| So, a friend of yours is sporting a brand new cell | | | | access the Internet, but if you want broadband |
| phone packed with more features than you can | | | | speeds you'll need a mobile data plan, and a phone |
| shake a stick at. The thing looks like it just fell out | | | | that supports modern 3G (third generation) |
| of a flying saucer, or something. In fact, it's quite | | | | networks and higher. Most likely a PDA or |
| possibly the coolest cell phone you've ever seen. | | | | smartphone. |
| You want one just like it, or better yet, a cooler | | | | - QWERTY Keyboard - The term "QWERTY" |
| one, but you don't have that kind of dough. So, | | | | comes from the fact those are the first six |
| what's one to do? Instead of listing a bunch of | | | | letters on a standard English keyboard (take a |
| phones that are in my opinion, "cool", I'm going to | | | | look). Non PDA and smartphone phones with |
| show you where to look, what to look for, and | | | | qwerty keyboards are ofter referred to as |
| how to get it for very little, or no money. | | | | texting phones. |
| Best Place to Find Deals on Cell Phones | | | | - Mobile Web Browsers - Almost all phones now |
| Here's a little factoid for you. There are only | | | | have some sort of mobile browser so you can |
| three authorized retailers of cellular phones and | | | | surf the Internet from your cell phone, but |
| wireless plans in the United States. I know what | | | | they're not all created equal. BlackBerry has an |
| you're thinking. There are thousands of cellular | | | | excellent full web browser built in, as does Apple's |
| retail websites online. True enough, but only three | | | | iPhone which comes with Safari. You can always |
| authorized retailers, which are the fulfillment | | | | download third party mobile browsers, but you'll |
| centers for every other U.S. based cellular site | | | | need a phone that will support it. |
| online, so that cuts your places to look to three. | | | | - Bluetooth - This is a must have for any cell |
| Amazon.com, Wirefly, and Let'sTalk. | | | | phone worth having. In short, Blutooth makes it |
| You could also go directly to a carrier website like | | | | possible for your cell phone to communicate |
| AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-mobile or others, | | | | wirelessly with other devices that have, or |
| but if you want to save some money on a new | | | | support it. Common applications are, hands free |
| cell phone you're better off to stick with one of | | | | driving, and wireless synchronization. |
| the retailers mentioned, because they deal in bulk. | | | | - Web Applications - Some phones come with |
| You can still choose from any wireless carrier that | | | | software you might normally find on your |
| services your area, it's just that by going through | | | | computer, like email clients, messengers, |
| a retailer instead of directly through the carrier | | | | calendars, or productivity suites like Documents to |
| you'll have a much larger selection of wireless | | | | go, or Windows Mobile. There are also lots of |
| devices, plus be able to compare phones and | | | | other third party apps you can download. |
| plans from multiple providers. | | | | BlackBerry and iPhone have very popular app |
| Coolest Cell Phone Features | | | | stores with a wide selection of mobile apps made |
| It's best to get into a little cell phone terminology | | | | for those phones. |
| here, because getting the right kind of cell phone | | | | - Cameras - If you want good pictures and video |
| is going to make a difference in features available | | | | from your phone, try to steer clear of VGA, |
| on that phone, so here is a list of a few common | | | | QVGA or cameras with interpolated resolution. |
| types of wireless devices, and short descriptions. | | | | You'll want a camera with about 3 megapixel or |
| - PDA Phones - The term PDA is an abbreviation | | | | better for nice looking pictures and video. |
| for Personal Digital Assistant, and is used for | | | | Generally speaking, the more megapixels the |
| mobile organization like phone book, calendar, daily | | | | better. |
| tasks, and can be synchronized with a PC. They | | | | - Touch Screens - This is still a fairly new |
| sometimes come with a stylus, and may require | | | | technology. Some touch screen phones have |
| a mobile data plan. | | | | very few buttons on the phone itself, since most |
| - Smart Phones - For all intents and purposes a | | | | tasks, including typing and dialing are done directly |
| Smart Phone or smartphone is a PDA with cell | | | | on the screen. A couple good examples are the |
| phone capabilities, and can work very much like a | | | | BlackBerry Storm, and iPhone. |
| small computer. In the early days many PDAs did | | | | There are dozens of other features that could be |
| not make it possible for one to make phone calls | | | | discussed here, but the idea is just to outline |
| (though most do now). | | | | some of the cooler features to look for, and |
| - Netbooks - These are not phones at all. They're | | | | some short explanations and examples. A cell |
| mini laptops, but some wireless carriers, and | | | | phone with all, or most of the features listed here |
| retailers make them available for use with modern | | | | is going to be a really nice phone. |
| mobile data networks. | | | | Cheapest Cell Phones |
| - Multimedia Phones - Just a cell phone, but may | | | | So how do you get one of these really cool |
| be able to take pictures, video or play music files | | | | phones without breaking the bank? By going |
| like MP3. | | | | through an authorized retailer, of course. As |
| There are a lot of other terms that can be, and | | | | mentioned earlier there are only three in the U.S. |
| are used to describe different types of cellular | | | | you need to be concerned with. Some phones |
| phones. Texting phones, data phones, qwerty | | | | could be free or highly discounted with a service |
| phones, just to name a few. The list above is a | | | | agreement of between one to two years. If you |
| pretty good outline of different cell phone types | | | | don't like contracts, I don't know what to tell you. |
| without writing a book about the subject. If you | | | | It's that, or pay out of pocket. If you choose the |
| want a phone with a good all around set of | | | | later, you could still get a good deal by going |
| features, a smartphone is the way to go. If | | | | through one of the big three retailers. Since they |
| you're just looking for features on a case by case | | | | sell these phones in bulk, they are generally |
| basis, here are a few of the most popular. | | | | cheaper than what you would find in a physical |
| - Data Plans - These can be a bit tricky, since | | | | store, or direct from the carrier. |
| nearly all wireless phones today allow you to | | | | |