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Be sure to check:

http://boxwave.com/
http://gomadic.com/

(but maybe not in that order)

Gomadic has connectors for dozens of Samsung phones, maybe they have yours.

Along the same lines, with a bit of a usb focus:

http://gomadic.com/
http://boxwave.com/

GoMadic has stuff for this.

There are also a number of USB power adapters (for AC, car, air, or all of the above) out there in case you don't want to charge from your laptop.

I have no affiliation with any of these companies other than using their products.

How about GoMadic? I had to configure this with my father's notebook and Palm Pilot PDA. It works, but it is very slow (dial-up speed with EarthLink and PPP).

I had the same cable from Radio Shack, but this cable does not recharge while you are online, so after 3-4 hours you have to recharge your phone.

I searched on the net and found this cable that does recharge while you are on the net too, it's 15 bucks. I got the cable and returned by Radio Shack cable.

And the good part is that the cable came with a small size cd that had the required software for windows (and also PIM updating tools for the phone), but I never tried this out, cause I use my phone only in Linux.

And for the troll who posted that this is getting charged (I see you guys on sprintusers all the time), no.. there is no charge. It's unlimited =)

Using the Gomadic cable you can still dial up with Sprint PCS (Verizon, and other services) phones and get 19.2kbps which isn't much but still gives your PDA or Laptop web access using your existing phone. Still usefull for checking email.

Using the Gomadic cable you can still dial up with Sprint PCS (Verizon, and other services) phones and get 19.2kbps which isn't much but still gives your PDA or Laptop web access using your existing phone. Still usefull for checking email.

Using the Gomadic cable you can still dial up with Sprint PCS (Verizon, and other services) phones and get 19.2kbps which isn't much but still gives your PDA or Laptop web access using your existing phone. Still usefull for checking email.

While not the answer to the general question ("What do you do about avoiding signing up for Passport?"), but SprintPCS does offer similar services without the need for Passport (so far).

I just logged on and checked my mounthly usage and the settings for my phone.

SprintPCS

I also have the wireless web for $5/month, allowing me to check my email by handpring Visor to my Samsung SCH-3500 with the use of a cable from Gomadic.

I get service in most metropolitan areas.

Perhaps this would be a good SlashPoll:
What cell provider do you use?
SprintPCS, Verizon, etc.

I currently use a Handspring Visor Platinum and a Samsung SCH-3500 with SprintPCS.

I connect the two via a cable from Gomadic.

It works fairly well. I currently do not sign up for Sprint's Wireless Web deal, so I pay by the minute (adding it to my plan would require $10/month, and I would like to keep my current plan).

I do not use it that much, only when travelling, which basically means about two weekends a month or so.

I was impressed with how easy it was to set up. After getting the cable, it probably took about ten minutes of fairly easy work to get connected the first time.

Having to carry both items is not that big of a deal. I tyipcaly carry my phone in my front pocket and my Visor in a rear pocket. And since I am usually travelling, I typically have either a backpack or another bag with me, as well.

Connecting takes about 25 seconds. On occasion I will get dropped almost immediately after connecting. I have started to notice that the drops seem dependent on the charge of the battery. As the cell battery gets lower, the more drops I get.

Connection speed is limited to 14.4

I currently only check my email. I have not done any web work with the Visor. I use Eudora's free email client. Being able to leave mail on the server, using POP3, means that I do not have to worry about synching the email with the desktop, a Mac, when I return, which I think is key.

Eudora/Palm also allows you to disconnect immediately after a send/check, which cuts down on the minutes used (nice when I am paying for access by the minute).

I think that eventually I will go with a combination device like the Treo. It will be a while, though. There are many times when I only carry my phone, and I like having its smaller size. Even now I am considering purchasing a phone smaller than the 3500.

I bought my Handspring Visor Platinum about a month ago and like it a lot. Since I already have a Samsung SCH-3500 phone, and I pay Sprint $35 for connectivity, I have no desire to repeat charges (by buying a VisorPhone, or paying for a wireless modem and service for the Handspring).

So I searched and found Gomadic, which makes cables for connecting Palm and other devices to cell phones.

Since I already have a dial-in ISP account and a lot of minutes from Sprint, the cable is a one-time cost to get wireless on the Handspring.

The cable came in yesterday and I have not yet had a chance to get it up and working yet.

This sort of solution makes a lot of sense for people not wanting to repeat charges (for an ISP, etc.)