Hello,

I'm a relatively new Verizon wireless customer and cell phone user
period.  I'm contemplating the purchase of a new phone.  There are
several features I'm interested in but which could be an issue...

1) The ability to load custom ringtones...transfer MP3s or whatever
   from my PC to the phone via USB cable.  

2) The ability to backup the phone's contact database to a PC via
   USB cable.  Perhaps even fully sync the phone's contact database
   with some open source contact software on the PC.  I haven't yet
   researched open source address book solutions.  I think I read
   that a phone with SyncML support would most likely allow me to
   achieve such a syncing solution.

3) The ability to backup the phone's calendar to a PC via USB cable.
   Perhaps even fully sync with the Mozilla Sunbird Calendar I'm using.
   Syncing isn't an officially supported feature of Sunbird yet, but here
   again I think I read of some hacks revolving around SyncML.

I'm not sure what Verizon does in terms of crippling their phones, and
I'm not sure whether one can purchase a phone from a third party and
have it setup to work on the Verizon network without running into the
same crippling.  That plus a general unfamiliarity with available phones
and features has led me to inquire here, in the hopes that someone might
be able to draw my attention to possible solutions.

FWIW... text messages, web browsing, music and videos, GPS driven
maps, etc are of little interest.  If the features I want put me into a
higher end phone that is fine.  I just don't want to incur an additional
usage charges over and above the basic plan and costs I currently have.
Using the three features I mentioned wouldn't cost Verizon a penny, so
it shouldn't cost me one either.

Thanks in advance for any replies.