Thursday, June 26, 2008

LG Decoy (Verizon Wireless)

Reviewed by: Nicole Lee

As hands-free calling laws go into effect around the country, Bluetooth headsets are slowly becoming a must-have accessory for those who wish to continue chatting on the phone while on the road. Even now, Bluetooth headsets have reached a critical mass, with many people opting to wear headsets even when walking around the office. But if you're not the kind to wear your headset all the time, you might encounter a few problems. Headsets can be a hassle to find in a hurry, especially if you have to fish around in your bag to get at such a tiny device (which isn't such a good idea when driving). They're also easy to misplace, and most people don't remember to charge them until it's too late.

Well, LG has come up with an incredibly ingenious solution by building a Bluetooth headset directly into the phone. That's right; the LG Decoy is the first ever cell phone to have a built-in stowaway Bluetooth headset. It's conveniently docked in the back, and you can pop out the headset when you need it, and just snap it back in when you don't. As gimmicky as it may seem, we absolutely love this idea of having two devices in one. We did find the headset quality to be rather lacking, and the Decoy's surface is a little too reflective for my liking. In the end, however, if you want to get a cell phone and Bluetooth headset in one convenient package, the Decoy is definitely the device to get. It's currently available for $179.99 with a two-year service agreement and a $50 discount.

Design
At first glance, the Decoy looks like one of the glossiest phones we've ever seen. Indeed, its entire front surface positively gleams with a reflective mirror finish, right down to the navigation keys and the steel-tinged joystick toggle. Measuring 4.01 inches high by 1.97 inches wide by 0.67 inch thick, the Decoy is not a very compact phone, but it has a nice enough size to accommodate its large 2.2-inch display. It does weigh about 4.05 ounces, which makes it feel very solid in the hand. Though we can appreciate the glittery appeal of such a shiny surface, we found that it is very fingerprint prone, and that it's difficult to see the display especially on a bright and sunny day.



The LG Decoy has a very shiny reflective surface.

As we mentioned, the Decoy has a generous 2.2-inch 262,000 color display front and center on the phone. It's bright, vivid, and shows off the colorful menu interface very well. You can adjust the font size as well as the backlight time, but not the brightness or contrast. Thankfully, you're not subject to Verizon's clunky old menu interface--the Decoy offers tab, list, and grid menu interface options so you can arrange it how you like.

Underneath the display is the navigation array, which consists of two soft keys, a center joystick, a dedicated speakerphone key, and a Clear key. On standby mode, the center joystick also leads to three user-defined shortcuts (to the bottom, left, and top). If you toggle it to the right, it will lead you to a My Shortcuts folder, which can also be customized to your liking. Though we found the keys to be quite slippery, they had enough definition that they were still easy to find and press. We also found the joystick toggle to be very responsive. We could be quite gentle in pushing it around, as it is sensitive to even the slightest of gestures.

You slide open the phone by pushing the bottom lip of the front surface up. That will reveal the full alphanumeric keypad, as well as the Send, voice command, and End/Power keys at the very top. These topmost keys were the hardest to get to, since they're positioned right up against the bottom of the slider. Otherwise, we found the keypad to be very pleasant to use. Unlike most slider keypads which are flat, the Decoy has keys with curved textured bumps that we could easily find by feel. The volume rocker and charger jack is on the left spine, while the microSD card slot and dedicated camera key are on the right.



The LG Decoy has a built-in Bluetooth headset on its back, as well as a camera lens and a self-portrait mirror.

But the most important aspect of the Decoy lies on its back. When you turn the Decoy around, you will see a rectangular bump jutting out from the top part of the phone. This is actually a built-in Bluetooth headset, stowed away in a custom built dock. Press down on a tiny latch at the top, and the headset will pop out. The headset itself is incredibly slim and flat, measuring 1.6 inches long by 0.8 inch wide by 0.2 inch deep, and weighs less than an ounce. It has a multifunction button on the front, which also houses an LED indicator light, and the volume rocker sits on the right spine. On the back is a simple springy ear piece that actually fits quite comfortably in the ear, resting just outside the ear canal.

Pairing the Decoy with the headset couldn't be easier. When the headset is first removed, you will be automatically prompted to pair the headset by pressing down on the multifunction button for a few seconds. After that, you're connected and ready to go. From then on, whenever you remove the headset from the dock, you will automatically be in headset mode. And whenever you snap it back in the dock, headset mode will be turned off as well. If you like, the Decoy also comes with a plastic "cavity cover" to cover up the dock when you're using the headset. Even though you can charge both the headset and the phone simultaneously, there's also a separate headset charging dock if you want it.

