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Cell Phones and PDA's
(Click here for ScoutPalDB hardware requirements)
ScoutPal can be used with any web-enabled cell phone or wireless PDA. Here
are some tips for choosing one:
- Your current cell phone is probably already capable of using
ScoutPal! Check with your cellular service provider to get instructions for web
browsing with your phone. Then try browsing to:
http://waptest.scoutpal.com ("waptest" instead of "www")
http://www.scoutpal.com/waptest (alternate test site)
(Note that these URL's can only be used with a cell phone browser.)
If you have a PDA, use the following test site:
http://www.scoutpal.com/pdatest
You will be asked to Enter and Send your Amazon Marketplace Seller Nickname.
[Click here to find your Marketplace Nickname]
[More help on how to test your cell phone or PDA]
- When shopping for a new cell phone or PDA, ask for a working sample
that has web browsing enabled. Write down the test URLs given above and
bring them with you when you are shopping. Try the phone or PDA with the
test website, while you are in the store.
- Some PDA phones are compatible with
ScoutPalDB. With these phones, you can get instant
database lookups as well as live real-time lookups, and with most new PDA
phones you can use a Bluetooth scanner like the
Bluetooth ROV.
- MOST IMPORTANT: When considering a cellular carrier, make sure
that it has good coverage in your bookscouting locations. Ask to see a map
that describes these locations. Be wary if your bookscouting locations are
on the fringes of their coverage area.
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Comparison resources on the Web:
- Information links for major carriers:
IMPORTANT: Cellular
carriers constantly change their information websites, phone offerings, service plans,
and prices, so the data and links below are subject to change.
Always check with a cell company directly to be certain that you
can get the
right web service at the right price.
| Sprint/Nextel |
Web service options vary in price, most have unlimited data.
Browse Nextel plans. (For example, select the basic plan and select any ixxx
Mortorola phone, you will then see an unlimited web plan option.) ScoutPalSE
scanner phone systems are available for certain Nextel phones. |
| T-Mobile |
The
"t-zones"
T-MobileWeb service provides unlimited web browsing. |
| Verizon |
Mobile Web by VZW with MSN Warning: Unlike other carriers, and
depending on your phone and your plan, Verizon may charge airtime minutes as you browse the web. |
| AT&T |
Some of their
web services are billed by the megabyte, others are unlimited. Each MB of data is good for about 500-700 ScoutPal lookups. |
| BoostMobile |
BoostMobile offers "pay as you go",
no contract, basic service. Unlimited internet browsing with Boost is a
bargain: 35c/day, that's it. Boost phones operate on the Nextel network, but they
are sold and billed by Boost. You buy
a phone online from Boost or at retail outlets like Walmart, and then you
pay ahead for Boost service, as you need it. Some Boost phones are
under $50, and they all have GPS. Be sure to specify that you want web
services when activating the phone. The cost is so low that some ScoutPals get a Boost phone just for
bookscouting. If you only want to use the phone for bookscouting, and you don't want to pay for phone calls,
no problem: don't call anybody, and don't answer the phone. :)
Scanner
phone option for Boost...
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