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In today’s world of communication technology, there’s a lot out there to consider before investing in a cell phone plan. With a multitude of carriers offering scores of options, it isn’t always easy to isolate the one package out of the many that would best suit your needs. Sometimes, the mainstream choices aren’t available to folks who are inhibited by particular circumstances, such as poor credit or other types of financial constraints. In cases such as those, prepaid cell phones can be the proverbial lifesaver. You don’t have to be financially restricted to consider a prepaid wireless plan, however. Many people choose to purchase this type of service in order to avoid contracts which would lock them into services for a designated amount of time and money.

As with anything else in this world, there are positives and negatives that are attached to the option of a “pay as you go” cell phone. Depending upon your needs, priorities and preferences, you may just find that the option of prepaid time is the best cell phone plan for you.

PROS

• Unlike cell phone packages that are more standardized, prepaid wireless plans don’t require you to sign a contract.
• Since you’re required to pay for the minutes that you use up-front, there’s no monthly bill to work into your budget.
• For those who suffer from a poor credit history, there are a number of cell phone providers who offer a “no credit check” cell phone option.
• Often, you’ll be able to find cell phone offers that don’t require a deposit to be put down in order to obtain a phone and purchase minutes.
• If you have teens or younger children that will require a cell phone in order to stay in touch with you throughout the day, prepaid cell phones are a wonderful option, since there’s no age requirement in order to purchase minutes. Parents simply buy the phone, and their kids can purchase the minutes that they need at most local convenience stores, department stores or pharmacies.
• Unlike most cell phone deals, there are no hidden fees that are tacked on by cell phone carriers who offer the prepaid option. Since everything is paid in advance, you save on taxes, as well as activation fees and termination fees. Basically, it’s one price to buy the minutes, without the extra charges hanging over your head.

CONS

• When you purchase a specific amount of minutes for your phone, the device no longer works once the time has been used. In some cases, you’ll have to apply for a new phone number if the minutes have been zeroed out or the time in which you have to use them has expired.
• If you should opt for a prepaid cell phone, then you can say “good-bye” to the idea of cheap long distance calling. The fact is that prepaid minutes average about twice as much in price as mainstream calling plans.
• While you may be able to find some cell phone specials for your prepaid unit, you’re more inclined to find that you won’t be entitled to many of the services that standard cell phone users enjoy. For instance, don’t expect to have wireless web access or to be able to use your phone in analog areas. Even if you do have access to special services, you’ll have to pay a lot more for them.
• The actual phones are typically much more expensive, since cell phone companies aren’t as inclined to offer as many deals for the prepaid variety.
• If you have younger children that need to carry a cell phone, they’ll need to learn how to activate a prepaid phone card, if the circumstances should call for that and an adult isn’t present to assist them.

Prepaid Cell Phone Carriers

Depending upon your location, there are often several options for cell phone carriers that will provide prepaid phones and services. First, you’ll need to decide which type of service that’s best for you – purchasing a phone through a carrier and then committing yourself to buying minutes from them within a designated time-frame or purchasing the type of cell phone that allows you to simply buy cards with a specific number of minutes whenever you need to add time to your phone. Here are a few to consider:

• Cingular Wireless – Offering two options for prepaid cellular customers (Pay as You Go or Pick Your Plan), Cingular doesn’t require a credit check, deposit or annual contract. Depending upon the plan you choose, you may receive unlimited calling to other Cingular customers, free night and weekend minutes or the ability to roll over unused minutes to the next month.
• TracFone – After purchasing the phone, which is relatively inexpensive and can be bought at most local department stores or online, consumers can buy cards which offer a designated number of minutes (typically 40, 100, 200, etc.) to be used within a certain amount of time. Time can be added whenever you desire, which will then extend the expiration date to match the newest purchase. If the minutes go lower than 10 and you’re near the expiration date – or if the expiration date is met without purchasing extra minutes – then you should expect to lose your phone number and have to re-activate service and have a new number assigned.
• Verizon – This carrier offers both prepaid calling cards and prepaid personal accounts, giving a bit more in the way of options than some of their competitors. Customers can enjoy no monthly fees, universal fees, weekly surcharges or short-minute penalties, and minutes can be purchased online. Verizon also gives you the benefit of viewing your calling history online.

