Saturday, April 26, 2008

Little Known Phone Sticker Squeals On Water Damage And Voids Warranty

If you take a look inside the case of your cell phone, you should see a round white sticker placed somewhere on the device.


What is it? This is called a water damage sticker and if your phone is exposed to moisture that makes its way inside the phone, this can be used to completely void your warranty, no matter the reason your phone may stop working.


It does not seem to take much, either; a simple drop of water placed onto this sticker is enough to change its color and void the warranty on your cell phone. For honest consumers who accidentally get a small bit of water on their phone and then 5 or 6 months later, suddenly notice that the phone is having problems, knowing about this sticker is quite useful.


What exactly can you do to stop this little devil from voiding the warranty on your phone should is accidentally get a little damp? The best thing that you can do is to take a piece of satin finished scotch tape and put it over the sticker to keep the color from changing if it gets wet.


If you drop your phone into the toilet or the bathtub, this probably isn’t going to be that effective, but if you are just worried about general moisture problems or an accidental quick spill of something on the phone, this should work just fine.


If your phone stops working for some other reason, remove the tape and take it back to the manufacturer for repairs or a replacement.


It is was not exactly a bad idea for these stickers to be put on the inside of phones, though; a lot of phones get returned that are supposedly not water damaged, but are.


At the same time, though, it is bad for the consumer because having such a sticker can completely void the warranty regardless of whether the liquid was the reason the phone stopped working or not. The phone could have just been a defective model and it would make no difference.


Hopefully people will use the information presented here honestly and not try to defraud the phone company into giving them a new item after their phone was irreparably damaged by having a hot cup of coffee spilled onto it or something like that.


For honest consumers just having a bit of bad luck, it is great to know these kinds of things about our electronics just in case. Unfortunately, there are those that will attempt to misuse this information.

Cell Phones - The Modern Cell Phone

Cell phones have in recent history become as much of us as our car or our wallets and purses. Have you ever left your cell phone at home and for the whole day felt almost empty, like something was missing? Not only that but how helpless did you feel not being able to contact the people you needed to talk too?


The Modern Cell Phone


Do you remember a time when the only functions a cell phone had was to either tell the time or make a phone call? Today the modern cell phone is made up of several different functions that could rival most computers 5 years back.


When digital cameras first came out with 2.1 mega pixels we were amazed at how easy it was to take ‘high-quality’ photos. Now every cell phone today comes with a digital camera of this same quality. Not only that, but video cameras have also become the norm in any newly released cell phone.


Now you don’t have to carry around a camera with you. Taking a photo is as easy as pulling your phone out of your pocket and pushing a button. Not only that but most phones today allow access of memory cards, allowing you to store up to 2 gigabytes of storage. That’s enough to take 1000 high quality digital photos!


A Musical Cell Phone


Portable music players have become big business recently, especially with Apple’s creation, the iPod. This market has since then moved into the cell phone industry where if a phone doesn’t come with a new cool way of playing music, no one is going to buy it!


Apple have recently released it’s version, the iPhone which is set to become one of the most popular phones ever to be released onto the market. This phone doesn’t look like it was designed to be a phone at all with it’s sleek exterior, it mimics the iPod making it a very popular choice for young people.


Yes the capabilities of storing, playing and even downloading music is a must in the cell phone industry if a company wishes to make any sales.


What’s Next?


It’s hard to imagine that in just the short amount of time cell phones have been on the planet, they have come so far. What will they have in store for us in another 10 years? Will there even be the need for a cell phone? Perhaps all we’ll need is a chip inserted in our head that will allow us to make calls and listen to music just by using ‘mind power’!


Seems a little crazy doesn’t it? Buy why not? Who’s to say what the modern cell phone is going to be like in another 10, 20 or 50 years time. Whatever we’re in store for, I’m certain there’s going to be a lot of fun involved in using one!

Tips For Finding The Smart Phone That Is Best For You

Smart phones are advanced types of mobile phones that are capable of performing many of the same functions as personal computers. For example, many smart phones are capable of taking photos or of supporting e-mail programs. Many can also function as a personal organizer, helping the consumer combine a number of electronic gadgets in to one simple, easy to use device.


Special Features Offered by Smart Phones


Not all smart phones are made the same. As such, they do not all offer the same features. Some features commonly found in smart phones, however, include touch screens, tethered modem capabilities, operating systems, full e-mail support, scheduling software, built-in cameras, Internet access, accelerometers, contact management, and navigation software. Some smart phones are even capable of reading documents in various formats, including Microsoft Office and PDF files.


Selecting the Smart Phone that is Right for You


One of the most important features to look for in a smart phone, which also helps to differentiate a smart phone from a regular phone, is the ability to install enhanced connectivity and data processing to the phone. These applications may include adding a touch screen, mini-keyboard, or security features. By having the ability to install new items to your smart phone, you can add on extra features as needed.


Even with the ability to add new devices to your smart phone, it is generally best to find one that already comes with the features you currently want in a phone. Therefore, you should make a list of the features you want and then narrow your choices down from here.


