Important features Cell phones
Controls, extra capabilities, and more
Controls, extra capabilities, and more
Look for useful features
In addition to the useful phone and multimedia features of today's cell-phone models, consider whether you need the following:
Speakerphone. A built-in speakerphone, which allows hands-free use in a car or elsewhere. (But avoid using any phone, even hands-free, while driving.)
Programmable jog dial. Lets you program all the pressure points on a circular jog as shortcuts to the most-used features and functions, such as address book and text messaging.
Standard headset connector. The standard headset connector on the handset, also known as a 2.5-mm or 3.5-mm connector, is compatible with most aftermarket wired headsets. Some phones with a proprietary connector may include an adapter to a standard connector.
Voice command. This feature allows you dial numbers from your phone book by speaking the name, without the usual training. You can also dial numbers by pronouncing the digits.
Preset and custom text messages. Besides providing a quiet means of communication, text messages have been known to get through even when networks are overloaded. Most phones come with preset messages, such as "running late" or "call home." And most allow you to program customized messages for an emergency or frequent use; for example, "I've dropped Billy at soccer."
Bluetooth. This technology enables the phone to work with wireless headsets and most hands-free car systems for tangle-free calls. Some phones support stereo Bluetooth headsets for music and other multimedia; and some can wirelessly exchange pictures, contacts, and other files with other compatible Bluetooth devices, such as a computer, cell phone, or PDA.
Memory card. Many phones have slots that accept memory cards to expand storage capacity by as much as 32 gigabytes. The removable cards can also serve as an easy way to shuttle files between your phone and other devices-provided the phone's maker didn't bury the card slot behind the battery cover. Card formats include Secure Digital Card SD, miniSD, and MicroSD.
GPS navigation. All phones have some type of location-based technology to help emergency responders find you when you dial 911 or 112. But a growing number of phones support GPS Navigation, services which integrate GPS with maps and search engines to give you real-time, spoken, turn-by-turn directions to an entered address, or to help you find nearby businesses by name or category, such as Joe's Pizzeria or hospitals. Some phones without GPS technology, such as the iPhone and other phones, still manage to provide turn-by-turn directions on maps by using the carrier's data network to determine your location. However, this technology may not be as precise as the one based on GPS.
Hearing-aid compatibility. Some phones interfere with hearing aids. Even those with hearing-aid compatible designations are not guaranteed to work with all hearing aids. Your doctor can help you choose a phone compatible with the aid you use. Or go to www.accesswireless.org .
Other useful capabilities you might want to consider are a music player, megapixel camera, wireless-broadband-data capability, as well as child-location and call-management services.
In addition to the useful phone and multimedia features of today's cell-phone models, consider whether you need the following:
Speakerphone. A built-in speakerphone, which allows hands-free use in a car or elsewhere. (But avoid using any phone, even hands-free, while driving.)
Programmable jog dial. Lets you program all the pressure points on a circular jog as shortcuts to the most-used features and functions, such as address book and text messaging.
Standard headset connector. The standard headset connector on the handset, also known as a 2.5-mm or 3.5-mm connector, is compatible with most aftermarket wired headsets. Some phones with a proprietary connector may include an adapter to a standard connector.
Voice command. This feature allows you dial numbers from your phone book by speaking the name, without the usual training. You can also dial numbers by pronouncing the digits.
Preset and custom text messages. Besides providing a quiet means of communication, text messages have been known to get through even when networks are overloaded. Most phones come with preset messages, such as "running late" or "call home." And most allow you to program customized messages for an emergency or frequent use; for example, "I've dropped Billy at soccer."
Bluetooth. This technology enables the phone to work with wireless headsets and most hands-free car systems for tangle-free calls. Some phones support stereo Bluetooth headsets for music and other multimedia; and some can wirelessly exchange pictures, contacts, and other files with other compatible Bluetooth devices, such as a computer, cell phone, or PDA.
Memory card. Many phones have slots that accept memory cards to expand storage capacity by as much as 32 gigabytes. The removable cards can also serve as an easy way to shuttle files between your phone and other devices-provided the phone's maker didn't bury the card slot behind the battery cover. Card formats include Secure Digital Card SD, miniSD, and MicroSD.
GPS navigation. All phones have some type of location-based technology to help emergency responders find you when you dial 911 or 112. But a growing number of phones support GPS Navigation, services which integrate GPS with maps and search engines to give you real-time, spoken, turn-by-turn directions to an entered address, or to help you find nearby businesses by name or category, such as Joe's Pizzeria or hospitals. Some phones without GPS technology, such as the iPhone and other phones, still manage to provide turn-by-turn directions on maps by using the carrier's data network to determine your location. However, this technology may not be as precise as the one based on GPS.
Hearing-aid compatibility. Some phones interfere with hearing aids. Even those with hearing-aid compatible designations are not guaranteed to work with all hearing aids. Your doctor can help you choose a phone compatible with the aid you use. Or go to www.accesswireless.org .
Other useful capabilities you might want to consider are a music player, megapixel camera, wireless-broadband-data capability, as well as child-location and call-management services.
