What Are Unlocked Cell Phones?

November 7th, 2009

Ron Wicker asked:


When someone signs up for a new cell carrier plan, they often get a phone at a free or reduced rate with their contract. The cell phones that come with a carrier contract are almost always locked cell phones. This means that they only work with that specific carrier’s Subscriber Identification Module, or SIM, card, a microchip inserted into the phone to activate service. To put it simply, that person can only use that phone while still subscribed to that carrier’s network and, if they want to change carriers, they have to get a new phone.

An unlocked cell phone will work with any carrier’s SIM card. If an individual changes carriers, they simply have to insert a new SIM card into their unlocked cell phone, and the phone will be able to access that carrier’s network.

Cell phone carriers use locked cell phones to their advantage. By locking the cell phones and offering them as part of their contract, they retain more customers. The customer cannot change carriers without getting a new phone and possibly spending more money. Because certain carriers may have contracts with specific cell phone manufacturers, a customer may not be able to get the phone they want with the plan they have. The carriers argue that locking the phones helps them offer the phones at a discounted rate. Still, these phones leave the customer with few options.

An unlocked phone, on the other hand, can be used for years, even if the customer decides to change carriers. The customer has more options as to the type and style of cell phone they choose because they are not pinned down to the phones offered by their carrier. While the customer will have to buy the unlocked phone outright, perhaps spending more money initially, over time, they actually save more money. Plus, unlocked cell phones are much more convenient.

Unlocked cell phones are offered by third parties and are not connected with the carrier companies. On occasion, a cell carrier will unlock a locked phone after a period of time, but these previously locked phones don’t always work with all SIM cards, even once they’re unlocked. As unlocked cell phones become more popular, the overall price of phones should come down.

The U.S. is far behind the rest of the worl in unlocked cell phone sales. In other countries, the majority of cell phones sold are unlocked. In the United States, the majority are sold with contracts and are locked into a certain carrier. This is slowly changing and within a decade unlocked phones shouls surpass locked phone sales.


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5 Tips For Finding The Best PDA Phones On The Market

October 28th, 2009

Ron Hel-Or asked:


The PDA phone revolution is here. Only a few years ago, many of us used to carry around a cell phone as well as a PDA, and suffered form the “too much a handle” syndrome. The PDA as well as the cell-phone manufacturers saw this development, and sensed that people need something else. Their answer was to come out with a PDA phone, or a smartphone. This sophisticated device integrates a PDA with a cell phone and allows you to stay on to of things without getting over-whelmed. The smart phone will enable you to:

1. Keep one calendar instead of two.

2. Talk to people on the phone and check things on your email on the web at the same time. This saves a lot of time and returned phone calls.

3. Carry less

4. Upgrade just one device instead of two, when it’s time to upgrade.

5. Look sharper than ever!

So after we talked about the many advantages of having a smartphone, how do you find the Best PDA Phones and choose the one for you?

There are quite a few smartphone manufacturers – iPAQ, Palm-Treo and BalckBerry to name a few.

When ever you look for a PDA phone, pay attention to theses parameters:

1. Is it compact and light? some smartphones are just heavy and awkward to handle. You don’t need that. Go for a light and thin device that won’t be a burden.

2. Is it easy operate? Some PDA phones have complicated menus that require you to invest a lot of effort. Take a good look at how the PDA phone in operated and look for one that is easy.

3. Does it use standard software? – most smartphones are. But just check to be sure. You don’t want a smartphone that is “spoiled” and needs special software and accessories to operate at a basic level. For instance, prefer one that uses an operating system like the Palm OS.

4. Is the phone working well? There is a fine balance between the PDA and the Phone parts in any phone PDA. The Best PDA Phones balance that well and both parts work perfectly, and are fully integrate. Make sure yours does.

5. Do you feel comfortable with it? Perhaps the most important one of all. If you’re not comfortable with the device, it deosn’t really matter if it’s considered the best in the market, does it? Choose the one you feel good about.

Taking a good look at the variety of smartphonmes as well as reading reviews and consulting with owners is good practice. It will ensure you come up with the Best PDA Phones on the market, from which you can choose yours.


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