In addition to the features of the phone, you also need to consider the size and weight of the phone. While most smart phones are fairly lightweight, you may find certain phones to be too bulky or cumbersome. Make sure you are comfortable holding the phone and that you are capable of communicating properly.


You also need to consider the operating system used by the smart phone. The most common operating systems found in smart phones are:


Symbian OS

Linux

Windows Mobile

RIM Blackberry

Palm OS


While Symbian OS currently has the largest market in the world, with nearly 73% if smart phones using this system, it is not widely used in the United States. Windows Mobile and RIM Blackberry are more commonly used in the United States and, therefore, may be the better option for most United States consumers.


Smart phone add an extra level of convenience to consumer’s lives. In order to make sure you get the most out of your smart phone, however, it is important that you take the time to determine the features you want the most and to find the phone that best suits your needs.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Photography And The Cell Phone

Nearly every modern cell phone has a camera feature. Though they are far away from modern age digital camera, cell phone cameras can still be used to produce good quality photographs.


The cell phone has some additional features that are not yet available on digital cameras and so may even be able to provide some advantages. The best way to obtain quality photographs is to understand the specifications that are available on these devices, enabling you to make an informed decision when choosing your mobile product, ensuring that it meets your requirements.


The size of the cell phone screen will affect the quality of viewing on your phone only. It will not affect the quality of your photograph when downloaded to your computer. However, the pixels that your cell phone camera uses will affect the quality of the image a great deal. The minimum resolution you should use is 1.0 mega pixels if photographic images are an important feature for you.


Higher resolution of 3.0 mega pixels and up is available on current cell phones. The higher the number of pixels, the better quality the photographic image will be when reproduced. This is because the pixels are the amount of dots used to create the image; the more that are used, the less the image will break up when enlarged.


The memory size of your device will directly affect the number of photographs that you can store. This will affect your output, and also give you less scope for getting that perfect shot. Your device will detail how much memory it contains, and this amount is usually very low, to store only a few photographic images.


However, the memory capacity can be supplemented by purchasing a memory card that is compatible with your cell phone. The largest currently available is as much as 2 Gigabytes, which can store large numbers of photographs. The exact number will vary as the number of pixels directly affects the amount of memory used. The settings of your picture image can often be changed also. The picture quality is better the higher the resolution you choose. Lower resolutions take up less memory and so can be useful if you just want to send images to friends and family, if are running low on space or if the quality is not of importance.


It is also important that you can store your pictures. If you purchase a cell phone memory card, make sure that it also be compatible with your computer or that it can be hooked up to a USB that is computer compatible. Your device should also come with a USB that you can use to download your pictures. This enables you to clear your cell phone regularly, maximising the use of the camera feature. Once stored, your photographs can be manipulated using programs such as Photoshop, as with any other photographic image.


A major advantage of a camera is that it can be used to send pictures direct to friends and family with a compatible cell phone. These can be sent via multi media messages, which although relatively expensive are now appearing in cell phone contracts as part of a package.


Digital photos can also be sent via email if the cell phone is internet enabled. Any photographic image can be sent for free via infra red or Bluetooth to another compatible device. This is an excellent way of sharing images, without the need for downloading first, which is both fast and functional. This means cell phones do have an advantage over other photographic devices to a degree, as they do not yet have this feature.

Everyone Has A Cell Phone, Don’t You?

In the United States the likelihood of someone owning a cell phone seems as high as someone owning shoes. All economic classes, all types of workforces and all ages of people appear to have a cell phone. If you have no cell phone you probably feel like the only one. Rest assured, this is not the case, but also it is likely that you can buy one.


Three things are require for cell phone use: the phone, activation fee and a service plan. Often the phone or activation fee comes free or at a much discounted price with the purchase of a new plan. Thus the first step is to decide what kind of plan you need. What can you afford to pay? What type of payment plan will work best for you? How often will you be using your phone?


The lowest budget option may be a pay as you go plan. This pre paid service is very easy to start and anyone can be successfully accepted as a user. This service is like a phone card service. Phone cards are available and start at $10 and increase by gradual increments. The phone and activation is generally a package purchase of less than $60. The package price will depend on the type of phone you are buying. A phone that does more will of course cost more. Once you have the phone and card you are ready to be a cellular phone user.


The second type of cell phone service is a monthly plan. These plans include a set amount of minutes for use each month and may include features such as caller ID or voice mail. Depending on the phone’s capabilities, other services can be added to the plan for extra monthly costs. For example, text messaging, Internet access, instant messaging or extra minutes can be added. Remember each of these additions add to your basic plan each month. If you stay with the same company, the company may offer these types of upgrades for free or as a deal closer when you first purchase the plan.


Plans with the least minutes and least features will be the least expensive. However, the cost of extra minutes once you are over your monthly limit is often greater than the next service package option.


Realistically assess how often you will use your phone before selecting a plan. Consider where most of your calls will be going. Most plans today include long distance coverage. Some of the lower costing plans may provide local service only. Many cell phone companies have detailed service area maps in their office or online. Try asking around and see what other users have to say about the coverage service.


