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American Politics  » Going Mobile (Part 3): Finding the 'Perfect' Wireless Phone

Going Mobile (Part 3): Finding the 'Perfect' Wireless Phone

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Going Mobile, Part 3: Finding the 'Perfect' Wireless Phone

by Donna Schwartz Mills

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So you've done your homework: You have a clear idea of how

and where you'll be using your phone. You know how many "any

time" minutes you need and have selected a carrier who

covers the region you'll be in most often. It's time to go

shopping for your handset; your telephone which will likely

be a part of your workspace for the next year or two.

Your new carrier may offer you a free or discounted phone

with your contract. This may be all you want or need. After

all, today's free phones have all the features that were

sexy and new two years ago... and that may be enough. Then

again... if you want the latest and the greatest, you may

want to look into an upgrade.

Wireless phone companies heavily subsidize the cost of

handsets, especially to their new customers. This can result

in a significant discount -- sometimes as much as a couple

of hundred dollars off the retail cost of a new phone. So

the question is -- what features do you need or want? And

before you can respond to that, you need to know what is

possible. The answer might amaze you.

There are people out there who feel they MUST have the very

best in wireless phone products. These folks flock to a site

called PhoneScoop, which carries wireless telephone news and

reviews of models on the market -- some of which have yet to

hit U.S. shores. Check out their "Phone Finder" to select

a model that's right for you:

< http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/finder.php >

Among the variables they'll ask you about are easy ones,

like weight, antenna type and style (flip, folder, slide,

etc.) But then the list of possibilities is dizzying:

* Will you be traveling outside the country? Then you

might need World Roaming.

* Most wireless phones have some address book capacity.

Others also have alarms, calendars, calculators and other

organizing functions and may serve as a substitute for

a PDA. (Hey, there are even hybrids that run on Palm OS

or Windows CE)

* You will soon be hearing a lot about Bluetooth - this is

a technology that enables electronic devices (like

computers, PDA's, telephones) to work together as a

wireless network. You may not be using it now - but some

of the hottest phones have it built in... so when you do,

you'll be ready.

* Say "Cheese!" One wireless carrier has been putting a lot

of money advertising their new "Vision" function, allowing

you to send digital photos through your wireless

telephone. Of course, you need a special handset for this.

And while at this writing, the phones on the market do not

include the digital camera you need, there are some waiting

in the wings.

* Lots of wireless users have fun customizing their phones

with colorful faceplates and different ringtones. But not

all phones allow you to do this -- if you want yours

to play the theme from Spongebob Squarepants when it rings,

you'll need a phone that has this feature enabled. Some

even have ringtones that are "polyphonic," which means

that they can simulate the sound of up to 40 different

instruments.

* If you spend a lot of time away from your home office,

data capability may be a real convenience. Check email,

surf the web -- some phones will even allow you to receive

faxes on the go.

* Do you do a lot of purchasing by phone? You may benefit

from the security of a built-in "digital wallet."

* Some phones have a GPS (global satellite positioning)

feature, which means that an emergency call to 911 could

give the operator your exact location. A definite plus

for those concerned with security issues.

* While we do not advocate talking on your wireless while

driving, we recognize that people will do so as long as

it's legal. You can at least minimize your risks by

selecting a phone with some hands-free options, like a

headset jack or speaker and voice dialing.

* SMS and MMS are systems for sending and receiving

text messages. MMS is a more advanced system found in

some of the newer Nokia phones -- in addition to text,

you can send graphics, photos and audio clips.

* We're all familiar with Caller ID. Well, some wireless

phones include something called Picture ID, which allows

you to associate your caller's picture with his or her

number.

Once you have submitted your selections, PhoneScoop's

search engine will give you back a list of phones that meet

your criteria, and which carriers are likely to offer them.

Now your real fun begins -- trying to actually *find* these

models and get the best price.

Do go to your preferred carrier's store to see and hold the

models you are interested in. A salesperson may even be

helpful and knowledgeable about the phone's features (but

don't count on it!)

But before you sign, be sure you also visit your carrier's

website - many offer deals for those who order their service

online, which could result in some significant savings.

Note that the cool models suggested by Phonescoop may cost

you a pretty penny at the dealer. Here is a sample of what

you're likely to find for $50 and under at this writing:

** Nokia 3395: Has alarm, calculator, currency converter,

can accept custom faceplates, includes 35 ringtones and

the capacity to download 20 more plus a ringtone

composer, five games, text messaging, voice dialing and

wireless Internet. Battery life nearly four hours, seven

days standby.

(Free from Cingular Wireless)

** Motorola T193: Alarm, calculator, calendar, custom

faceplates, 11 ringtones, one game, a headset jack,

wireless internet using high speed data technology, and

text messaging. Battery Life is four hours, four days

standby.

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(Free from T-Mobile)

** Kyocera KWC 2235: Has alarm, calculator, 25 ringtones

plus you can customize them using Kyocera desktop

software, high speed wireless internet capability, four

games, headset jack, text messaging, voice dialing and

voice memo. Battery life is just under four hours, six

days standby.

($49.99 from Verizon)

** Samsung SPH-N240: Has alarms, calculator, calendar, to-do

list, two games, GPS, headset jack, 20 builtin polyphonic

ringtones, voice dialing. Battery Life is just two hours,

eight days standby.

($49.99 if purchased online with new service by Sprint)

So that's what you can get for nearly free. How much more

can you have if you're willing to shell out $100-$400?

Let's look at one of the most popular phones on the market

right now: the Motorola v60.

The v60 is a clamshell-type phone with a second display

feature on the front cover, which allows you to see who's

calling without first opening the phone. (Convenient if

you're screening your calls.) You can customize its look

with replaceable front and back covers -- one of several

accessories which make this model the love of wireless phone

junkies everywhere. These include an FM stereo headset and

MP3 player as well as a nifty handsfree car kit.

Other built-in phone features include an alarm, calculator,

calendar, games, text messaging, voice dialing, voice memo,

and wireless internet capability. Battery life is four

hours talk and up to 10 days standby.

Almost every carrier in my area offers a version of the v60

with prices varying from $199 to $299 -- for NEW customers.

Depending on the carrier, existing customers may have to pay

close to the retail price of $379 (listed on Motorola's

website for purchases without new activation of a plan).

For some inexplicable reason, once your contract ends and

you decide to upgrade to a newer phone, many of the carriers

will charge you retail - even if you re-up with a new two-year

contract. In my opinion, this is a great way to encourage

your long-time customers to switch service providers.

But the bottom line is: are the extra features in the

"premium" models enough to warrant paying the extra money?

The description of the Motorola v60 above doesn't differ

all that much from that of another Motorola model, the T193,

which one carrier is *giving away* to new customers. In fact,

it's got just about every feature most home-based

entrepreneurs would need.

With mobile phones, you may not be able to have it all...

but by doing your homework and careful comparisons, you

can come close -- and save money to boot. Which is better

music to my ears than any old ringtone!

About the Author

Donna Schwartz Mills writes about the specific needs of work

at home parents at her website, The ParentPreneur Club,

"For Parents Who Want Choices, Not Office Politics." Tools,

tips and advice you need to help grow your home based

business while raising a family.

< http://www.parentpreneurclub.com >