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.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Cellular Phone

Technology advances in cellular phone field.Cellular phone shoppers can find... Read More

Contemplating Selling Your Cell Tower Lease For A Lump Sum?

Many landowners who have leased land for a cell tower... Read More

Limiting Cell Phone Use for Re-Allocation to First Responders

Judging from the 9-11 hearings and many reports by first... Read More

Analog vs. Digital Cellular Phones

Cellular phones are an amazing modern convenience, but it can... Read More

How to Find the Best Cellular Phone Service Deal

Finding the best cellular phone service deal can seem as... Read More

Taking Care of Your Cell Phone Batteries

Picking a new cell phone model and pricing plan is... Read More

Latin Ringtones Mean Dinero for Ringtone Providers

Until recently, when you thought of ringtones, you usually thought... Read More

Cellular Phone Contract Tips

Choosing a cellular phone contract and choosing a cell phone... Read More

The Pros and Cons of Camera Cell Phones

All the major phone manufacturers are cashing in on the... Read More

New Tips For Shopping Cellular Services

The best money saving practice for buying new cellular phones... Read More

Lets Talk

In the eyes of a teenage girl cellular phones are... Read More

Cell Phone Accessories - A Guide To Wireless Phone Accessories

Cell phone accessories are a big business on the commodities'... Read More

Ringtone Creation Software - Creating Raves or Waves?

Okay, so we all know that you can change the... Read More

Teens And Cell Phones

Let the battle begin, should teens have cell phones? Well... Read More

Be In When Youre Out

Busy entrepreneurs cannot be at their desk twenty four hours... Read More

Calling Cards and Prepaid Phone Cards To Help You Save Money

You can now save quite a bit of money on... Read More

Cell Phone - Helping You Choose

When the first cell phone arrived onto the market it... Read More

UK Top 40 Singles: Should It Include Ringtones As Well?

I noticed two interesting stories today. The first one on... Read More

Built Camera Cell in Phone

Built camera in cell phone - technology is available.The built... Read More

Prepaid Cell Phones ? Are They Right For You

In today's world of communication technology, there's a lot out... Read More

Mobile Content: An Expression of Individuality

Cell phones were created with the purpose of facilitating communication... Read More

Free Cellular Phone

Free cellular phone offers.You can definitely find a free cellular... Read More

Prepaid Cell Phone for Teenagers

It's hard to look back and imagine what we did... Read More

DECT - A Brief Explanation and How We Could Benefit From It

DECT stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications. Unlike analogue cordless... Read More

Protective Accessories For Your Cell Phone

Like most electronic devices, cell phones are remarkably fragile. Your... Read More

Camera Cell Digital Phone

Camera cell digital phone - description.Camera cell digital phone is... Read More

Why Mobile SMS/Text Messaging?

What is Mobile SMS/ Test Messaging?Mobile text Messaging, or Short... Read More

Do Cellular Phones Pose Health Risks?

You hear it in the media on a slow news... Read More

An Introduction to Text Messaging

Why Text?Text messaging is a quick way to stay in... Read More

Defeating Crime With Digital Camera Cell Phones

The newest techno gadget, which is reshaping the way teenagers... Read More

The Benefits of Digital

Analogue is the process of taking an audio or video... Read More

Donate Your Old Cellular Phone To Support A Worthy Cause

With new features being added to cellular phones at an... Read More

The Different Cell Phone Accessories Available

Where do I start? Always start with the essentials. If... Read More