Beter than FREE?

Cellphone technology changes so fast that phonemakers could not get rid of their current inventory fast enough in order to make room for the next batch. So instead of scrapping up their stocks (I hope they scrap them up and not just bury them in some landfill), what do they do? They not only give them away, they give you money or credit to take them away! As of May 2007, these have free shipping too. So ordering today can have the cell phone just in time for Mother's Day.

Here's a sample from Letstalk.com:

Sanyo Katana - Mystic Black (Sprint) Cell Phone



The Sanyo Katana is a new ultra-thin cell phone offered by Sprint. This fun clamshell phone comes in three different colors Mystic Black, Blue Sapphire and Cherry Blossom pink. Comes with

• Built-in VGA camera
• 2.2-inch QVGA TFT LCD Main Display
• Built-in Speakerphone
• Sprint PCS Vision
• 1.0-inch TFT LCD External Display, 65K-color
• Bluetooth ready

Nextel ic502 Buzz (Silver)- PowerSource Cell Phone

The Nextel ic502 AKA the Motorola Buzz is the The first CDMA / iDEN hybrid phone, using CDMA for voice and data, and iDEN for walkie-talkie functions. This hybrid cell phone offers a rugged design and access to Nextel's Direct Connect network. This phone also features a speakerphone, Java, and location-based services.

This phone also includes:

• Bright, 65K color internal display
• Built-in speakerphone for hands-free calling
• Walkie-talkie for use with Nextel Direct Connect
• Voice Memo

Technorati Tags: cellphone, cell phone, Sprint, Sanyo Katana, Nextel, black cell phone, Motorola Buzz

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Motorola RAZR: still popular

The RAZR still remains as the most popular cell phone around today. My brother has one, at least four of my friends, and just about every other person I meet.

As of today, here is a screenshot from Letstalk.com's best seller list:



Why is the RAZR so popular? Well, many like the looks. Let's see, the RAZR is sleek and thin. It is well designed. I like how the touchpad blends with the surface and doesn't stick out like many other cellphones. It also comes with many different colors to match just about any individual styles.

What about specs? This one is for a v3:

• Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) capable
• Mobile Instant Messaging using AOL® Instant MessengerTM
• Quad-band international capability
• Polyphonic speaker and downloadable ringtones, supertones, and full-audio ringtones
• Integrated digital VGA camera with 4x zoom, image quality options, and auto-timer
• Photo phone book and picture Caller ID
• Built-in speakerphone
• WAP Browser, Brew and Bluetooth capable
• Voice activated dialing and commands*
• Video download and playback capabilities
• Personal organizer: Calendar, calculator, alarm clock, and currency converter

Not really groundbreaking as a phone. But it works well as a phone. Bluetooth will payoff even if you dont' replace in a year or two because of the cell phone bans in car laws that are upcoming. You can easily attach a handsfree device.

Lastly, when the RAZR first came out, it cost a lot, in the hundreds at first. Now, it's being given out for free.

Start reading some reviews from Letstalk.com customers. Meanwhile, here are some cool looking RAZRs:

Technorati Tags: cellphone, cell phone, Motorola, RAZR

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Mother's Day Special - Free shipping from TracFone

TracFone is also having a special. Get FREE SHIPPING on all offers of $19.99 or more at TracFone.com.

Now it's just a matter of finding a cell phone over $19.99.

It jus so happens that TracFone is also offering the Motorola v176, but for $59.99. Here are the specs:

• Features text messaging, voice mail, free caller ID, free call waiting*
• Color display with screen savers and wallpaper
• Battery talk time over 6 hours and standby time up to 12.5 days
• Pre-loaded ringtones
• Handsfree speaker phone built-in
• Multimedia Games
• Weighs just 3.06 ounces
• Alarm clock
• TracFone Airtime Balance Display shows you how much airtime you've used and how much is left, so you control your costs
• Includes up to 20 minutes of starter airtime upon activation**

* Caller ID and call waiting may not be available in analog service areas or outside your local calling area.

** In order to qualify, simply activate your TracFone on the Web at TracFone.com and register your e-mail address while you're there.

From the previous post, Net 10 offers this phone for $89.99. The difference is 300 minutes (Net 10) vs. 20 minutes (TracFone). Of course, there are other choices to look at.



Technorati Tags: cellphone, cell phone, TracFone, Motorola v176, prepaid cellphone, Mother's Day cell phone promotion

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Mother's Day Special - Free Shipping at Net 10

In an earlier post, Net 10 was one of the carriers that I listed as a possible vendor for prepaid cellphones. They are having a Mother's Day special for FREE shipping on orders $19.99 or more.
But what's worthwhile at $19.99+? Here's a couple of choices:

Right at $19.99 is a reconditoned cell phone, Nokia 1100 .


