About.com Cell Phones

iPhone 3G S Edges Out Palm Pre in New Consumer Reports Ratings

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:26:29 +0000

Apple 3G S
Image � Apple

When the all-powerful iPhone 3G S recently boxed toe to toe against the new Palm Pre, Consumer Reports says the iPhone 3G S just eked out as the victor.

The July 1, 2009 ratings from Consumer Reports awarded the iPhone 3G S, which is an upgrade to the iPhone 3G, with �strong performance in everything but voice quality�. The report noted that few handsets score well in voice quality.

While the iPhone 3G S and Palm Pre both earned high marks, Consumer Reports says they earned their top grades with very different skill sets:

The iPhone 3G S edged out high-scoring competitors such as the Palm Pre and BlackBerry Storm thanks to a superior display reinforced by top-notch multimedia, navigation, Web browsing and battery life.

However, the Pre, the Storm and other BlackBerry models bested the iPhone in messaging and the Pre � with its new deck-of-cards handling of multiple applications � is a superior multitasker.

More information about the iPhone 3G S versus the Palm Pre can be found below.

Best Buy Survey: 60 Percent of U.S. Would Choose Cell Phones Over Alcohol

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:05:23 +0000

Image � Best Buy

If you had to choose between having your teeth drilled at the dentist or not having your cell phone for one week, which would you really pick?

Sure, there probably isn�t a planet on which you�d have to choose between drinking alcohol or having a cell phone, but asking the question drives home even more proof about how ravenous the U.S. appetite is for mobile phones.

A new study from Best Buy Mobile reveals:

If caught in the rain with a choice of a mobile phone or an umbrella, nearly 37 percent of Americans would choose their mobile phone.

Six in 10 (60 percent) shared they would rather abstain from alcohol for a week than give up their mobile phone.

One in three would give up television to keep their mobile phone.

A passionate minority of 15 percent of Americans said they would rather have their teeth drilled at the dentist�s office than give up their mobile phone for a week.

The poll, which was conducted via telephone by GfK Roper for Best Buy Mobile, surveyed 1,000 Americans with an equal split between men and women all over the age of 18. The poll targets both cell phone and smartphone users.

List of Kyocera Cell Phone Reviews: Virgin Mobile X-tc, Neo E1100, TNT!

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:39:24 +0000

Kyocera Neo E1100
Image � Kyocera Wireless

Remember QUALCOMM? These days, that�s Kyocera Wireless.

The handset maker, which is wholly owned by Kyocera Corporation and was formed in Feb. 2000, makes a wide array of cell phones for carriers such as U.S. Cellular and Virgin Mobile.

Its popular handsets include the Virgin Mobile X-tc for fast text messaging, the Kyocera Neo E1100 with the unique �breathing lightpipe� design and the ultra-low-priced Virgin Mobile TNT!.

Read all of my Kyocera cell phone reviews here!

Top 6 Best Text Messaging Cell Phones

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:35:49 +0000

Virgin Mobile X-tc
Image � Kyocera Wireless

If text messaging on your cell phone is as important (if not more so) than talking, you�ll likely want a handset with a full keyboard.

But with so many full-keyboard cell phones on the market, which deserve your consideration as the best text messaging cell phones? We�ll help you weed through the clutter.

This new list features to you six of the best we�ve reviewed ranging in price from $130 to $50 with rebates applied from carriers including AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Virgin Mobile.

In the News: Cell Phone Coupons, Credit Cards, Complication, Contracts

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:18:10 +0000

This edition of In the News, which highlights the most compelling cell phone news this week, focuses on four cell phone �C�s.

For you diamond lovers out there, I don�t mean cost, cut, clarity and color. Instead, this In the News spotlights cell phone coupons, credit cards, complication and contracts.

