Cell Phones: Beyond Talking

Cell phones are not just for talking anymore. Most cell phone manufacturers offer a wide array of features that you can customize to suit your own needs and preferences.

While most people still use their cell phones to place and receive calls, today people can use their cell phones to send text messages, surf the Internet, check e-mail and more.

Cell Phone Features

Cell phone features abound. For instance, on many cell phones you can:
  • download Internet content
  • listen to music
  • make to-do lists
  • play games
  • play MP3 music files
  • send and receive e-mail
  • send and receive text messages
  • set alarms
  • take and share pictures and videos
  • track appointments
  • use a calculator
  • use Bluetooth devices and GPS trackers
  • watch TV and videos.

Texting, surfing, and downloading are common activities that people do on their cell phones. You can download cell phone videos, games and even ringtones to your phone. Some phones even let you assign a different ringtone to each person in your phonebook. With many of today's phones you can even surf the Internet to find jokes to text to your friends.

Basically, today's cell phones allow you to customize your phone to your personal needs and interests.

Selecting a Cell Phone

When you are choosing a cell phone, you'll want to select one that offers the features you need. While some of the features offered on cell phones might sound interesting, you don't want to pay for a fully loaded phone if you only need to make calls and send text messages with your cell phone. Therefore, make a list of the cell phone features that are important to you before you go shopping for a cell phone.

Before shopping, consider the following:

  • Appearance: Does the appearance matter to you? Do you need the latest, sleekest model, or are you alright with a basic, no-frills design?
  • BatteryType: Different cell phones use different batteries. Consider battery type and battery life when shopping for a cell phone.
  • Durability: You'll likely want a phone that can withstand a few bumps, as cell phones tend to get dropped often.
  • Features: As stated earlier, get a cell phone that meets your needs. While a phone with all the bells and whistles might seem cool, it could end up costing you a lot more money than a phone with only the features you need.
  • Price: How much are you willing to spend on your cell phone? While you can get a basic model for less than $50, some fully loaded cell phones can cost more than $300.
  • Screen Size: Do you need a large screen for viewing text messages, photos and more?
  • Size: Do you want a small phone that will fit in your purse or pocket, or would you prefer a larger one? Often, larger phones are harder to lose and feature larger buttons.

Of course, you'll also want a phone that offers a strong signal reception so you are not always losing calls. Additionally, you'll want a phone that you can use with a hands-free headset, as many states are making it illegal to use a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving.