quick-messaging phone

How young is too young for a cellphone or smartphone?

More than 90 percent of Americans own a cellphone today, and a growing number of those cellphone users are children. But how young is too young for a cellphone?

Cellphone or smartphone for kids?

Dear Maggie, This is a two-part question. I'm considering getting a cellphone for my 11-year old daughter for Christmas. A lot of girls in her class already have phones. She's been begging me for one. But I'm not sure if this is too young. What do you think?

Also, at what age do you think it's appropriate for a child to switch … Read more

AT&T pushes quick-messaging phones

LAS VEGAS--AT&T execs said there is big opportunity in selling mid-range phones to consumers who think smartphones are too expensive and too complicated.

Executives talked about this new cell phone category they call "quick messaging devices" on Wednesday at an event at the CTIA tradeshow here.

What is a quick-messaging phone? Think the LG Neon and Samsung Propel. These are phones that don't have the processing power and functionality found in most smartphones, but they still offer data services, such as messaging, e-mail, and Web access. Most of these phones also have QWERTY keypads and/… Read more

AT&T-Verizon price war debunked (FAQ)

Some people are calling the new tweaks to AT&T and Verizon Wireless' pricing plans the start of a mobile price war, but for many wireless consumers, they'll actually be paying more each month.

The companies each revised pricing late last week in separate announcements. The price cuts follow new aggressive pricing from Sprint Nextel, which last year introduced plans that allow customers to call any cell phone in the U.S. for free.

AT&T's and Verizon's new plans were supposed to simplify pricing for consumers. But the fact is that the new plans … Read more