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Welcome to Cellphone Tips
Hi, I'm Christina Chan, one of the hundreds of writers here at LifeTips.com. Enjoy these 250 Cellphone Tips! If you’re a business, why not hire the expert writers at LifeTips? And if you’re a writer, apply for freelance writing gigs.
Competition Over Extras in the No Contract Phone Game
No contract, no extras? No, don't think that! Carriers such as Tracfone and Liberty Wireless as well as the big wireless providers offer perks if you go contract-less. Everyone's happy except the lawyers.
A no contract cell phone carrier often includes extras with its prepaid service in order to be more competitive than the next no contract wireless phone carrier. For example, most no contract cell phone services include standard cell phone services: voice mail, caller ID, call waiting, 3-way calling, 411 connect, call conferencing, and nationwide long distance.
Extra tip: Some carriers even include unlimited night or weekend minutes, unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes, and bonus anytime minutes with each reload. Also, a few select carriers will allow their no contract cell phones to sign up for Roadside Assistance and phone warranty coverage.
Compare wireless plans on Wirefly.com or another cell phone shopping site--and if you don't see extras listed, ask for them.
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Verizon Wireless Tip: Saving Cell Phone Pictures Without Picture Messaging
Are you over your monthly limit for cell phone picture messaging? Do you just want to save the pictures you take with your cell phone camera without sending them over your phone or the Internet? Most cell phone providers sell USB cables and software allowing you to download your pictures directly from your phone to your computer. You can also buy external memory cards, card readers and other gear to attach to the phone to download those cell phone pics. This hardware will also help you save video messaging files in the same way. You don't have to send video or pictures with your picture messaging option. The one-time price of the extra hardware can save you money on your monthly cell phone charges and help you store the memories you capture with your cell phone camera.
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Coming to Your Cell Phone: Real Mobile TV
What's next for video cell phones? Mobile TV. We're talking real TV, with real channels and shows. Right now, the best current cell phone plans offer are video clips from current shows, like ESPN's "SportsCenter" or Comedy Central's "Daily Show." But Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson are all working on handsets that will be designed for viewing live video feeds on high-speed networks. This is already live Europe and Asia but within a year or two, anyone should be able to see not only their favorite TV shows, but new shows designed specifically for the cell phone, too.
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Verizon Wireless Tip: Can I Connect to Free Wi-Fi Services with My Mobile PC Card?
Mobile data plans often include the ability to use a Smartphone or other mobile PDA device as a modem for laptop computers. You can use Bluetooth-enabled laptops to connect to a Blackberry PDA, for example, and get online using the Blackberry's wireless Internet connection. Another option is to purchase mobile broadband PC cards for your laptop instead of connecting through a Smartphone or Pocket PC. It's important to remember that using a PC card requires you to activate the service through your cell phone provider. You can't simply purchase the PC card, plug it in to your laptop and connect to the Internet. Some new users of PC cards mistakenly believe they can connect to free wi-fi services using a PC card, but this technology is much different than wi-fi and requires you to establish a connection with a subscription-based mobile broadband Internet service before you can connect.
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Smile: Motorola Camera Phones
Smile! Some Motorola cell phones are available with built in cameras. While you can't say cheese for all Motorola cell phones, the Razr and upcoming Motorola phone models offer point-and-shoot built-in cameras.
Motorola may have an edge in slim design, but many users prefer camera and music phones such as Sony Ericsson. A search of Motorola phones can be done on online sites to find the specific phone desired and the carriers that offer it. Get the picture about your picture phone before you buy. Reviewers say that the pictures from Motorola camera phones are "not bad".
Some camera phones offer digital zoom of up to 4 times, flash, self-timers, and VGA resolution. Depending on the quality of pictures the user is looking for, some camera phones will have a better resolution than others--you may be better off investing in a digital camera.
If you're not a pro photographer, you can buy camera phones purchased with carrier service or through online sites. Ready for your close-up?
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Verizon Wireless Tip: Cell Phone Perks and Incentives
Some people wonder why they are required to sign a contract when choosing a cell phone voice plan. The cell phone company will tell you the contract insures a lower rate on your cell phone, but the real benefit to the customer is the perks included in current cell phone promotions. Anytime you are about to sign a new contract, be sure to ask the sales rep what the current cell phone promotions may be so you can take full advantage of any discounts or freebies. There may be free phones offered, free minutes, special discounted rates or other perks. Here's a secret: many cell phone companies save their best deals for online customers. Check your cell phone company's Internet promotions first before going into a store.
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100-song Limit for iTunes Phones
If you want a music cell phone that plays your iTunes downloads, you have one manufacturer to choose from: Motorola. And one network: Cingular. Motorola's ROKR and SLVR phones, available from Cingular, play iTunes downloads and sync with your computer's iTunes software. That's the good news. The bad news: Each phone is limited to a 100-song playlist. So while you're able to play some songs, you don't get to bring your whole collection with you.
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Verizon Wireless Tip: Understanding a Cell Phone Return Policy
You bought that great cell phone that you've heard all about and it's finally time to use it. Unfortunately, you realize that it doesn't fit your lifestyle (need email, but it doesn't have the capability?) or your hands aren't comfortable when dialing, so what can you do?
With most cell phone providers, you can return merchandise within a specified period of time. For instance, the Verizon return policy states that items can be returned within 30 days of purchase with the original receipt. However, return policies aren't typically black and white. It's very important that you understand a provider's return policy before you make a purchase. Verizon's return policy has strict guidelines about returning merchandise after the 30 day deadline. Be sure you understand what you are signing and if you have questions, ask your salesperson.
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Hello Moto: The Most Advanced Cell Phones?
The streamlined design might make you Moto, but are Motorola cell phones the best? Some Moto tips:
* Motorola wireless phones are said to withstand punishment, but the shiny new casings on the Razr Motorola mobile phone do tarnish. * The most advanced music phones come from Samsung and Sony. * Motorola has released new video phones that are said to be the ultimate. * Motorola phones are said to last for three years--most cell phones last for two.
As important as Motorola high-tech dazzle is the availability of Motorola wireless phones from wireless providers. All the major wireless providers offer Motorola phones, and they're a staple of Nextel. Now you can Moto with an informed decision.
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ESPN Offers Breakthrough
For serious sports fans, the ESPN phone is good news. Looking to move its worldwide leadership of sports content into the wireless world, ESPN has become a wireless provider on its own. So to get ESPN scores, videos and other content on your cell phone, you have to buy an ESPN phone and plan. And you have to be ready to pay a lot of money. The phone -- a Sanyo 9000 -- costs $499, a steep price even with a $100 rebate. And plans start at $34.95 and go up to $225 per month. So unless you are a well-heeled sports geek, you're better off waiting for the price to come down before you jump in.
