Cell Phones - Reviews » Tip and trick http://www.get-cellphones.com Information and reviews on the latest and best cell phones on the market today. get cellphones has all the reviews to help you find the best Cell Phone. Mon, 24 Jan 2011 23:00:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Hard Reset for Nokia N97 Mini http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/hard-reset-for-nokia-n97-mini http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/hard-reset-for-nokia-n97-mini#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:39:49 +0000 admin http://www.get-cellphones.com/?p=206 Hard Reset for Nokia N97 Mini

  • Turn the device off
  • Press the four buttons at the same time as shown in the image below (On button, Right Shift, Space bar & delete)
  • If its worked, you’ll know when the phone turns on as it will ask you for your location (i.e. country then city).

Some pointers:

  • Backup EVERYTHING on your phone memory as this will be wiped – it doesn’t touch your mass memory so you’ll need to format that from the file manager
  • You’ll need to re-install all your applications etc so make sure you have copies saved or you can redownload the installation files
  • It took me three attempts to actually get it to work as you need to make sure all the buttons are fully pressed, not partially pressed!

Tips: You need to hold the three buttons & then press the power button. Make sure you KEEP HOLDING the buttons, otherwise it won’t hard-reset.

]]> http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/hard-reset-for-nokia-n97-mini/feed 0 Prolong the Life of Your Battery http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/prolong-the-life-of-your-battery http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/prolong-the-life-of-your-battery#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:50:28 +0000 admin http://www.get-cellphones.com/?p=200 Prolong the Life of Your Battery

Initialize a new battery. New batteries should be fully charged before their first use to obtain maximum capacity. Nickel-based batteries should be charged for 16 hours initially and run through 2-4 full charge/full discharge cycles, while lithium ion batteries should be charged for about 5-6 hours. Ignore the phone telling you that the battery is full–this is normal but is not accurate if the battery is not initialized. #DO NOT fully discharge a lithium-ion battery! Unlike Ni-Cd batteries, lithium-ion batteries’ life is shortened every time you fully discharge them. Instead, charge them when the battery meter shows one bar left. Lithium-ion batteries, like most rechargeable batteries have a set amount of chargers in them

Keep the battery cool. Your battery will last longest if used near room temperature, and nothing wears on a battery like extended exposure to high temperatures. While you can’t control the weather, you can avoid leaving your phone in a hot car or in direct sunlight, and you don’t have to carry your phone in your pocket, where your body heat will raise its temperature. In addition, check the battery while it’s charging. If it seems excessively hot, your charger may be malfunctioning.

Charge your battery correctly, in accordance with its type. Most newer cell phones have lithium-ion batteries, while older ones generally have nickel-based batteries

Store batteries properly. If your battery will be out of use for a while, disconnect it from the phone and store it in a cool place (the refrigerator is good, but freezing temperatures do not slow oxidation) and away from metal objects. Ensure that the battery is not exposed to moisture; try putting the battery in an airtight container or bag. Lithium ion batteries are not rated to operate at refrigerated temperatures, so let the battery sit outside the refrigerator for at least an hour before using it again. Lithium ion batteries oxidize least when they are stored at 40% charge. Never store a lithium battery at low voltage. Recharge batteries after storage.

Clean the battery contacts on the battery and on the phone. Over time, contacts may accumulate dirt. Clean them with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to maximize the efficiency of energy transfer. In addition, if the contacts are two different metals, such as gold and tin, accelerated corrosion known as “galvanic or bi-metallic” occurs. Cutting the corrosion from the contacts often requires solvents, such as acetone or nail polish remover. Be careful: these solvent dissolve plastic, so use a Q-Tip to avoid damaging the battery housing or the phone.

]]> http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/prolong-the-life-of-your-battery/feed 1 Cell phone battery http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/cell-phone-battery http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/cell-phone-battery#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:36:21 +0000 admin http://www.get-cellphones.com/?p=189 Cell phone battery tips

While many of us now use mobile phones in place of land-line phones in our homes, the primary benefit of mobile phones remains their portability. A mobile phone is only as portable as its power source, however, so to get the most out of your phone you need to get the most out of your battery. When it comes to battery life, there are two separate, but connected, considerations: how to make the battery last longer between charges, and how to prolong the overall life of the battery.

