Guide to Buying a Mobile Phone

The new fashion statement

A mobile phone is no longer simply a device with which you stay in contact with others. Today, a mobile phone is a multi-function fashion accessory, as necessary to your appearance as a hairstyle. From how the phone 'flips' open in front of your friends, to the groove of the ring tone, your mobile phone is a statement about who you are and how you address the world. And as every parent of a thirteen year old knows, you simply are not a 'whole person' without one.

To purchase a mobile phone, you need to address a number of issues, not the least of which is who you will be shelling out a small fortune to each month, and under what conditions, and what you want from your phone service. On top of that, you will want to decide which handset suits best and what extras and accessories you want to go along with it. Myshopping.com.au is where you can compare a range of different offers from different phones and service providers very easily, and arrive at a decision that works for you.

The centre of communications

Different phones suit different people, but at the heart of the decision is the question: Is your mobile phone the centre of your communications. The answer to this question will mean different things to people with different needs.

The student

The student's mobile phone is very definitely at the centre of communications, but quite clearly students have little money to splurge and therefore need to buy a phone that has access to economically efficient communications. The trendy phone will be important, but at a low cost. It will need to have excellent texting facility, be able to accommodate ring tones, and be easy to carry. Of lesser concern are issues such as camera and video capacity.

The busy parent

Whether working out of the home or not, a busy parent needs to be able to be in touch at odd times and in odd places. This person will be seeking a functional handset with a good network capacity. Photographic features are handy as are texting features and long talk-time.

The executive

The executive is constantly on the go, and is always in touch while on the go. This person's phone will have added features such as a teledex, web connectivity, video and photographic features. Additional accessories will include 'hands-free' capacity and portability across travel zones.

The traveller

The traveller's phone needs most of all to be portable across travel zones and able to access networks in international zones. Long battery life, video, photographic and web connectivity features are all important features considered by the traveller.

Phone choices

At the heart of your decision, is which phone to choose? Some limitations may apply according to the technology you need. If you live in a rural area, or travel to the country a lot, you will likely need access to a CDMA network, and not all handsets are compatible. The majority of Australia's urban population (95%) is covered with GSM technology, and there are a huge number of handsets available that are compatible.

The technology

Other technologies that may affect both your choice of handset and your choice of service provider are the GPRS technology, designed for sending data over the GSM network, enabling mobile phones to access the internet and receive email messages; and the PTT service (Push To Talk), a technology that allows mobile phones to be used like two-way radios.

The handset

The next step might be to decide on the type of handset you favour. Handsets come in different configurations, from the 'candybar' format (long and slim) that is able to fit into a protective carrying case and be operated by one hand. The screen and keypad are limited by the size and shape of the handset. Flip-phones and slider phones have the advantage of small size, but their screens and keypads can be larger because of the use of two halves of a 'clamshell' case. Some slider phones have keypads on a swivel, offering a two handed operation. A smartphone has a fully functional keypad that enables the editing of Microsoft word documents, presentations and spreadsheets.

Screens and memory

Colour screens are now standard in most models, but size, resolution and colours can vary, from between 101x80 pixels to 353x288 pixels; and between 4000 and 262,000 colours. The better the screen resolution, the better backgrounds and graphic images can be displayed. Mobile phones also now have onboard memories from between 16MB and 96MB (although this is a standard that changes quickly). Additional memory (500MB or more) is available on phones dedicated to gaming and mp3 playing, and some phones also offer slots for adding additional memory cards.

Battery and camera

Battery re-charge life of a phone is determined by the number of features and the amount of talk time used, but today's phones range between 10 and 14 days of standby time and 2 to 8 hours of talk time. Obviously memory intensive use shortens the re-charge time. Even the most basic phones now come with an in-built digital camera. Some now also have flash capacity, auto-focus, self-timing, continuous shooting and zoom and macro facilities. Many offer low-resolution video recording and can be used for video conferencing and receiving streaming video. Optimally, a camera with more than one mega pixel is desirable.

Connections and options

A USB port on a mobile phone enables it to be connected to your computer to transfer files. Wireless connectivity using bluetooth and infra-red allows connection between devices such as PCs and PDAs, as well as providing hands-free utilities. You may also want a voice-activated dialling feature, and voice recording functions that enable you to send MMS messages and voice memos. Phones with polyphonic ring tone capacity enable you to have a more musical ringtone, and produce a better sound.