Following digital grocery coupons via cell phones at Kroger stores around the U.S. earlier in 2009, Safeway and Cellfire are continuing to ride the same wave by offering them to Dominick�s grocery stores in Chicago, according to a new Chicago Tribune report.
Despite a bevy of mobile commerce tries being attempted in the past, a company called Boku is now aiming to make the process even simpler and more sustainable.

Instead of using your credit card number, use your cell phone number and the purchase appears on your cell phone bill, according to a new report in the New York Times.
With the increasingly ravenous appetite for feature-heavy cell phones and smartphones, a new study from cell phone recycling company FoneBank reveals that 61 percent of Britons feel that mobile phones have become too complicated and are packed with too many unnecessary features.
Finally, Congress continues the heated debate of whether or not cell phone exclusivity contracts should be illegal. How many people do you know, for example, who have switched to AT&T just to get an iPhone?

Father�s Day Gift Ideas: Bluetooth Cell Phone Accessories for Dad

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:56:50 +0000

MOTOROKR T505
Image � Motorola

With dad�s day just a couple days away, here are some last-minute Father�s Day gift ideas of the decidedly blue nature.

In addition to a high-quality camera cell phone, I also feature a new Bluetooth stereo headset without dangling cords, a noise-cancelling Bluetooth headset, an in-car Bluetooth speakerphone and a device to convert your home phone into your cell phone.

Read on for my full Father�s Day gift idea list!

Samsung Mantra: Social Networking-Friendly Flip Phone for Virgin Mobile

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:38:10 +0000

Samsung Mantra
Image � Samsung

If you�re religiously subscribed to the free social networking craze, here�s an affordable and simple new cell phone that specializes in allowing you to Facebook, MySpace, Flickr and Photobucket while on the move.

Prepaid wireless leader Virgin Mobile just released its $59.99 Samsung Mantra for easy access to the hot social networking services through its all-in-one Virgin Mobile Connect dashboard.

Other than that, though, the new flip flip is rather unremarkable. Its simplicity, large keypad and long battery life may still spark your interest.

Is the new Samsung Mantra at low-cost wireless leader Virgin Mobile right for you? Learn all about the Samsung Mantra flip phone here!

Virgin Mobile X-tc: $99 Full-Keyboard Cell Phone by Kyocera Wireless

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:55:09 +0000

Virgin Mobile X-tc
Image � Kyocera Wireless

The new Virgin Mobile X-tc by Kyocera Wireless surprisingly differentiates itself within the low-cost cell phone leader by reigning in as its most expensive cell phone.

Only one handset by Helio, which is now Virgin Mobile, is priced higher.

While $99 for a cell phone is still low when compared against other more robust handsets at competing carriers, prepaid wireless leader Virgin Mobile is known for selling handsets not only under the $100 barrier but well under.

While the Virgin Mobile X-tc is one of Virgin Mobile�s few full-keyboard phones designed for fast text messaging, the handset runs into differentiation issues when compared against similiar phones at rival cell phone carriers.

Is the new Virgin Mobile X-tc right for you and your quick text-messaging needs? Learn all about the new Virgin Mobile X-tc here!

Alltel Wireless Offers One-Year Contract at Two-Year Cell Phone Price

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:06:27 +0000

Image � Alltel Wireless

When you buy a new cell phone today, you�re often either forced or convinced to sign a two-year service contract. When you do, the price of the new cell phone is subsidized by your long-term service commitment.

In today�s competitive market, though, cell phone carriers are being increasingly forced or convinced to offer to you compelling and differentiating deals to catch your eye and score your wireless dollar.

Here�s an industry first from Alltel Wireless, which is now part of Verizon Wireless: a two-year cell phone price with only a one-year service contract.

In other words, Alltel is now allowing you access to the discounted price of a cell phone typically required by a two-year contract with only a one-year commitment. That�s one year less of a commitment for the two-year price.

Effective June 5, 2009, all one-year postpaid Alltel service contracts will replace the industry-standard two-year service contract for its new and renewing customers. Alltel is now the only carrier to offer two-year postpaid handset pricing to customers signing one-year contracts.