Increase Time between Charges

Turn the phone off. This is probably the most effective and most simple way of conserving your battery’s power. If you don’t plan on answering the phone while you’re sleeping or after business hours, just turn it off.

Prolong the Life of Your Battery

Initialize a new battery. New batteries should be fully charged before their first use to obtain maximum capacity. Nickel-based batteries should be charged for 16 hours initially and run through 2-4 full charge/full discharge cycles, while lithium ion batteries should be charged for about 5-6 hours. Ignore the phone telling you that the battery is full–this is normal but is not accurate if the battery is not initialized.

]]> http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/cell-phone-battery/feed 0 Increase Time between Charges http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/increase-time-between-charges http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/increase-time-between-charges#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:34:40 +0000 admin http://www.get-cellphones.com/?p=190 Increase Time between Charges


Turn the phone off. This is probably the most effective and most simple way of conserving your battery’s power. If you don’t plan on answering the phone while you’re sleeping or after business hours, just turn it off. Do the same if you are in an area with no reception (such as a subway or remote area, since constantly searching for service depletes the battery fairly quickly. Some phones have an automatic power save feature, but it takes about 30 minutes with no service to kick in. By then, much battery power has been used.

Stop searching for a signal. When you are in an area with poor or no signal, your phone will constantly look for a better connection, and will use up all your power doing so. This is easily understood if you have ever forgotten to turn off your phone on a flight. The best way to ensure longer battery life is to make sure you have a great signal where you use your phone. If you don’t have a perfect signal, get a cell phone repeater which will amplify the signal to provide near perfect reception anywhere.

Switch off the vibrate function on your phone, and use just the ring tone instead. The vibrate function uses up a lot of battery power. Keep the ring tone volume as low as possible.

Turn off your phone’s back light. The back light is what makes the phone easier to read in bright light or outside. However, the light also uses battery power. If you can get by without it, your battery will last longer. If you have to use the back light, many phones will let you set the amount of time to leave the back light on. Shorten that amount of time. Usually, one or two seconds will be sufficient. Some phones have an ambient light sensor, which can turn off the back light in bright conditions and enable it in darker ones.

Avoid using unnecessary features. If you know it will be a while before your phone’s next charge, don’t use the camera or connect to the Internet. Flash photography can drain your battery especially quickly.

Keep calls short. This is obvious, but how many times have you heard someone on their mobile phone say, “I think my battery’s dying,” and then continue their conversation for several minutes? Sometimes, the dying battery is just an excuse to get off the phone (and a good one, at that), but if you really need to conserve the battery, limit your talk time.

Turn off Bluetooth. It will drain your battery very quickly.

Same goes for WIFI, GPS, and infrared capabilities, if your phone has these features built in. Keep them off; save more power.

Use GSM – Using your phone in 3G / Dual Mode will drain the battery quicker than if you just use GSM mode – have a look at your phones spec and you’ll see it will quote two different battery life times – normally 50% more for pure GSM use.

]]> http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/increase-time-between-charges/feed 1 Used iphones http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/used-iphones http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/used-iphones#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:01:23 +0000 admin http://www.get-cellphones.com/?p=177
The iPhone appeals to people looking for a mobile Internet tool, a music player, a game device, and a productivity tool. But iPhones - when you combine the cost of the phone and the service contract - aren't cheap. Those who want an iPhone, but can’t necessarily afford the full bill seem to be left to two choices: buy another phone or go without. Neither’s very appealing.

But there’s a third choice: buy a Used iphones.

Used iphones will save you some dough, but are the tradeoffs worth it? That decision’s ultimately up to you, but it you’re considering buying a used iPhone, here are the things to take into account and some suggestions for where to seek out your bargain.
What to Watch Out for with Refurbished iPhones

While a used iPhone can be a good deal, there are a few things you should watch out for to make sure you won’t feel a penny wise but a pound foolish.