At Myshopping.com.au you can compare all of the features of the different brand names and the prices offered by different vendors. This takes a lot of the difficulty out of narrowing down exactly what you want from you mobile phone.

Connection choices

There are essentially two choices for how you want to be connected to your phone network: a usage plan and term contract, or a pre-paid option. All service providers can offer both and under Australian legislation, your phone number is portable between service providers. Some however may charge a fee for early termination of a contract, and some may charge a fee for transferring your number from another service provider, and some may charge a fee for transferring you number to another provider. These fees are entirely at the discretion of the service provider and have no basis in actual network cost whatsoever. If it is charged, it is charged simply because they can.

You need to give some thought to how you intend (or do) use your phone. Call plan contracts are offered on the basis of how many minutes (or in some cases, 30 second units) of call time you use, and at what time of day. Carriers promote higher costs for high volume times of the day, and often reduce costs, or offer 'free' time during low times. Other low cost offers are made for calls between the phones on the same carrier network, while others offer discounts for bundling packages of home phone, mobile phone and Internet account. It's important to read the conditions attached to any of these offers. Free calls between midnight and six am may be of little value to you if you're sleeping at that time.

Pre-paid is popular choice, especially if you don't make many calls. It also enables a better management of limited funds. When deciding on your plan, look at costs such as 'flagfall' costs and the different rates at different times of the day. Also check the cost of calls when you exceed your 'cap' or limit. It is often in this area that the carrier can make money out of unsuspecting users.

Service providers

The carriers of mobile phone services in Australia include Telstra, Optus, 3 (Hutchinson), Orange (Hutchinson), Vodafone, Virgin, B and a number of smaller carriers, or agencies who provide services on behalf of other carriers.

Each of the major carriers can offer you the connection to their network on contract plan or pre-paid, as well as sell you a pre-packaged handset. Quite often a contract will include a monthly service and you pay for a number of minutes of talk or sms connections, as well as pay for the handset. Once the contract is ended, you are free to change the plan to a different one, or change carriers altogether.

Sometimes the plan you select is not right for your usage, and you find that after a few months, you could reduce your costs by changing to a different plan. Some carriers enable you to do this mid-contract without any extra penalty; others may charge you a fee to change your plan. Study any plan carefully and imagine how you will use your phone to take best advantage.

You may also need to compare the services offered by the different carriers, especially their capacity to service your area within their network. There's not a lot of point in being with a carrier whose network doesn't enable anyone to call you when you're at home.

Use Myshopping.com.au to compare different to find one that suits you. But before you sign on to any mobile phone plan, be sure you understand all of the conditions attached to that contract.

Andrew Gates for comparison online shopping service MyShopping.com.au. MyShopping.com.au helps you compare the different mobile phones from different brands in terms of specifications and accessories. You can also compare prices from hundreds of different brands and vendors.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Cell Phone Accessories - A Guide To Wireless Phone Accessories

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.

Car Chargers

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.

Hands-Free Sets

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.

Faceplates (Cell Phone Covers)

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.

Cases

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.

Belt Clips/Holsters (Cell Phone Holders)

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.

Antennas

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.

Phone Straps

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.

Radiation Shields

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.

Designer Keypads

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!

Personalize 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 [http://www.a1-cell-phones.com/index.html], wireless headsets [http://www.a1-cell-phones.com/cell-phone-reviews.html] and cellular accessories [http://www.a1-cell-phones.com/cell-phone-accessories.html].

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Buying a Cell Phone - Complete Shopping Guide For Plans and Phones

Nothing in the history of human technology has gained as much popularity or necessity as the cell phone other than maybe the personal computer. They allow you to be in contact all of the time anywhere in the world (providing you have reception). You can do more than just talk these days. These phones let you surf the web, play games, text, and even send and read email. Digging through the many service plans and accessories can be a very difficult task for even most veteran users. Read on to learn how to get the perfect service plan and phone for your wireless needs.

Choosing to buy a cell phone and a service plan to match is going to take some research and some work, so do not expect to find your perfect match overnight. Cell phones are no longer just a convenient way to keep in touch audibly, they are a lot more since their first appearance in high tech culture. These days you may find yourself checking your e-mails, sending pictures and text messages, keeping track of your stocks or world news, editing and reading business documents, listening to your favorite MP3 songs, or adding new personal and business contacts via your laptop computer.

