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Choosing a Cell Phone Tips
What Cell Phones are Good for Music and Movies?
Looking for a cell phone that can play your MP3s and downloaded media files? Good cell phone review sites rate cell phones not just according to their telephone features, but also according to how they live up to the hype connected to music and movie playback.
Many cell phones claim to be great for multimedia, but not so many have the storage to live up to those claims. How to choose a cell phone that gives you what you need? Check out cell phone review sites at places like Blogspot.com for cell phone ratings on media storage capacity, accessories you'll need such as a one-gigabyte flash card for camera phone picture storage and MP3s.
You should also invest in a USB cable or a card reader for quick and easy transfer from LG cell phones (or your preferred brand) to more permanent storage on your computer's hard drive.
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Verizon Wireless Tip: How Do I Choose a Cell Phone?
If you have trouble deciding between cell phones, there are a few ways to simplify the process. The three major issues that affect your cell phone experience are reliable connections, the sturdiness of the phone and battery life. Remember this list of hints when shopping for a new phone:
1. You can get more reliable connections from a cell phone equipped with an external antenna.
2. Not all cell phone/battery combinations are alike. Ask your vendor to show you cell phones with longer battery life.
3. Compare two or three models in the store, then check them with a cell phone review website, such as Consumer Reports. You will learn a great deal about how the phones hold up in noisy environments, or in areas with weak reception.
4. Ask the salesperson what phone he or she personally uses. This may tell you a lot, as the staff will be very picky about phone choices with all that "insider knowledge."
5. Don't be shy about testing the phone in the store. It never hurts to ask, and if you are refused, that could be a very good sign to move on to a new cell phone store. It's called "customer service" for a reason!
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Are Waterproof Cell Phones Really Waterproof?
Many cell phone makers offer waterproof phones. In 2005, LG Telecom made headlines with the canU 502S waterproof cell phone. This LG cell phone is a good example of how a waterproof cell phone should be built. It has rubber seals in the vulnerable parts of the cell phone's construction, including the speaker and camera sections.
The waterproof LG cell phone isn't completely watertight, though. This particular model's specs claim it can survive a half an hour under water, but the manufacturers won't promise anything beyond that 30 minutes. A truly waterproof cell phone may exist somewhere, but always read the owner's manual carefully. You may discover that while your waterproof phone is impervious to most of the splashing or dunking hazards you encounter, there is probably a limit to what (or how long) the phone can endure.
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Verizon Wireless Tip: What Is A Rugged Cell Phone?
Rugged cell phones are built to withstand water, impact and dust. If you work in construction, are a military member, or have any other occupation that is hard on mobile technology, a rugged cell phones are a very good choice. Some phone owners learn the hard way that they need to upgrade to a more durable phone, but fortunately many cell phone companies offer upgrade plans to help get customers into a rugged or waterproof cell phone. If you are considering an upgrade to a rugged phone, ask yourself a few important questions:
1. Is your cell phone contract up for renewal? You may be eligible for a free or discounted upgrade to a rugged phone.
2. If you recently purchased a cell phone and are reconsidering because rugged cell phones fit your lifestyle better, you may be able to exchange the original phone if you are still in the "return period." This is usually soon after your purchase where you can take the phone back, no questions asked.
3. Did you know you may be eligible for an employee discount? Many companies have arrangements with cell phone providers that could work to your advantage. Upgrading to a rugged cell phone might be easier on your bank account than you thought.
4. If you are changing cell phone providers at the same time, you could qualify for additional discounts, introductory free service or other benefits. Changing calling plans could also help you with the cost of a rugged cell phone. Ask the sales rep what your options are and how you can work the best deal for a new cell phone.
Some people assume that rugged cell phones aren't equipped with the same features as ordinary phones, but they are now available with GPS and video capability. Ask your dealer for a side-by-side comparison of features.
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Choosing A Phone Online
Cell phones are instant gratification purchases. You buy the cell phone, sign up for the wireless plan of your choice, and walk out of the store able to use most or all features of your new phone right away. But what happens when you buy a cell phone online?
