Setting up GPS on Windows Mobile 5

Ever have trouble setting up a GPS device on Windows Mobile 5? Ever wonder what that GPS control panel really does? Well, wonder no more...

Windows Mobile 5 introduced a new feature called the GPS Intermediate Driver which allows multiple apps to share one GPS device. In the past, if one app had the GPS COM port open, no other app could use it. But the Intermediate Driver creates a virtual COM port that multiplexes the real GPS port, and can handle multiple client apps simultaneously.

Windows Mobile 5 also introduced a GPS control panel to allow you to configure the Intermediate Driver. The control panel lets you set the Hardware Port, which is the real port the GPS device is actually on, and the Program Port, which is the virtual COM port the Intermediate Driver exposes. It is called the Program Port because it is the COM port that GPS programs talk to. (They no longer talk directly to the Hardware Port, so it can be shared.)

Unfortunately, there are two complications. First, only Pocket PC has this control panel. Smartphone does not, which makes the GPS Intermediate Driver unusable on Smartphone. We hope to announce a solution to this very soon. Second, some Pocket PC OEMs hid the GPS control panel. However, it can be unhidden by going into the registry and deleting any "Redirect" or "Hide" keys under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ControlPanel\GPS Settings.

The Program Port can be any unused COM port. But you may be wondering how you know what the Hardware Port is. Well, if your device has a built-in GPS, then it is on a fixed port, and you need to figure out what that port number is. There are any number of ways to do this; I usually just do a web search on live.com for the model name, "port", and "GPS".

If you have a Bluetooth GPS, you need to set up the Hardware Port yourself (regardless of whether you are using the Intermediate Driver or not). Since this process can be a bit confusing, here are the step-by-step instructions:

For Smartphone:
Start/Settings/Connections/Bluetooth.Make sure Bluetooth is set to "On".Menu/DevicesMenu/NewSelect your GPS device from the list and press Next.Enter the passkey for the Bluetooth GPS. For example, 12345678.NextYou should get a message box saying "Your Smartphone has connected".OKNextCheck the "Serial port" checkbox.DoneDoneMenu/COM PortsSelect your GPS.Menu/New Outgoing Port.Select your device and press Select.You will see a COM port that has been chosen for your GPS. For example, COM6.DoneDoneDoneNow your GPS is set up on COM6. Start your GPS app and configure it to use COM6.

For Pocket PC:
Start/Settings/Connnections/BluetoothCheck the "Turn on Bluetooth" checkbox.Press the Device tab.Press "Add new device..."select your GPS device and press Next.Check the "Serial Port" checkbox and press Finish.Press the COM Ports tab.Press "New outgoing port..."Select your device and press Next.You will see a COM port that has been chosen for your GPS. For example, COM0.Press Finish.Now your GPS is set up on COM0. If you do not want to use the Intermediate Driver to share the GPS port, just start your GPS app and configure it to use COM0. If you do want to use the Intermediate Driver:
Start/Settings/System/GPS. (If you do not see GPS listed, see the registry hack above.)Set the "GPS Program Port" to any unused COM port, for example, COM9.Press the Hardware tab.Set the Hardware Port to COM0.Set the baud rate to the baud rate of your Bluetooth GPS (usually 4800, or 9600).Press OK.Start your GPS app and configure it to use COM9.

Location-Based Services

In this age of significant telecommunications competition, mobile network operators continuously seek new and innovative ways to create differentiation and increase profits. One of the best ways to do accomplish this is through the delivery of highly personalized services. One of the most powerful ways to personalize mobile services is based on location. We will discuss Location Based Services (LBS), but we will first discuss the basis of LBS - location technology.

One of the most obvious technologies behind LBS is positioning, with the most widely recognized system being the Global Positioning System (GPS). There are however, other means of positioning in addition to GPS. These other technologies are network based positioning and typically rely on various means of triangulation of the signal from cell sites serving a mobile phone. In addition, the serving cell site can be used as a fix for location of the user.

Geographic Information Systems
Geographic data is an important aspect of any location system. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide the tools to provision and administer base map data such as man made structures (streets, buildings) and terrain (mountains, rivers). GIS is also used to manage point-of-interest data such as location of gas stations, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. Finally, GIS information also includes information about the radio frequency characteristics of the mobile network. This allows the system to determine the serving cell site of the user.

