Mobile & Cell Phone Information

Selecting a Cell Phone


More Than Just a Phone

Selecting a cell phone is no longer just about mobile communication - it is now a lifestyle choice. If you don't select the phone that fits your personality, you won't be happy with it. New cell phones are beginning to have little in common with earlier cell phones. The new models feature color screens, digital cameras, high-speed internet connections, multimedia games, and music playback. In case you were wondering, you can also use them to make phone calls. It's only a matter of time before everyone has these features on their cell phones.

Text messaging or "texting" is now available standard on most cell phones. It is similar to instant messaging except that messages are sent and received by cell phones instead of computers. Multimedia messaging allows you to send audio, video, and pictures as an attachment to a text message. Multimedia messaging was once seen as entertainment, but is rapidly becoming valuable to the business world. Real estate agents take photos of houses with their cell phones and employment agencies may use camera phones to photograph job applicants - all away from their office.

Dial In On the Options

Cellular providers in the United States use either GSM or CDMA technology. When you buy a cell phone, it is tied to either GSM or CDMA cellular network, but can't be converted from one to the other. If you ever switch cellular providers, you may also need to switch phones. Most cellular providers now have high-speed data networks. These data networks work with high-end cell phones and special network cards you can purchase for laptops. Data networks usually transmit data slightly faster than a dialup internet connection. These networks are still being developed and are yet to be available everywhere. Look for higher speed networks to be much more common by 2006.

If you want to purchase a camera phone, consider what quality of photos you need to take. Most camera phones have less than a one megapixel resolution, which produces low-quality images. If you need to take clear photos, look into a camera phone with 3 or more megapixels.

Voice Dialing and Bluetooth are becoming standard in many phones to make it easier and safer for people to use their phones while driving. Voice Dialing allows you to speak a person's name into your phone, which will automatically find the person in your address book and dial the number for you. Bluetooth lets you connect a headset to your phone without wires. Some luxury cars are beginning to offer Bluetooth connectivity so that you can take calls in your car through the built-in speaker system.

Some newer cell phones are being designed with an emphasis on entertainment. They can be used to play music MP3 files, stored video and even movies, and video games. In general, the newer phones are all getting smarter and more specialized.

After you're done choosing the features that you want, don't neglect the practical aspects. Look at how often you will need to change the battery, whether the screen and keypad are too big and too small. Also, caveat emptor: most cellular providers lock you into a one or two year contract when you purchase a phone from them. If you cancel your service, they will charge you an early termination fee.

About The Author

Deryck Richards is the founder and managing partner of Desktronix. With an extensive educational background in computer information systems, Deryck currently manages hosting and data center operations for Desktronix. He also provides system administration and technical support directly to small businesses as he has since 2000. His areas of expertise include networking, Windows, Linux, and Macintosh systems and he is the author of The Guide to Technology for Small Business. For more information on Desktronix, visit www.desktronix.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Wilson Electronics Introduces the World's First 4G Mobile Cell Phone Signal ...
MarketWatch (press release)
LAS VEGAS, Jan 10, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Wilson Electronics ( www.WilsonElectronics.com ), manufacturer of North America's top-selling line of cellular signal boosters, announced at 2012 International CES the world's first 4G mobile signal booster, ...

and more »


County, city agree to mobile cell-phone forensics lab purchase
Mankato Free Press
A mobile cell-phone forensics lab will soon be in use in a partnership involving Blue Earth County Community Corrections Department and the Mankato Department of Public Safety. The kit will allow police and probation personnel to quickly retrieve even ...



T-Mobile Cell Phone Tower Set to Move to Make Way for I-79 Exit Ramp
Patch.com
Planning commission approves moving the telecommunications tower about 800 feet from its current location on Dutilh Road. By Jessica Sinichak A T-Mobile tower is moving about 800 feet on Dutilh Road. courtsy of cellphonetowers.org A 189-foot tall cell ...



New SuperPAC targets Cravaack
MinnPost.com
The CREDO SuperPAC, formed by the San Fransisco-based Credo Mobile cell phone company, lists the freshman 8th District Republican as one of six lawmakers it will work to unseat in November. CREDO calls Cravaack "The Hypocrite's Hypocrite," blasting him ...

and more »


Man shot in robbery returns to work
WJXT Jacksonville
The 36-year-old was working at a Boost Mobile cellphone store on Kings Road in Northwest Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon when he became a victim. Dixon said a man wearing a mask walked in with a handgun. "This guy came in and he didn't say anything, ...



Woman beaten and robbed of cellphone speaks out
Los Angeles Times
A 19-year-old woman who was beaten by a thief trying to steal her Boost Mobile cellphone said she was so caught off-guard by the attack that she fought back instinctively without thinking. "I was just like, 'Whoa!'" Jane Santamaria told KABC-TV of the ...

and more »


HB denies T-Mobile cell tower
OCRegister
By JAIMEE LYNN FLETCHER / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER The fight over where to place a T-Mobile cell phone tower will continue in Huntington Beach. City Council members denied a request by T-Mobile to construct a tower on Springdale Street; ...

and more »


Robberies don't always require weapons
WBTV
Surveillance video at a Boost Mobile cell phone store on East WT Harris and Hickory Grove Road shows two hooded men peering in the front window at 2:30 in the morning. Suddenly, they throw a large rock, shattering glass as it lands inside the store.



Scranton Times-Tribune

Blakely woman charged with North Scranton burglary, lying to police
Scranton Times-Tribune
Meanwhile, Ms. Cliff insisted her cellphone was inside Mr. Rella's home, describing it for officers as a Boost Mobile cellphone, according to the complaint. A few hours later, officers responded to 119 W. Parker St., where Joyce Benton reported finding ...



Why British journalists pretend to be Indian businessmen
Hindustan Times (blog)
Rickie Sehgal, the Indian businessman with Conservative Party links, was in all probability merely boasting when he allegedly told an undercover British reporter he could get him David Cameron's mobile (cell) phone number if he joined his elite club of ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006