Screen – If a refurbished iPhone has not been protected with a screen protector, its screen may be scratched. That’s normal wear and tear, but scratches are less acceptable on the iPhone, since it’s got a touchscreen for control and the media features that take great advantage of its 3.5-inch screen are one of its key selling points. Try to see the screen of the used iPhone you’re considering (even if it’s just a photo). If it’s not possible, be sure to buy from a reputable, established seller who stands behind their products.

Battery – iPhones are generally seen as having weak battery life. To compound that, their batteries can’t be replaced by the user when they die. A lightly used iPhone should have decent battery life in it, but anything more than a year old should be regarded cautiously. Ask the seller for as much detail about the battery life as possible or see if they’ll replace the battery with a new one before you buy. Also be sure to check on return policies in case the battery turns out not to be as lively as they claim.

Features - Be sure you know what features you’re sacrificing when you buy an refurbished iPhone. Early models lacked many of things the latest models have: 3G speed, the upgraded camera, the ability to record and edit video, true GPS, Nike + support, Voice Memos, and VoiceControl. Be sure that if you’re buying an older model, you’re OK not having the latest and greatest features.

Capacity – While the allure of a lower price is strong, remember that used iPhones aren’t the latest models and that they’ve got less storage space as a result. Early iPhones offered only 4GB of storage, while the latest models offer as much as 32GB. That’s a big difference and one that, if you’ve got a big iTunes library, can really affect your enjoyment of the phone. Be sure to weigh the savings against getting more for your dollar, and buy accordingly.

Price – This holds true for price as well. A refurbished iPhone may be $50 cheaper, but is $50 worth getting something that’s not quite what you want? For some, the answer will be yes. Others will value the latest hardware and are willing to pay for it.

Contract Costs – Unlike the iPod, the iPhone requires a two-year contract with AT&T for phone and Internet service (in the U.S. at least). The rates for the original iPhone were a few dollars cheaper than for the 3G or 3GS. This isn’t a huge savings, but may add up over time if AT&T continues to offer the lower-cost plan.

Warranty – If you can get a refurbished iPhone with a warranty – even an extended warranties – do it. The most reputable sellers of refurbished iPhones will stand behind their work. And a phone that’s had one previous repair won’t necessarily be trouble in the future, it might, so consider spending the extra money for an extended warranty (I think it’s the thing to do with new models, too).
Where to Buy a Refurbished iPhone

If a used iPhone is right for you, next you’ll need to decide where to pick up your new toy. But choose wisely.

From AT&T – Check your local AT&T store or AT&T’s website. The iPhone’s exclusive U.S. carrier sometimes offers refurbished models.

From exchange companies – Companies like NextWorth, FlipSwap, and Gazelle both buy and sell used iPhones. Their prices are appealing. See a full list of companies offering these services.

From iPhone resellers – Some companies that sell new iPhones also sell used ones. These mail-order or online stores usually offer prices similar to Apple’s.

From eBay/Craigslist – eBay and Craigslist are hotbeds of online bargains, but buyer beware. You may get stuck with a broken iPhone or a phone that doesn’t have the specs you thought you were getting, thanks to a scammer. Try to stick with reputable or known sellers, if possible.
Selling Your Used iPhone

If you’re buying a refurbished iPhone, you may have an older model you want to get rid of. If so, review your options for getting the most value out of your used iPhone.

When it comes to buying a refurbished iPhone, you can save money and get a good music player at the same time. You just have to be smart and careful about how and where you buy. With the tips above, you should be well on your way to doing that. Happy shopping!

]]> http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/used-iphones/feed 0 Updating your Nokia N95 to the latest firmware http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/updating-your-nokia-n95-to-the-latest-firmware http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/updating-your-nokia-n95-to-the-latest-firmware#comments Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:20:03 +0000 admin http://www.get-cellphones.com/?p=112
Updating your Nokia N95 to the latest firmware, debranding, and/or changing the language pack is similar to the guide I wrote earlier on updating to Nokia N73 Music Edition. If you are a new Nokia N95 owner, this might be helpful to you, especially those with missing features.

Download and install: Nemesis Service Suite and the latest Nokia Software Update.

