General questions how to use discarded cell phones as mp3 player

[jimdagys]

There are places, like public libraries that have boxes of discarded cell phones. I've wondered about getting such a phone to work as an mp3 player (connect to computer, transfer mp3 files and listen to music via headphone on cell phone). I have one particular phone here, a Samsung Verizon SCH-u740. I've got the charger, the cable to connect the phone to computer (usb), phone to earphone adapter (although the jack is round, but smaller, so a regular earphone doesn't fit in). Since I am completely new to this, never owning a cell phone, I have some general questions concerning getting this device to work as an mp3 player.
1) apparently I need to install software. Is it possible to get this software on the internet?
2) there is a small port that says "micro" Is it necesary to buy this "micro" card before I can use the device as an mp3 player
3) any other issues that might be helpful to get this device working as an mp3 player

[smrpix]

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200803/20080312043930281_verizon_wireless_u740_ug.pdf

[Cornucopia]

The "micro" refers to a microSD card slot, where you would put in your microSD card. Not sure how big that phone supports, but I would guess a 2GB or 4GB sized one. Those will cost you ~$9 USD these days.

If you don't get one, you will only be able to put just a few mp3s on the phone's internal memory (it's probably only something like 16MB). Plus, you'd have a much harder time transferring them to the phone.

Just get the microSD card (YES, you should get one), an SD card reader if your PC/Mac doesn't already have that capability. Those go for ~$20 USD these days. Likely, the microSD card will come with a micro-to-regularSD adapter slot, so you can use it with the SD card reader. Some fancier ones include a separate slot specifically for the microSD size, but this isn't necessary if you have the adapter slot.

Once you have the card & reader, all you have to do is load/mount the card in your PC/Mac to where you can navigate into its folders. Then go to your folder where you hold your mp3s and COPY them to the card. Then put the card in the phone, and run the music player app on it.

BTW, you should FIRST put the microSD card into the phone and "format" it there (even if it's already formatted), because not only will it format it the way the phone likes it to be, but also it will add the appropriate folder structures so you will know where to put the mp3 files (usually either the "Music" or the "mymusic" folder).

Should be NO issues, except there may be a limit on the mp3's bitrate that the phone can handle (doubt it). Filesize won't be a problem, because the card will likely be formatted FAT32 filesystem, which has the largest individual filesize of 4GB (2GB for FAT16 system). And a 2GB mp3 at 128kbps would last over 36 hours!

Since you have the microSD slot, you don't need any additional software besides WMP, iTunes, etc., unless you plan on editing your mp3s (Audacity) or ripping your CDs to mp3 (ExactAudioCopy). It is literally just a file copy transfer and you're done.

Enjoy!

Scott

<edit>This should work fine for mp3 files, but I cannot guarantee compatibility with any of the other audio filetypes (wav, mp2, ac3, wma, aac, mp4, ogg, flac,...etc). Read your manual for that info.

<edit#2>I would guess that your major issues with older phones like that are going to be with the battery life and/or screen brightness. Those are usually the earliest to go. Make sure you get a Charger/ACadapter when you get the phone!!

[aedipuss]

are most older phones even stereo? you can get a cheap tiny mp3 only player with great battery life in a sansa clip for as little as $20.

[Ai Haibara]

Heck, they practically give the cheap MP3 players away, now. But, yes, I'd recommend a cheap MP3 player over trying to use a discarded cell phone. Don't a lot of the phones also refuse to work if you don't have a valid, working SIM card inserted in them? I'd think most of those phones would have the SIM cards removed, as they do contain personal information.

[nic2k4]

It's possible to use an old Iphone as if it was an Ipod, there are tutorials on doing this. Most any other phone would just be a waste of time, music playback functionality was just an afterthought. You can't turn off the radio so your just wasting battery power on that. On the plus side you would be able to dial 911 in case someone is chasing you to steal your MP3 player

[usually_quiet]

There are places, like public libraries that have boxes of discarded cell phones. I've wondered about getting such a phone to work as an mp3 player (connect to computer, transfer mp3 files and listen to music via headphone on cell phone). I have one particular phone here, a Samsung Verizon SCH-u740. I've got the charger, the cable to connect the phone to computer (usb), phone to earphone adapter (although the jack is round, but smaller, so a regular earphone doesn't fit in). Since I am completely new to this, never owning a cell phone, I have some general questions concerning getting this device to work as an mp3 player.
1) apparently I need to install software. Is it possible to get this software on the internet?
2) there is a small port that says "micro" Is it necesary to buy this "micro" card before I can use the device as an mp3 player
3) any other issues that might be helpful to get this device working as an mp3 player

Those discarded phones are usually donated to a charity to provide a free phone to someone who is too poor to buy one and needs a phone in case of emergency. Either that or the proceeds from recycling them go to a charity.

[Cornucopia]

First, most phones newer than 2004 with mp3 play capability, and certainly just about ALL those that have mp3 and microSD slots would be stereo.

Next, phones without a sim card will refuse to work "as a phone", but rarely does that affect its other, non-telecom functions.

Many older phones, and many pay-as-you-go phones do not have removable simcards. It's easy though to do a factory reset on ANY phone to wipe personal info, and I would expect ANYONE dumping their phone to do so (except those where the battery had died).

And: "you can't turn off your radio"? Seriously? On every phone I've ever used there is that option, known as "airplane mode".

The world existed before iPhone/smartphones, and so did value added phone media features such as mp3 and camera - not just an afterthought.

The ability to always call 911 is a nice bonus (useful even for kids that weren't ready for a fully working phone).


Some of those drop off places are just dump-n-run spots to make the local mandatory recycling rules more convenient. Nothing to do with charity.

Scott