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Cell Phone Tech News > Tools & Tips
Cell Phone Number Portability
In 1996, the US Congress ordered telephone companies to allow users to keep their phone numbers when switching phone companies in order to help competitiveness in the commercial market. Landline providers accomplished this, but wireless companies have delayed. The FCC mandated a final deadline of November, 24 2003. If you wish to port your number to a new carrier they will need to know specific information about your current wireless number account. Have a copy of your bill with you, and/or details on how your name appears on the bill, your billing address, account number and current phone number. Misspelled or incorrect information will slow down your application and delay the porting of your wireless number. Sometimes you can actually keep the same cell phone handset for use with a new plan, Different carriers use different broadcast technologies and many phones come programmed to work only with one carrier. This is especially true of the so-called "free phones" given away with new subscriptions. However, GSM phones may be unlocked and used with another carrier on a GSM network. You should check the specifics with your carrier.

Here is the > FCC guidelines page for cell phone portability.

T9 Predictive Text Input
T9 makes it faster and easier to type on small mobile devices. Pre-loaded with thousands of words, emoticons, and punctuation, T9 predicts what you want to say as you type. If you type in a word T9 doesn't recognize, it will learn it and recognize it the next time you enter the word. It's a text experience that gets faster every time, whether you use it to send messages to your friends, enter contacts in your address book, stay on top of your schedule, or even access the Internet.

T9 comes preinstalled on a number of handsets including: Nokia 6600, Sony Ericsson P900, Samsung SGH-E700, and the Samsung SGH-E700.

Web Based Cell Phone Services

Many of the newer aspects of cell phone technology can be managed or delivered via the web. uLocate.com, a Massachusetts based software company enables users to track their friends, colleagues, and/or family members linking cell phones with the web. uLocate lets users create "GeoFences" so they'll receive an alert when (for instance) a child has reached school.

EZSnapper lets users upload their cellphone photos to a variety of sites, to add them to their blogs, and/or to send them via email to groups or individuals.

Google and Where.com enable users to send text queries for immediate response with such details as: local gas stations, ATMS, coffee shops.

Sending Out an SOS is a web-based service that promises to contact the two people of your choice, should you fail to return from an outing. You have to check back in with them, so as not to send the alert inappropriately! There's no software to download or install and you can use your cellphone (if it has WAP) to create, edit, or terminate your travel plan.

The Global Satellite Phone
If you live, travel, or work in areas outside traditional cellular coverage or in areas with inadequate landline service, Iridium Satellite Solution systems offers provide Fixed, Portable, or Vehicle connectivity.

PodCasting from Your Cell Phone
Cell phones can become podcast playback devices through existing channels like MMS Podcast, J2ME Podcast and AMR-NB Podcast, Mobilecast will will split your Podcast into 10 minute segments. Enhanced podcasts (podcasts with m4a, m4b or m4p extensions) are Podcasts with images that are displayed in sync with the podcast.

Consumer Reports
While there are many service providers looking for your business, Consumer Reports offer worksheets (below) and rankings for you to consider before starting or switching:

  • Take advantage of the trial period to assess service carefully.
  • Sign up for the shortest contract, even if it means paying more for the phone, because it provides the fastest way out if service deteriorates.
  • Read all the terms and conditions before signing up.
  • Beware of signing up for service through a company other than the carrier. Some agents impose cancellation fees on top of the carrier's cancellation fees.

    Consumers can also access a free interactive worksheet on ConsumerReports.org that presents other money-saving strategies for phone service and a guide to deciphering cell-phone bills.

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