We have to say we loved this idea. The built-in Bluetooth headset is certainly not the best Bluetooth headset we've seen--the volume rocker is really skinny, it feels a little chintzy and lightweight, and you don't get fancy noise-canceling technology. But the convenience factor simply can't be beaten. You no longer have to worry about losing your headset, and you don't have to worry about it having a low battery, since it simply charges with the phone.

Next to the Bluetooth headset dock is a camera lens as well as a self-portrait mirror.

Features
Aside from the built-in Bluetooth headset, the Decoy has plenty of features going for it as well. It has a generous 1,000-entry contacts list, with room in each entry for five numbers, two e-mail addresses, and notes. You can also save callers to groups, pair them with a photo for caller ID, or one of 23 polyphonic ringtones and alert sounds. Other essentials include a vibrate mode, a speakerphone (which can be activated prior to a call), text and multimedia messaging, a calculator, a tip calculator, a calendar, an alarm clock, a stopwatch, a world clock, and a notepad. More advanced users will appreciate voice commands, instant messaging (AIM, Windows, and Yahoo are supported), Web e-mail (only MSN, AOL, Yahoo, and Verizon), a mobile Web browser, and the capability to use the Decoy as a USB mass storage device. Another great add-on is VZ Navigator support, which provides turn-by-turn directions.

We also really like that the Decoy has plenty of Bluetooth profiles opened up. Not only does it have stereo Bluetooth support, but you can also use the Decoy as a Bluetooth modem. Other supported Bluetooth profiles include phone book access, object push for vCard and vCalendars, file transfer, the capability to send contacts and calendar events, and support for printing and sending pictures.

The Decoy also has EV-DO support, thus allowing it access to Verizon's full array of V Cast broadband services like V Cast streaming video and the V Cast Music store. The user interface and player controls are similar to that of other V Cast phones; the music player for instance displays album art and songs can be sorted by genre, artist, and album. Also, if you wish to buy a track from the online music store, each song costs about $1.99, and can be downloaded over the air to the phone as well as to your home PC. If you wish to upload your own songs, make sure they're in WMA, MP3, or unprotected AAC and AAC+ formats. Do note that the Decoy only has about 50 MB of internal storage, so you should consider investing in a microSD card for additional media storage. The Decoy supports up to 8GB microSD cards.




The LG Decoy took mediocre photos.


Also in the Decoy is a 2-megapixel camera and camcorder. You can take photos in four resolutions (1,600x1,200, 1,280x960, 640x480, and 320x240), five white balance settings, and five color effects. Other camera settings include a night mode, a self-timer, three shutter sounds plus a silent option, photometry, and brightness. After taking a picture, you can edit it a little with the built-in image editor that lets you zoom, rotate, and crop the image. Photo quality was pretty mediocre. You need to hold the phone perfectly still to avoid blurry shots, and colors looked rather overcast and unnatural. As for the camcorder, you can record video with sound in 320x240 or 176x144-pixel resolutions. Multimedia message clips are capped at 30 seconds, but you can otherwise shoot for as much as your memory card can hold. Video quality was predictably choppy, grainy, and pixelated, especially when there was a lot of movement.

You can personalize the Decoy with wallpaper, banners, sounds, and more. There's a variety of graphics and alert tones for you to choose from, plus you can always download more from Verizon via the Web browser. The Decoy does not come with any games, but you can download some via the Web browser as well.

The Bluetooth headset on the Decoy has its own set of functions as well. They include answering, ending, and rejecting calls, last number redial, voice command support, call waiting support, a low battery status indicator, plus the ability to transfer calls to and from the handset (as mentioned earlier). Another very nice bonus is the fact that this mono Bluetooth headset has A2DP support, meaning it can also be used to listen to streaming music. Though it's not the best music listening experience, it's handy when you don't have a stereo headset around.

Performance
We tested the Decoy in San Francisco using the Verizon Wireless service. We were impressed overall by the call quality. Callers heard us loud and clear, with very little static and echo in the distance. Similarly, we heard them just fine as well, though there was a slight hiss in the background at times. When the speakerphone was on, callers reported a slightly more muddled sound, and had trouble hearing us at times. This was dependent on how far we were from the phone--the closer we were to the microphone, the less distortion there was.

We also really liked the sound quality of the Bluetooth headset. No, there's no fancy noise-canceling technology here, so we don't recommend using it in a particularly noisy or crowded environment. But for quieter environments like the car or the office, the headset works just fine. In fact, aside from slightly more echo and static, callers couldn't hear much of a difference between handset and headset use.

