It goes without saying that the top priority for any wireless company is to make money. Before downloadable ringtones, expensive data plans, and text messages became the cash cows, it became difficult for carriers to profit from selling voice services. In the cut-throat wireless industry, increasing plan minutes and while lowering prices was becoming an all too common practice for providers. At the time, they could only hope you would greatly exceed your plan minutes, thus allowing them to charge you huge overage fees from your per-minute rate. The problem is that 60 minute plans died in the early part of the century, and before long, the amount of minutes included in a typical wireless package is often more than what a person (or family) can use.
When camera phones hit the scene, wireless providers held their arms wide to welcome this new potential revenue stream. Wireless companies like Verizon, Sprint PCS, and AT&T are relying on data services to keep their businesses profitable in a time of lower prices on voice services. These new carriers want all want customers to snap a picture on their camera phone and send it to a friend or family member through the network. Of course, sending the photo incurs additional charges on your wireless phone bill.
The problem with camera phones is that when you capture a funny or special moment with your phone, it's often unclear how to get photos from your phone to your computer. Many methods incur additional charges that you'd most likely rather not pay. Fortunately, there are usually a few different ways to get images off your phone for good.
Method #1: E-mail them to yourself
Most camera phones have the ability to send photos in the form of an email. Of course, this is the method wireless providers would prefer since they typically get to charge additional fees for sending picture mail. Normally, wireless providers charge a flat rate to send a picture as an email through their network, but you could also be billed on a per-kilobyte rate for the data used. You'll need to check the details for your specific wireless plan.
To e-mail photos to yourself, you'll need to make sure your phone is configured to send e-mails. Most phones purchased from the carrier are setup out of the box, but you'll need to determine that on a per-case basis. The process for selecting an image to send will vary on the individual phone model, so refer to the instructions in your telephone manual for instructions. When you're ready to send the picture, place your e-mail address in the "To:" field, and hit send.
Method #2: Bluetooth transfer to a PC
If your phone is equipped with short-range Bluetooth wireless technology (most are these days), you can often send images to a similarly equipped notebook or desktop computer. The best part about Bluetooth is that images transferred in this manner are completely free to you. Whether you send 1 picture or 50, it's still free. Not all phones are equipped with Bluetooth, but even less computers come with the technology built-in. However, you can add the technology to your computer by purchasing a USB Bluetooth module from a local electronics retailer. Don't worry about it being expensive, considering most modules retail for less than $25.
Sending photos to a computer using Bluetooth is fairly simple... once you pair the phone to your computer. Sometimes the pairing process goes smoothly, and sometimes it doesn't. Either way, once you've gotten the two talking to each other, sending images to and from the phone is a snap. On top of this, Bluetooth allows you to send images and files to other Bluetooth phones without wires or charges.
Not all Bluetooth phones will be able to send images to a computer. Some carriers disable the file transfer profile before the phone is sent to the stores for sale, thereby forcing the users to either buy a data kit or send e-mails. This is what's referred to as the "no free lunch" approach to customer service. It's reasonable for them to assume that most would not spend fifty-dollars on an accessory, so they'll get to charge your account for every picture you send or make a monthly fee on a picture package.
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Method #3: Transfer via a data cable
Any phone that has a built-in camera will most likely be able to connect to a computer via a USB data connection kit. Data kits are phone specific, so you'll need to make sure you get the correct one for your model phone. The kit includes the cable that plugs your phone into your computer's USB jack, as well as software to assist in transferring files to and from the phone.
Once connected, you'll have the same file transfer abilities as you would with Bluetooth, except with a wire. Unfortunately, you cannot transfer images to anything but a computer, so don't expect to move a picture from your phone to a friend's. Though data connect kits are often more expensive than Bluetooth modules, they do transfer files at a faster speed.
Method #4: Phones with removable memory cards
Many newer phones have a slot for an external memory cards, especially models with higher resolution cameras. Since the images are stored on a removable memory card, transferring images to the computer is a breeze. All you need to do is pick up an external memory card reader from a local electronics store. You'll need to know what kind of card your phone uses before you go shopping to make sure the reader you buy supports the correct format.
Once your card reader is in place, merely remove the memory card from your phone, and insert it into the card reader. The computer will recognize the card and assign it a drive letter. Actually moving images is as easy as using the "cut and paste" commands in Windows Explorer. Just reinsert the card back into the phone when you're ready to take new pictures.
