| Before the advent of cell phones, communications | | | | offers up to 10 separate personal or business |
| may not have been as convenient, but life was | | | | accounts, Bluetooth wireless technology, |
| definitely less complex. Since their introduction into | | | | high-speed downloads, Microsoft applications |
| society, the design, features and package plans | | | | (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF), backlit |
| have evolved to the degree that we now have | | | | QWERY keyboard, icon menu, attachment |
| to do research on cost comparisons and option | | | | viewing capability, full PC synchronization, wireless |
| customization, as well as peruse technical manuals | | | | modem, customizable graphics/themes, mobile |
| in order to learn how to operate these gizmos | | | | web browsing and lots more. |
| before we can ever hit that "send" button. Simply | | | | - Audiovox - Advertised as one of the thinnest |
| put, we need to find the best cell phone for | | | | and lightest cell phones on the market, the |
| meeting our needs, and it's going to take a good | | | | products in this line offer Class 2 Bluetooth |
| deal of time to do so...or maybe not. | | | | wireless technology, high-speed data downloads, |
| In the interest of cutting through a lot of the red | | | | Windows Media Player, expandable miniSD |
| tape when it comes to isolating the different | | | | memory slot, Windows operating system, digital |
| types of cell phones that are available to | | | | camera, MP3 player, video capture, infrared port, |
| consumers today, let's take a look at some of | | | | voice-driven menus, games, polyphonic ring tones, |
| the more popular brands on the current market: | | | | instant messaging, mobile web browsing, |
| Verizon Wireless | | | | predictive text entry, phone book with multiple |
| Among the many types of cell phones that | | | | numbers per name, 175 x 220 pixel color display, |
| Verizon offers, there are myriads of features to | | | | hands-free dialing with up to 50 customizable |
| be considered when shopping for the phone that's | | | | voice tags, modem, four-day standby capacity |
| right for you - or your loved ones, if you're | | | | and a multitude of other features that make this |
| planning to surprise someone with the gift of | | | | device more like a floating office than just a cell |
| communication. | | | | phone. |
| - Motorola - While each particular model offers its | | | | Siemens Mobile |
| own set of standard features and options, some | | | | Siemens offers a couple of different lines of cell |
| of the perks that you can expect to find include | | | | phones, including their mobile phone and their next |
| two-way text messaging, wireless internet | | | | generation products. While these tend to change |
| readiness, speed dialing, one-touch emergency | | | | with the progression of time, since they're specific |
| access, vibrating option, dozen of ringer options, | | | | to particular models, there are some outstanding |
| 500-entry phone book and SMS messaging. | | | | features that are offered within both of these |
| - Nokia - On most models, you'll find standard | | | | two lines. |
| features such as color display, various timer | | | | - Mobile Phones - Of the many mobile phone |
| types, SMS messaging, two-way text messaging, | | | | models that are currently available through |
| vibrating option, internet wireless readiness and | | | | Siemens, some of the features that you'll find |
| about a dozen more ringer options than that of | | | | include a built-in video/digital camera, instant e-mail |
| the Motorola line. In addition, special features may | | | | access, full-size keyboard capability, Bluetooth |
| include an alarm, voice dialing, memo recorder, | | | | technology, comprehensive business features, |
| built-in stopwatch/calculator/scheduler, games and | | | | robust packaging (similar to a rugged laptop), |
| custom graphics for screen savers and wallpaper. | | | | phone pilots, downloads, 3D games, icon menus - |
| - Samsung - This company offers a rather | | | | and even a special outdoor model for emergency |
| advanced line of cell phones, some of which | | | | workers that has sirens, flashing lights and special |
| include options such as Microsoft Windows | | | | rescue features. These and dozens of other |
| technology, audio/video color clips, an expansion | | | | features are available on the various models in the |
| slot, voice notes, voice recognition, full-color | | | | Siemens mobile phone line. |
| screen, downloadable games, speaker phone, | | | | - Next Generation Phones - With their sleek |
| built-in digital camera and the ability to work on | | | | design and attractive packaging, the phones in this |
| documents, spreadsheets and other types of | | | | line offer a lot in the way of cell phone |
| Microsoft applications - all of these are in addition | | | | convenience, including features such as |
| to the standard features that most other | | | | comprehensive multimedia functionality, full line of |
| companies offer, such as SMS messaging, | | | | state-of-the-art entertainment options, virtual |
| wireless internet readiness, two-way text | | | | assistant, Bluetooth portable car set with wireless |
| messaging, etc. | | | | telephony technology, music and video downloads, |
| Cingular Wireless | | | | rugged packaging for outdoor use and built-in |
| This company, too, offers a wide variety of cell | | | | translators (accommodating languages such as |
| phones from different manufacturers, each with | | | | English, Portuguese, Italian, German, Spanish and |
| its own set of standard and special features. The | | | | French), push-and-talk capability (similar to the |
| defining factor for choosing Verizon, Cingular or | | | | "walkie-talkie" concept), as well as stunning new |
| some other type of company over another is | | | | designer packaging that targets the business |
| often the pricing structure and how much you | | | | community, young adults, women and much |
| actually get for your money. | | | | more. |
| - Sony - Some of the highlights that you can | | | | Finding the best cell phone may be a bit complex, |
| expect from this manufacturer include a x4 zoom | | | | but most manufacturers offer enough in the way |
| digital camera, video camera, PC synchronization, | | | | of available options to provide something for |
| instant messaging, wireless multi-player gaming, | | | | everyone - no matter what their needs are. |
| modem capability, e-mail, picture caller ID, | | | | Whether you're looking for a cheap cell phone, |
| hands-free dialing, multiple language capability, | | | | designer cell phone, rugged cell phone or one that |
| voice memo, to-do list, mobile web browsing, | | | | performs most of your daily on-the-job functions, |
| streaming multimedia viewing capability, | | | | these can be found through local communications |
| customizable faceplates, graphics, themes and a | | | | merchants, as well as through online major search |
| great deal more. | | | | engines. In addition to cell phone comparisons, |
| - Blackberry - This specialized line of cell phones | | | | you'll also find cellular phone plans, wireless phone |
| offers a comprehensive package for those who | | | | plans and cell phone ratings through online |
| need something more than just a phone. In | | | | research, allowing you to find that "best" cell |
| addition to the basic cell phone functions, this line | | | | phone - whatever it happens to be. |
| also offers features which include e-mail that | | | | |