We were also pleased with the EV-DO speeds. We managed to download a song in under a minute, and V Cast videos loaded without a lot of rebuffering. Streaming video quality is comparable to other V Cast phones, with blurry and pixelated videos, especially when there was a lot of movement. That said, it's good enough for a quick video clip when in a bus or train. As for sound quality, the speaker on the Decoy output decent sound, but as with most phone speakers, the music had a very tinny and hollow quality to it. We recommend headset use for the best sound quality.

The LG Decoy has a rated battery life of 3.83 hours talk time and 13.75 days standby time. The Bluetooth headset on the Decoy has a rated battery life of 2 hours talk time and 3.33 days standby time. According to FCC radiation tests, the LG Decoy has a digital SAR rating of 1.22 watts per kilogram.

Apple iPhone 3G (16GB, black)

By: Kent German
The 16GB Apple iPhone 3G

Almost one year after the original Apple iPhone went on sale, Apple CEO Steve Jobs has announced a 3G version of the device, finally putting to rest months of rumors and speculation. While some of the rumors panned out--the new handset will offer full GPS--other rumors, like the addition of a 32GB model, fizzled. But even with the long list of basic features that Apple still is denying us (hello, multimedia messaging?), the addition of 3G support is a big win. If data speeds hold up as Jobs demonstrated (more on that later), the new iPhone really will put the Internet in your pocket. We also approve of the new price: $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB version, a pleasing price for all but the poor souls who shelled out nearly $600 a year ago. The new iPhone will go on sale July 11.
DesignThough the iPhone 3G is thinner at the edges than its predecessor, the phone measures a hair thicker (0.48 inches versus 0.46 inches) in the gut. The other measurements are the same except that it weighs just the slightest bit less (4.7 ounces versus 4.8 ounces). Otherwise, the iPhone 3G shows few cosmetic changes from the front--same display size and resolution, and the single Home button sits just below the screen. We're very pleased to see that Apple has done away with the irritating recessed headphone jack, which now is flush so that you'll be able to use any 3.5mm headphones you like.
But turn over the iPhone 3G, and you'll see more significant changes. A black, plastic skin replaces the current silver-aluminum back. The swap may cut the cost, but we worry about its long-term durability. The 8GB model will come in black only, while Apple promises the 16GB version in black and white. The white model is a bit random--we were expecting something in red--but color is a personal choice. The camera lens, volume rocker, charger port, speaker, microphone, power button, and display locking switch show no changes. Our News.com colleague got a hands-on with the new device and reports that it feels similar in the hand to the current model, with the exception of the tapered edges.
3GWith support for three 3G bands (850, 1900, 2100) and both UMTS and HSDPA networks, the iPhone 3G is well positioned for using high-speed networks all around the world. Considering that Apple is promising to bring the device to 70 countries, it had better be. During his WWDC keynote, Jobs demonstrated Web download speeds between the two iPhones. On the original model, which runs on a 2.5G EDGE network, a photo-heavy Web site loaded in 59 seconds, while the same site loaded in 21 seconds on the new device--impressive, but we take it with a grain of salt for now. Real-world tests, particularly with a multitude of devices flooding the same network, will be more telling.
GPSThis is one feature that was on our original iPhone wish list. While the current iPhone location services find your position via nearby cell phone towers and satellites, the iPhone 3G uses Assisted GPS supplemented by satellites. It also offers live tracking so you can monitor your progress as you drive (or walk) along. We're excited to see this feature as well, as it fills in another gaping hole on the original handset. You'll also find photo geotagging, and third-party applications with turn-by-turn directions are in the works.
Third-party appsSpeaking of which, the iPhone 3G will indeed support the collection of apps available through the iPhone SDK--no surprise here. Apple promises to open an apps store in early July (Apple didn't release an exact date); we're guessing by July 11. Gaming apps should feature prominently; many will integrate with the phone's accelerometer.
Enterprise supportWorker bees will be pleased to know that the iPhone 3G will offer support for Microsoft Exchange Server. That will bring push e-mail, contacts and calendar, remote wipe, global contacts access, and auto-discovery. That's another welcome change as it puts the iPhone in the hands of a whole new class of corporate users who now will be able to get their work e-mail on the iPhone.
Battery lifeLast year Jobs said that Apple had not included 3G in the first iPhone because it would have made too many compromises with the handset's battery life. But now it appears that Apple has solved that problem. The iPhone 3G promises a solid 5 hours of 3G talk time, 10 hours of 2G talk time, 5 hours of 3G Internet time, 6 hours of Wi-Fi Internet time, 7 hours of video playback, 24 hours of audio playback, and 12.5 days standby time. The audio and video times are unchanged from the original iPhone.
What else?Since the latest iPhone will support the 2.0 software, additional new features will show up at launch and beyond, including contacts search, iWork document support, the capability to view PowerPoint attachments, bulk move and delete, a scientific calculator in landscape mode, parental controls, and support for 16 languages. You'll also be able to use a graffiti-style application for entering characters in Asian languages.
What's missing?Unfortunately, we hoped for an even larger bundle of features in this round. Apple still leaves multimedia messaging out of the mix along with voice dialing and video recording. We still don't understand why Apple can't include these basic features, many found in even the cheapest and simplest cell phones. We were also hoping for a landscape keyboard, the capability to cut and paste, Flash support for the Safari Web browser, expanded memory, and additional Bluetooth profiles. Apple, you left us hanging in a big way. It's also disappointing to hear that the dock is now sold separately for $49, but we suppose that helped cut the price. No, you don't need the dock, but it's nice to have. Even the power adapter and the SIM card removal tool that now come in the box won't make up for its loss.
Should you buy it?If you're an iPhone fence-sitter, now's the time. The addition of 3G and GPS, the affordable price tag, and extra features from the iPhone 2.0 software update make the iPhone 3G a worthy prospect. Unlike the previous iPhone, which we liked and recommended with reservations, we're much happier with what this new handset has to offer. iPhone 3G isn't perfect, but there's a lot to like here and we approach the device with much anticipation. We'll update this page with a full, rated review once we get our hands on the hardware.

Brand New Motorola K1 Cell Phone For Cingular, T-Mobile, AT&T Wireless

No phone plan subscription is required.

Brand New Motorola K1 is a Quad-band GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 cell phone. This phone is unlocked. It can be used in any GSM service provider using 850, 900, 1800 or 1900 frequency bands (eg. Works for Cingular, T-Mobile, AT&T wireless Service Provider).

Package Includes :
English User Guide.
Lithium Ion Battery.
Battery Door.
Travel charger.
Data Features :

Connectivity : bluetooth wireless technology
GPRS : GPRS Class 12 (2U/4D)
EDGE for high speed data exchange (EDGE is a service dependant feature) : EDGE Class 12
Bluetooth connectivity
Lifestyle Features :

Bluetooth Technology : Integrated Stereo bluetooth wireless technology connectivity for hands-free convenience
PIM functionality : with Picture Caller ID
Messaging Features :

OTA Provisioning
Voice memo : enhanced predictive text and enhanced voice recognition for easy, hands-free connectivity
Enhanced phonebook : with new contact fields: URL, IM, Postal Address, Birthday, and other information
Call Management Features :

In-built Hands-free Speaker Phone
Picture Phone Book : network depended feature
Picture caller ID : or ringer caller ID (network depended feature)
Personalisation / Fun Features :

MOTOSYNC
MicroSD slot : for optional upgradeable memory up to 2G
Video Download : progressive download
Push-To-View
Hi-quality imaging via 2MP digital camera : with 8x digital zoom, and image editing
Video Streaming : Audio/video streaming (3GPP)
Video : Premium video capabilities, video capture & playback MPEG4 (15 fps CIF). Record up to 25 minutes of video on embedded memory
Polyphonic Ringtones
Slim profile : ultra-slim form factor
Technical Specifications :

FOTA : Firmware over the Air
Bands : GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Dimensions (H x W x D) - CP : 1.65 x 4.05 x 0.63 inches; 42 x 103 x 16 mm
Weight : 103g
Volume : 63cc
Internal Display : 176 x 220, 1.9'' 262K colors TFT
External Display : 96 x 80, 1.0” 65K colors CSTN CLI
Form Factor : Clamshell

Shopping for iPhone Cases Online

By Charlie Reese


If you have an iPhone then you may be interested in iPhone cases. Not only do these handy cases give you somewhere to store your iPhone while it is not in use or while you are traveling around, but they are also very cute and decorative. There are many different websites online that you can go to if you want to buy iPhone cases, a few of the best which will be discussed in detail here.

iPhone-Cases.org

One of the leading retailers in iPhone cases is iPhone-Cases.org. They feature one of the largest and most varied selections of iPhone cases in the world, and some of the lowest prices which means that you can afford to get a couple.

They have iPhone eco shield cases, which are cases that completely surround the back and sides of the phone, ensuring its full protection. There are also clear cases, which are still just as protective but which allow you to see right through the case and to the phone.

