Camera Cell Phones

These days, a good many cell phones come with a camera built right into the phone itself. Thus, these phones are called camera phones. These built in cameras are hardly noticeable and are unobtrusive to the cell phone user. Camera cell phones are hugely popular and their sales have even surpassed those of regular digital cameras.

Just as with your standard digital camera, resolution on camera phones varies. However, you can achieve virtually the same resolution on a VGA camera phone that you can achieve with a less expensive digital camera.

With current technology, camera phones are continuously being improved and upgraded. With some of the newer phones, picture quality is almost as good as some of the mid level digital cameras.

Competition among camera cell phone makers is fierce, and this is a good thing for consumers. Cell phone manufacturers continuously output better and cheaper camera phones, which gives you a wider range to choose from if you are considering a camera cell phone.

When shopping for your new camera phone, be sure to shop around and compare models, as features vary from phone to phone. Some features that you can choose from are flash, digital zoom and color adjustment. Some phones will also allow you to take self portraits.

Along with the camera feature on these cell phones, you may also be able to use the “photo caller id” feature. When someone calls you, the picture that you have stored in your phone for that person appears on the screen when the phone rings.

Other phones include the option to capture short video clips. In addition to taking photos, camera phones with video capability allow you to record short videos from your phone. This type of camera phone is rapidly increasing in popularity.

So, you have gone out and purchased a camera phone. The camera feature is great but you may be wondering what you will use it for. Besides using your phone to take the normal pictures you might take on a daily basis, there are numerous uses for your camera phone.

For example, if you are having a difficult time deciding on a clothing purchase, you might take a picture and send it to a friend for her opinion. Or suppose you are in a minor auto accident. Simply whip out your handy camera phone to take pictures of the damage and to keep track of the facts. If you are the forgetful sort, you might even decide to take a picture of the row and section where parked your car at a shopping center or in a garage.

Once you decide to buy a camera cell phone, you will invent hundreds of uses that may have never previously crossed your mind. And it only takes a second to snap a quick photo with your camera cell phone.

Cell Phone Text Messaging

Cell phone text messaging is exploding worldwide. If you have been struggling to keep your cell phone bill under control, rather than change your plan again, you may consider using the text messaging feature available on almost all mobile phones. You will join the ranks of billions of cell phone text messaging users around the world and maybe even have a little fun in the process.

Usage of the text messaging feature has seen explosive growth. Statistics show that by June of 2004, an average of 100 text messages per person had been sent globally. Text messaging is a quick, convenient, and discrete way to keep in contact with your friends and loved ones that will keep you from burning extra minutes in your cell phone plan each month.

Text messaging is also known as SMS, or short message service, in the technical world. Cell phone users simply refer to them as text messages, or texts. And the popularity of the service has increased three fold over the past year in the United States alone. SMS permits the sending and receipt of text messages between cell phones and other handheld devices, such as PDAs.

Sending a text message to someone's phone is pretty simple. You simply choose the messaging feature on your cell phone, input the recipient’s phone number, and then type your message. Once you are finished typing your message, then you simply choose the send option and your message is sent. Many plans even allow you to send messages from your phone directly to an email address.

In case you are wondering, text messaging is usually a pretty affordable feature. Mobile phone companies may charge $0.10 or less per text message to send and receive text messages. This does not count towards your minutes usage and there is no additional charge.

To save even more when you use this feature, you may choose to add on a text messaging package to your current cell phone plan. Most text plans are relatively inexpensive and can be added for as little as $2.99, depending on how many messages you plan to send each month. Check with your cell phone carrier for messaging plans offered for your cell phone.

Cell phone companies count all messages that you send or receive, whether you read them or not. Messages can be up to 160 characters in length. If you receive a longer message, each 160 characters counts as a separate text message.

You can also use the text messaging feature on your cell phone to receive news alerts, ringtones, and more. However, this is normally classified as premium content and requires a subscription, which is an additional charge.

You may have even seen where many companies and television programs are using text messaging for entertainment purposes, such as voting and entering competitions. It is also used by many to play interactive games. You should keep in mind that you are charged extra for using text messaging in this manner, though.

So go ahead, start cell phone text messaging instead of idly wasting your cell phone minutes on things that can be said just as easily, and more cheaply, using text messaging.

Considering a Prepaid Cell Phone Plan

With a prepaid phone plan, you are automatically approved. There is no credit check required – you simply choose your phone and your plan and you are done. In the past, you were limited in choice of phone styles and features, but this is fast becoming a thing of the past. So if you have less than perfect credit, a prepaid cell phone plan may be right for you.

With a prepaid phone plan, you do not have to worry about a bill each month, as you would with a typical cell phone plan. This is because you pay for your minute usage in advance. When you use all your minutes, you can simply buy additional minutes.

Prepaid cell phone plans also include features that you would find with typical contract cell phone plans. They have really come a long way. You can choose voicemail, caller ID, and even text messaging. You even have access to the latest cell phone models, such as camera phones and music capable phones.

Prepaid cell phone plans are also a great option for teenagers who are just learning to handle responsibility. You have peace of mind as a parent knowing that you can stay in touch with your child at all times. You are also freed from worry knowing that your child cannot create any surprise bills for you at the end of the month.

You may also consider a prepaid cell phone plan if you rarely use your cell phone or allocate its use for emergency purposes only.

A prepaid phone plan is great for those with less than the best credit or for those who have little money to spend. It is a great tool for learning financial management skills and responsibility, if you struggle in these areas.

One of the defining factors for many of those who are considering a prepaid cell phone plan is freedom. You are free from contracts. You are free from a monthly bill. You are free to change and switch companies and cell phone plans as often as you wish with a prepaid cell phone plan.

Shopping for a prepaid phone plan is no different than shopping for a typical cell phone plan with a contract. Shop around, assess your needs and choices, and then choose the best prepaid plan for your lifestyle.

How To Choose a Cell Phone Plan

For instance, are most of the calls you make during evening hours or on the weekends? If so, you may benefit from a plan that includes free nights and weekends. Also, you may decide on a plan that includes less daytime minutes since you probably do not need as many.

On the other hand, do you make most of your calls during daylight, or peak hours? In this case, you will probably actually benefit with a plan that includes more minutes.

In either scenario, most cell phone providers will allow you to switch or change your plan with a simple phone call, even if you have previously agreed to a contract.

Remember to be polite when you speak to someone about switching your cell phone plan. Rudeness only makes the sales representatives less inclined to help you. They will simply remind you that you signed a contract.

Another consideration when choosing your cell phone plan is if your plan offers free mobile-to-mobile minutes. This means that you can call other cell phone users on the same network at no extra cost. When choosing your cell phone plan, you may want to keep this consideration in mind, especially if a lot of your friends and family use a particular cell phone company.

In addition to mobile-to-mobile minutes, some cell phone companies now allow you to make calls to any number on any network without using any of your allotted minutes for the month. You are able to choose anywhere from five to ten numbers to include in this plan. And when you call these numbers or receive calls from these numbers, you are not charged.

You must also consider where you will be using your cell phone when you choose your cell phone plan. It makes no sense to choose a plan or cell phone provider that does not provide adequate network coverage for your needs. Incurring roaming charges can easily increase the amount of your monthly cell phone bill to an uncontrollable level.

If you rarely use your cell phone, or use it for emergencies only, then a prepaid plan may be a good option for you. However, prepaid cell phone plan rates are typically higher than standard cell phone plan rates. Ultimately, how and where you use your cell phone will determine how you choose a cell phone plan. Just be sure to review the facts and choose wisely.