where to get info on unlocking?

[lumpynose]

I'm not sure if unlocking is what I need to learn about.

I have a cheap pay as you go plan with Cingular and a cheap Samsung phone. I'm wondering if I can replace my phone with some whiz bang Smart Phone, or one with Windows Mobile, by buying it from someone other than Cingular, and just put the SIM card from the Samsung in the new phone. And be able to use all of the features of the new phone.

I've been reading about how Verizon disables bluetooth and/or wireless on their phones. So I'm wondering if Cingular plays any games like that and doesn't allow you to buy a phone from someone else.

I'm a very minimal phone user and won't be using any of the phone company's internet or "multimedia" stuff. Mainly I use a phone so that people can call me and so that I can have email reminders sent to my phone.

Thanks.

[carcomptoy]

Cingular does do some disabling (the Treo 650 with its Bluetooth) but that can be remedied with a flash...

If you're gonna get another phone within Cingular, then you shouldn't have to worry about getting it unlocked...if you're gonna get it from T-Mobile, it'd be easier to get a Nokia but of course you could ask a T-Mobile customer to request an unlock code for you for any other phone...

Btw, I don't understand, you're a self-proclaimed minimal phone user and you're considering a smartphone or pocketPC? It's definitely way too much hassle if you're just gonna use it for calls and messaging...there're many non-smartphones that have e-mail clients so that shouldn't be too too much of a problem.:rolleyes:

[lumpynose]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm looking at getting a PDA but if I could combine the phone and PDA that would be nice. Less stuff to carry.

[carcomptoy]

PDA as in the original Palm PDA or just generic PDA? If you want original Palm PDA, obviously the choice is Treo 650, seeing is how there's not much other directly comparable phones. For Windows pocketPC, I would take advantage of Cingular's offering of the Siemens SX66, although I'm sure the Audiovox SMT 5600 would be more than adequate. There's gonna be some new HP PPCs coming out if you'd like to wait...

If you don't want a full-fledged PDA, then you could go for a smartphone, or more specifically, the renowned S60 platform. While lacking the large touchscreen and thumbboards of the others, it's much more user-friendly and can be used one-handedly...quite handy when you're in a tight spot:rolleyes:

Another alternative, while not a PDA in the traditional sense, is a Blackberry...obviously, it's forte is messaging, or more specifically e-mail, and so that would be right up your alley. However, to be able to use it is expensive as you need special plans, but then again, the Palm and Windows need them too (I think)...

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