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Ask the Cell Phone Diva: Your questions answered.
Cell phone 101 |
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By Joni Blecher  Section editor, CNET Reviews August 26, 2004 |
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Section Editor Joni Blecher, a.k.a. the Cell Phone Diva, wants to answer all your questions about cell phones, service plans, and wireless connectivity. Send her a question! Switch-hitter A: While it seems like you should be able to have two separate lines on one cell phone, especially on a business-oriented mobile such as the 7280, you can't do so on this particular model. However, for future reference, many Nextel mobiles support the feature. If you're looking for it in your next device, ask for alternate-line service support, or ALS. Photo op
--B. Arthur A: Yes, it's true, but there are alternatives. First, if you buy the picture pack from Sprint, you'll be able to send the photos to any computer via e-mail. Once you get the e-mail, you'll be able to download the picture from Sprint's Web site and save it to the machine. But for a more direct route, you should check out FutureDial's SnapMedia software ($30). It provides a USB cable and software that allows you to connect your phone to your computer, then download the pictures straight to your home PC. If you buy the software, you pay only once, whereas Sprint's service is an ongoing monthly service charge. College bound A: Since you're starting from scratch, getting a great deal on a decent phone won't be too difficult. Once you choose a carrier (ask people in the area which provider they use), go to the store, and check out the handsets. Pick them up, check out their perspective button pads, and narrow down your choices. Be sure to write down the model number and the manufacturer before leaving the store, then hit the Web. Check out the carrier's Web site, as it often lists "Internet specials" that offer more of a discount than you would find in the store. Then surf other sites that sell cell phones and services, such as Amazon and, of course, CNET, to see what deals are available for the model you want. It should be easy to get a pretty cool mobile for a reasonable price if you sign a one-year contract. But before you sign on the dotted line, check out one more site: that of the phone's manufacturer. The company often offers rebates on new models--you could end up with a sweet deal. That means more dough in your pocket for extracurricular activities, err, I mean books. Give me the 411--do you think the 411 service is worth the money? TalkBack to me below!
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 ...Getting the 411
Cell phone service plans have come a long way. It's pretty easy to get one that allows you to call just about anywhere at just about any time, without paying a lot of overage fees--unless, of course, you manage to talk for more than 800 minutes a month. Yet bills can still escalate. What's the culprit? Dialing 411 from your cell phone. Besides eating into your monthly minute allotment, it also costs as much as $1.50 for each extra call. And if that's not enough, 411 operators don't always give you the right information, resulting in another pricey call. If your bill is too much, check your 411 addiction or remember to calculate it in when picking a plan. 
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