When shopping for a phone, your choice of wireless service can alter which type and model you will be using. A wise plan of action is to shop for your carrier first. Finding out the best coverage and monthly pricing plans for your area will make your experience with your phone more enjoyable. Remember, even the best phone will be worth squat to you if you do not have a good carrier. While some accessories will work with many models, most phones will work only with one mobile carrier due to the exclusivity of their networks. Most providers lock their phones so you are less likely to leave their wireless network so remember that the wireless network is your phone's life support.

Smartphones

What is a smartphone? Basically it is a cell phone but with the added capability of running document type applications and comes with a alphabet keyboard style pad, usually it is the Qwerty. Aside from that, the smartphone has more memory and a larger screen for browsing the Internet and sending emails. As far as media goes, a smartphone is also a perfect way to watch movies, video, and listen to MP3s. Most smartphones are now also 3G phones.

3G Phones

3G cellular phones are basically third generation mobile technology phones that allow you to transmit data (Internet) in larger amounts at a much faster rate, 2 megabits to be exact. This is far faster than the original speeds previously available (19 kilobits per second). So if you have documents you need to send to your boss or associates, a large amount of email messages to send, need to surf the web for research, or need to send video or images often then this is the generation of phone you will be wanting to acquire.

While a 3G phone is a great technological advancement, a third generation phone is only going to be as good as the network it is on. As a matter of fact, some areas may not carry 3G services at all, so make sure to ask your dealer if your area can even take advantage of the data speeds.

Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all claim to carry the same data rates for their select 3G phones. The keyword spoken is "select". Make sure you understand which phones will actually be compatible with the 3G networks and what speeds your actual phone can handle as well. You will want to ask if your phone is compatible with either the EvDO or HSDPA networks, if not, then you may want to seek out another phone that is.

GSM Phones

While there is a wireless standard for the United States, many countries will use additional wireless standards that can cause many problems for any US citizen traveling abroad with their US bought phone. GSM stands for the Global System for Mobile communications. If you plan to travel outside of the United States then you will want to entertain the possibility of owning a Quadband phone. Quadband means your phone runs off of four world frequencies being USA (850 Mhz and 1900 Mhz), Europe, and Asia.

If you plan to travel to rural areas within your own backyard (United States) then look into purchasing a tri-mode phone which can run off of an analog channel and two digital frequencies for additional coverage in in those low coverage areas.

Phone Body Styles

It is becoming where no one person has the same style of phone these days. They have different names such as the candy bar (phones that slide open from either the side, top, or bottom), the swivel (phones that twist to expose the phone functions), and the ever so common clamshell (flip phone). A quick tip to remember when choosing your phone style is that if your phone comes equipped with the keypad exposed on the outside, make sure it has a key lock. You do not want to be calling everyone under the sun while walking with your phone in your pocket.

Style vs. Function

Regardless of the newest trend or fad, make sure the style you choose is one that works for you. Testing the comfort of the phone against your ear is not commonly practiced, but you will find quickly you will have wished you had tested it once your ear gets sore and raw from your various hour long conversations. Also practice answering the phone to see how easy it is for you to operate and see the caller ID, having an easily accessible phone can help reduce unnecessary last minute stress when finding your phone in the first place. Although smartphones will add some bulkiness for talking, their keyboards are necessary for ease of many functions such as typing and web browsing. You may have to sacrifice some talking comfort. If you can find a medium between function and comfort, you may have found your match.

Batteries

Newer phones can give you a lot of talk time compared to the cellular devices of the past. These days a phone can give you up to 4 hours of talk time and up to 14 days if used with a standby function. Remember, not all phones will have this lasting power but more and more are getting this power efficiency added to their battery life. It is important to remember though, that the higher the bandwidth your phone uses, the more battery life can be drained from your phone. Also remember that the more functions you use on your phone, the more battery life you can expect to use as well. Some phones have additional options such as larger capacity batteries for an additional charge, this may be an option you will need.

Phone Screens

Now if you plan to use your phone almost exclusively for phone calls then your screen shouldn't be too much an issue. As long as you can see outgoing and incoming calls, you should be okay. If you plan on utilizing a 3G or higher device a larger screen will be necessary to properly view the web, emails, etc. Make sure you are able to tweak with the back light settings of your phone before you buy it to check it's visibility under different lighting situations.