The one-year contract option is only available, though, to Alltel customers in the 91 cellular market areas that Verizon Wireless is required to divest. These areas will continue to operate as Alltel Wireless until they are sold.

Which Cell Phone Carrier Offers the Cheapest Text Messaging?

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:37:20 +0000

Image � T-Mobile

Do you text on your cell phone more than you talk? If so, you most definitely would not be alone these days. More and more cell phone users do.

The more you use text messaging, the more important this question becomes: Which cell phone carrier offers the cheapest text messaging plan? The answer may surprise you.

For some of us, the need to go unlimited or up your current allotment might become necessary to prevent paying per-message overage charges.

To help answer the question of the cheapest text messaging out there, we compare the major cell phone carriers as well as the primary prepaid cell phone carriers in this new article.

Dead or Dying Cell Phone Battery? Swap it Out for Free at U.S. Cellular

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:26:14 +0000

Image � U.S. Cellular

While this industry-first offering might not be enough to convince you to switch to U.S. Cellular if you�re not already there, perhaps the carrier could help blaze a path for the other major providers to follow suit.

Depending on how long you keep your cell phone until replacing it, your battery might die on you before you�re ready to switch handsets. This happens when your cell phone�s battery just doesn�t hold a charge like it used to and dies on you too quickly even after a full charge.

U.S. Cellular recently unveiled its new Battery Swap service so you can replace your dead battery for a fully charged one for free. The carrier says the free service is available on �most handsets� it carries. Here�s the full list.

Make sure you know the fine print. For example, the battery you swap in may not be new.

Battery Swap is for U.S. Cellular customers with active lines and eligible handsets. All swaps must be completed at a participating retail store. No more than four battery swaps ... per handset per month.

Battery swaps are at the sole discretion of U.S. Cellular and may be denied for any reason including a handset needing repair or limited inventory. Extended use batteries are excluded.

Batteries may not be new and U.S. Cellular provides no warranty for any batteries. U.S. Cellular�s liability for batteries is limited solely to replace [a] battery.

Free Text Messaging: txtDrop.com Wins High Marks for Effective Simplicity

Sun, 24 May 2009 19:54:03 +0000

Image � txtDrop.com

As I continue to delve into the various free text messaging services now at your disposal so you can save wireless money, txtDrop.com especially caught my eye and might do the same for you as well.

Why? It just does one thing and it does it well: allows you to send free text messages from the Web to virtually any cell phone on any carrier.

Read on to learn about the free text messaging service txtDrop.com based on our testing.

Do You Like or Dislike Nokia Phones?

Thu, 21 May 2009 04:51:33 +0000

Nokia 7510
Image � Nokia

This is your chance to chime in with your feelings about Nokia phones. Do you like or dislike them? Why do they make you feel one way or another?

While Nokia cell phones have traditionally been known for their simplicity and usability, the handset maker has had to turn up the volume on its features to compete in an increasingly demanding cell phone environment.

The result is a wide array of Nokia cell phones like these. After reading those About.com Nokia reviews, let our community know how you feel about the handset maker overall!

Father�s Day Cell Phone Gift Ideas: C902 Cyber-shot, Sony Ericsson Bluetooth

Tue, 19 May 2009 11:06:28 +0000

While Mother�s Day has come and gone this year, Father�s Day is now quickly approaching on June 21, 2009. Now would be the ideal time to start thinking about satisfying his gadget fix to show your appreciation for him this year.

Sony Ericsson has a couple new gadgets that might do just the trick. We start with the Sony Ericsson C902 Cyber-shot, which rides on the increasing consumer craze to pack higher-quality cameras into traditional cell phones.

Dad might also be satisfied coupling a new handset like the C902 with a Bluetooth stereo headset like the Sony Ericsson HBH-IS800.

For more information about these Sony Ericsson gift ideas for dad and several practical and stylish Bluetooth options that might tickle his fancy, too, read on for my full Father�s Day gift idea list!

