Gnomie Paul Ritchey writes:

I was listening to your latest podcast discussing cell phones and related technology. I had the same view as you: I want my data from my phone. That’s when I did a lot of research and learned quite a bit.

1. Depending on your phone (I have an LG, nothing fancy) you can use Open Source software for daily backups/etc. For my phone, bitpim does the trick, which supports a range of phones. For other phones, you’ll have to poke around. All I needed was a cable I bought at RadioShack - all this for much less than the Verizon package would have cost.

2. There are commercial products out there that support just about any phone on the market. All you need is the cable that works with your phone - you keep using the same software and just switch cables (if needed) as you switch phones. This is one example of several packages available.
3. I’ve heard that Verizon will transfer your data between phones for a nominal charge ($5-10) when you upgrade your phone. I’ve never done this personally, so I don’t know how well it does the job.

Anyhow, I enjoy the podcast and glad to see that you and others have found a way to reach us post-TechTV.