Location Management Function
It is not enough to be able to position the mobile user and know the map data around that position. There must be a location management function to process positioning and GIS data on behalf of LBS applications. The location management function acts as a gateway and mediator between positioning equipment and LBS infrastructure.

Services:
Location based information
Many people are familiar with wireless Internet, but many don't realize the value and potential to make information services highly personalized. One of the best ways to personalize information services is to enable them to be location based. An example would be someone using their Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) based phone to search for a restaurant. The LBS application would interact with other location technology components to determine the user's location and provide a list of restaurants within a certain proximity to the mobile user.
Location based billing
The ability to have preferential billing is provided by this type of application. Through location based billing, the user can establish personal zones such as a home zone or work zone. Through arrangements with the serving wireless carrier, the user could perhaps enjoy flat-rate calling while in the home area and special rates while in other defined zones. This type of application can be especially useful when use in conjunction with other mobile applications such as prepaid wireless.

Tracking
This is a rather large category that contains everything from the difficult fleet applications to enabling mobile commerce. Fleet applications typically entail tracking vehicles for purposes of the owning company knowing the whereabouts of the vehicle and/or operator. Tracking is also an enable of mobile commerce services. A mobile user could be tracking and provided information that he has predetermined he desires, such as notification of a sale on men's suits at a store close to the user's current proximity.

Location is a strategic asset of wireless carriers. Leveraging this information enables the user to experience value-added services and the mobile network operator to offer differentiation and incremental profitability. See the book Wireless Intelligent Networking for more information about the technology behind LBS and applications.

Cell Phone Care & Maintenance

How to get the most life from your phone :

- Keep it safe. Cell phones are delicate and need to be cared for like any other electronic. The best way to protect your phone is with a case.- Don't drop it. Take utmost care not to drop or slam down your phone.
- Extreme heat. Do not expose your phone to extreme temperature changes. That includes leaving it in your car in hot or cold weather.
- Avoid moisture. Keep your phone away from all water and liquids. Most phone manufacturers have a mark on the inside of the phone behind the battery that will change color if exposed even slightly to dampness. If this happens, your phone's warranty is essentially null and void.
- How to clean. Never use a spray bottle to clean your cell phone. Instead, dab a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and lightly go over the keypad. Do not use alcohol near the phone's charging port or its interior.
- Mouths off! Do not let your pets and kids (or self!) put your handset into their mouths. Saliva should be treated like any other liquid and kept away from your phone. That includes drooling, licking, and spitting.
- Exercise caution. Do not strap your cell phone against your skin while working out, if you sweat excessively. The perspiration could be enough to damage your phone.
- Steer clear of rain. Protect your phone in downpours. While you can't always help getting stuck in the rain, take precautions to cover your phone as best as you can.
- Don't bag it. Beware of tossing your phone into a bag or purse that contains cosmetics, perfume, lotions, or oils that can leak.
- If it does get wet. If your cell phone does get wet, try Heloise's tip that may salvage it: Handsets rescued from washing machines and toilet bowls can sometimes be saved, but you must act fast. Pull the battery out, then dry the inside of the phone with a hair dryer. You'll probably need to purchase a new battery, but put it back in to test the phone -- it just might work. If it doesn't, take the phone to a service center as soon as possible.
- Don't drain the battery. Do not leave your phone on its charger for more than 12 hours at home or one hour on a car charger. Also, plugging your phone into the car's charger while turning the ignition could short the battery.
- Protect from theft. Guard your wireless phone like any other valuable. Do not leave it in your car or unattended in a public place. Most wireless phones can be used for international calling, which makes them attractive to thieves.
- Security features. Many wireless phones have built-in security features, so review your owner's manual and user guide. Often you can password-protect private information, such as your phone's address book, and restrict outgoing calls.

How to Choose a Bluetooth Headset

The headset industry had to learn new techniques to design Bluetooth headsets. Some first generation headsets were disasters from both a design and functionality point of view. New headsets are generally much improved.

Bluetooth headsets vary enormously in price. Some can be found for $30 or less, while others cost $300 and more. Careful shopping, using the information in this article, can save you from an expensive mistake.

Common Problems with Bluetooth Headsets
Ideally, a Bluetooth headset should be something you could wear all the time while expecting to receive or make calls, or something you can quickly and conveniently affix on/around your ear when phone calls come in.
Due to being battery powered by their own separate battery (typically offering 2-10 hours talk time or 25-250 hours standby), ideally a Bluetooth headset would be something you'd only turn on when you need to use it. You wouldn't leave it on between calls. For this reason, the headset should be easy to turn on and off, and should power up and connect to the cell phone as quickly as possible.
Volume controls and other features and functions should be easy to use and understand.
Few Bluetooth headsets adequately meet these design criteria. Perhaps the biggest common problem is how to securely - but comfortably and conveniently - attach the headset to your ear.

