Wireless Phone FAQ

Q1. What options and features are available in today's Wireless Phones?

A1. Number storage, voice mail; text messaging, fax capabilities, caller ID, paging, call waiting, conference calling, email, calendaring, and intrinsic vibrating alert, to name just a few. You can get organized with PDA Wireless Phones and even take snap-shots with the newest Wireless Phone Cameras.

Q2. How do I care for my cell phone battery?

A2. The first few times you use a new wireless phone battery, it should get a good, long recharge each time. When possible, recharge your battery overnight. When you charge a battery, it fills up in a non-linear manner: the battery will be 60% charged within 15 minutes, 90% within an hour or two, but completely charging it will take several hours. Don't take your fully-charged battery off charge and then put it back onto charge a few minutes later because this confuses the way your wireless phone monitors the battery's charge state.

Q3. What's the difference between digital and analog?

A3. The analog signal is like a sound wave; it can be weak or strong, fade in and out. A digital signal is more like computer information, composed of ones and zeros--making the signal either all there, or not at all. Analog takes greater power to transmit than digital so analog phones have less standby and talk time than digital phones. Analog is being phased out, but is still viable, especially for 911 calls. Digital is the wave of the future in Wireless Phone Technology but currently lacks full coverage in less populated areas.

Q4. How do I know if I need a single, dual, or tri-band wireless phone?

A4. Most cell phones function on at least two bands to provide customers with a larger coverage area. Instead of being able to make calls within only your home state, for example, a multi-band phone allows you to make calls from anywhere in the nation. Tri-band phones receive signal a greater percentage of the time but they're usually larger and bulkier because they hold transmitting and receiving equipment for all three bands. Tri-band phones are ideal for high-volume cell phone users who travel. To deliver maximum coverage for Nationwide Wireless Phone Service, a tri-band phone would work best. For local area coverage, a digital single- or dual-band phone would work fine.

Q5. What is a hands-free car-kit?

A5. The car-kit frees you from holding your wireless phone and is legally mandated in some states if you want to talk on the phone while driving. It can be as simple as an earpiece or device that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter to access a power supply for an external speaker and microphone. High-end car-kits, which deliver superior sound quality, typically require professional installation of a power booster, speaker and microphone components.

Q6. How can I personalize my phone to reflect my style?

A6. Accessorize! Wireless Phone Accessories have gone beyond practical to the realm of high fashion. You can now change faceplates daily to match your outfit, and even program your ringtone with a unique ditty you compose on your phone's keypad. For more info on personalizing your ringtone, read what About.com's cell phone expert Eric Bernatchez has to say.

Q7. The choices are overwhelming! What's the bottom line in choosing a wireless phone and service provider?

Q7. Need, carrier reputation, cell phone reliability, size, and battery life should be your major considerations. Knowing what you are willing to accept and can afford is critical to your ultimate satisfaction. If you want to know what other consumers think of a particular wireless phone plan, carrier, or phone, you can get an electronic "earful" at the Epinions.com website.

Q8. Where can I find information about wireless phone etiquette?

A8. Check out the Letstalk.com Cell Phone Etiquette Guide

for excellent ways to be a courteous cell phone user.

Microsoft's bCentral (http://www.bcentral.com/articles/krotz/165.asp)

also features detailed "Do's and Don'ts," to encourage civility.

Q9. Can I donate my old wireless phone when I upgrade my equipment?

A9. Great idea! Recycle your extra cell phones (pagers and PDAs, too) in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. CollectiveGood (http://www.collectivegood.com/) is one organization that will put them to good use. For a list of other groups waiting to benefit form your old electronics, visit About.Com's Charity Donations page.

Q10. What does the future hold for Wireless Phone Technology?

A10. The future is hot for web access with your wireless phone. Soon it'll be a breeze to retrieve sports scores, news, weather, stock info, e-mail, buy and send flowers, order dinner, make movie reservations, and play real-time games with other cell phone users. A California startup company is developing a technology that will support two-way cell phone video-conferencing. MP3 device makers are working on ways for cell phones to be the portable radio players of tomorrow. Next generation portable games will be cellular-enabled, and new technologies will eventually enable cell phones to automatically upgrade their software through wireless connections.

Wireless Phones

Check out today's most popular wireless phones to figure out your technical and esthetic preferences. Learn how to spruce up your cellular investment with the latest Wireless Phone Accessories. Get practical tips on choosing a wireless phone plan to fit your needs because the more knowledge you have, the more satisfied you'll be with your purchase, and with the service you receive in return for your hard-earned money. Here you can even explore wireless phone information beyond price and brand names. Find out about Wireless Phone History and the latest news on health risks from Wireless Phone Radiation.