Another option is the aluminum case for your iPhone, and really nothing says protection better than a metal case. It is sturdy and completely durable and will ensure that your iPhone will not get scratched, dented or dirty. If you want a bit of color, try their neon pink or blue cases, which add a splash of fun and lively up your iPhone.

eXpansys

This is another website that you will want to check out if you are shopping for iPhone cases. Just a few of the many cases they offer include the Piel Frama Apple iPhone leather case, Marware Sportsuit Sleeve for Apple iPhone, Marware SportGrip for Apple iPhone, and the Marware Sportgrip Backwinder for Apple iPhone.

There are many other retailers, both online and off, that you may want to check out as well for iPhone cases. Just make sure, if you do decide to shop online, that the site you are buying off of is safe and secured. It has to be privacy protected otherwise when you are giving out your personal information you cannot know for sure that it is safe.

Have fun with your cases, and use it as a cool way to decorate and spice up your iPhone. There are so many different colors, sizes, and styles to choose from, that you will really have an endless variety and really get to personalize your iPhone the way you want to which is what really matters

About the Author:
Charlie Reese likes learning more about iphones and computers. He also likes readings by phone psychics and getting psychic power tests on a routine basis.

The Best iPhone Headphones

By Chris Simpson


Whether you are a college student wanting to listen to music in the break between classes or a business professional who wants to streamline their hectic and busy life, the Apple iPhone can be a great asset to you. Whatever type of cell phone user you are the iPhone is a device that will be help you organize your life as well as entertain you in your time off. Like most people, however, you probably need to spend a lot of your time interacting with others.

One very popular use for the iPhone is to use it to watch a movie or listen to some music. Sometimes it may be more convenient to wear headphones so that you can listen to your music with privacy and not disturb other people. If you are considering getting a pair of headphones then it is important to know that your enjoyment of the music you listen to is very dependant on the pair of headphones you select.

A few years ago the choices available when selecting a pair of headphones was fairly limited. There were only a few different types available. Some people didn't even realize that they had such a wide selection even back then. As times have moved on so have headphones. Modern headphones have vibrating noise cancelling features that vibrate along with the music you listen to in order to filter out any background noise that might otherwise ruin your enjoyment. With such a vast array of headphones to choose from it can be very hard to decide which ones you should invest it.

A very impressive set of headphones for the Apple iPhone are the V-Moda Vibe Duo headphones. These really are about the best you can buy. They offer excellent sound clarity and have noise reduction capabilities like nothing else. They are also extremely comfortable to wear being made in the in-ear style an also look good too having an all metal minimalist design.

However, what makes this pair of headphones so great for the iPhone is the call/music control system that it obtains. Let's say that you are listening to your favorite song, and then your best friend decides to call you. When you are using these headphones, you will be able to switch between using the built-in microphone to talk with your friend, and then instantly switch back to listening to your favorite song. All this is done by a simple touch of a button.

These headphones really do produce amazing sound quality thanks to the integrated noise cancelling BLISS system that is built into them. Unlike a lot of noise cancelling headphones these do not require any batteries or other sources of power to work so you won't be getting annoyed with the batteries constantly running out when you need them the most.

BLISS gives you high sound quality and almost completely eliminates any background noise. The bass produced from these headphones is also something else. If you are a music lover and enjoy listening to your music played to you at a very high quality then you really should take a closer look at the V-Moda Vibe Duo headphones.

About the Author:
If you want cheap iPhone Accessories visit http://best-iphone-accessories.supashops.com where you can find everything you need.