1. Connect your phone and wait for Windows to install the drivers.
2. Open Nemesis Service Suite and click “Scan for new device” on the right-upper part of the window
3. Click on the icon “Phone info”
4. Click on “Scan”
5. Change the product code to the one you want from the list below.
6. Mark the case “Enable”.
7. Press “Write”, and your phone’s product code will be changed (you might think that nothing happened, because the phone is still in normal mode, and the changing of the product code only takes a couple of seconds, but don’t worry, the product code changed !).
8. Close Nemesis Service Suite and run the Nokia Software Update.
9. Make sure not to touch the cable or the phone while your phone is updating or else you will break it!
10. That’s it! When you restart your phone, it should now be upgraded!

Product Codes

Europe
0534841 EURO1 – Sand
0534842 FRANCE
0534843 ALPS
0534844 EURO2
0534845 TURKEY
0534847 SCANDINAVIA
0534848 BALTIAN
0534849 RUSSIAN
0534850 UKRAINE
0534851 CIS, Bulgaria
0534852 EURO3
0534853 BALKANS
0534854 GREECE, CYPROS
0534857 ISRAEL
0536058 BELARUS/MOLDOVA
0534833 SINGAPORE

0536062 EURO1 – Plum
0536063 FRANCE
0536064 ALPS
0536065 EURO2
0536066 TURKEY
0536068 SCANDINAVIA
0536069 BALTIAN
0536070 RUSSIAN
0536071 UKRAINE
0536072 CIS, Bulgaria
0536073 BELARUS/MOLDOVA
0536074 EURO3
0536075 BALKANS
0536076 GREECE, CYPROS
0536079 ISRAEL

Asia
0534832: Hong Kong
0536084: Hong Kong
0534830: Taiwan
0536083: Taiwan
0534833: Apac 1
0536085: Apac 1
0534834: Philippines
0534835: Australia
0534836: New Zeland
0534837: Indonesia
0536086: Philippines
0536087: Australia
0536088: New Zeland
0536089: Indonesia
0548298: India Apac 2
0548299: India Apac 2
0535053: Thailand
0536093: Thailand
0534839: Vietnam
0536091: Vietnam

Operator Specific codes
0548170 – Orange UK
0548020 – Movistar

]]> http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/updating-your-nokia-n95-to-the-latest-firmware/feed 0 Trusted installer sources iphone 4.0 http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/trusted-installer-sources-iphone-4-0 http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/trusted-installer-sources-iphone-4-0#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:45:16 +0000 admin http://www.get-cellphones.com/?p=65 Trusted installer sources

It’s been a while since Installer was the main source of 3rd part applications. Since before Installer 4.0 came out Cydia stepped up and really helped out the community by providing us with a very reliable source for iPhone applications. I will continue the tradition of keeping track of all the sources for Cydia. If you know of one that isn’t listed below, please contact me to get it added.


app.ifonetec.com – http://app.ifonetec.com/cydia/
cake.mapleidea.com – http://cake.mapleidea.com/cydia/
BigBoss & Planet-iPhones – http://apt.bigboss.us.com/repofiles/cydia/
Hack&Dev.org – http://iphone.hackndev.org/apt/
Hackers.nl – http://apt.hackers.nl/
iClarified – http://cydia.iclarified.com/
iPhone-notes.de Repo – http://apt.iphone-storage.de/
ispaziorepo.com – http://ispaziorepo.com/cydia/apt/
ModMyiFone.com – http://apt.modmyifone.com/
Niklas Schroder – http://apt.paperclipsandscrambledeggs.com/
RichCreations – http://www.richcreations.com/iphone/apt/
SaladSoft – http://nickplee.com/cydiasource/
Ste Packaging – http://repo.smxy.org/cydia/apt/
Steffwiz – http://steffwiz.webs.com/iphone/repo
Telesphoreo Tangelo – http://apt.saurik.com/
urbanfanatics.com – http://urbanfanatics.com/cydia/
WeHo.ru – http://weho.ru/iphone/
www.iacces.com – http://www.iacces.com/apt/
ZodTTD – http://www.zodttd.com/repo/cydia/

Now that there is a new version of Installer(4.0), we need to maintain a new list. Sadly the older sources are not compatible with the new version of Installer and will not work.
Installer 4.0 Sources

