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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.