First off, to prevent your phone from loading any 3G data in the background, or for any other reason, you’re going to want to download the app, Quick Settings.  This can be found in the App Market (This link for Android devices only).  With Quick Settings you can easily turn On/Off certain key features such as Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth and 3G Data.  Not only is this convenient, it helps save on battery consumption. My advice is after installing Quick Settings, go in and turn off 3G data, plus any other features you don’t use. Please consider the fact you won’t be able to go on the internet, use certain apps UNLESS you’re on Wi-Fi when 3G is turned Off.

If you’re usually in a Wi-Fi hotspot and don’t want to use 3G data at all, you should go in and change some Wi-Fi settings. Settings > Wireless and Network > WiFi Settings (Click on the icon to the far left bottom of phone . And then click on Advanced > Wi-Fi Sleep Policy. Here you will be given the option to choose when to power off Wi-Fi. I have mine set to Never (This probably uses a little more battery, but with certain features turned off [bluetooth/GPS, etc] should make up for it). So now, with 3G data turned Off and Wi-Fi On all the time, I don’t have to worry so much about using tons of expensive 3G data through the network.

Steps to turn off Background Data, which helps save 3G usage as well as extend battery life:
Press while on your Home screen > Settings > Accounts and sync > Uncheck ‘Background Data’ (Note: You can’t use certain Applications such as the Android Market with this disabled.) However, leave it disabled if you aren’t going to be using these types of apps.

How do YOU save on your 3G data usage? Please post your ideas, tips and tricks in the comments section below.

First off, you’ll need the following things to accomplish this:

• The AX260 has a web browser, but you’ll need the Web Browsing service activated for your carrier. I’m assuming Alltel since the LG Scoop is their name for the model.  It will cost $1.99 for one day of web service or $5.99 per month.
• An account registered at Ventones.com.
• An MP3 of your choice.

Once you have all 3 things:

• Go to http://www.ventones.com/make-free-ringtone.aspx and browse for the MP3 you want to use as a ringtone.
• Once the MP3 is uploaded you’ll be presented with a slider tool that allows you to pick a section of the song that you want to use.  Also boxes where you put in the song title and artist.  Once you have found the section of song you want, click on the “Create tone” button.
• Next screen will give you a choice of different ways you can get your tone. Ignore this page and click on My Ventones at the top of the page.  You should see the song you just uploaded.
• Click on the title or artist and at the next page, scroll to the bottom and click  ”Send to phone“.  Alltel users should use the second option on the next page.
• You should get a text message with an URL (web address) and it will say “Open the link below“.  On your AX260 cell phone, click on Options and then scroll down to “Go to website“.  It should display the URL again and press OK until it says “Downloading…“.  It will automatically download into your My Audios folder, which you can then enable as a ringtone.

Update:  It appears Alltel has blocked the Ventones website from the phones of some users.  This is most likely so you have to buy ringtones from from or 3rd party vendors associated with the company.  Contact Alltel and let them know how displeased you are with this.  Only if enough people complain will they do something about it.