CellStik simplifies cellphone address book backups

A lot of people use their cellphones as address books and organizers, but most of those people aren't as obsessive as we are about backing up that data to their PCs (and most aren't as willing as we are to deal with painful and frustrating Bluetooth configuration software). So, the CellStik may well be a handy peripheral for lots of cellphone users. The device looks like a normal USB flash drive, but includes a connector designed to match the proprietary interface found on most cellphones (there are currently versions available for LG and Samsung phones, with Moto up next). According to the manufacturer, Spark Technology, you can just plug the CellStik into your phone, download your phone's data, and then plug it into a PC to retrieve it. You can also use it to transfer data directly from one phone to another, cutting the PC out of the loop (as long as both phones support the same connector, of course). At $39.99, it's not much more expensive than a USB data cable, and could be a lot more useful for some customers (though we'll stick with painful and frustrating Bluetooth syncing).

[chuck @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

If I didn't have a Mac, I'd probably buy this. But since bluetooth 2.0 and great syncing software (isync) came standard on my iMac G5... I'll stick with *painless* bluetooth syncing. :-)

[chuck @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Hmm, just noticed a fairly large flaw in the design of this thing. On the website, they mention that it's perfect for moving all your contacts from your old phone to your new phone- but with the current design, you'd have to buy the same brand of phone. It'd be a lot more useful if the tips were interchangeable.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Looks like you'd have to buy two to transfer between different types of phones. Not very convenient. I'd rather just use bluetooth than spend $80 on something I'm most likely never going to even use again.

Brian

[Dull @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

This is Great. Next time I'm at a party & a cirtain Hilton drops her cell phone, I'll be glad to return.

[Shaun @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I'm with #1 on the Mac front so it's really not an issue. I've two phones and it's one click in iSync to update the pair of them.

However, every shop I've ever bought a phone from will backup your contacts and stick them on your new phone for you for free.

[mroach @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Between a SIM card and iSync over Bluetooth, I can't see the point of this.

[Christopher M. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Dull, dude - better stick with words 6 characters or less, that's a pretty embarassing blowout

[Taylor @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

If you're a verizon customer, there's a super easy way to backup your phone automatically, check it out:
https://ba.mightybackup.com/mb/do/start?skininfo=110
and how to use it:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/pdfs/user_guides/How_To_Backup_Assistant.pdf
I have a weekly backup scheduled automatically and I never have to do anything! My entire phone book is online!
-Taylor

[Iskra @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

$40 for a USB data cable? Geez.. Where do you guys live? In Dubai?

[SIM card? @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

My moto phones have addressbook options to "copy to SIM" and "copy from SIM" so that's what I do when moving between phones to keep them current.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Maybe the author is talking about painful BT setup on the phone, not the PC?

There are easy to use programs that are much more functional than this, and cheaper to expand to multiple brands and models of phones - Bitpim, DataPilot, etc. Heck, Bitpim is free. You just need a cable from Ebay or similar.

[Gygaxis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Bitpim and a $10 datacable if you lack BT or even a pair of $10 datacables depend on what phones you'll use

[Robert Vassar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Only took me a few minutes to link my Motorola E815 with my PowerBook over Bluetooth and then use iSync to transfer over phone numbers and calendar. Why waste your money on this thing!

[Craig @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

i find it funny how some of you who have bluetooth seem to think that everyone else also has bluetooth. i'm not saying this product is worthwhile (it's probably not as long as you can buy a data cable for less), but it might be useful for those of us who don't have a bluetooth phone (we are out there)

[Rusty Shackleford @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

This is a rip-off. These guys charge $10 to ship via UPS ground. This thing must weigh fifteen pounds. Either they got some seriously high density electronics in there or I smell a rat.

[This guy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Can anyone recommend freeware for syncing a phone's contact list? Is there such a thing? I'm using the VI600 on Sprint, if that makes a difference. I have a USB cable, but it didn't include any software.

[Dull @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Yea it was. The word was to be certain. Oh well...

[Jimmy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I have a SmartPhone and this is not an issue at all... it's so conveinent synching with Outlook...

[Shaun @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Copying data to a SIM and back again only works if you've a very basic phone as the SIM cards can only store a small subset of your contact data.

[shawn @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

"Painful" bluetooth syncing?? Maybe it's just that "painful" is innate to all things Microsoft. I use bluetooth on my Mac to sync my sony ericson cell phone and it didn't take any complex setup. Syncing is a simple press of the isync button.