Save Money: About.com List of Best Free Text Messaging Services

Fri, 15 May 2009 05:58:55 +0000

Image � mjoy

These days, some people literally use their cell phones more for text messaging than talking.

For textaholics and the casual texter as well, a growing number of independent services are popping up to prevent you from paying for a text messaging plan with your cell phone carrier.

Instead, these third-party services offer you free texting often in exchange for an advertising-based service over the mobile Web. This typically means you need a data plan in order to prevent yourself from paying for a texting plan.

But which free text messaging services can you trust and are the best? I present to you my new list of the best free text messaging services to help you answer that very question for yourself.

Success Story: From $10 for 1,000 Text Messages to Unlimited for $7.50

Tue, 12 May 2009 22:29:05 +0000

I just did it and you can, too.

I recently wrote about one of the simplest ways to lower your wireless bill: just call your cell phone carrier and ask for it. I periodically do this and successfully save money. When I do, it�s not because I�m the About.com guide to cell phones. I�m a cell phone user just like you.

I decided to take my guidance tonight and it worked yet again. I was paying $10 a month for 1,000 text and picture messages. I noticed I�ve been texting more this month than usual and spoke with my carrier a moment ago about increasing my monthly messaging allotment.

I reminded them that I�ve been a loyal customer for years. This is one of my many tips to mention when you have your carrier on the line and you�re looking for them to sweeten your deal to keep you in a competitive environment.

The result? Instead of paying $10 a month for 1,000 picture and text messages, I now get unlimited messaging for only $7.50 a month.

While that�s not a published offering from my cell phone service carrier and where I spend my money is irrelevant to the topic at hand here, the point remains: call your carrier and see where they can save you money. It works very often.

Read my article with more money-saving tips for what to say while you have your cell phone service carrier on the line. Want to share your own money-saving success story? You can here!

EDGE vs. GSM Cell Phone Technology: What is EDGE?

Wed, 06 May 2009 05:35:29 +0000

Image � Chad Baker, Getty Images

Yes, GSM still reigns as the world�s most widely used cell phone technology, but what is EDGE? Why is it faster? Which cell phone carriers use EDGE technology? What can it actually do for you?

Learn all about EDGE technology here. Also, learn the difference between GSM, EDGE, CDMA and TDMA cell phone technologies here.

How Can Cell Phones Help the Swine Flu Outbreak?

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:23:00 +0000

Image � DataDyne

When you only have 305 million computers and 11 million hospital beds in the developing world, what technology is much more plentiful and could compensate for a shortage of doctors or remote access with limited infrastructure?

Yes, the answer is cell phones, and there are 2.2 billion of them in the developing world where it is uncommon for people to own computers. They all present an opportunity for mobile health, and especially with the current swine flu outbreak, now�s more critical than ever to deliver results.

Produced out of Joel Selanikio�s non-profit DataDyne.org, he says his EpiSurveyor software is now the most widely adopted open source mobile health software in the world.

MIT agreed this week with EpiSurveyor�s potential and awarded him $100,000 with the Lemelson-MIT award for sustainability.

�The free EpiSurveyor software package, which can be downloaded onto handheld mobile devices, allows health workers to become fully self-sufficient in programming, designing and deploying health surveys to [nix] the need for costly consultants, paper and manual data entry.�

In partnership with the World Health Organization, United Nations Foundation and Vodafone Foundation, EpiSurveyor allows for the surveillance of diseases affecting populations, the evaluation of treatments and monitoring the success of treatments in preventing outbreaks.

Laid Off? Here�s How to Cheaply Cancel Your Cell Phone Contract

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:14:54 +0000

Image � CellSwapper

If you�ve recently been laid off or you find yourself otherwise in financial hardship, lowering your wireless bill will likely become immediately attractive and wanting out of your contract might cross your mind just the same.