Using Bluetooth headsets with non-Bluetooth phones
It is possible to get a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your regular non-Bluetooth phone. The adapter links with your headset as if it were a Bluetooth phone, and then links with your phone as if it were a regular headset.
Some Bluetooth headsets include these adapters. A better and simpler choice, if at all possible, is to simply replace your present phone with a new Bluetooth equipped phone.

Factors to Consider in Comparing Headsets :
Cost
An obvious issue.
We've seen little to confirm that more expensive headsets are consistently better than cheaper ones!
Ergonomics
Is it easy to quickly and conveniently put the headset on your ear, and to take it off again
Is it easy to use the control buttons on the headset
Is it comfortable to wear for a long phone call
Can you use it with a pair of glasses
Can it be worn on either ear
How would you carry it when not wearing it
How heavy is it
Might it fall off

Ease of Use
Are commands/controls easy to remember (eg transferring calls between headset and phone, last number redial, voice tag dialing, etc)
Can you adjust the volume level
How quickly does the unit turn on
Does it have a well written easy to understand manual
Is there a support number you can call for extra help if needed
Does it have its pairing password printed on it, so if you have to re-pair the device, you don't have to hunt for its manual to find its password?

Features
What is the headset's claimed battery life for talk time and standby time
How do you know when the battery is nearly dead
Does it have a lithium type battery (best) or some other type
Is the battery replaceable
How is the battery charged and how long does it take to charge
How do you know when the battery is fully charged
Is the charging transformer multi-voltage for international travel and what is its weight/size
Can the headset also be charged via a USB cable or car adapter or some other way not requiring yet another transformer to add to your collection
How many devices can the unit be paired with
Does it have both headset and hands-free protocols
Is it compatible with Bluetooth 1.1 or later standards
What is its warranty period
Does it have a free return period as well
Does it have any noise cancelling or digital signal processing in its microphone and sound circuits
What is the sound quality it offers for sending and receiving audio
What range does it typically have

Capabilities - can it support these commands hands-free
Voice tags
Last number redial
Transfer call to phone or from phone
3 way calling
Link to how many phones
Call answer/end
Call reject
Mute

Other
Does it look attractive
Is it too big or too small

Summary
Bluetooth headsets can offer a great deal of convenience and flexibility, albeit with at a sometimes hefty cost.
A good Bluetooth headset is easy to understand, setup, and use. It makes your life simpler and easier. A bad Bluetooth headset is the opposite and is something to be avoided.
Use the information above, and that contained in our Bluetooth headset reviews, to better understand how to evaluate and choose a Bluetooth headset.

Ten Tips for Cell Phones and Limiting Radtiation Exposeure

There is a new warning about the health dangers of cell phone use. The director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and UPMC Cancer Centers has issued the new advisory.

Practical Advice to Limit Exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation Emitted from Cell Phones:

1. Do not allow children to use a cell phone, except for emergencies. The developing organs of a fetus or child are the most likely to be sensitive to any possible effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields.

2. While communicating using your cell phone, try to keep the cell phone away from the body as much as possible. The amplitude of the electromagnetic field is one fourth the strength at a distance of two inches and fifty times lower at three feet. Whenever possible, use the speaker-phone mode or a wireless Bluetooth headset, which has less than 1/100th of the electromagnetic emission of a normal cell phone. Use of a hands-free ear piece attachment may also reduce exposures.

3. Avoid using your cell phone in places, like a bus, where you can passively expose others to your phone's electromagnetic fields.

4. Avoid carrying your cell phone on your body at all times. Do not keep it near your body at night such as under the pillow or on a bedside table, particularly if pregnant. You can also put it on "flight" or "off-line" mode, which stops electromagnetic emissions.

5. If you must carry your cell phone on you, make sure that the keypad is positioned toward your body and the back is positioned toward the outside so that the transmitted electromagnetic fields move away from your rather than through you.

6. Only use your cell phone to establish contact or for conversations lasting a few minutes, as the biological effects are directly related to the duration of exposure. For longer conversations, use a land line with a corded phone, not a cordless phone, which uses electromagnetic emitting technology similar to that of cell phones.

