Getting the most from your mobile
These days it is no longer enough just to have a mobile that stores numbers, calls and can send text messages – what makes a phone really popular is the number of hi-tech multimedia options it offers to the buyer. And it’s not just a case of having a camera-phone, because that’s all taken as rote by now, but of having an MP3 player built in, or GPS, or any number of other nifty gadgets. Now it seems that you can get pretty much anything you want on your mobile phone, so you really can buy the phone that best suits your needs. Here are a few examples of what you can expect, ranging from mobiles for a smaller budget to the fancier hi-tech mobiles that cost a bit more.
Cameras. Gone are the days when having a camera phone delivered you an automatic status boost – these days cameras are one of the more common features of mobile phones, and can be bought at a range of prices and quality. Vodafone, for example, offer the Sony Ericsson C510 with 3.2 megapixels for free on pay monthly deals from £10. On the other hand, they also offer the Samsung Tocco Ultra Edition free on pay monthly plans from £20, which has an 8 megapixel camera along with a wealth of other gadgets and gizmos.
Internet. Internet enabled phones are fast becoming a favourite choice for busy people who are always on the go. Whether it’s for a business or leisure purpose, an internet-enabled phone can be very handy for things like accessing emails, checking up on the status of various sites, and catching up on the news. From sophisticated models like the Blackberry Storm Smartphone (a Vodafone exclusive) to more accessible mobiles like the Sony Ericsson W595, there is an internet-enabled phone available for all kinds of budgets.
MP3 Player. In the age of the iPod, it is hardly surprising that many people are looking to mobile phones to provide two products in one – a phone and an MP3 player. Though original designs were simplistic and flawed at best, the industry has risen to the occasion and is meeting the public demand. Look for products like the iPhone or the Nokia 5800 for options that aren’t just a mobile phone pretending to be an MP3 player.
GPS. Finally, for those who aren’t very good at remembering directions, many mobile phones now come with in-built GPS navigation to help you on longer journeys. Models like the Nokia N96 are available for free on many price plans from several networks.
No matter what you want from your mobile phone, the industry is striving to provide it. Do your research before purchasing your new phone and it can do far more for you than just make calls and send messages.