Accessory Advisor

Data kits and cables have been gaining popularity as newer phones have more options such as cameras, compatibility with MP3 ring tones, and hold more data.  The ability to sync contacts, transfer pictures, make or transfer ring tones, and other functions of data kits provides and easy and convenient way to maintain information on your phone.

One consideration in choosing a phone and service provider should be the ability to transfer information between it and a computer if you will be using these functions.  Most service providers like Cingular, and T-Mobile allow you to use all the available features of your phone that the manufacturer built in.  This may include transferring pictures and ring tones to and from the phone.  Syncing contact data, notes, and calendars.  Some service providers like Verizon severely limit data kit features that can be used with their phones.  For instance, they may have disabled the ability to transfer ring tones or pictures.  Even the ability to sync is limited to doing so only with a data cable versus a bluetooth connection.  To transfer images or ring tones to the phone, Verizon’s paid service must be used.  So a Motorola RAZR on the Cingular or T-Mobile network can make full use of all data kit functions while the Verizon version (RAZR V3c) can only sync and transfer pictures from the phone to the computer.  A good resource to find out what limitations Verizon may have put on a phone can be found on CNET.com.

Phones also have a broad range of features available.  The Treo Smartphones such as the Treo 700w and Treo 650 allow the storing and syncing of a tremendous amount of calendar, contact, and reminder information.  The very popular Motorola RAZR on the other hand is somewhat limited in the amount of information that can be stored.

Motorola makes a great data kit for their phones.  The Motorola Phonetools suite provides a great user interface and a lot of options for synching your phone.

Nokia sells the data cables without software but allows the software to be downloaded for free from their website.

LG sells cables and software separately.

A number of “aftermarket” manufacturers also offer data cables and software for multiple phones.  One of these is Susteen.  They offer the Datapilot Data Kits for all brands including Nokia, Motorola, LG, Samsung, Kyocera, and more.  The features of the software depend on what options the phone itself has built in.

Another company, Mobile Action, provides data kits for most brands as well.  They include 1000 ring tones with the software.  Again, the functionality of the data kit is limited to the features of the phone

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