7. Switch sides regularly while communicating on your cell phone to spread out your exposure. Before putting your cell phone to the ear, wait until your correspondent has picked up. This limits the power of the electromagnetic field emitted near your ear and the duration of your exposure.

8. Avoid using your cell phone when the signal is weak or when moving at high speed, such as in a car or train, as this automatically increases power to a maximum as the phone repeatedly attempts to connect to a new relay antenna.

9. When possible, communicate via text messaging rather than making a call, limiting the duration of exposure and the proximity to the body.

10. Choose a device with the lowest SAR possible (SAR = Specific Absorption Rate, which is a measure of the strength of the magnetic field absorbed by the body). SAR ratings of contemporary phones by different manufacturers are available by searching for "SAR ratings cell phones" on the internet.

Facts and Tips for GPS Phone

Tips 1: Avoid signal blocking from your handGPS antenna is located under your phone’s keypad or bottom part of your device. To make sure it will work on properly, open the keypad and cover the area use your hand.

Tips 2: Outdoor OnlyThis GPS device works properly only at outdoor, under the bright blue sky. Satellite signal will be easily covered by roof or worst covered by buildings sourounding. So use GPS outside your house, office, or any buildings to get the best signal from satellite.

Tips 3: Climate condition reduce the signalSatellite signal affected by the air, rain, clouds or smoke. Avoid those cause to get clear signal, and use it only when you have good weather for best performance

Tips 4: Patient is the key.Connecting signal on to satellite might take a time, so please be patient. At least it will take 40 seconds to get your device connected. It happens also with external GPS device.

Tips 5: UV shields coverd signalStill a cell phone with GPS feature can be used inside a car. Please note the device signal will work properly connected to satellite only if the condition outside (weather .etc) is in good condition

Eight Tips to Keep Cell Phone in Good Condition

Couple years ago, cell phone only can be owned by high class people or someone with high mobility. However, in these years mobile phone has become a gadget where every one can easily have. Most of people on the world, Parents, teenagers, even children are able to get cell phones with various range of price.
But do you know how to maintenance your cell phone in order to keep it in good condition or last longer? Here are some tips for your reference:
1. Charging the mobile phone battery - Always charge the battery based on the proper instruction given on the manual book. Don’t charge it when the battery bar shows it’s still half of the bar or full . If you do that, it will make the battery empty earlier (need to charge again).Just charge it when the battery almost empty.
2. Lock the mobile phone - Always lock the phone when it’s not used. If the phone is unlocked,unknown calls can easily happen. for your suggestion, try to activate auto lock on the cell phone menu or set to ON.
3. Secure the cell phone - Always remember to secure the mobile phone using PIN on the SIM card. You need to secure your phone using a code lock and never inform someone else about the code.
4. Use the recommended battery - Always use the original battery or recommended battery from the dealer when you need replacement, it’s safer to use the original one. Don’t ever try to buy a new battery which is not recommended (not original) with the reason of the price is cheaper.
5. Clean the cell phone - Clean it regularly to keep it clean and shiny. You just need to wipe it every day or whenever it is dirty.
6. Cover the mobile phone - A good quality of cell phone case that fits properly or based on the type of the phone is the best way to protect it from dust. Always use cell phone case with air flow inside.
7. Screen protector phone - Use a screen protector to avoid scratch mark or line on your cell phone’s screen.
8. Placing the mobile phone - It is very important to place or keep the phone on a dry place. Don’t put it on wet surface or in humid place, avoiding from rain or any liquid. Place the phone in room temperature.

Buyers Guide to Family Cell Phone Plan

If you've finally decided to get a cell phone for each member of your family, but you're not exactly sure how to choose the best family cell phone plan. Worry no more, just follow this simple guide to buying a family cell phone plan, and then go shopping using the knowledge you'll gain through this guide.

A family cell phone plan allows everyone on the plan to have their own cell phone and their own cell phone number. Not only does each family member have their own cell phone and cell phone number, but you only get one bill, and the family will share allotted minutes; keep your eye on those talkative teenagers though.

What's more, many plans include free in-network calling. Free in-network calling allows you to call any of your family members - or other subscribers using the same carrier - and it won't use your free minutes. Plus, a family cell phone plan will allow you peace of mind when your family members are on the road late at night. Why? Because if a member of your family has car trouble then they'll be able to phone you and let you know. But what's even better, nearly all family cell phone plans have a roadside assistance plan that can be added. The roadside assistance plan is optional of course, but you never know when it may come in handy. For example, say your whole family decides to take a vacation away from home, and your car breaks down. Because your entire family is with you, you can't call them for help, but with your roadside assistance plan your family won't be stranded for very long.

