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From
TNPC issue #3.10...
Cell Phones, Getting the Right One: Part 1
by Lee Hudspeth
May 11, 2000
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?
You can reach Lee Hudspeth at:
mailto:leehudspeth@TheNakedPC.com
Copyright © 2000, PRIME Consulting Group, Inc. and Dan Butler.
All Rights Reserved.
The Naked PC is a trademark of PRIME Consulting Group, Inc.
ISSN: 1522-4422
You may reprint an article from TNPC as long as you show the
entire article and include the authors byline, excerpt and
subscription information as shown:
Cell Phones, Getting the Right One: Part 1
by Lee Hudspeth
(This article originally appeared in The Naked PC
newsletter #3.10, subscribe at http://www.TheNakedPC.com)
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