In: Cell Phones
07 Aug 2009In 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
CONS
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
In: Cell Phones
02 Aug 2009First, 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.
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
Cons
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.
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.
In: Cell Phones
01 Aug 2009It’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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
In: Cell Phones
20 Jul 2009Gone are the days when the only way you could afford a cell phone was to buy into a lengthy cell phone plan. In those early days, a cell phone plan included a seemingly ironclad contract that lasted a minimum of three years. There simply were no choices. If you wanted a cell phone you had to buy the phone and commit to being tied to a contract; like it or lump it.
Thankfully those days are over and today because of the number of service providers, choices abound! Today’s cell phone plans are designed with the consumer and their multitude of choices in mind. The wireless customer can choose an affordable cell phone with many choices and combinations of cell phone plans. That’s the good news! There is bad news though, with the large volume of information available today, where does a person start to look and how do they decide what to choose?
That’s the reason for this article. My goal is to help guide you through the myriad of choices that are available and to introduce you to the world of prepaid cell phones, family plans and shared plans for multiple cell phones. I’ll be giving you some suggestions on how to match the best cell phone plan for you and your lifestyle. I’ll also be giving you an idea where to find some ratings and reviews.
There are a few things to consider when making a decision. Once that’s done you can look into the various reviews on what’s currently available. Some internet sites provide ratings for the cell phone plans they advertise and are always striving to inform the customer about their newest offerings and hottest deals.
The Hardware
When it all comes down to it, isn’t it all about the phone? This is primarily one of the first of the decision making factors because it determines what kind of phone you’ll get. This is especially true when you are looking at what can be a very expensive purchase.
Almost every cell phone company provides the most simple or the most complex cell phones with their prepaid cell phone packages. Companies such as Verizon, Cricket, and Nextel all offer easy consumer friendly “pay as you go” options.
If you chose a contract, there seems to be a formula but some companies have very enticing offers especially if you are changing service providers. The basic rule of thumb seems to be:
As mentioned above some service providers offer up to a 75% discounted price for a top of the line cell phone in exchange for a three year contract. As a particularly good salesman told me “you can always get out of a contract these days, you just have to pay it out”. Because the cell phones offered by most service providers are top of the line items from Motorola and Nokia and the contract is so consumer friendly it will be easy for you to stick with a contract for three years.
The Software
The service provider is the most important software factor when choosing between a prepaid cell phone and cell phone plan contract. This is an important issue because even the best phone is only as good as its signal.
Buyers beware however; some service providers’ piggyback on top of more established lines. If it’s a case of first come; first serve and your service provider piggybacks, you could be the first one off. This results in dropped calls and unreliable air space. Not a good outcome to your purchase. So do your research diligently.
Because it’s all about the phone, ask yourself the following questions. What kind of phone do you want? Do you want one that is bare bones or one that has it all? Does the cell phone company or service provider offer a phone that comes with family or shared plans? If you chose a family plan, are both phones equally efficient? Do you want a cell phone that doubles as a palm pilot or camera?
All these questions will determine where you want to look when making your choice between a contract and a prepaid cell phone plan. There may be some features that you can live without. Knowing this upfront will help you determine what is best for you. There are numerous websites that provide ratings and reviews of what is currently available. Surf the web and research Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Nextel, Cricket and Cingular.
The most popular plans these days are shared plans or family plans. Family plans are useful to the small business because each employee can have a cell phone and the company receives just one invoice. This is a good way of keeping track of communication expenses. This applies to a small business but one invoice is a good way to monitor family budgets as well.
Prepaid Cell Phones…Diamonds & Dust
Diamonds
Dust
The most attractive feature about cell phone contracts is the bundle concept. There are numerous cell phone plans to make it easy for you to adhere to a contract and get a bundle of great deals. You can get special “add ons” like three way calling and call display. You can purchase a relatively nice cell phone at a reasonable price. As mentioned above contracts are not the iron clad document they used to be. If need be you can get released from them and you do get nicer phones!
Companies You Can Count On
Tried & True
There are so many cell phone companies and service providers these days, who can you, count on? For the best hardware (the phone) and the best software (airtime and air quality), you could choose cell phone companies that have been in the communication business for a long time. Verizon is one of these companies. They have a long standing tradition of superior customer service and product dependability. AT&T is also a long established communications company with impeccable standards.
Up & Coming
There are also some new cell phone companies and service providers who are making a good name for themselves because of the attention to quality as well. Check out new companies such as Nextel (a proud sponsor of NASCAR), T-Mobile, Cingular and Cricket.
There are reviews you can read about the latest and newest technology about all of the above companies so go to each company’s websites and check out how their phones rate against each other.
What’s Your Style?
Truly today, it is all about you and your unique lifestyle. This is the most important decision making factor of all. You know what you need in a cell phone plan. The key is finding the best one that will serve your needs best. Don’t be intimidated or overwhelmed by the number of choices out there. Just keep in mind; it’s all about your unique communication needs. Read these two short scenarios. They will help to show you what could be right for you.
Your job takes you all over the world. Your friends have a hard time keeping track of you because you are always on the move. You pay your bills on the internet and phone your family periodically just to let them know you’re “OK”.
OR
You’re still in school and living at home. Your parents want you to keep in touch but you’re sick of pay phones. Borrowing your friend’s cell phone is getting old but you still need to check in.
The first scenario indicates that a prepaid cell phone would suit your lifestyle well. Make sure you prepay your minutes and avoid those pricey extra airtime costs. Use an international company such as AT&T so that you receive global coverage.
The second scenario indicates that your family needs a shared plan like the family plans currently available. Surf the web and research companies like Verizon and AT&T.
The Bottom Line – Choices Do Abound!
So there you have it, the future is flexible and choices do abound. I hope you have found this article helpful as you make that choice between a prepaid cell phone and a cell phone contract. Keep in touch!
© 2005 www.cell-phone-n-plans.com
About the Author Lillian Fuller is a talented and successful freelance writer for hire providing tips and advice for consumers about cellular phone plans including prepaid phone plans, family cell phone plans and shared cellular plans. Her numerous articles offer valuable insight and informative views on many different topics.
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