Admit it: you'd be lost without your cell phone. Even so, you're probably not taking full advantage of it. How many times have you rifled through a paper organizer or juggled a PalmPilot with phone in hand, looking for someone's number? Or course, most phones let you program names and numbers, but entering that info manually on a phone's minuscule keypad is maddening. There's a better way—link your phone to your notebook or desktop PC and effortlessly download all the names and numbers in your PC's address book. Plus: insider tips for the most popular phones.
Nokia 6160
Most phones, including the Nokia 6160, work with Paragon Software FoneSync ($39.95 from www.paragonsoftware.com). It downloads your PC contacts directly to your phone. To ensure a smooth connection, in your computer's information manager, clean up the contact data you want to send to the phone. Delete any records you don't need, as most phones can handle only 200 entries. Next, back up your information manager's data so if there's a problem with syncing to the phone you won't lose any important numbers. Clear out your phone's address book too so you're off to a clean start. Then shut down your PC and phone, plug in the cable, and turn both of them back on. Finally, start your phone's PC software and begin the transfer.
Ericsson KF 788
To add a private phone number that only you can see, enter it manually and use the phone's Secure Memory feature. Enter the phone number and keep pressing the Yes button to store it, until you're prompted for your security code. Enter your code and the number is safe from prying eyes.
Qualcomm QCP-860
The Qualcomm QCP-860 comes with its own PC software. It makes you edit each entry before adding it to your phone book, and there's no way to cancel an entry. A quick detour can change this: Before transferring any contacts to the phone, select Tools, choose Options, and clear the Edit Dropped Entries Before Adding to Speed Dial List check box. Then click OK.
Motorola StarTAC ST7760
The StarTAC has a hardware add-on, the clipOn Organizer, for entering contacts. Its Reset button doesn't clear any data. To make a fresh start, hold down the View key and insert the end of a paper clip in the small hole on its back. Next, select Erase Data from the special System Mode menu that appears, and—voilà!—all entries are erased and reset to factory defaults.