– RiP Dev – http://i.ripdev.com/
– Big Boss – http://apptapp.thebigboss.org/repofiles/installer4/
– iSpazio – http://repo.neolinus.org/ispazio/
– Ste Packaging – http://repo.smxy.org/installer4/
– ModMyiFone – http://i.modmyifone.com/
– iPhone-Notes – http://i.iphone-storage.de/
Everything listed below is for Installer 3.0 and below

You can click here to find out how to add these sources to your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Update – Now you long longer need to add an entire list of sources to your Installer application. If there is an application listed on InstallerApps.com you only need to have 1 repository source(http://iphone.installerapps.com). Add that repository source. . .refresh Installer. . .and install your favorite applications. There are over 300 apps listed in this source(all reviewed here).

Below is a list of sources that you can add to your list to get more applications and themes for your iPhone and iPod Touch. If you can’t find an application in Installer(that you found here), it is because you don’t have the source installed. You can either add ALL of the sources below. . .which will make sure you can install any application listed here at InstallerApps.com. Or you can check the bottom of page(the application page), and you’ll see which source is required for that application. Then you can come here and get the URL to add.
Installer 3.0 Sources

Ste Packaging – http://repo.smxy.org/iphone-apps/
Conceited Software – http://conceitedsoftware.com/iphone

MCleaner – http://mcleaner.com/iphone/install
iSwitcher – http://web.mac.com/iswitcher2/list.xml
iApp-a-Day – http://iappaday.com/install
iBlackjack – http://iphonefanclub.com/native
MTL Repository – http://home.mike.tl/iphone
Loring Studios – http://loringstudios.com/iPhone-schnapps/index.xml
AlohaSoft 1.0.2 – homepage.mac.com/reinholdpenner/102.xml
AlohaSoft 1.1.1 – homepage.mac.com/reinholdpenner/111.xml
AlohaSoft 1.1.2 – homepage.mac.com/reinholdpenner/112.xml
aXP – http://lostsoul.aeroxp.org/iphone/index.xml
Mateo – http://bblk.net/iphone (BeatPhone)
BigBoss – http://sleepers.net/iphonerepo
Death to Design – http://iphone.deathtodesign.com
HighTymes – http://http://hightymes.org/iphone/plist/index.xml
Shai’s Apps – ride4.org/shai.xml (Customize Addons)
Studded – http://studded.net/installer/index.xml
Surge – http://iphonesurge.com/iphonesurge.xml
Swell – http://lyndellwiggins.com/Swell.xml
R4mon – http://iphone.r4m0n.net/repos

iPhon.fr – http://s.imov.eu/
iPod Touch Fans – http://touchrepo.com/repo.xml
iPod Touch Fans BETA – http://www.touchrepo.com/betarepo.xml
iPhone Apps – http://applerepo.com
Nintendo Roms – http://markmon.mine.nu:90/iphone/repo/repo.plist
ModMyiFone – http://modmyifone.com/installer.xml
CedSoft – http://prog.cedsoft.free.fr
Soneso – http://soneso.com/iphone
MeachWare – http://www.meachware.com/list.xml
Apogee LTD – http://apogeeltd.com
iTouchable – http://repo.itouchable.de
Woodsy’s Repo – http://iwoodsy.info
Pyrofer – http://pyrofersprojects.com/repos/repos.xml
Robota Softwarehouse – http://iphone.robota.nl
moyashi/hitoriblog – http://hpcgi3.nifty.com/moyashi/ipodtouch/repository.cgi
newATTiPhone – http://newattiphone.com/repo.xml
Monsoe – http://http://www.monsoe.com/source
aka – http://akamatsu.org/repo.xml
Chris Miles – http://iphone.rustyredwagon.com/repo
Fight Club – http://dezign999.com/iphone.xml
Japan Public – http://www.ipod-repository.net
SOS iPhone – http://rep.sosiphone.com
hitoriblog Experimental – http://hpcgi3.nifty.com/moyashi/ipodtouch/repository.cgi
iSpazio – http://repo.ispazio.net
iSpazio Lab – http://labs.ispazio.net
Polleo Limited – http://source.polleo.no
iLeks – http://iphone.ileks.com/
Gogosoft – http://www.blackblack.org/gogobeta.plist
FrenchiPhone.com – http://rep.frenchiphone.com
MarcoGiorgini – http://marcogiorgini.com/iPhone/plist.xml
ZodTTD – http://zodttd.com/repo/
Trivialware – http://mazinger.cs.yale.edu/iphone-apps/index.xml
A27 DevTeam – http://ihacks.us/a27.xml
NPike – http://apps.npike.net/repo.xml
Xwaves – http://irepo.xwaves.net
iPod Touched – http://ipodtouched.net/repo.xml
Polar Bear Farm – http://www.polarbearfarm.com/repo/
Skrew – http://i.danstaface.net
RiP Dev – http://repository.ripdev.com/
iFortner Inc – http://davteam.com/repo.xml
iPhone-Notes.de – http://sendowski.de/iphone