Before signing a contract, look and ask for any hidden or extra fees. Find out how much minutes are after you’ve passed your monthly limit, or how much text messages are to send and receive. Almost all contracts have an early cancellation charge. Find out how long the contract is for and what the cancellation fee is. This fee is often quite substantial. If you stay simple and understand (and avoid) extra fees a cell phone service can be affordable for most everyone.

Cell Phones - The Latest Cell Phone Technology Brought To You!

If there is ever a form of technology growing so incredibly fast that people are finding it hard to keep up with, it has to be the cell phone industry! Everyday new phones are entering the market with new computerized accessories that only a few years were not even dreamt about.


Cell Phone History


Do you remember a time when nobody carried a cell phone? When we were forced to wait in line for a payphone? Then the first analog mobile phones were introduced into the world and everyone marveled at their ability to allow people to communicate on the run.


It wasn’t long after that when every phone was switched to digital technology and you had to throw out your analog phone for a more high tech digital one. You could have just said - “no I don’t need to buy a new one” but inevitably you had become so attached to your phone, that you felt like it would be taking a piece of you away, so you bought a new one to replace your one now in the rubbish bin.


Now let’s skip ahead a few years and from the basic digital black and white screened cell phones, color technology was invented which opened up a lot of other avenues. Games became more graphically advanced and there was one other thing that made a huge impact on the cell phone industry - the inbuilt digital camera!


With the ability to take and store digital photos on your phone, we started to open up our minds, imagining the possibilities. Would cell phones become our new personal computer? We’re not there yet but we sure are getting close to it. Now it has only been 10 short years since the first digital cell phone was introduced into the world and look how far we have already come!


Latest Cell Phone Technology - The iPhone


The iPhone is has just been released and is taking the world by storm. With it’s sleek look and huge range of features, it was sure to make a huge impact in the cell phone world. Created by Apple, it was designed to target those looking for a phone with the potential to store a large amount of songs inside.


If you take a look at it, you will notice it basically looks the same as an ipod! It boasts an enormous screen with touch technology. There are very few phones on the market today that rival the iPhone in any area. It looks great, has an excellent inbuilt camera, cool touch screen, nice graphics. It basically is the closest thing to a hand-held PC.


With the invention of the iPhone, it’s safe to say that they cell phone industry is definitely moving in the right direction!


Overclocking the 8600M GS

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Why Are Cell Phone Ringtones So Popular?

Although there always seem to be a number of people who claim that cell phone ringtones blaring music is annoying and extremely distracting, they have quickly become a multi-billion dollar industry that stretches throughout the entire world. Yes, mobile ringtones is a multi-billion dollar industry. Considering that most tones are cheap in price means there are millions of people downloading them every day.


In 2007, United States consumers will pay a whopping $550 million for cell phone tones. That works out to be a 709% increase in sales since the year 2003, and it appears that this increase in sales is becoming a steady trend. These facts have been reported by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the performing rights organization, which is the group that represents 6.5 million songs that are also being downloaded as ringtones.


Now, this raises the question: Should ringtones really be free? Most people say yes, but millions more are purchasing them. Someone is certainly spending those multi-billions on cell phone tunes. Custom phone tones are not a necessity; why is there such a high demand for them?


While there is not a clear response to that question, many people are pushing to get the cell phone ringtones service free of charge. This urge for free tune downloads has caused a battle between iPhone hackers, who are currently making programs to access cell phone ringtones at no cost, and the ever-popular company Apple, who is striving to both please the consumers and the music industry by charging .99 cents for every new ringtone that is made and downloaded. Thus, there is a great battle between free and paid ringers.


While there are many people trying to get free tones, there are just as many people, such as music makers and phone carriers, who are pushing to keep phone ringtones paid. Their point of argument is that it should be illegal for customers to create cell phone ringtones because it is a violation of copyrights, and that it takes away their ability to make money. The music industry makes a tremendous amount of money in cell phone ringtones, and they would like to keep this niche profitable.


The current Fair Use provision of the copyright law explains that it is not illegal to copy a song for your personal use, like for CDs in your car. Many feel that this should also apply to cell phone ringtones, as it would be for personal use.


According to University of Utah professor Lee Hollaar, "Many feel it provides a defense for fair use, but nothing is absolute. This defense is less available when you’re simply doing it to save money." Therefore, the debate on cell phone ringtones continues.


Andrew Welch, who is the president of Ambrosia Software, argues that if someone purchases a song from iTunes, they should be legally entitled to transform that song into a cell phone ringtone. If that is not the case, then people could actually end up being charged a fee for each time they make a music copy for any of their mobile music devices.


But again, as always, there is a flip side to the argument. Record labels feel that since they have to obtain a different type of license for you to use cell phone ringtones, you should have to pay a second time for your cell phone ringtone. Ultimately, it is a big argument between free and paid tones, with the music industry wanting to profit, while the consumer wants to access ringtones at no cost.