But the last hassle you�ll want to navigate is plunking down $200 in order to cancel your contract. How can you circumvent the hotly debated and often intensely hated early termination fee imposed by most U.S. wireless carriers today?

How about transferring or selling your contract to someone else who wants it? With the increase in bankruptcy, foreclosure, unemployment and credit card debt amid today�ls economic recession, a new trend has arrived for services to come to your contract rescue.

Even more, consumer interest groups are now fighting for your rights and believe recently laid-off users should be given special cell phone concessions. Learn more in this new guide!

OnlineBillReview.com Claims It�ll Slice 28 Percent Off Your Cell Phone Bill

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:45:26 +0000

Image � OnlineBillReview.com

While it�s not in a cell phone carrier�s direct interest to help you save money on your cell phone bill, many try to help you lower your wireless costs to nurture your loyalty.

For the ones that do offer this kind of service, though, where is it? How do you access it? Does it come to you or do you have to go get it? OnlineBillReview.com is a Web site I recently learned about that�s objective.

You securely upload your bills to its pending-pending software and the site �analyzes the last 12 months of your bills and scrubs them for overages, wasted minutes, wrong packages, misuse of text messaging and data or inappropriate long distance�.

The service, which supports the major carriers including Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, U.S. Cellular and Alltel, is free at first.

Be careful, though. After analyzing your spending patterns, OnlineBillReview.com will make a recommendation and charge you 25 percent of your annual savings if you take it.

This could still be construed as a fair deal because it�s only coming out of your savings and not your pocket prior. The service claims it saves its average customer 28 percent.

While I haven�t tested the service myself for results I could personally share with you, as of this post the service says it has saved people $3.1 million in total and can save the average family $745 a year, the average small business $3,060 a year and the average corporate or government account $10,200 per year.

Want more ways to lower your wireless bill? About.com has you covered here.

Study: Cell Phone Users Demand More Self-Service Customer Care, Yankee Group Says

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:33:00 +0000

Image � Nuance Communications

Let�s be honest with each other: When you call your cell phone carrier, do you secretly think you�re about to cruise through the call pleasantly or fear you�re going to be hit by a Mack truck?

Either way, consumers are increasingly demanding quality customer care and a new study by the Yankee Group quantifies just how much this is true. Even more, consumers are demanding the use of their cell phones in a self-service manner to complete basic functions themselves.

The new Yankee Group study revealed that 62 percent of users �want to bypass automated systems and be given an opportunity to use their mobile phone screen to complete simple inquiries that should not require agent intervention�.

In addition, the report says more than 60 percent of mobile phone users now believe that on-device self-service is an important feature and they want direct and immediate access to the technology right from their mobile phone.

�Additionally, [more than] 80 percent of users surveyed want the ability to complete an entire customer service interaction � such as paying a bill or upgrading an account � directly on their mobile device versus enduring long wait times for a live agent,� the study said.

The Yankee Group study, which was announced on Tuesday by speech recognition firm Nuance Communications, says in excess of 60 percent of consumers have contacted customer care more than three times in the last six months.

The cell phone users surveyed in the study had an age span across all demographics with 18- to 24-year-olds admitting to using their mobile phone all the time while the 55- to 58-year-old age group also held strong at 42 percent.

Virgin Mobile to Launch $49.99 Unlimited Wireless Plan, �Pink Slip Protection�

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:04:48 +0000

Virgin Mobile�s logo
Image � Virgin Mobile

After blazing a new path in 2008 with an unlimited prepaid wireless plan for $79.99, Sprint�s Virgin Mobile on April 15, 2009 will limbo even lower to $49.99 to compete with the likes of Boost Mobile�s $50 unlimited plan and the $45 unlimited plan from Cricket Wireless.

In addition, the carrier is unveiling a new �Pink Slip Protection� program. The recession-friendly program will waive up to three months of monthly charges if a customer becomes unemployed. Some conditions and restrictions apply.

