Mac compatible phone - iPhone alternative?

[PliSsK]

I'm wanting to upgrade my archaic Windows Mobile phone. Have a 2007 iMac running Mavericks. I want to be able to sync my Mac contacts and diary with the new fone. Anything else is a bonus. I'm on a very limited budget. TBH I don't use the phone very much, only for texting and making calls in emergencies. I don't really care about apps. Clearly an iPhone could do it but it would have to be a very old one. In the realm of entry level phones, what alternatives should I consider to the iPhone?

Looking at the iSync compatibility page, which seems very out of date, it would appear that most Nokia and Motorola devices would work with iSync. Is this about right? I mean as long as the phone in question has a USB port then it should hook up to iSync?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2824

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I've had a look at a few manuals and they don't seem to mention either PC or Mac compatibility.

 

[KUguardgrl13]

I'm wanting to upgrade my archaic Windows Mobile phone. Have a 2007 iMac running Mavericks. I want to be able to sync my Mac contacts and diary with the new fone. Anything else is a bonus. I'm on a very limited budget. TBH I don't use the phone very much, only for texting and making calls in emergencies. I don't really care about apps. Clearly an iPhone could do it but it would have to be a very old one. In the realm of entry level phones, what alternatives should I consider to the iPhone?

Looking at the iSync compatibility page, which seems very out of date, it would appear that most Nokia and Motorola devices would work with iSync. Is this about right? I mean as long as the phone in question has a USB port then it should hook up to iSync?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2824

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I've had a look at a few manuals and they don't seem to mention either PC or Mac compatibility.

Those are some pretty old and outdated phones. You might try an older BlackBerry like a Pearl or Curve. They have a software program that can sync contacts and such. Androids don't play very nicely with Macs for such things unless you use Google services like gmail.

Otherwise I'd say the iPhone 4S or 5c (which if you're on Verizon they're giving away for free to some subscribers, just pay the $30 activation fee).

 

[jr866gooner]

Those are some pretty old and outdated phones. You might try an older BlackBerry like a Pearl or Curve. They have a software program that can sync contacts and such. Androids don't play very nicely with Macs for such things unless you use Google services like gmail.



Otherwise I'd say the iPhone 4S or 5c (which if you're on Verizon they're giving away for free to some subscribers, just pay the $30 activation fee).

Yeah it would make sense to go with iPhone since you have a mac, perhaps the 4s or 5 would be best! Maybe even a IP4 given your smartphone requirements aren't for the latest and greatest!

 

[mofunk]

You can try locating a Motorola W755 which is a version of the Motorola Razr. That was the last phone I used to synced with Address Book. Actually I used Bluetooth to move Addresses over to my phone. I looked on the internet for software to use it. I can't remember what I used but you can find programs like Sync Cell.


http://download.cnet.com/SyncCell/3000-18511_4-10567837.html

 

[PliSsK]

Thanks for the input. I did a bit of digging and it seemed the iSync link is historical, rather than just not updated, as iSync was not supported after OS X 10.6 (?) I did hear that if one could download the iSync software for one' specific phone, install it on an older Mac, then copy the program file over to one's newer Mac, it would still work, but I don't have an older Mac to play around with (and VMware stopped allowing you to install OS X on a separate VM). I was looking at SyncMate which seems to support a few different mobile OSes (my Windows Mobile phone is too old to be supported). I see that one can sync via Google with Android so it's not too complicated, although not as convenient as iCloud.

 

[mofunk]

Apple is famous for removing stuff that works. iSync, use of the stand alone iSight camera…. and drum roll))) several features in Address book like caller id and calling from your computer to mobile phone.



Your best bet is to get an iPhone with the best plan to fit your budget.

 

[T5BRICK]

Nexus 5.

https://support.google.com/a/answer/1366863?hl=en