Are Prepaid Cell Phones the Best Option?

Whether or not to commit to a prepaid cell phone really depends upon your personal needs and preferences. If you don’t want to be locked into an iron-clad contract, have a credit check performed, provide a security deposit or pay a set monthly fee, then you may just want to stick with a prepaid cell phone. If, on the other hand, you want the security of no expiration dates, the ability to use as many minutes as you need without constantly purchasing new cards or specials such as free night/weekend minutes, then a standard cell phone plan is probably more in line with what you’re looking for, after all.

About the Author

Samantha Goode is a freelance technology writer who loves to provide tips to consumers shopping for prepaid cellular phones, cell phone deals and cell phone carriers.

Cell phone accessories are a big business on the commodities’ market today, and most folks have invested in at least one of the many options that are available for outfitting these handy little communications devices. From the practical to the bold-enough-to-make-a-statement, cell phone users of all walks of life can find just what they’re looking for in order to personalize their equipment.

Car Chargers

Whether you’re on a road trip for vacation or find it necessary to do a great deal of on-the-job traveling, there may be times when it isn’t convenient – or possible – to find a place to stop in order to recharge your mobile phone battery when it runs low. For those who need something that’s adaptable to life on the road, cell phone chargers are available which allow you to plug your cellular phone in to the cigarette lighter, making it possible to charge the device directly from your car’s battery.

Hands-Free Sets

With the focus on safety, many states are considering a variety of laws that will abolish the use of cell phones while driving. One practical suggestion would be to invest in a hands-free set – also known as a wireless headset – that will allow you to continue driving without having to forego the conversations that may become necessary while you’re driving. They’re safe, convenient and – since some cellular phones respond to voice activation – round out the package to make the driving experience as safe as possible.

Faceplates (Cell Phone Covers)

For those who take their cell phone experience a bit more personally, a myriad of faceplates are available to spice up the look with a design or color that reflects your personal tastes or interests. Bold, bright colors, patterns, specialized logos – you name it; they can be found to fit your particular brand of cellular phone and are easily interchangeable with other cell phone faceplates, if you prefer a new look every now and then.

Cases

Without a case, it can be pretty inconvenient to store your cell phone when you’ve finished using it and are away from home. Women often toss them into a purse, but this is problematic, as well, since the buttons are sometimes activated when an item inside makes contact with it – even when the buttons are locked, it isn’t difficult to unlock them when something inside of a purse rubs against the device. Cell phone cases typically have a clip on the back that will allow you to attach them to a purse, belt or pocket, making it much easier and more convenient to keep track of the device when it’s not in use.

Belt Clips/Holsters (Cell Phone Holders)

As an alternative to the cell phone case, which completely covers the device, belt clips and holsters allow you to attach the unit to your belt, purse or pocket while keeping the bulk of the phone uncovered. Just a simple click on or off, and you can make a call when you need to and clip it back into place without a lot of fuss. The added perk to this type of accessory is that you don’t have to struggle with a plastic covering that can hinder your ability to quickly place or answer calls when necessary.

Antennas

If you find that your cell phone reception is lacking, due to the area in which you live or travel frequently, then you might be in need of an attachable cell phone antenna. There are many options available, offering different levels of power, complete with internal or external boosters, as well as a wide variety of styles and prices to fit every budget. These are typically quite easy to attach and often have a very modest price tag, making them great gift ideas for those times when you just don’t know what to give for a gift-giving holiday or other special occasion.

Phone Straps

Another way to spruce up your cellular phone is to attach a colorful strap. These are available in various styles, such as beaded, with cartoon character figureheads, with holiday figures or other specialized baubles that make your cell phone experience a bit more fun. For the youngsters, there are lots of fun characters from which to choose, as well as bright neon shades which can help kids to identify their phones and make a sassy presentation when they don them at home, school or during those times when they’re just on the run.

Radiation Shields

Since the threat of radiation exposure through the use of mobile phones has sparked a number of studies by medical researchers, who have shown evidence that the radiation contamination is so significant that it can penetrate 1 ½” into the brain when the cell phone is held to the ear, then a radiation shield is a great asset, indeed. Easy to attach and effective enough to virtually eliminate the exposure to this deadly element, radiation shields are available in a variety of styles and prices, and may be purchased through cell phone carriers or online.