Virgin Mobile is also launching new �Texter�s Delight� monthly plans. The prepaid wireless leader says this is the �only nationwide prepaid plan designed specifically for heavy texters�. Learn all about the Virgin Mobile news here.

Two Mother�s Day Cell Phone Gift Ideas: Pantech C610, Pantech Breeze for AT&T

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:14:41 +0000

Pantech C610 for AT&T
Image � Pantech

No, today�s not Mother�s Day, so you don't have to fret yet that you�ve already missed it. I�m always afraid that I will.

With this Mother�s Day on May 10, 2009, it�s exactly one month away now and never too soon to start planning that gift for your well-deserving mom.

Why not get a new cell phone designed just for her? Here are two suggestions from handset manufacturer Pantech for AT&T.

The Pantech C610, which I�ve rated highly in this review, can help the chic mom stay tuned in and efficient with a standout metropolitan red finish and bright chrome accents.

The compact phone comes with a variety of entertaining multimedia features like GPS, video and music functionality.

Pantech Breeze for AT&T
Image � Pantech

In addition, the new Pantech Breeze is ideal for aging mothers who need a simple way to stay in touch with family members, caregivers and loved ones.

Complete with an oversized display and improved features, the affordable phone allows moms to quickly connect with their family.

Off from a non-commitment price of $229.99, AT&T currently prices the new Pantech Breeze at $49.99 with a two-year service contract or free with a refurbished discount.

Off from a non-commitment price of $249.99, AT&T prices the Pantech C610 at $99.99 with a two-year contract or free with an online discount.

Association Plans to Create First Camera Quality Standards for Cell Phone Imagery

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:40:12 +0000

Image � International Imaging Industry Association

Sure, cameras on cell phones have evolved well beyond the typical 1 or 2 megapixels up to 8, 9 and even 10 megapixels with better zoom and flash technology.

While cameras for the most part come standard on many cell phones today, though, most people still think of such technology as a low-quality perk. Such a camera isn�t typically used for professional photography, of course, and instead often just �gets by� without actually impressing.

But what if there were standards for cell phone cameras with the intent to improve overall image quality? The International Imaging Industry Association (I3A) has just taken a big first leap with plans to achieve exactly that.

The I3A said on Monday it has released the results from phase two of its �groundbreaking� camera phone image quality (CPIQ) initiative at a technical forum held on April 3, 2009 in conjunction with the CTIA Wireless 2009 event.

The results �are an initial set of definitions and test methods for image-quality metrics. They represent a first step toward an overall image-quality rating system for camera phones,� the I3A said in a statement on Monday.

�The goal of [the] initiative is to improve overall image quality ... to enhance the use and enjoyment of camera phones by consumers,� the I3A added.

The I3A continued: �The I3A�s CPIQ initiative also seeks to promote growth of the camera phone imaging ecosystem and to encourage consumers to take, share, print and enjoy images captured by their camera phones.�

�The group�s ultimate objective is to produce a complete set of standardized image-quality testing metrics and methodologies [to enable] a consumer-oriented image-quality rating system,� the I3A concluded.

Now Parents Can Be Big Brother, See Log of Text Messages

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:30:21 +0000

Image � SMobile Systems

If you�re a parent, the notion of being Big Brother to your kids likely isn�t a popular one. But is it sometimes necessary?

While a company called SMobile Systems is now offering a Big Brother solution for parents to more closely monitor the actual text that�s being blabbed back and forth on a cell phone, parents are still charged with somehow convincing their kids they should be willing to be censored.

A new product from SMobile Systems called Security Shield Parental Control Edition affords parents the ability to see a log of text messages (or SMS messages) as well as phone calls that have been placed and received.

Parents can read the content of the text messages and can even set up alerts for flagged keywords they deem unsavory.

Do you think the service, which costs an annual $30 per year with automatic software updates, will help mom and dad level the playing field or is it an over-the-line intrusion of privacy? Sound off in the comments form below!