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Connectivity
I used a generic Samsung data cable to connect this phone to my computer for data transfer. I could transfer music, ringtones, pictures and video between the Finesse and my computer. However, I noted that this was only possible when a memory card was installed in the phone. I was able to view only files that were stored on the memory card, not those on the phone’s internal memory. I could not find a way to access the phone’s internal memory through the USB cable.
This is important since the camcorder and camera default to storing videos and pictures in the internal memory. To change this setting, go to Menu>Settings>Memory Manager>Save Options. Unfortunately, I could not find a way to change the save location on the voice recorder, so bluetooth remains the best option for transferring audio recordings off the device. Alternatively, you could use the camcorder at the lowest quality setting for recording your audio.
Another option in the phone’s settings allow the user to switch the Phone-PC connection between “USB modem” and “USB Mass Storage” (see picture below). The mass storage option allows for the data transfer I described above.
Samsung Finesse PC Connection Options
Presumably, the USB modem function would allow the phone to be connected to a computer for use as a modem, thus allowing the computer to connect to the internet through the phone’s cellular connection. However, I was unable to get this to work. It’s also worth noting that the Straight Talk terms of service specifically prohibit this “tethering” and point out that service may be terminated for violating their terms of service. I don’t know enough about the technology to know whether Straight Talk might actually be able to detect whether you’ve been tethering your phone, but I’m not willing to risk it with my account.
From all that I’ve read, no one else has been able to tether this phone either, so it seems very unlikely that it’s possible. I’ll keep monitoring various forums to see if anyone makes it work, though, and post back here if I learn more.
I don’t have any GPS systems to test this phone with, so if anyone reading this can comment on how well that connection works, I would appreciate it. However, I was very happy with how the bluetooth connection worked with my regular old headset. Through the headset I was able to use voice commands to initiate calls. I assume that this is a good sign that it will work well with navigation systems.
Tomorrow I’ll post again with info about the web browser, and hopefully I’ll be able to put together a little video to demonstrate the internet experience.
December 30, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Thanks for the further review. I look forward to the next installment.
A question: Under phone settings > NAM Selection I can select either NAM 1 or NAM 2. What is this? I don’t have a clue.
I am still bugged by the increasing volume treatment of the ringtone. It just does not work well for me. Would it be possible to design a ringtone that started loud and then decreased to a constant level to counteract the Samsung system? In other wise it would fool the Samsung system and give a constant volume ring. Can anyone suggest a website where I might design a custom ringtone?
Thanks.
December 31, 2009 at 1:44 am
Check to see if this phone can get on youtube.. m.youtube.com is the mobile site! and is it easy to make your ringtones on this phone?
December 31, 2009 at 9:40 am
K2ne1 – The phone does not support YouTube of any sort, but I would think that ringtones could be created on a PC and then transferred to the phone. I am new to this – the regular ringtones on prior phones were always OK for me – I just want to defeat this ascending ring thing. The Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is kicking in!
Another issue I have with the Straight Talk R810 – the lack of a contact manager. I don’t just mean the contacts with just the phone numbers, but rather the ability to store physical addresses and such on the phone. If I could just have my old palm pilot system on the phone (ah for the “good old days”)! I know this is not a full fledged smart phone but come on – it is a pretty basic function to have an address book! I believe the phone likely could have an application for this, but the capability has been disabled for some reason. Hopefully someone with some tech smarts will come up with a work-around to do this. There is lots of information about hacking this phone at Samsung-Finesse.com but I am reluctant (and not knowledgeable enough)to get into this stuff. Also most of the things on that site are for the MetroPC version and may be unique to the way they have the phone set up.
I can pull up my Google Calendar on the phone but it will not load Google Documents – it gets to the list of documents and won’t go farther (this would at least give me a list of addresses or other information for me if I could just load the document). My primitive work-around: I could store the list as an email draft in the G-Mail system or send myself an email with the information in the body, but this is a pretty cumbersome system.
January 1, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Al – I’m also not sure about the NAM settings, but you might want to check out http://howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=330 for discussion of the phone’s internal settings. As for ringtones, try myxer.com
January 1, 2010 at 4:01 pm
I’ll try to answer both questions soon.
January 2, 2010 at 4:57 pm
I just want to thank you for this review. I am waivering between the Samsung Finesse/Straight Talk and the Sidekick/T-Mobile. (You get no voice minutes w/ T-mobile’s Sidekick To Go plan). Knowledge is power so thanks for sharing what you’ve learned.
January 5, 2010 at 8:50 am
thanks for the review. I am really debating. I have sprint now, with a palm pre. (commenting from it) and have been thinking about it. It wayyyyy cheaper than what I got now. I used to have the samsung instinct for sprint and this fone is practically the same except for you tube. Really thinking about selling my pre and getting this fone. I just need a little mpre knowledge on it. Like apps an what not, of that manner. I know the functionality from the instinct from sprint.
January 26, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Thinking about purchasing this phone but I would like a GPA app. As soon as you know if this phone will accept a GPS app please write about it.
Thanks!
February 1, 2010 at 3:04 pm
The Straight Talk version of this phone does not seem to have a GPS function, which is weird because the MetroPCS version does. I don’t know why it’s not on the straight talk one.
March 30, 2010 at 3:20 pm
As for the NAM 1 and 2 functions, guys don’t change the setting by selecting NAM 2. That will mess up the setting and the phone will ask you for pass code. Even if you enter the right pass code, the phone won’t recognize it because I believe that NAM has something to do with modem of the phone and you will have trouble get it back (it happened to me before).
Please anyone knows something about how to get a GPS on the phone, share the trick with us. Even if I have to pay for it, I will.
Thanks in advance
May 25, 2010 at 11:52 pm
If you’re looking for custom ringtones : http://www.mxyer.com is the best site for custom ringtones & wallpapers. u dnt need a USB to recieve the media because it is sent to your phone via txt msg. i hope that helped.
May 30, 2010 at 4:28 pm
metro pcs also does youtube, which this phone does not. unfortunately we bought the dumbed down version from straight talk at the $300++price tag! Its crazy that one can’t access YOU tube, even virgin mobile allows that!
June 8, 2010 at 7:15 pm
I am having trouble getting my laptop to read that my finesse is plug in.
June 22, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Straight talk phones do not support GPS. It is my understanding from Straight talk that this is not offered and Samsung says it is not a hardware function but a software app and is not supported by straight talk. Im working on transferring contacts from outlook without much success yet. Who wants to add 500 contacts manually? Takes an engineer to not think this one through. This phone looks like a sports car but has a chipmunk for a motor.
July 25, 2010 at 12:37 am
I bought a generic data cable for use with my Samsung Finesse phone. My pc is running windows 7 64bit, when i plug it in with the phone set to “mass storage device” it says something about being unable to locate drivers and it just doesn’t work at all. i don’t see how i could be doing anything wrong.
July 25, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Hi Jason
I don’t have windows 7, so I can’t help you there, but maybe someone else here can…