IPhone Applications

By Charlie Reese


Amazing Apple iPhone Applications The Apple iPhone has opened the doors to so many different possibilities, namely, iPhone applications. While in the past we needed a variety of different tools such as a phone, a navigation system, a calculator, a game system, a music player, and so on, iPhone applications offers all of these in one! Categories of iPhone Applications The iPhone is a real winner. There are so many iPhone applications that can make a person's life so much easier. The application categories are: Calculate, Entertainment, Games, News, Productivity, Search Tools, Social Networking, Sports, Travel, Utilities, and weather. Calculate, Productivity, Search Tools, Utilities Calculate has iPhone applications that can help you to measure just about anything. There's one for mileage, compound interest, federal tax, simple savings calculator, converter, and many more. The iPhone Productivity applications offer services for everyday tasks. Some of the great productivity ones are: Quote Sheet, Receipts Tracker, To Do Lists, StockWatch, Attendance Countdown, Get all the Deals, and BudgetBuster Daily Expense Tracker. Then, there are the Utilities applications. These are tools like dictionaries and references that can be accessed right from the phone. For instance, there's Chem Dictionary, eBooks Explorer, and Weight Tracker. Entertainment, Games, News In Entertainment, you can find iPhone applications like Outalot which shows you where the nearest restaurants, bars, and movie theaters are located. They also offer a TV guide and GoLark Mobile, which finds the best local events. The iPhone Games applications offer a wide variety of games. There are games in all different categories like puzzle, strategy, action, roleplay, and so on. There's one called Speedway and you just race against other cars like you would on a regular game system. You can even really race against other people. The News iPhone applications are possibly the coolest ones. There's a Stitcher Radio where you can listen to all of the entertainment, politics, sports, music, gossip, and more, like you would on a regular radio. Plus, you can get latest headline alerts or find out what's going on in your specific area. Sports, Travel, Weather For sports lovers, the iPhone Sports application is golden. For one, they offer Live Stats Tracker which is amazing if you are on the go but want to keep up with games that are going on. They even have an application called Get all the Sports! and it gives top headlines from the best sports sources like ESPN, Fox Sports, and Sports Illustrated. Travel applications are designed for busy people on the go. There's one called iTraffix US and it breaks down the traffic by the minute from cities all over America. It also has a language translator in case you're traveling in another country. There's also one called Get all the Travel! that gives the latest travel news and deals. The weather iPhone application is remarkable. Weather Made Simple is an application that gives the current weather conditions and a 10-day forecast. Other applications allow you to check the weather for anywhere in the world so if you're going on vacation you know what to expect. Applications in a Nutshell The iPhone makes it so that you don't need any other gadgets. The iPhone offers every type of service that someone needs within its applications. It is understandable why the iPhone is so popular.

About the Author:
Charlie Reese likes getting absolutely free psychic readings and to test psychic ability on a daily basis.

A Better World With Nokia N76 Cellular Phone

By Alice Sy


Nokia has been one of the most reliable and famous brands in the communication genre, specifically in the mobile phone industry. It has been a mainstay in providing revolutionary cell phone technology, and as such it has made the world a smaller place. Nokia has enabled individuals to connect no matter wherever they are in the world and how far they are from each other. Nokia has time and time again provided the world with ground-breaking mobile technology. This time, the company unveils the new Nokia N76 Cellular Phone, an addition to the company's N-series.

On Jan. 8, 2007, Nokia launched another device of the Nseries family - the Nokia N76 cellular phone. It has brought the series to a sleeker body and better service. With this new multimedia device, technology and design are eventually fused together. With N76's first class materials, the new model has indeed, caught the eyes of the world.

The love for music is not compromised with the Nokia N76 cellular phone. It has dedicated quick key covers that allow users to easy access and quick control of the mobile phone's music device and feature. What's more is that it can hold 1500 music tracks. You will never tire of listening to the same music over and over again.

N76's 2.4 inches and the landscape mode containing 16 million colors allow you to surf the net right at your very hand. With N76's mobile search services, you can look for any services and places you want, at the click of your hands.

Music fans will be delighted by the features of the Nokia N76 Cellular Phone. This phone has dedicated music buttons to give access to its music features in an instant.

Now, music fans can turn the music on with just one touch and not through a series of commands via menu like other phones. It has powerful speakers which give out loud and clear audio quality.

The Nokia N76 has a gorgeous 2.4-inch TFT LCD screen capable of displaying 16 million colors for exceptional picture quality. Now consumers can view photos and watch videos in lifelike quality of the ultimate visual experience.

Make your phone personal and suited to your style by accessing the download options. With the Download! Application you have access to what's new in services and software to update your Nokia N76 cellular phone and give it your own personal flare.

About the Author:
About The Author :Alice Sy is a cell phone enthusiast. Visit her website which specializes in Nokia cell phone battery and browse useful tips all about cell phones. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory

Cell Phone Model Tips

By Henry Matthias


Today's cell phone users are constantly bombarded with new models; more often than not, buyers just do not know which model to choose. So you won't get caught in a 'decision trap', become educated before you make your next phone purchase; some interesting buying facts are supplied in this article.

Every user will occasionally experience the race against battery life as they try to use up every ounce of power there is before recharging. Unfortunately, this can cause many problems with your cell phone battery and could shorten the life of your battery between charges to the point where you're charging more than you're talking!

