Hey there!!
Im looking to buy a new cell phone, and Im thinking of upgrading to a camera phone..but I also see lots of info about Bluetooth technology??? What the heck is it?? do I have to pay for it?? Ive had my last phone for about two years and am sick of it...Ive never gotten the best reception from it..its the motorola v70 and is REALLY small and was really $$ at the time. I just want the best, SMALLEST phone, and I need the keys covered since I never lock them...I know about the razr, but thats friggin $500 bucks!!
Im on cingular, so any suggestions?? and what the heck is Bluetooth technology??? :confused:

Bluetooth is like having a USB connection on your phone, except you don't have to connect using a cable (it's a wireless version). Very handy if you are within range of a computer network, as you can connect to the Internet or whatever other services you have with your phone, and you don't have to find a USB jack.

Here's a page with a description about Bluetooth (as well as wi-fi and other things): http://www.davespda.com/features/wireless.htm

so how much is it a month?? other than checking email, it is very practical?? I cant see doing too much on that lil screen...

oh yeay..I got moved so not very many people will read this and be able to give me an opinion....thaaaaanks guys...why didnt you move my post about Bose?? hey...you can play games on the phone...so shouldnt this be under Entertainement?? Ill never figure this board out... :confused: :rolleyes:

What do you want to use Bluetooth primarily for?

I have Bluetooth on my phone which was already installed when I purchased it and I use it primarily for a wireless headset. I'm not sure what other plug-ins you can use with Bluetooth.

But Internet connection is an entirely different beast. You just need to check if your phone is Internet ready in order to check e-mail, surf the web, etc. Personally, I can wait til I get home to check my e-mail and such, rather than paying however much for however many kilobytes are transferred through my phone. It's not worth it for me; I don't conduct the kind of business that requires me to constantly check e-mail.

Your service provider usually sets aside a certain fee for information transfer over the Internet. AT&T used to charge me about $.03 per 30 kilobytes or something like that. Most providers offer plans that give you a set amount of information to transfer for a flat rate each month; you just pay whatever overage you incur.

oh yeay..I got moved so not very many people will read this and be able to give me an opinion....thaaaaanks guys...why didnt you move my post about Bose?? hey...you can play games on the phone...so shouldnt this be under Entertainement?? Ill never figure this board out... :confused: :rolleyes:
It got moved because you asked a tech question. This is the tech sub-forum. Seems pretty straight forward. I can't say what happened with your other thread.

I also have Cingular and a Bluetooth enabled phone. This phone. (http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=408) I don't take advantage of all the Bluetooth features, and Lani detailed many of them. Some she didn't mention are wireless head sets, PDA connectivity. Also some cars have Bluetooth built in. My wife's cousin has a Prius that will connect to your phone.

Also you can use Bluetooth to transfer java apps, ringtones, and other content to your phone without a data cable.

As for whether Cingular's wireless internet is worth the price? It depends on you. I use it to check traffic, sports scores, weather, and occaisionally to read news or other content. Often while in lines at Disneyland.

BlueTooth is a technology that lets devices speak/network with each other wirelessly (sp?, word?). Ie: your cell networks with your pda, networks with your computer, networks with your TV, etc (bluetooth devices network with other bluetooth devices).
The idea is to be able to network everything with no wires...so maybe in the future you could turn on your heater at home with your cell phone.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&oi=defmore&q=define:Bluetooth

gosh Im dumb..I still cant quite wrap my head around it..so when I read about it, it says that it will connect to your computer wirelessly within about 30 feet..so is that free?? Like I have an Airport on my mac, so I can move it around the house wirelessly, but not too far from the airport hub...does the bluetooth work like that??

On the link that Matt provided above for the phone it describes a little what the bluetooth enabled phone can do:

"Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology used to create PANs (Personal Area Networks) among your devices, and with other nearby devices.

Bluetooth allows you to leave your phone in your pocket, while talking on your phone with a Bluetooth headset - with no wires. You can also exchange contact or scheduling information with other Bluetooth-enabled phones nearby, or send such information to a nearby Bluetooth-enabled printer.

Another common use is to give your laptop computer or PDA wireless high-speed Internet access via Bluetooth and your phone.

Many newer automobiles also have Bluetooth, which can interface with a phone in a pocket, to allow automatic hands-free phone capability.

More innovative uses include playing a game against someone with a similar phone nearby, or using a special Bluetooth pen to send SMS messages by simply writing them on paper.

Blueooth functionality is divided into seperate types of connections known as "profiles". Each of the various scenarios outlined above involve a different profile. Not all Bluetooth devices support all profiles.

For example, a Bluetooth headset might only support the Headset profile, while others might support both Headset and the similar Handsfree profile, for increased compatibility. Similarly, a phone might only support the Handsfree profile, and not the Headset profile, while other phones might support both."

I've never used a bluetooth enabled cell phone but i'd assume that the only time you'd get charged for something is if you access the internet/download games and ringers with your phone. i don't see why they'd charge you for using a wireless microphone, playing games with another phone...etc.

Christiii, Bluetooth doesn't cost anything to use, unlike cell phone service. The only cost to you is the equipment: your phone and any other Bluetooth-enabled devices you may have.

Some common uses are wireless cell phone headsets, synching cell phone address books to (Bluetooth-equipped) computers, and wireless keyboards and mice (better than infrared or RF).

gosh Im dumb..I still cant quite wrap my head around it..so when I read about it, it says that it will connect to your computer wirelessly within about 30 feet..so is that free?? Like I have an Airport on my mac, so I can move it around the house wirelessly, but not too far from the airport hub...does the bluetooth work like that??
More or less.

Bluetooth is not a service from Cingular. It is a hardware feature of the phone. You will have to purchase Bluetooth accessories (headset, USB adaptor, PDA, etc) to make full use of the technology.

Or you could just not get a phone with Bluetooth.

Cingular offers several models without Bluetooth in your region. (http://onlinestore1.cingular.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ES_PHONES?storeAlias=sfrsfr&storeId=11551&catalogId=11551&langId=-1&svcAreaId=SBC)

Take a look at the Mot V600. Its a great phone with Bluetooth and works on the Cingular network. I have had my V600 for almost 8 months or so and I love it.