Designer Keypads

There’s no better way to jazz up a cell phone than through the addition of a designer keypad. Kids especially love the bright colors and flashing buttons that can be found – some of which even come in packs of interchangeable keypads, allowing them to change their look whenever they get the urge to do so. No matter what your tastes are, you’ll definitely find something that you like when you go keypad shopping for your cell phone!

Personalize Your Cell Phone

Will all of the options to personalize your cell phones these days, they can be used as an expression of your very self, or just to spice things up a bit so that you’ll be able to locate your phone at a glance. Just as the first land lines – which were nothing but black boxes that offered nothing in the way of mobility – have evolved through the years, so have mobile phones. With the choices that today’s market has to offer, there’s no need to walk around with a dull, black hand-held unit that reflects nothing about who you are. Instead, you can use your cell phone as an extension of your interests, hobbies and personality – for a very reasonable price.

About the Author

Samantha Goode is a freelance technology writer who loves to provide tips to consumers shopping for cell phone batteries, wireless headsets and cellular accessories.

First, there was the standard land line phone system; then came the cell phone – a convenient little portable item that everyone adopted a “must have” attitude toward. Progress didn’t stop there, however. Now, we have the Smart Phone – the answer to the on-the-go lifestyle that demands immediate access to whatever electronic needs that we happen to have, in addition to the ability to phone our family and friends for a chat whenever the whim presents itself.

To be sure, Smart Phones are capable of extraordinary electronic feats, but convenience – especially that of the technological variety – always comes at a cost, and this one comes with quite a hefty one. The bottom line is that, if you plan to buy a Smart Phone, then plan on paying a visit to the loan officer of your local bank on the way to the store. These electronic marvels are designed to bring true computer capability right to the palm of your hand, but most people will have to put some serious thought into the type of financial commitment that they’ll have to make in order to become the proud owner of a brand new bouncing baby Smart Phone.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Smart Phone

Just like anything else, Smart Phones have their bright and dark sides and, depending upon how much you’re willing to compromise, they’ll either be a great investment for you, or not at all worth the money that you’ve invested.

Pros

• For those who, until now, had been carrying around a mobile phone and PDA, this combines the two into one unit, without losing any of the capability of either format.
• This is definitely a multi-media friendly device, offering the opportunity to enjoy both audio and video files – or both, if you prefer – without a lot of hoopla.
• Cell phone software companies have taken quite kindly to the Smart Phone and are fully supportive of it when it comes to developing software that’s compatible with these units – especially those in the game and entertainment industries.
• If accessories are your thing, then you’ll love the number of add-ons that you can purchase to go with your new Smart Phone – including those which utilize Bluetooth technology.

Cons

• Unless you have very good vision, you might have trouble reading the screen on the Smart Phone – it’s smaller and the resolution isn’t as sharp as that of a Pocket PC.
• Text messaging and other text-related capabilities are compromised as a result of the limited text-entry that’s intrinsic to these devices.
• Unlike the Pocket PC, Smart Phones are missing some applications that are critical to some users. Among these are Microsoft products, such as Pocket Excel and Pocket Word.
• You may be told that you’ll have nationwide coverage, but the reality is that coverage of that type only includes larger cities with higher populations. As a result, there’s quite a menu of non-service areas.

Smart Phone Features

Much like a mini-computer with telephone capability, these devices are often seen as handy little items for meeting most or all of the needs of those who are on the run, but want to have access to their PC and phone service, regardless of where they roam.

• Cell phone service is certainly one of the major perks of the Smart Phone – complete with voice mail. Just as in the case of mainstream cell phone varieties, specific service plans can be purchased for these, depending upon your particular needs and preferences.
• Internet connectivity is also an available Smart Phone feature, allowing you to retrieve wireless e-mail messages and gain access to search engines and other online goodies. Just pop open your flip phone and jump onto the web.
• If you’re interested in games, the Smart Phone offers those, as well. A variety of computerized games can be played – either online or through special software – just as if you were using your home PC.
• Office functions, such as certain Windows or other Microsoft programming, are also available, allowing you to create and store files for future use.
• If you’re bored and have a bit of extra time on your hands, you can even gain access to online movies through the video feature that the Smart Phone has to offer. Or, if you prefer, you can listen to your favorite tunes as a result of the audio features.
• Photography is also an option when you invest in a Smart Phone. Just as with the mainstream camera phones, these devices offer instant pictures that can be viewed on-screen immediately after they’re snapped. These units, however, are more than just cell phone cameras, so if you’re looking for something more, think “Smart Phone”.

