Cell Phones and Services Buying Guide
If you thought choosing your last cell phone was hard, just wait until next time. Not only are the plans confusing, but phones
are more complex. Digital cameras, MP3 players and GPS receivers are now common and each new feature seems to bring new costs.
This guide can help.
- Getting started
- Types
- Features
- Brands
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Types of cell phones
Conventional cell phones
Smart phones
Long used by corporate travelers to keep up with e-mail and appointments, smart phones have caught on with consumers. Some want to tap out text messages on a QWERTY-style keyboard rather than the tiny keypad of a conventional cell phone. Others see no reason to tote a PDA and a conventional cell phone when a smart phone can do the job of both. A smart phone can typically handle multiple e-mail accounts including corporate types, has a sophisticated organizer, can handle Office documents, and has an open source operating system for developers.
The world of smart phones divides into two categories. Some smart phones are geared toward personal use. They're fine for playing music and other multimedia, reading e-mail messages, and opening Office-type attachments, but they don't allow you to create or edit documents and spreadsheets. Others offer business-focused capabilities in a palm-fitting package. They allow you to create and edit spreadsheets and documents, and they usually come with Microsoft Outlook, Palm Desktop, or other personal information management software for your PC. Many smart phones have touch screens that provide direct access to their features, controls, and applications.