The first step in choosing a family cell phone plan is finding a service provider. There are many providers out there, but before you decide on one shop around and study each provider's family cell phone plan. The way to do this is get a brochure or information on the family cell phone plan for the provider, then take the materials home with you and look over each plan with your family to decide which plan is best for your family, and also decide which plan meets your family's budget.

Theme : Nokia 6300 Star War

Nokia 6300 Star Warr is a free theme for your Nokia 6300. If you want to download, please feel free to klick the link below:

Download Theme

Tips for Solving Battery Problems on Symbian OS Smartphones

Without a warning, the battery life on a recent Nokia smartphone dramatically dropped. Since mobile device batteries tend to gradually die after 12-24 months of regular use, we figured that the problem had to lie somewhere else. It was, but it wasn't easy to find. The tool that helped us discover the problem was a piece of software called ActiveFile.

There can be many reasons for unusual battery drainage on a mobile device. Extensive use of Wi-Fi, hours of MP3 play, watching videos, playing memory intensive Java games, or constant use of Bluetooth can draw so much power that you may not even survive a day without recharging the battery. If you are unaware of any exceptional usage patterns on the phone, but the battery still tends to dry faster than before, here are some clues for solving the mystery by yourself.

These tips apply to Symbian OS/S60 smartphones, such as the N-series and E-series devices from Nokia.


Tip 1: Check Active Data Connections

One possible reason for battery drainage is an Internet access session that's running in the background. To check the network status, go to your phone's main menu, open the Connect folder and launch the Connection Manager (Conn. mgr). Select Active Data Connections (Act. data conn.).

If the Connection Manager informs that there are no active data connections, you should keep an eye on the screen for awhile. An application may establish the data connection, end it, and re-establish it after a few seconds, minutes, or even hours.

If a data connection is active, you can close it by opening Options and selecting Disconnect. You may also view connection statistics by opening Options and selecting Details. The report doesn't, however, tell you which program is keeping the connection alive and slowly draining the battery.

You can view a list of applications running on your Symbian OS/S60 phone simply by holding the menu key down for a couple of seconds. If you can spot a task that shouldn't be on the application list, you may have discovered your culprit. Switch to that application and close it. If you don't need it, uninstall it (open the Tools folder, start App.mgr, and remove the software).

In our case, it wasn't so straight-forward. We could see that a power-hungry Wi-Fi connection was active in our system. When we disconnected it, the clever but annoying program almost instantly re-connected the Wi-Fi to the Internet. What the heck was going on? Fortunately, we discovered the ActiveFile utility.

Tip 2: Install the ActiveFile Utility

ActiveFile is a software product that lets you manage all files and folders stored on the phone and also manage all active processes and tasks.
In order to download correct version of the program, you have to know which edition of the S60 software your phone is running.


Tip 3: Explore Tasks Running on Your Phone

Once you have installed ActiveFile, launch it. The program's main screen lets you access phone's internal storage (C:), run-time memory space (D:), and memory cards. It is possible to copy, move, rename, or delete any files and folders. That's why you have to be absolutely sure that you know what you are doing if you want to manage files in ActiveFile. We recommend file management for advanced users only.

Task List in ActiveFile
Instead, we encourage all avid smartphone users to try ActiveFile for exploring tasks and processes running on the device. When you are in the ActiveFile main screen (the screen above), select Tasks. The program displays an exhaustive list of applications that are doing something on the phone. This list is longer than the task list displayed by the S60 menu key, showing also applications running in the background. For example, Shozu and tasks belonging to Internet telephony (VoIP) applications, like Truphone and Barablu will show up on the Task list displayed by ActiveFile, but they do not necessarily show up on the list displayed by the S60 menu key.

You may also list all processes running on the phone, but that information can be difficult to decipher. An application may have many processes, each performing a dedicated job for the application. The difficult thing is to know the relationships between processes and applications.

Tip 4: Eliminate the Cause of the Problem

When you have the Task list in front of you, you have to figure out which task is causing the problem. Unless you have good clues from other sources, like the Connection Manager, you might simply start eliminating tasks from the top of the list. Stop the first task. Check if anything changed. If the only way to find out is to wait for the battery to discharge itself, then wait.

If you discovered the problematic task, you might consider removing the whole application from the phone. Go to the main menu. Open the Tools folder, launch Application Manager (App.mgr), find the application and remove it.

In our case, we suspected that an application hiding in the background was accessing the Internet via Wi-Fi connection. We tried to find communication-related tasks on the list. The topmost task was something called Presence (it belonged to an VoIP application we didn't use, but for some reason, it remained installed on the device). We stopped the Presence-task, but the Wi-Fi connection hummed along uninterrupted. The next task on the list was an image uploader. We killed the task, and the Wi-Fi connection disappeared. The problem was solved. Next, we uninstalled the image uploader application so that it wouldn't automatically start next time the phone restarted.

There are many other options in ActiveFile that can be useful in other situations. Exploring the inner life of a smartphone can be educational and help you solve the next problem faster than a PC expert can send a text message for help.

There was one thing in ActiveFile that constantly bothered us. In most Symbian OS/S60 applications, the right menu key is used for going back in the menu hierarchy. When we started using ActiveFile, we were several times thrown out of the application, before we realized the right menu key was always Exit, regardless of the menu level.

ActiveFile is a useful tool for managing files, monitoring memory, applications, and tasks. Above all, it helped us solve the mysterious battery problem on our smartphone.

Troubleshooting with your Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a handy wireless technology for sending photos from a mobile phone to another device, or for connecting a wireless headset to the phone. Even new devices, however, may fail to transmit information via Bluetooth. Locating communication problems can be bothersome, unless you troubleshoot your Bluetooth problems with this practical guide.


How to Set Up Bluetooth

1. Switch on Bluetooth on Your Mobile Phone

Often, the Bluetooth feature on a phone is turned off when it arrives from the factory. After you have learned to turn Bluetooth on, keep also in mind that you gain longer battery life and better security if you switch Bluetooth off when you don't need it.

It depends on your phone brand, but usually, Bluetooth settings can be found in the phone's Connections menu. For example, if you own a Nokia smartphone that's powered by the Symbian OS/S60 software, do as follows. Go to the main menu and open the Connect folder. Find an entry titled Bluetooth and open it. You’ll see the current settings for Bluetooth. If the value for Bluetooth is Off, highlight it, push the selection key, and set the value to On.

2. Allow Other Bluetooth Devices Find Your Phone (if you want to receive files via Bluetooth)

If you want to receive photos, music, or videos from other phones or PCs, you have to make your phone's Bluetooth name visible for them. Although each manufacturer has its own menus, look for Bluetooth settings on your own phone. Turn Bluetooth visibility to 'On', 'Discoverable', 'Shown to all', or to a similar value.

For instance, Windows Mobile smartphone owners can do as follows. Go to the Home screen and push Start. Select Settings and open Connections. Select Bluetooth and change the value to Discoverable. Push Done.

Identifying and Solving Common Bluetooth Problems

3. Can't Find Bluetooth in the Phone Menu

If you have selected an item, for example, a photo or an MP3 track that you want to send to a friend, but you can't find Bluetooth in your phone menu, don't panic. Some phones don't display the Bluetooth-option in the menu at all if Bluetooth is switched off. Find the Bluetooth settings on your phone and turn it on.


4. Other Bluetooth Devices Not Found
When you want to send a file from your phone to another phone or to a PC via Bluetooth, and you have selected 'Send via Bluetooth' (or something similar), your phone should display a list of devices discovered in the range. If you can't see the target device in the list, move closer to it. The maximum distance between Bluetooth devices is 10 meters/30 feet, or less, if heavy objects are blocking the signal.

If you already are in the range, make sure that Bluetooth has been switched on in the target device (if you have access to it). In addition, check that the Bluetooth name in the target device has been set to 'Discoverable' or 'Shown to all'.

5. Bluetooth Device Found, but Transmission Failed

If you have successfully selected the target from the list of discovered Bluetooth devices, you can try and send your file. Potential problems are weak signal, device compatibility, and security restrictions.

Check if the receiving device is waiting for a security code. In order to prevent harmful attacks to your phone via Bluetooth, most devices require that you and your friend enter the same security code for both devices. The code can be anything, for example, as simple as 1234.

Even if the sending and receiving phones have already been introduced (or paired/bonded), some devices may still want a confirmation for accepting a file via Bluetooth. The phone that's sending the file will have to wait until the receiver has confirmed the file copy request.