Touch Screens

While the concept of the touchscreen phone is relatively the same, not all touchscreens function the same. Some screens can register more than one touch activation at one time. This kind of screen is called a multi-touch. A multi-touch screen will let you manipulate an object while it is being touched such as swivel, twist, zoom, drag, etc. Single touch screens register one touch at a time with your finger and while it may seem less zesty, it can also help save you from accidentally doing more than you intended to. A good touchscreen phone should allow you to adjust sensitivity settings that work better with your own personal style, or should we say, personal touch.

Keypads

If you are purchasing a smartphone then you will be running into what is called a Qwerty keyboard. These keyboards have the alphabet on them as well as punctuations to help type out emails and texts more efficiently. Qwerty usually comes as an addition to the dialing pad. Aside from smartphone keypads, make sure your numeric dialing pad is just as easy to use. Smaller buttons can tend to get in the way of each other causing miss dials. If you must sacrifice your dial pad for convenience of size, make sure your phone comes equipped with voice activated dialing. Obviously this will help you make calls easier, not to mention help you comply with local cell phone laws.

Operating Systems

If you are purchasing a smartphone then you will want to understand a little about the operating systems available. Just like your computer has an operating system, so does your phone. Here are the current operating systems: Windows Mobile OS, Palm OS, Symbian OS, Mac OS, Google Android

Palm OS: Good Productivity Software and Easy Learning Curve

Microsoft OS: Microsoft Office and Great Phone Compatibility

Symbian OS: Good Productivity Software but LessUser Friendly

Mac OS: Optional Paid Download Applications

Google Android: Optional Download Applications

Common Cellular Phone Features

Mobile phones come with all types of internal management features such as phone book, calendar, speed dial, call history, voice activated dialing, photo albums, dial pad lock, and more. As well, many phones come equipped with hardwired features such as speaker phone, cameras, and even walkie talkie features. As you can imagine, there are many additional options that you may want or need so pay close attention to features available with the phone you would like to buy and make sure it is going to perform all the tasks you require .

Headsets

If you drive while using your phone or just prefer to not have your phone pressed up against your face throughout the day, a headset will be an accessory you will be wanting to have with yours. In many cases it will come with a headset, but if not you can pick up one for a fair price. Typical headsets are attached to a wire and in the case you don't want wires make sure you get a bluetooth equipped phone for wireless conversations. Most smartphones come bluetooth equipped.

Choosing Your Cell Phone Provider

While many wireless carriers will boast in their commercials of their network reliability, only usage will tell. Ask friends and co-workers which networks they use for their phones and if you still are not sure go with a carrier that gives you a 30 day trial basis. The major carriers with the most vast networks are Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, Nextel, and T-Mobile. It is suggested you go with one of these carriers for the best chance at getting reliable coverage.

Choosing Your Calling Plan

National calling plans are usually the best packaged deal, even if you use your phone locally. Always try to find a plan that offers free roaming, roaming charges can soar if you ever leave your network and many people don't even know when they have so controlling roaming costs can be difficult. If you travel outside the country, international roaming is a package add-on must.

Choosing Your Data Plan

If you plan on using your phone for email and the web then a data plan is something you will want either bundled or added on to your monthly bill. Accessing the Internet without such a plan can run into the hundreds when charged by the minute and at a higher price.

Choosing Your Minutes

Free nights and weekends may have you thinking you need less minutes, but be warned, each carrier has their own definition of what "night time" is. Make sure you know when your calls are free and what time their weekends start and end. Pick a minute plan that goes over what you think you'll use to spare yourself the bill of going over. Minutes go up in price once you max your limit. If the minute plans look to complex because of the amount of minutes, divide them by 60 to get the numerical equal in hours.

Your Contract

The best deals always come with the lengthier contract. 2-3 year contracts usually allow you to get the best calling plan as well as the best phones for less or free. While this may be the route you wish to go, remember that leaving earlier can be very costly when it comes to cancellation fees. If your phone is expensive, make sure to get a warranty and insurance plan for your phone so if anything happens to it, it can be replaced.

Replacing Your Home Phone?

If replacing your home phone then making sure your service will include E911 is going to be vital for obvious safety reasons. Ask your provider and inform them you are replacing you home phone.

(c) TopSavings.Net This article may not be reproduced or copied without the anchor text and hyperlinks working. This article MAY NOT be changed from it's original version without permission from the author. Thank you. Get an opportunity to buy cell phones online and save on calling plans when you visit us. We also offer various business and residential telecommunication products including VoIP, Internet, phone service, phone sales leads, and more.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.