]]> http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/trusted-installer-sources-iphone-4-0/feed 0 Unlocked smartphone http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/unlocked-smartphone http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/unlocked-smartphone#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:04:05 +0000 admin http://www.get-cellphones.com/?p=39 Purchasing an "unlocked" smart phone straight from the manufacturer can save you money and hassles.

Although it’s true most people buy their phones with a voice plan from a specific wireless carrier, some of today’s best smartphones can only be purchased directly from the manufacturer. And the rules for buying direct are a little different. Here’s what you need to know.

When it’s time for a new phone, consumers often either stay with their current carrier and upgrade their handset, or just switch carriers and get whatever discount device the new carrier offers with the new contract.

For savvy shoppers, these are other options. Some of the best handsets on the market are available only in unlocked versions direct from the manufacturer. It may also be less expensive to buy an unlocked phone this way, than to try and upgrade your phone through your carrier. Here are some tips on buying unlocked smartphones directly from a vendor:

Survey the available devices.
Nokia has a nice array of sleek unlocked handsets, many of them introduced in the last six months. Feast your eyes on the Transformer-esque N93, the luxurious N80, and the bat-winged E70. Sony Ericsson is also in on the game, selling the year-old P990 dual-keypad smartphone, along with unique feature phones such as the Walkman-style W810 and the 3-megapixel K790.

If you have a hankering for a Treo, but you’re locked into a contract with a GSM carrier, try an unlocked version of the ubiquitous Palm Treo 650; simply transfer your SIM card from your current phone. Or better yet, the new, unlocked Treo 680 is available direct from Palm in Arctic, Copper, and Crimson, three colors you can’t get if you buy the phone from a carrier.

Visit the outlet stores and websites.
Nokia launched their flagship stores in Chicago and New York earlier this year. If you’re in one of those cities, that’s your best bet for one of the aforementioned Nokia models. “People outside of those cities can visit www.nokiausa.com, where we also sell unlocked smartphones like selections from the Nokia N-Series,” said Keith Nowak, senior manager for media relations at Nokia.

Sony Ericsson sells their unlocked phones through their company website, though it’s a bit hard to find from the home page; use the link I’ve provided instead. Meanwhile, Palm offers the Treo 650 and Treo 680 directly from the Palm website.

Make sure you get a strong warranty.
You can always expect full coverage when buying directly from the manufacturer, but if you plan on purchasing unlocked phones through a third party vendor, watch out! As it turns out, many of them aren’t authorized dealers, so you could be in trouble if the phone breaks. Your carrier won’t help either, because you didn’t buy the phone from them. “All phones sold at the Flagship Store and at www.nokiausa.com carry a full U.S. warranty,” Nowak said.

Compare pricing with carrier discounts.
Here’s one example of how the situation can get messy: Verizon sells the Palm Treo 700p for $299 with a contract. Sprint sells the same exact phone for $499 with a contract. However, you’ll soon make up the difference with Sprint’s vastly cheaper data plan rates. Meanwhile, Palm sells the Treo 700p for a whopping $619 to $649 direct from their Website. However, Sprint or Verizon will not activate it for you unless you already have a contract with them. Also keep in mind that when buying it from Palm, you have to get the appropriate version that’s already locked to one of those two carriers.