For most customers using major cell phone service web sites, there are options for next-day delivery depending on the vendor. The caveat here is that unless you sign up for a plan or enter your current subscriber information, the phone will not be "call ready". If you are an existing subscriber, log in to your account before purchasing to pick your options for activating service on the new cell phone.
If you are a new customer, be sure to choose a calling plan and sign up for service at the same time you purchase the new cell phone. You may be eligible for discounts, reduced rate cell phone plans, or other perks because of your new account status. If you aren't comfortable buying a product without being able to hold it in your hand, it's best to browse an online cell phone catalog, then use a Verizon store locator or other supplier and buy the phone in person.
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Verizon Wireless Tip: Looking For an Easy-To-Use Cell Phone?
Easy-to-use cell phones aren't impossible to find, but if you have more questions than answers, it's always good to consult cell phone rating sites. The best cell phone models for those who love simplicity should include a keypad that is large enough to dial comfortably with volume buttons that can be used independently of other features. For instance, LG cell phones have received positive reviews about their ease of use. There are a variety of different LG models, ranging from the Chocolate to the LG enV VX9900.
Some cell phone models include the volume controls on the sides of the phone, but if that model also has an "end-call" button near the volume controls, you could find yourself hanging up instead of adjusting the audio levels. One of the most important (and overlooked) features of an easy-to-use cell phone is the width of the phone.Can you dial easily with one hand? If the phone is too wide for your hand, you won't be able to dial unless you have both hands free. If the model is too small for your hand, you may wind up fumbling with the phone more often than dialing properly. Always check to see if the cell phone is a good match for your hand before buying.
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What is the Best Cell Phone for Rural Areas?
When you're comparing cell phones, consider the quality of reception in your living area. Are you in a rural area with good reception? Do you live far away from a cell tower and have problems keeping a signal? If you have frequent dropped calls, consider a cell phone with an external antenna for your next purchase.
Cell phones with smaller internal antennas work fine when the signal is good, but the best cell phone for poor reception ares is one with the external antenna. The bottom line is simple science. The larger the antenna, the better the reception.
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Verizon Wireless Tip: Choosing the Right Phone
When choosing a cell phone, it's good to have a few key questions answered before looking up a store on the Verizon store locator and heading in to make the purchase. Although you want to do some research to find the best Verizon store near you, you also want to spend time assessing cell phone options. Sometimes buying the right LG cell phone or other brand phone depends on the answers to the following questions:
1. Do you need this phone for business? If the answer is yes, you should choose a phone that has "analog roaming" capability to let you stay connected no matter where you are in the United States. Analog roaming charges are expensive, but paying a one-time cost is better than losing touch with your business partners or customers.
2. Do you have a large number of phone numbers to keep track of? Check your current list of contacts and make sure your new cell phone has at least that number, plus fifty to one hundred more spaces for all the new numbers you'll need to add over the coming year.
3. Are you happy with the features on your old cell phone? Or do you need something more? Choosing the right cell phone should be much easier when you walk into the store knowing you want to add a particular feature such as email, customizable ringtones and Internet access.
If the cell phones you are considering for purchase are the most advanced models on the market, chances are you won't find yourself being left behind with next year's technology innovations. Beware of buying a used or older model phone because technological advances can make them obsolete. Ask your vendor if the phone you want to buy might be in danger of becoming obsolete before the typical two-year lifespan of the phone is over.
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What is a Rugged Cell Phone Made of?
Many people wonder what makes rugged phones so different than their "ordinary" counterparts. Cell phone makers don't explain much when it comes to construction, but they are very proud of the stress testing done to rugged cell phones. One model by Verizon was stress tested in the equivalent of two inches of rainfall an hour in a high winds, dunked in a meter of water, and endured nearly 100 percent humidity.
Rugged phones are built to withstand these conditions, plus falls and extreme heat. Because of that endurance cell phone reviews say the phones are perfect for military members, extreme sports enthusiasts and construction workers.
One common mistake newcomers to rugged phones make? Ignoring those optional cell phone insurance plans. People who think purchasing the rugged phone is insurance enough should think about the other dangers in the environments they work and play in. Can any cell phone withstand being dropped from the side of a construction project, ski slope or cliff? There are too many scenarios to name. If you need a rugged cell phone, anticipate the extremes and prepare for the worst.