The back light is the second biggest power drain of any cell phone battery but this can be either turned off or use the auto back light off function if your phone is supplied with one. When the phone is operational, it is constantly searching for a signal which is ok when there is good signal strength but if this is lost, it still tries to find a signal using more power and draining the cell phone battery in the process; the same way that long conversations do. When ever you use your cell phone; talking, playing games, listening to music, taking picture with the flash or surfing the Internet, it will drain the battery faster so limit these activities otherwise you may not be able to make that urgent call you need.

Don't forget that nothing is free and although you may have been allowed to download a few new wallpapers and ring tones when you bought your phone, if you do not cancel this, they will continue to send them to you at regular intervals and charge you accordingly. As far as children are concerned, parents should look for a facility where they can disable this feature or ensure that only the parent can order them.

When buying a cell phone with a one or two year contract or pay-per use agreement, be sure to read the fine print and consider how many minutes you plan to use each month. Only you will know how often you make calls and how long they are on average but the pay-per use agreement is probably not going to be the most cost effective if you are someone who uses the phone a great deal. Consider the features you want, as long-term plans often have more features for less money or even as a bonus, at no charge; so ask if all your features, such as caller ID, will work when roaming.

If you travel as part of your work then ensure that roaming charges are part of the contract you decide on and be careful of those hidden costs that are only noticed after you have signed the agreement. Many contracts come with an insurance warranty for the phone because it is easy to loose or damage a phone that is carried with you everywhere. You will have the assurance that it is replaced should anything untoward happen.

If you decide to buy your cell phone on the Internet, make sure it is not an old or outgoing model unless you do not mind of course; otherwise you may find it doesn't have all the features you want included.

About the Author:
Before you buy anything online, make sure you check Henry Matthias excellent free report on reverse cell phone lookup, and cell phone model You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here.

iPhone Bluetooth Accessories Add To Iphones appeal

By Paul J James


When you look at buying an iPhone it is very easy to come to the conclusion that it well ahead of other type of phones in terms of looks and use. Also, it easy to say that it in fact is in a class of its own and accessories like iPhone Bluetooth would only make it more appealing.

The Options

The good news is that there are indeed several options to choose from including the excellent VXI BlueParrott B100 Wireless Headset.

Its features include:

- Range up to 75 feet from the base - Professional noise canceling microphone

- Headset controls include Volume, On/Off, Call Answer,

- 128-bit digital encryption provides air-tight security

- Compatible with Bluetooth technology cellular phones

- Allows for call waiting and three way-calling

- Talk time: up to 6 hours without recharging

- Standby time: up to 100 hours

Plantronics Voyager 510 Wireless Headset

Main Features:

- Lightweight design for all-day wearing comfort

- Noise-Canceling microphone for clearer conversations

- WindSmart provides wind-noise reduction technology for optimal sound clarity

- Versatile headset for multiple Bluetooth devices

- Headset folds for easy storage

- One-touch call control buttons And To quote laptop magazine:

" Most Bluetooth headsets manage to defeat the purpose of going wireless. Either they're too painful to wear for extended periods of time or they run out of juice halfway through your workday. The Voyager 510 is different. In addition to offering a whopping six hours of talk time, it's the most comfortable wireless headset we've ever tested"

In fact, this iPhone Bluetooth will automatically detect the device being used and thus has greater usefulness.

etyBlu Bluetooth Headset

It features two microphones - one located internally at the end of the earpiece and one at located in boom. Features include noise cancellation.

The boom microphone and an in-ear noise isolating earphone work together to provide clear, high quality sound at both ends of the conversation.

The etyBlu noise canceling boom microphone can be quickly plugged in when required for noisy environments. When the boom is unplugged, the internal microphone automatically takes over.

Talk time is up to 7 hours and standby time is up to 100 hours.

With this iPhone Bluetooth accessory you can talk and also listen to music at the same time and with much more accuracy that was possible with other iPhone headsets.

In fact, there is also Apple's own iPhone Bluetooth headset that allows you to answer iPhone calls without the need of any wires and the compactness as well as light weight of this iPhone Bluetooth accessory makes it a very useful addition.

The longer talk and stand buy times are made possible by the lithium-ion batteries that are in-built and which are also rechargeable via USB. In addition, you get the iPhone Dual Dock as well as iPhone Bluetooth Travel Cable with the package.

More and more Iphone bluetooth accessories will became available as more people come to use this fantastic easy to use tool. Or maybe that should be big boys toy?

About the Author:
http://www.JustAppleiPhone.com/ is a site dedicated to all things iPhone including iPhone Bluetooth Accessories help. All the iPhone models at lowest prices available

Pros Cons of Free Cell Phones

By FreeCellPhoneGuy


Finding a free cell phone is easy but finding the right cell phone is not. If you are looking for a free cell phone or a replacement cell phone then you are in the right place. Compare the best cell phone deals and cheap cell phone plans right online. When you have found a phone with the features you need then search for the carrier who offers the best coverage and reception services in your area. Comparison shopping for cell phones has never been this easy.

