take over of Cingular.
They think there is something in the network, not the phones, that is the
reason. Any experiences that could confirm these forum users?

http://forums.wireless.att.com/cng/b...hread.id=33455

http://forums.wireless.att.com/cng/b...hread.id=11401

"Gary" <GParent@rocketmail.com> wrote in message
news:freki.2570$nQ4.636@trndny01...
> Hi,
>
> I've been using TDMA for 10 years and now I am looking for a new phone
> (Nokia is at its end) and I am looking at a Samsung A717 (almost identical
> to A707/SYNC) and it they use the 3G network.
>
> (1) What is 2G and/or 3G, and how does that equate to vanilla flavored GSM
> which I understood a few years ago?
3G IS FAST DATA SERVICE HOWEVER PEOPLE ARE GETTING BETTER VOICE COVERAGE IN
PLACES THEY COULD NOT BEFORE 3G.
>
> (2) Also, I only want to use voice. I do not want to use add-on services
> for
> data transfer. If the A717 has a data access feature, can I disable that
> option and stay pure voice when online?
YOU CAN REQUEST FEATURES BE REMOVED FROM YOUR ACCOUNT. PROTOCOL IS EACH
FEATURE IS SET AS PAY PER USE BUT CAN BE REMOVED ON REQUEST.
>
> (3) What I optionally want to use is a camera (pictures and video) so can
> I
> capture those OFFLINE without using add-on or costly data services?
TAKING PICS/VIDEO IS FREE, GETTING IT TO SOMEPLACE ELSE WILL COST MONEY IN
SOME WAY.
>
> For example, the A717 comes with an optional USB cable for a fee (sadly,
> it
> should be part of the phone's bundle). I was hoping I could use that to
> transfer data to my PC, exactly the way my digital camera does.
> Unfortunately, they charge extra for a USB cable and software.
MAKE SURE IT IS A SAMSUNG CABLE FOR THAT SPECIFIC MODEL PHONE. IT WILL ALSO
REQUIRE SAMSUNG SOFTWARE TO MOVE THE PICTURES THRU THE CABLE.
>
> (4) Can I get a standard USB cable from a Micro Center or Best Buy, or is
> it
> proprietary for the Samsung? I know that Bluetooth is normally used with a
> headset. Optionally, can I use Bluetooth to network data (pictures/video)
> from my phone to my PC?
GET SOFTWARE FROM SAMSUNG OR A THIRD PARTY CALLED DATAPILOT. DATAPILOT
COMES WITH CABLES FOR YOUR SPECIFIC PHONE.

>
> (5) The Cingular forum at AT&T wireless is laced with PO'd users who swear
> they are now getting dropped calls after the AT&T take over of Cingular.
> They think there is something in the network, not the phones, that is the
> reason. Any experiences that could confirm these forum users?
I WORK FOR AN ATHORIZED DEALER, I HEAR OFTEN THAT MORE CALLS ARE DROPPED
THAN BEFORE THE MERGER. FROM MY EMPLOYEE READING IT IS DUE TO THE
CONVERSION OF TOWERS AND THIS COULD TAKE SOME TIME BECAUSE OF MANPOWER AND
MONEY. ONCE COMPLETE IT WILL BE ONE KICK BUTT RELIABLE SYSTEM.
>
> http://forums.wireless.att.com/cng/b...hread.id=33455
>
> http://forums.wireless.att.com/cng/b...hread.id=11401
>
>