In this case, see if your carrier lets you upgrade your current phone at a discount. You’ll have to re-sign the contract for another two years, but you’ll likely get a much better deal.

]]> http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/unlocked-smartphone/feed 0 smartphone free internet http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/smartphone-free-internet http://www.get-cellphones.com/tip-trick/smartphone-free-internet#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:00:14 +0000 admin http://www.get-cellphones.com/?p=35
When it comes time to buy a mobile phone, many people opt for the PDA-like features of a smartphone over a standard model. Smartphones become even more useful when paired with a mobile data plan that provides Internet access over a cellular carrier’s network.

The catch is that mobile data plans can cost a bundle, especially when you get one that offers unlimited access. And while you can often sign up for less expensive data plans, most of them severely restrict how long you can use a connection or how much data you can transfer with it.

But these days lots of smartphones are Wi-Fi-capable, and if you’ve got such a device you may have an alternative to the cost and/or limitations of a mobile data plan. Here we’ll show how to connect to a WLAN with Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones using the Windows Mobile 5/6 operating systems. Because menu options vary slightly by hardware model and OS flavor, we can’t give you an exact procedure that will work on every device, but the following general steps should help you get a wireless connection up and running on most Wi-Fi-equipped Windows Mobile devices.

Set Up Your Device
The first step to activating Wi-Fi on a Windows Mobile device is to locate and launch the Comm Manager utility, which you’ll typically find right off the Start Menu (on some devices it might be under the Programs sub-menu). When Comm Manager opens, you’ll see a group of icons representing the various connection types your phone is capable of.

The Wi-Fi icon—which may or may not be labeled— is the one that looks like an antenna. It will likely contain an “X” and be grayed out. (If you don’t see it, your device lacks Wi-Fi support.) Highlight and select the Wi-Fi icon, either by tapping it or pressing its corresponding number button if there is one. This will activate Wi-Fi on your device, and within a few seconds the phone should detect and offer to connect you to any nearby wireless networks.

Select the network you want to use and proceed through the wizard to specify the encryption type and key, if any. (When asked to specify what the network will connect to, choose “The Internet”.) You’ll know you’re connected via Wi-Fi when you see the Wi-Fi icon— an antenna surrounded by a solid halo, or something similar— at the top of the Windows Mobile “home” screen.

In most cases your phone should automatically use Wi-Fi for its data connection whenever one is available. There are exceptions. For example, while you can browse the Web and do e-mail over Wi-Fi, you’ll need the carrier’s network for certain things, like sending and receiving MMS messages. If you have multiple connection types available, the phone should use the most appropriate one.

Things to Remember
A couple of things to keep in mind when using phone-based Wi-Fi: If you have one of the earliest Wi-Fi equipped phones, it may support 802.11b but not the more recent 802.11g. If so, you’ll only be able to connect to those 802.11g networks that have been configured for mixed g/b access.

Heavy use of Wi-Fi will significantly shorten battery life on many smartphones. Remember to turn off Wi-Fi via Comm Manager when you’re not using it, or the phone will always be seeking out nearby WLANs, which will prematurely drain your battery. Another battery-extending technique is to configure your phone to automatically deactivate Wi-Fi if a connection goes idle within a specified amount of time, (like after 30 seconds or a minute).

Granted, getting Internet access via Wi-Fi isn’t as convenient as getting it through the more ubiquitous cellular network. But if you frequently find yourself at free hotspots, or with access to the WLANs of clients, friends, etc., a Wi-Fi connection can possibly save you the considerable monthly cost of a data plan. And even if you aren’t ready to forgo a data plan, you may still sometimes want to use a Wi-Fi connection as they’re are often faster than those made through the cellular network. Cellular data connections usually max out around 100K per second, whereas Wi-Fi will typically give you many times that speed.

Incidentally, Wi-Fi isn’t exclusive to Windows Mobile smartphones. If you’ve got a Symbian S60-based smartphone—mainly Nokia models— it may be Wi-Fi-equipped as well; as are some BlackBerry models. Sorry Palm Treo users— you’re out of luck because your devices don’t include built-in Wi-Fi support (though you can sometimes add it via an SD card).

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