The hottest new cell phones include the Apple iPhone, Palm, Razr and Smartphone PDAs like the Treo and Blackberry. These cell phones include tons of new features unheard of only a few years ago like built in cameras, video recorders and players, voice recorders, MP3 players, walkie talkie instant connection, pagers, SMS text messaging and high speed Internet access.

When choosing a new cell phone or pre-owned cell phone, it is important that your cell phone has the features that are right for you. There are many styles of cell phones including basic flip and bar style cell phones, smartphones and PDAs, camera and video phones, GPS, and MP3 phones. Choosing the right cell phone brand is also important and the most popular include Audiovox, Hitachi, RIM, Apple, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Palm, Firefly, Panasonic, LG, Sanyo, Samsung and Kyocera. Many free cell phone offers include free shipping but calling plans that include free long distance, free roaming, free night and weekends minutes will probably save you more money over the life of your contract. Other standard calling features that are usually free include voice mail, caller ID, 3 way cenferencing and call waiting.

Naturally, "free" cell phones aren't really free and you'll end up paying for the cell phone over the lifetime of your cellular contract. Even so, free cell phones can save you a lot of money and let you start cell phone service for little or no money down. Most of these free cell phone offers are found online as online agents have less overhead to support then regular brick and mortar stores. Shopping for a free cell phone online can save you a lot of money but you will have to wait a few days before you get your cell phone. The calling plans offered by every cell phone retailer are exactly the same but sometimes there are additional plan features that only one type of dealer can offer so it pays to shop around before deciding on where you buy your cell phone and not just taking the first offer you see.

Not all cell phone providers use the same cellular technology and there are pros and cons for each network. Analog networks will work with older, but in some cases more reliable, basic phones while the newer digital networks allow you to use all the latest bells and whistles even if you never use them. The coverage area of the different networks will also vary with the more advanced digital networks usually found in more populated areas. This also means that you won't be able to roam in a network that has different technology than your handset. However, no matter what cell phone network you choose to use, there is always going to be a low cost or free cell phone offer that will work for you. Many of these free cell phone offers even include no credit card or no credit check applications and come with free accessory kits that include everything you need to use you cell phone. Many times these accessory kits will include just a basic wall charger but other times may include car chargers, headsets and leather cases. These accessory kits can be huge money saver for you considering that you would probably just end up buying them anyway.

GSM: Short for Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM is the most widespread standard for cell phones networks in the world. If you're a jetsetter who likes keeping in touch during your far-flung travels, you should go with a GSM-enabled phone, and here in the U.S., AT&T and T-Mobile are both GSM carriers. CDMA: Short for Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA originally came from the military and all calls are actually scrambled with 64-bit encryption. Verizon, Sprint and AllTell use CDMA here in the US and these networks include the high speed digital access that many premium customers desire. As these networks use different technolgies, phones from one network will not work on a different network and this could be a problem for people who travel frequently.

Prepaid plans for cell phones, also known as "pay as you go" plans, allow you to buy your minutes as you use them. With a prepaid cell phone you have control over how much you spend each month, without having to worry about getting hit with overage charges from your cell phone company. Prepaid phones and plans are also great for those without enough good credit to qualify for a wireless contract -- or individuals who just don't need all the minutes offered by a standard cell phone plan. However, there are also drawbacks to using a pre-paid plans. The minutes are much more expensive than they are with regular monthly plans for one thing. Another problem is that the minutes are only good for a specific period of time and usually expire after 60-90 days. But if your credit is less than perfect, a pre-paid phone may be just the answer for you especially if you can't afford to pay the hefty deposit that the regular monthly service will probably require.

See a hot new cell phone that you just have to get? Want to add another line of service? If you have completed your original service contract then it may be time to contact your carrier and see what kind of deals they'll make on a new cell phone or contract. And if another carrier has a better deal, make sure that you let your service provider know about it. If they don't match the offer, then ask to speak with a supervisor and threaten to leave. It's costs the cell phone companies upwards of $150 to secure a new customer so the last thing they want to do is lose you to a competitor. In the cell phone industry this is known as "customer churn" and the cell phone carriers will do almost most anything to prevent this.

About the Author:
Since 1999, FreeCellPhoneGuy.com is your online source for free cell phones and the best free cell phone deals from all national carriers.