Jim and I recently wrote an eBay Magazine piece entitled "Choose Your Cell Mate" (March 2000). Since that time I've been approached by friends and clients alike, all curious about how to get the right cell phone. It's a complex topic, and will take two separate articles to address given the space constraints of the newsletter. I'll list what I think the key questions are, in order of importance, and I'll answer them as I go.
What are the most important features in a good cell phone?
First, a user interface (UI) that you grok on sight. If the phone's display is too small, weird, or cumbersome, or its menu too awkward for me to figure out *immediately* then I'm gone. (Example: the Ericsson KF 788 that we reviewed for "PC Computing" magazine in December of 1999 has such a bad UI, it reeks. As soon as you power this phone up your brain goes "yuck.") Trust your instincts on this.
Second, voice memorization (officially "digital voice dialing" or "voice-activated calling"). The phone should be able to store your voice speaking 20 or more names for dialing upon your spoken command. I'm positively addicted to this feature. Also a great way to impress your friends and bystanders when you flip the phone open and tell it "home"
. Seriously, please respect the personal space of people near you whenever you use your cell phone in a public place (and turn it off altogether when in an intimate setting unless there is some overriding emergency or safety issue that requires it being on). Third, PC synchronization. You're not using your phone to its fullest potential until you eliminate duplicate phone books and stop keying in names and numbers manually. A good phone will allow you to easily and quickly connect to your PC and download your personal information manager's contacts into the phone's address book. A synopsis of the key features to consider: which Personal Information Managers are supported, ease of use of the connectivity software (the best is FoneSync by Paragon), maximum number of names in the phone book, and maximum name length.
http://www.thenakedpc.com/t/310/tr.cgi?cell1- What cell phone provider should I use?
The answer varies depending on coverage in the area you call from most frequently, whether you want a consolidated phone bill, and another dozen or so factors shown below. Most important is whether feature X is right for you. Don't get caught up in "feature-itis" or you'll be paying for technology you don't use.
Phone inventory - Look for a wide variety from super-cheap to high-end.
Caller services - These include a "message waiting indicator" on the phone, voicemail, and caller ID.
Consolidated statements - Many long distance companies that also provide wireless service already--or will soon--conveniently co-mingle these two bills.
Paging and text messaging - You may be able to relinquish your pager and save some bucks if you get the right cellular phone and service plan. A convenient Web-based messaging center is a bonus.
Rounding up - Beware! Most providers round up to the nearest minute; a call lasting one minute and two seconds is billed at two minutes. Provider wins, you lose. Not much you can do about it except write a letter to the FCC.
The contract - Read the fine print. Is this a long-term or month-to-month contract? Also, can you do everything online, or must you go to a local retail center? Study the termination clause even if it's just a month-to-month deal.
Signing up - Many providers charge a one-time activation fee but don't like to talk about it until you sign up. Ask first. AT&T Digital One Rate, a popular plan for high-volume callers, charges $25.
Getting out - Is there a termination fee? AT&T Digital One Rate charges $10 for each month remaining on the 12-month contract.
Plan details and fees - How many monthly minutes are in the plan, how much, and do you get regional or nation-wide coverage? AT&T Digital One Rate provides 600 minutes of nation-wide coverage for $89.99.
"Within plan" fees - What are the local, long distance, and roaming charges (per minute) for within plan calls? For AT&T Digital One Rate there are never any per minute fees for within plan calls.
"Over plan" fees - What are the local, long distance, and roaming charges (per minute) for over plan calls? For AT&T Digital One Rate the answer is $0.25/minute flat for any over plan call.
Caller services and paging/text messaging fees - Are these features bundled or fee-based? AT&T Digital One Rate bundles them for free.
How many minutes should I get in my plan?
If you don't have a plan yet, try this fun little game. For two days pretend you have a cell phone, in fact, carry around a similarly-sized object like a pack of cards in your pocket or purse. Think about who you'd be calling while you're stuck in traffic, waiting to get your teeth cleaned, whatever. Write down who you would have called and how long you would have talked. After two days, add up the total minutes, multiply by 15, and now you've got a rough approximation of how many minutes you might talk per month.
If you've already got a plan and are hopping to another provider, study your last three statements and determine your average calling pattern. Write down each months' total minutes, alongside the average, and take an objective look at whether this usage level is really appropriate for you. Provider plans typically vary as a function of total airtime minutes per month so when you're shopping, be prepared to think in terms like, "250 plan minutes per month for $39.99 per month." Be sure to determine exactly what the per minute charges (local, long distance, and roaming) are for minutes in excess of the plan ceiling.
In the next issue I'll address the remaining questions:
How do I compare costs between plans?
How do I decide if it's time to change to another provider?
What accessories should I buy?
What are some good Web resources covering cell phones and stuff?
What's the best way to get someone who's talking obnoxiously on a cell phone in a public place to stop?