Smart Phone Pricing

Although these have been compared to PDAs on a certain level, Smart Phones are definitely more sophisticated – and more compact. As compensation for these conveniences, however, you must be willing to pay a hefty price. Typically starting at about $600 and ranging into the thousands, Smart Phones may be all the rage, but if you’re planning to buy one simply for the novelty of it all, then you should save your money and stick with something a bit less progressive.

Keep in mind that additional costs will be incurred in order to establish phone service and gain internet connectivity. That equates to the price of the unit plus the additional charges for basic services and any special features that you choose to opt for – all of which can add up to an exorbitant amount of money.

The best way to keep down your expenses is to take the time and effort to do some online research before you make a commitment to buy a Smart Phone or specific service plan that you’ll need in order to fully utilize all of the features that it offers. By simply typing “smart phone comparison” into the keyword area of any major search engine, you’ll have cost and feature comparison information at your fingertips, which will help you to determine which one is right for you – if, indeed, any of them are. Is investing in a Smart Phone a wise decision? Only you can decide.

About the Author

Samantha Goode is a freelance technology writer who loves to provide tips to consumers shopping for smart phones, pda phone and blackberry pda.

It’s a sad commentary on the way of the world today, when you stop to think about the fact that people will go out of their way to avoid radiation exposure – such as in the case of x-ray technicians who shield themselves within a protective booth or by donning lead aprons – and, yet, those same people will walk around, day after day, with a cell phone attached to their ears without concern. Cell phones, cellular phones, mobile phones, wireless phones...call them what you will – without proper precautions, they can still pose a significant threat to those who use them.

SAR Absorption

The CTIA – or, Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association – has defined SAR (specific absorption rate) as “a way of measuring the quantity of radio frequency energy that is absorbed by the body”. In plain English, SAR indicates the amount of radiation that your body is being directly exposed to through the use of devices such as cell phones. Every time you use a cell phone, you’re holding a machine to your head that sends electromagnetic waves directly to your brain. These waves, which are the equivalent of microwave energy, are transmitted to the brain through cell phone antennas and – depending upon how close that receptor is to your head, as much as 60% of that radiation is absorbed. So much so, in fact, that they can penetrate 1 ½” into the actual brain. That was the bad news...even worse is that many models exceed that limit. In effect, you’re slow-cooking your brain in the very same way that a microwave oven cooks dinner on a busy day.

Through various studies, evidence has indicated that there’s been a significant increase in brain tumor occurrences among cell phone users. In addition, researchers have also discovered that the impact of cell phone frequencies (which cause the brain to be bombarded by radiation or microwave energy) also appears to cause genetic damage within human blood. It’s believed that the auto-immune system is negatively impacted, as well. The potential for long-term adverse affects, then, is astounding and may include diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Children and Cell Phone Safety

If all of that concerns you – as well it should – then think, for a moment, about how many children are using these phones on a regular basis. You’d be hard-pressed in today’s society to find a child or teen who doesn’t, at some point in the day, have one pressed to their ear. The odds of developing something devastating are even more likely, since their skulls are thinner and their brains are still in the process of growing. Between that and the fact that, due to their age, the number of cumulative years in which they’d receive exposure to the harmful radiation that’s associated with these phones will be greater than those of an older generation, it’s a frightening prospect, indeed.

Although it’s certainly a great convenience to be able to carry a portable phone around in your purse or pocket, and has – in some cases – helped to save the life of someone in jeopardy by enabling folks to dial 911 without having to search for a nearby phone, it’s not an even trade-off and children should never use such devices, except in an emergency. One of the biggest problems that parents may face today is that, since cell phones are convenient – and popular among young people – keeping their children cell-phone-free may be next to impossible. Whether it’s necessary to have youngsters stay in communication with family members when they’re away from home or simply to use in the event of an emergency, many parents feel forced into providing them for their kids and don’t give much thought to the possible dangers that their children may be exposed to, as a result.

