• Bluetooth Phones Part 1

    Modern cell phones come with so many features that they're sometimes jokingly referred to as "Swiss Army Phones." In addition to making and receiving phone calls, cell phones can check and send email, manage your personal information, surf the web, let you watch downloaded or streaming videos, take pictures and videos, and play games A Bluetooth cell phone will help you integrate all this into your own "piconet" so that information can be shared among your other computing devices.

    Basic Phone Stuff

    Even a basic cell phone can have variations. You want to make sure to get a phone that has a good top volume and volume control so that you can hear the person on the other end. The phone should also have a good microphone so that your voice sounds loud and natural to the other party. A sleek design will add to your cell phones portability. A flip top will allow you to expand the phone to a more useable size when you need it. This is particularly helpful in a phone that also offers video so that the screen can be a decent size.

    Headset

    A Bluetooth headset is a plus, giving you a wireless earpiece and microphone that you can speak into while keeping the cell phone safe on your belt or in your briefcase. Bluetooth headsets can run anywhere from $30 to $150. So consider that if a headset is included in the price of the phone. An included headset may not be worthwhile, though. If it isn't in a style that you like or find comfortable, you may end up purchasing a different headset anyway.

    Speakerphone

    You may also want your cell phone to have speaker phone capability. It can be handy to set the phone down and simply talk and listen while you go through papers or make notes. Some cell phones offer a speakerphone feature, but with a volume that's unimpressive. If you plan to use this feature regularly, make sure the speakerphone can deliver what you want. Otherwise you'll just find yourself picking up the phone in frustration and asking callers to repeat themselves.

    Email

    A cell phone is perfect for accessing email on the go. With the push of a button, you can check in to see what messages you have. With a little more work, you can send out messages as well.

    On many cell phones, the numeric pad is used to send text messages as well. This can take a little getting used to since each number can stand for three different letters depending on how many times you press it. Some cell phones attempt to help you out by completing words for you with varying success. (You can override their suggestions.)

    Many users prefer a cell phone that comes with a complete QWERTY keyboard. This will add a little bit to the bulk of your phone. Saving space may make the buttons so small that they're hard to hit properly.

    A Bluetooth cell phone can sync up with a home or office device so that you have a record of emails received and sent in both places. This also allows you to conserve space on your cell phone by deleting messages from the phone without losing them permanently. Of course, as more people switch to web-based email, this becomes less of an issue.

    PIM Data

    "PIM data" refers to the sort of data that will be contained by a "Personal Information Manager" such as a Personal Digital Assistant or on a regular laptop or desktop PC. This information can include emails, address books, calendars, task lists, and notices. Make sure the phone you choose can store a large number of addresses and phone numbers if you intend to use it for this purpose.

    A Bluetooth cell phone is ideal for helping you to keep track of your PIM data while you're on the go. While you're out and about, you can use your Bluetooth cell phone to access the phone number and address for a client. You call ahead to confirm and find out the client has moved. So you take down the new information and store it in the cell phone. Then you forget about it. When you get home and set your cell phone in its cradle, a Bluetooth phone will seek out any Bluetooth device it's been paired with. And if you've set up the software to do this, the phone will notify your laptop (for example) that the address has been changed. The laptop's address book gets updated without you having to remember to do it.

    Obviously, this feature is a major advantage for people with changing calendars as well. Modify the date or time of an appointment on the road, and your office computer gets updated with that information the next time you're in range. Or set up your office computer to remind you of a certain weekly task. Your Bluetooth cell phone will receive that information and politely beep a reminder when you're away from the office.

    With some cell phones, users report that address book data can become corrupted when the memory gets low or for other reasons. While you want to avoid a phone that behaves this way, it's nice to know you have a backup in case something like this happens.