How to Assess Cell Phone Features
By: Gabriel Goldberg Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2005-03-18 00:00:00-05:00
It is obvious that cell phones are not just simple voice communication devices anymore. They have evolved into devices that can do much more than just place telephone call. The problem is that most of these additional technologies are in their infancy. They are difficult, sometimes almost impossible to utilize. Often they are useless for the average consumer. Do you really want to watch television on your cell phone? Is trying to surf the Web or send and receive e-mail on a tiny screen actually beneficial? Cell phones are loaded with features, but which do you really need?
There is no doubt that some cutting edge teeny-boppers are enjoying watching television on their cell phones right now. Viewing technologies will have to improve dramatically before cell phone television becomes main stream. Yet, there are some useful technologies that are being incorporated into cell phones today. So let's take a quick look at some of the more helpful cell phone options. One of the hottest cell phone technologies is the camera phone. Many people carry their cell phones with them constantly so the idea of having a camera all the time is very appealing. The other day my husband and I were shopping with our four year old grandson when we happened upon Spiderman who was giving out autographs and posing for pictures with the children. The only problem was that we didn't have a camera with us. So our grandson posed proudly with Spiderman and my husband quickly snapped the photo on his camera phone.
That was about three weeks ago, and the Spiderman picture is still in the cell phone as we haven't had time to download it to the computer. It is often difficult to get the photos out of the phones and when you do, the quality is disappointing because most of today's cell phones take only low resolution blurry pictures. Yet, I really felt good that we were able to snap that photo. So I understand why cell phone cameras are so popular.
Cell phone cameras are also useful for quick documentation. A friend of mine shot a picture of a sick tree to take to the garden store. You can also easily take a picture and send it to another cell phone. For instance, I recently snapped a picture of the connector on a piece of video equipment and sent it to the clerk at Radio Shack for his opinion on what type of adapter I needed.
Since cameras in cell phone have become so popular you will quickly see more applications for these cameras, and they will become better and easier to use. Motorola, Sony, and Nokia have all announced cell phone cameras with much better resolution than those currently available. Kodak recently showed off a prototype dock for its EasyShare printers that will allow you to print the pictures from your cell phone with the touch of a button. Sony Ericsson has announced a phone with a 3-megapixel digital camera, a special photo light, and an 8x zoom lens. Samsung will be soon be manufacturing a cell phone with a 3 GB hard drive which will open a world of new possibilities for photos.
Other common cell phone features may also be interesting to you. Most cell phones have games that you can play, built-in address books, and calculators. Some cell phones can also store and play audio files. If you like to listen to music while you are on the go, this may be a viable option for you. Some cell phones can take video clips as well as pictures. If you enjoy listening to FM radio, look for a cell phone that can handle radio transmissions.
Many of today's cell phones can also handle SMS (Short Message Service). This is a service for sending short text messages over the mobile phone system. SMS is so popular with the younger crowd that they have created a whole new shortcut SMS language. For instance, CUL8R is short for "see you later" and PRW means "people/parents are watching." Most cellular providers charge an extra fee for SMS, so only sign up for that service if you know you will use it.
Another useful cell phone feature is wireless Bluetooth technology. If you purchase a cell phone that supports this technology it allows the information and conversations on your cell phone to be transmitted wirelessly to another-enabled Bluetooth device. For instance, with my Bluetooth cell phone I can leave the phone in my pocket and wear a Bluetooth-enabled headset to carry on a conversation without having to contend with any wires. I also have a Bluetooth speaker in my car, so I can answer and converse on the phone without taking my hands off the wheel. If you feel either of these would be beneficial to you, you may want to consider getting a Bluetooth cell phone.
Most cell phones today come with a variety of ring tones, so you can choose the sounds or melodies that your phone uses to alert you of an incoming call. If your phone supports polyphonic ringtones you will be able to choose different songs and melodies. Your phone will come with some to choose from. Others can be downloaded for a slight cost from the Internet. If you are interested in different ringtones, the best place to start is to visit the Web site of your cell phone provider for instructions. It seems that the entire world has gone crazy over cell phones. With the popularity of cell phones, new technologies are sure to be constantly introduced. Music, pictures, radio, television, Internet - new cell phone technologies are being constantly introduced. Some of these new features will be trashed in the future. Others, like the camera phone, will be come wildly popular and will improve. In any case you can be sure that the phones that will be available a year from now will have new and better features. So it may be best to buy a simple inexpensive phone today. Then keep an eye on the new and improved technologies and when one comes along that you find truly useful, you can easily upgrade your phone.
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