| Hello everyone, | | | | bright screen, or applications such as email and |
| I must admit that even though I'm a "tech geek", | | | | web browsing. Basically just makes phone calls |
| the present day cell phone scenario is quite | | | | (like my Motorola W260-4). I love it! |
| confusing to me. Personally I don't even like to | | | | 3) "Service Providers (Cell Phone Carriers)" |
| TALK on the phone, and my "dumb phone" of | | | | If you're going to buy a cell phone you have to |
| choice is the TracFone Motorola W260-4 (a basic | | | | choose a mobile phone carrier. There are many, |
| bare bones $20 phone - no internet, no camera, | | | | but here are the top five carriers in the United |
| no additional ringtones, no applications, etc.). But | | | | States (and a very popular phone for each |
| the phone is great for what it is intended to do: it | | | | carrier). |
| makes great phone calls!! And in my part of the | | | | #1) Verizon Wireless...... (Motorola Droid). |
| country I have great coverage (signal strength) | | | | #2) AT&T..... (Apple iPhone 3GS). |
| from the TracFone network (also with TracFone | | | | #3) Sprint..... (Samsung Instinct HD). |
| there are no bills, no contracts, I buy only the | | | | #4) T-Mobile..... (Rim BlackBerry Bold 9700). |
| airtime minutes that I actually need). No smart | | | | #5) U.S. Cellular..... (Rim BlackBerry Curve 8530). |
| phone for me!! | | | | 4) "Locked or Unlocked?" |
| So with all of the confusion out there (and since | | | | A locked cell phone is one that has been altered in |
| you may be in the market for a cell phone in the | | | | order to use only one particular cellular network. If |
| future), I thought that today I would give you a | | | | a carrier "subsidizes" (provides you with a free or |
| basic "primer part 1″ on mobile phones | | | | cheap phone when you sign a two year service |
| and mobile phone carriers. You'll have to | | | | contract) they will "lock it" to their network. |
| concentrate somewhat because as I said before - | | | | Locked phones (the "lock" is a software setting |
| this is kind of confusing! Today I'll just give you | | | | that keeps the mobile phone "loyal" to one |
| the facts and in my next article I'll give you more | | | | carrier), will not work with any other carrier. |
| facts plus my opinion. | | | | An unlocked cell phone can be used on any cell |
| 1) "Smart Phone" | | | | phone carrier. Unlocked cell phones cost more up |
| A mobile phone which has computerlike software | | | | front but all software restrictions have been |
| (applications) on it, digital camera, full keyboard, | | | | removed and you will be able to use the phone |
| color display, plus internet and e-mail capabilities | | | | with whichever carrier you so desire. Many third |
| for efficient communication. The CPU on many | | | | party vendors sell unlocked phones and there are |
| smartphones is more powerful than the desktop | | | | also many third party services that offer to |
| computers of five years ago! | | | | unlock your cell phone for a fee (something I |
| 2) "Dumb Phone" | | | | don't recommend). |
| Opposite of smartphone. A mobile phone which | | | | In my next article (part 2), I'll continue to |
| has little or no advanced features such as a large, | | | | "demystify" the confusing cell phone scenario. |