Summary
While you can continue to pay the carrier to keep images you snap on your phone, there are ways to do it for free, or at least one low-cost payment. Of all the options presented, Bluetooth is the most versatile of the methods, especially since it can allow you many other useful functions. If your phone isn't equipped with Bluetooth, yet you still wish to snap and keep pictures with your phone, opt to go with the data-connect kit. It will cost you a little cash up front, but it will be cheaper than paying monthly or individually over a standard 2-year contract. Now start snapping pictures, and post them at TechLore for the world to see!
Comments
What if the phone got wet and
What if the phone got wet and no longer is able to turn on....can this still work?
Hi
Hi
I read your page.My phone is connected- USB- .My Samsung SPH-M 320 recognizes the connection
But,It doesn't have a mode in the tool box to switch to.On the main screen it says
USB connected..I downloaded the driver and the viewer as the Manufacturer suggested
One thing I see is my computer doesn't recognize the phone as a drive to display the files.I hope you have an answer for this
THANKS MUCH
can you help me..i want to
can you help me..i want to transfer pictures from my cell phone,,,i go though bluegrass cellular..i dont even know if it can transfer are not..but i sure it can
What happens if you dont have
What happens if you dont have picture messaging or even messaging..?
To thoes who didnot read the
To thoes who didnot read the imformation: I read the imformation and was able to transfer my photoes from my cell phone card to my computer the very frist time.if you don't have a phone card you can go to the carrier and have them download all your photes to a usb sand disk and incert it into your computer and download you photes to your computer.I have done both.It is real easy. GOOD LUCK.
How do I get pics/music from
How do I get pics/music from card to phone without goin on comp or sendin cuz have too many send? I have the droid2
How do I get pics/music from
How do I get pics/music from card to phone memory without usin computer? Have too many to email them n can't figure out how save them to phone memory to put on new card, have droid 2. Thanks
Well, I've plugged my phone
Well, I've plugged my phone into a USB port in my computer, and usually, with my camera at least, something pops up in a little bubble that says it has found the device, and from there, I usually transfer my photos. However, all the computer does for my phone is charge it, and I can't find the file that's usually in "My Computer" that lets me transfer pictures. Is there anything I can do about this?
Depending on your phone make,
Depending on your phone make, model, or carrier, DataPilot can backup your pix/music but you would need a computer for that.
i have an LG290cm model phone
i have an LG290cm model phone. i have read Matt's article with the four (4) detailed options for x-ferring/d-loading pics from cell 2 laptop. i have tried all 4 - all of which are correctly advised and explained - but none of which have worked. i have contacted LG directly and been told i need "sync software" to accompany the usb cable that i currently have; however, LG does not even offer such software and could only suggest i search online. in other words, without this mysterious & unavailable "LG 290cm sync software", my only other option is to email/text each pic individually to my email account so that i may then transfer directly to my laptop hard-drive... not a big deal unless you're like me and have approx 440 pictures. this process would end up being an entire weekend-off project.
IS THERE ANYONE THAT CAN DIRECT ME TO A SITE THAT OFFERS A "LG290cm sync software" DOWNLOAD? as of today, i've still yet to find this download.
hope this info will save someone the 3hours of tech-advisors, phone calls and online research that i've endured.
what if the pictures are on
what if the pictures are on the memory card and you want to transfer the photos back to the cell phone without coninuing to use the memory card, how do you put the pictures back in the phone. ?
who can you send forward from
who can you send forward from your computer to ur phone i have been trying to do it but i gave up can some body please atleast help me.
i have laptop vio sony window
i have laptop vio sony window 7 and my phone is samssung i got a adaptor for my pc which is micro sd-- microsdhc dadptor scan disk and also i got adaptor for my phone and i try go to cotrol panel and connect my phone to pc so i could transfer pics to my laptop couldnt do it
hi my question is how would i
hi my question is how would i transfer my pics if my cellphone with a usb cable doesnt have a memory card and cant be equipped with a memory card? my cellphones is a verizon wireless lg phone
how can i transfer or put
how can i transfer or put pics from my phone to my computer if my phone doesnt hvae internet ?????
um wat if i cant fo any of
um wat if i cant fo any of these methods? i dnt have mamory card, i cant email to myself cuz my mom cant pay fees, my fone didnt come with bluetooth and cant buy a cable!!! wat now?
hi MATT, i would like to ask
hi MATT, i would like to ask you a favor, I have a NOKIA 2330 with some pics that I would like to transfer to my computer. I have red all the information above about how to do it, but theres nothing I could handle. I think its because of my cell, so do you have any idea about how to do it? thanks
Thank you so much for
Thank you so much for explaining how to do this in language I could understand.