If transmission problems persist, try to send a file from the other phone to your phone. The test will narrow down choices for further research, for example, for potential compatibility issues (see item 7. in this guide).

6. Bluetooth Transmission Started, but Never Finished
If the transmission between Bluetooth devices started, but never ended, re-try transmission. Don’t wander too far away from the target device with the phone in your hand when you are waiting for the transmission to finish. Check if receiving device is waiting for confirmation to save the file you are sending.

A few years ago, when Bluetooth was still a new technology, we had an odd experience at a trade show. There were plenty of Bluetooth devices that could discover one another, but only occasionally could initiate transmissions. The problem was really difficult to track because it was inconsistent. Finally, we figured out that many phones had the same factory-set Bluetooth name. After we changed the names, the odd behavior disappeared. Just to be on the safe side, always change the default Bluetooth name to a unique title on your phone, on your PC, and on any other Bluetooth devices you may have.

7. My Phone's Bluetooth Works Fine with a Device, but Doesn't Connect to Another Device
The most likely recipe for successful Bluetooth connection is to hook up two phones from the same manufacturer. For example, two Sony Ericsson Walkman phones are almost guaranteed to connect instantly. If you have problems sending photos, for instance, from a Nokia phone to a HTC smartphone, you are not alone.

There are still compatibility problems between Bluetooth devices. In order to determine if you have an issue with Bluetooth compatibility, try sending an item from your phone to a PC, to another phone that's same brand as yours, and to a phone of another brand. Then, reverse the sender-receiver roles and try to receive a file from a PC or from another device to your phone.

If you believe you have a compatibility issue, your choices are limited. You can try to update the Bluetooth software on the device that's causing the problem. It is fairly easy to search the Internet for new Bluetooth driver software for a PC, but difficult to update the driver software on a mobile device. Some manufacturers provide dedicated PC software that can update the mobile phone operating system. The new phone software may solve the Bluetooth problem, but all information on the phone will be erased during the process. Search your mobile device manufacturer's Web pages for information on software update, or visit a service center.

8. Wireless Headset Won't Connect to the Phone
Each Bluetooth headset has its own setup procedure that you shoud carefully follow. A new headset must be paired with your phone so that it doesn't connect with any other phone. You may have to open your phone's Bluetooth settings, manually activate connection to the headset, type the security code (you should find it in the headset manual) and pair the two devices. After pairing, the connection should be automatic.


9. Bluetooth Not Found on a PC
If you are not sure whether your PC is equipped with Bluetooth, you can easily verify it. Open the
Control Panel application on a (Windows XP) PC. Look for an entry labeled Bluetooth (it may be labeled Bluetooth Configuration, or Bluetooth Com, but as long as it says Bluetooth, you’re fine). If you can find it, open it. You should be able to view a list of COM-ports for Bluetooth. If you can’t, you may purchase a low-cost adapter and install it into a free USB port in your computer.

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

Nokia has just announced its first Touch enabled S60 smartphone. Powered with the new S60 5th Edition platform, the 5800 XpressMusic has a large, touch sensitive 3.2" 640x360 pixel nHD widescreen display, 3.2 Megapixel (2048x1536) Carl Zeiss Tessar camera with dual LED flash and VGA/30 fps video recording, built-in A-GPS and Nokia Maps, support for up to 16 GB microSD cards (8 GB card is included with the device), 3G, HSDPA and WLAN connectivity, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR with A2DP and AVRCP, Hi-Speed USB 2.0, microUSB and 3.5 mm AV connectors and is powered with BL-5J 1320 mAh Li-Ion battery.The touch sensitive screen (single-touch) provides tactile feedback using vibra. Touch the screen or move a slider and you will not only hear and see but also feel its reaction. It works all the time, unless you set a profile to not use it. The tactile feedback vibration works towards the screen, you can feel it as a 'click'. There are three levels of feedback and other simpler feedback mechanisms (like turning the phone over to stop it ringing). The 5800 has a proximity sensor preventing inadvertent touches and saving power. Text input (ITU keypad with T9) and UI control work both with finger and stylus, at your convencience. You can enter text in four different ways, using finger and stylus: Handwritting Recognition (stylus), Full Screen Qwerty (Landscape orientation, finger or stylus), Virtual Keyboard (Portrait orientation, small Qwerty, stylus) and virual standard keypad (Portrait orientation, stylus or finger).The new user interface provides serveral new home screen features making access to the most frequently used functions easier and quicker. Contacts Bar lets you put four favourite contacts on your home screen, and access them with a single-touch, track message histories, blog updates, photos and more. Media Bar, with Flash support, provides rapid access to favourite media like surfing the web and using online sharing services. The 5800 has three buttons located below the screen: End key, S60 Menu key and the Send key. Plus there's a Media bar key on the top providing access to Music, Gallery, Games, Video Center and Internet Browser.This phone is of course mainly about music. The updated Nokia Music Player allows drag-and-drop transfer of tracks and playlist management. And the device is packed with all the music essentials - a high-quality player with graphic equaliser, in-box memory for up to 6000 tracks, standard headphone jack, powerful built-in surround sound and up to a-day-and-a-half of music play time. The 5800 XpressMusic weighs 109 g and measures 111 x 51.7 x 15.5 mm. Its 1320 mAh battery provides 35 hours of music playback and up to 9 hours of talk time. Box contents include Nokia Music Headset, Portable Stand, Video-Out cable, stylus, carrying case and 8 GB memory card. The 5800 will be available in Q4 2008 in silver-black, red and blue colours.

BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Review

BlackBerry® Pearl™ smartphones offer everything you're looking for from a mobile phone, without sacrificing the full BlackBerry smartphone experience. They're designed to help you do the things you have to do, and more of the things you want to do.
Connect to everything you love in life with phone, camera, email, browser, instant messaging, multimedia and organizer – all in one small, very cool package.

The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8100 Series helps you do all the things you have to do and more of the things you want to do.
They feature a cool design that’s as perfect for a night out as it is for the office.
And don’t forget, the fun goes with you. BlackBerry Pearl 8100 Series smartphones come equipped with a next-generation media player, so you can watch video clips and view files you’ve downloaded and saved.

Mobile Phone Review and Buyers Guide Websites

Dear All,

Herewith I introduce the best mobile/cell phone review and buyers guide websites which will help you to choose the right phone for your needs because there are so many different models being sold now with such different features and similar names/model numbers that it’s very hard to tell which one you should buy:

GSMarena - is a European website which lists technical specifications (Size, Weight, Display, Ringtones, Memory Phonebook, Connectivity (Bluetooth, infrared etc), Games, Battery etc), photos and short reviews by users (2-3 lines) for more different mobile phones from various manufacturers than any other website.
Phone handsets listed include: Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Alcatel, Panasonic, BenQ- Siemens, Siemens, BenQ, Philips, NEC, Sagem, LG, Sharp, Toshiba, Innostream, Pantech, VK Mobile, Palm, O2, HTC, i-mate, Qtek, BlackBerry, Haier, Bird, Eten, HP and XCute.

Mobile-review - Offers mobile phone reviews, previews, specifications and forums in Russian and English. While it doesn’t cover all available models the reviews are really in depth with lots of photos and extensive reports from people who have used the phone
Phone handsets reviewed include: Alcatel, Asus, Bird, BenQ, Buddy Bear, Sony Ericsson, Fly, Hyundai, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Pantech, Philips, Sagem, Samsung, Sharp, Siemens, Voxtel as well as some PDA’s and mobile phone accessories.

Mobiledia - is an American website which seems to concentrate on reviewing multimedia / PDA / music / entertainment mobile cell phones, ignoring the budget phone market.
It also has a partner website called cell reception which can lets American readers search a database of over 121,000 cell phone tower locations registered with the FCC, and view over 27,000 cell phone carrier comments submitted voluntarily from real customers using their service all over the US to help consumers search for the carrier with the best reception in their area.
Phone handsets reviewed include: Audiovox, Firefly Mobile, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Panasonic, RIM, Samsung, Sanyo, Sendo, Siemens, Sony Ericsson and Vertu.

Phoneyworld - is an Indian website which is dedicated to helping you find the cell phone / cellular service which perfectly satisfies your needs. Their website allows you, the user to read reviews, other user opinions on service providers as well as various handsets.
Because it’s an Indian website the phone reviewed include basic budget models as well as the more expensive models camera phone / music playing models.

Imobile - iMobile.com.au is written with the Australian mobile user in mind, examining how new developments within the mobile phone and telecommunication industry will impact the local market. Extensive links to related articles and other useful online resources are also included.
iMobile.com.au is published as a web magazine which aims to provide a comprehensive insight into mobile phone news, reviews and the latest technology available for mobile phones.
Phone handsets reviewed include: LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, O2, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Siemens and Sony Ericsson.