Reducing the Risks

Cell phone safety must be made more of a priority by adults and children alike. Until such time when the dangers that are intrinsic to these types of devices have been nullified, there are certain steps that can – and should – be taken by those who find it necessary to use phones such as these.

• Only use a cell or mobile phone when necessary
• Limit the length of your conversations when utilizing a cell phone
• Invest in a hands-free set-up so that the phone’s antenna isn’t near your head
• Purchase a cell phone with an external aerial
• Research the SAR for the unit that you’re thinking of purchasing
• Invest in a SAR Shield for your cell phone

Protecting Yourself with a SAR Shield

With a history of reducing radio frequency radiation by up to 89%, the SAR Shield offers significant protection against the damaging effects that are experienced by those who use cell phones on a regular basis. This attachment operates using the same principle as the technology used for the U. S. Air Force’s Stealth Aircraft, which makes it invisible to radar systems. Due to its winged design, the SAR Shield is able to conform to any size cell phone. In the case of an external antenna, simply bend it around the antenna and you’ll be protected from most of the harmful radiation waves for the lifetime of the phone. For those which house an internal receiver, the SAR Shield attaches directly to the phone’s hard outer shell. For the best results, this should be attached on the upper portion of the cell phone’s structure, so that it doesn’t interfere with any other attachments, such as belt clips. For more information on how to purchase a SAR Shield, visit www.sarshield.com.

It’s All About Choices

It stands to reason that people would prefer to keep a cell phone handy, whether for the purposes of emergency access or just to remain in touch with those who may need to reach them when a “land line” is unavailable. That being the case, the next best thing would be to exercise as much caution as possible when using a cell phone, including the willingness to invest in any device that might help to reduce the amount of radiation absorption in order to practice cell phone safety – for both you and your children. So, if you’re determined to use that cell phone, consider purchasing a SAR Shield...and breathe just a bit easier when the phone rings.

About the Author

Samantha Goode is a freelance technology writer who loves to provide tips to consumers shopping for cellular phone reviews, comparison of cell phones and new cell phones.

Cell phones have revolutionized the way people communicate. Within 20 years cell phones have moved from luxury devices to devices of necessity. Cell phone ringtones are one of the most popular accessories used in cell phones. The annual sales of cell phone ringtones reach approximately $3 billion.

Ringtones have changed the soundscape of modern communication. A ringtone is the sound made by a cell phone to indicate an incoming call. The cell phone makes the ringing sound in response to a special ringing radio frequency sent by the cellular service to indicate incoming calls. They were initially provided in cell phones so that the user could differentiate between its own cell phone rings from other cell phones'. However cell phone ringtones have become even more diversified leading to personalization of cell phones.

Presently many ringtones such as sing tones, voice tones, caller tunes, monophonic tones, polyphonic tones, true tones etc are available freely and on payment basis on the internet. From Britney Spears to Shakira, crying babies to diving fighter planes, all sorts of ringtones are available. Cell phone ringtones started out as simple rings and beeps, but present day ringtones are generally polyphonic. Polyphonic ringtones use two or more independent melodies playing synchronously. Current cellular phones can play four to forty tones and notes simultaneously. Polyphonic ringtones have literally silenced monophonic tones due to their superior and pleasant quality. They can play guitars, drums, pianos and other sound instruments.

Cell phones are available with preinstalled tones. If the user is not satisfied with them he can download ringtones from the internet or from other phones. The usual formats for ringtones are either MP3 or MIDI.

The latest cell phones can store quite a lot of ringtones. There are facilities available for storing different ringtones set for different people on the phone book. In addition, different ringtones for SMS (short messaging system), MMS (Multimedia messaging system) and voice calls can also be kept. Voice ringtones are a fad these days. Ringtone downloads of voices of famous people, movie stars and other popular voices like that of the Star Wars characters Yoda, Chewbacca, R2D2 etc are available. Yoda is particularly popular with the phrase “Answer the phone you must”.

Vibrational ringtones are used in noisy places, while traveling, by hearing impaired, places where silence is mandatory like movie theaters libraries, hospitals, meetings etc. With vibra ringtones the cell phone vibrates to get the attention of the user.

Cell phones have moved from being simple communication devices to a kind of adornment and fashion statement. Ringtones help make the cell phone appear more lively and attractive and thus reflect on the personality of the user. By Susan Jan