I've been trying to get at least 200 pictures off my phone for ever. Finally I
was able to do it after reading your article. Thank you very much!
i read all of it and it is no
i read all of it and it is no help!im only 13 and my parents dont let me send them to my email and my computer doesn't have a Bluetooth thing. i dont have a data cable nor do i have a memory card slot.please help me!by the way,my phone is the Samsung strive by at&t.
where do i send the pictures
where do i send the pictures from my phone to pc?? like what address would i put??
I have a Samsung messenger
I have a Samsung messenger touch. I was wondering how to transfer the pictures from my SD card to my phone. They are saved on the SD card, and i can see the pictures when i put the card in the computer. But when i put the card in my phone, it shows nothing there.. How do i get the pictures to transfer and show up on my phone?
Thank you very much for this
Thank you very much for this article. It is the best I have found so far. I am new at this and I found your article to be very useful.
i tried the method where you
i tried the method where you use a usb cable and connect it to the pc but the only problem is.. is that i cant find my cellphone folder.. therefor i cannot access my photos on my cell.. what do i do?
what do i do if i used the
what do i do if i used the method where u use a cable? after i plug it in i cant find my cell phone in "my computer" or anywhere... i KNOW its connected though..
what do i do if i used the
what do i do if i used the method where u use a cable? after i plug it in i cant find my cell phone in "my computer" or anywhere... i KNOW its connected though..
doesn't recognize camera.
doesn't recognize camera. does recognize new hardware. have sent pictures to PC previously. Motorola Razr3 phone. Not sure which USB cable and port to use. Too many!
hi my name is rob i'm 39
hi my name is rob i'm 39 living in niagra falls i'm single and i like to night clubs and i like to go camping go fishing and play basketball
hi my name is rob how's every
hi my name is rob how's every body out there today
I dont have the software dick
I dont have the software dick for the phone and I dont have bluetooth on my cpu or a card for it i do have a USB cable and i dont have enternet on my phone so how do i do this I have a Samsung (metro PCS).
You still have not answred
You still have not answred the basic question many have asked...
How can I move the pics that are stored internally to a SD micro card internally.
In other words...Can this move be done all from within the camera itself?
Having a problem knowing
Having a problem knowing where to connect my Samsung Saltice by usb cord to my computer. Can you help me out?
Thanks
tryen to get my contacts and
tryen to get my contacts and pics transfered from my verizon phone to new phone but bluetooth cant be found on verizon phone to be paired
I want to know with method 2,
I want to know with method 2, can u still transfer via Bluetooth to a pc with a phone that is not activated with anyone? I know that method 3 will not work for me, as the phone is a samsung r330 and this phone apparently doesn't accommodate a data cable according to samsungs site. S I guess I just need to know if Bluetooth still works without a subscription before I go out and buy anything. Thanks for any info you might have
I have'nt read all the
I have'nt read all the comments or pages of questions-but have read your very informative lessons on how to' s.I am on pgs from a few years ago,but hope you are still doing this and want to Commend you on your patience with dumb questions with the answers right there above them on the page-they somehow end up on the right page for their ?s but skip the whole text part in their hurry to pose the big question!
when i plug my phone into
when i plug my phone into computer, it recognizes the phone but says there aren't any pictures on it. I do have a card in the phone with pictures. how do i access them???
How do I get my pics from a
How do I get my pics from a sd card back onto my computer... Someone took them all off and saved them for me and now I want to put them back on ? Be patient with me I am 79 yrs toung, but I am learning... Thanks
I have a memory card for my
I have a memory card for my phone and I also have the card reader. Until lately things were working fine. But now, when I insert the memory card in to the reader and put the reader in the USB port, nothing happens. In the past it would show up in my finder folder and all I'd have to do is click on ithe icon and the pictures would appear. Now nothing shows up. The last time I used it, I pulled the reader out of the port and got a message saying something like, "You should have drug the file into the trash before disconnecting the reader (stupid)." I'm wondering if I may have damaged it. Actually I had done it a time or two before and had forgotten to drag it to the trash first and it still worked the next time I used it. I'm thinking I may need to buy a new card reader, but thought I'd check here first.
Thanks to whoever can answer and give me some good advice...
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