It has the following:

Stores up to 50 names and numbers

One touch dialing

Battery talk time up to 3 hours and standby time up to 16 days

Changeable color covers

Built-in games, calculator and clock with alarm

Built-in flashlight

Multi-language support

Vibrating alert

Includes 300 minutes of airtime, 60 days of service

Not bad. It's a very basic phone. I'd buy it for personal use, but not if I'm giving a gift for my mom.


Now, depending on your state, something that's can payoff in a longer term is a Motorola v176 for $89.99.

It has the following:

Features text messaging, voice mail, free caller ID, free call waiting*

Color display with screen savers and wallpaper

Handsfree speaker phone built-in

Phonebook with up to 250 entries

Battery talk time over 6 hours

Standby time up to 12.5 days

Pre-loaded ringtones

Multi-media Games

Alarm clock

Weighs just 3.06 ounces

Includes 300 minutes of airtime, 60 days of service

I mentioned that this would payoff for a longer term because of the handsfree speaker. The handsfree speaker can be a poorman's handsfree devices as you drive when certain laws restricting cell phones in cars are passed. You'll just have to shut the windows.

There are a handful of other choices. The promotion is only good till May 13, 2007.

Get Free Shipping on orders of $19.99 or more at Net10.com!



Technorati Tags: cellphone, cell phone, Net 10, Nokia 1100, Motorola v176, Mother's Day promotion, prepaid cell phone

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enV and UpStage -- alternative to iPhone? pt1

In anticipation of the iPhone's debut, two companies released their own entry in the "next evolution" of mobile technology. The Samsung UpStage through Sprint and LG enV through Verizon are here as alternative to iPhones for those who aren't presold to the iPhone yet.

Both companies are aggressively pursuing the market through incentives and bonus. Their rebates are practically giving these phones away.


LG enV (Verizon)



Forget for a second that this is a nice phone. The LG enV gives you access to all kinds of multimedia functions that could make PCs extinct.

Inside the fold, you get:
- a QWERTY keypad with
- a large screen (240x320 pix) screen for viewing CNN, ESPN, or E channel programs from Verizon's VCast. Sesame Street is also available for kids.

The video transmission is well-supported by Verizon's EVDO high speed data. Which makes playing enhanced 3D games a great experience.

The slim packaging is not too shabby either. It's about the size of a standard iPod. Which by the way, the enV comes with
- an advanced MP3 player and
- dual stereo speakers.




Remember my post on cell phone bans while driving? The LG enV is completely hands free ready:
- voice command activation for many of the phone's function, including dialing
- text-to-speech ability so that you may hear emails to you, and
- Bluetooth enabled so that you can use your favorite headsets.

Lastly, the camera can capture videos for about 15 secs. The camera also has a 2 mega pix resolution.


As of 4/13/07, there's a mail-in rebate for $150 USD which would eventually give you the phone for free. Don't forget to read the reviews. There are plenty from Amazon customers.

I noticed a negative review worth mentioning, but it's regarding the rebates.

Hence, I'm including a link to LetsTalk.com as an alternative. This site also has rebates that would eventually be FREE to you. More importantly, LetsTalk.com has an order / rebate status page for easier management.


LG enV (Verizon Wireless)

Technorati Tags: cellphone, cell phone, Verizon, LG enV, iPhone alternative, free cellphone

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Samsung SCH-u340 (Verizon)

A scene from "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986):

[faced with a 20th century computer]
Scotty: Computer. Computer?
[Bones hands him a mouse and he speaks into it]
Scotty: Hello, computer.
Dr. Nichols: Just use the keyboard.
Scotty: Keyboard. How quaint.

I always thought that some things from sci-fi movies eventually become reality. In one of the Star Trek films, the crew of the Enterprise travelled back in time to save the Earth. In one scene, Scotty, the engineer from the future, was trying to use a 20th century computer (an Apple Mac of all things) by simply giving it a voice command. When the computer wouldn't respond, Bones picked up the mouse and handed it to Scotty to speak into. It was a classic scene that remained burned in my head.

Twenty years later, voice commands seem to be nearing practical stages that it permeates everyday use. Because of the "No-cell-phone-while-driving" laws being passed by many state and local governments, voice activation should really be considered by cellphone users or face stiff penalty. I'd be really embarassed if I get a ticket because I was dialing my cell phone while driving. And would feel like a complete loser if I get in an accident as I dialed.

Here's the Samsung SCH-u340 - a cell phone with voice activated commands. It can be dialed using only your voice. I'm sure there are other cell phones out there that have the same features, but it might cost you money even after rebates. The SCH-u340 will cost you $0.01 from Amazon if purchased with a Verizon plan, shipping included.

Here are the quick specs for the techy minded:

• Integrated VGA Digital Camera to capture those unexpected moments
• Integrated Speakerphone for conference calls or hands free operation
• Personal Organizer: Calendar w/ Scheduler, Note Pad
• Phone book with up to 500 Entries with multiple contacts
• Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4/T4

Don't forget to read reviews.

You can browse for more free promotional or cell phones for $0.01 from Verizon or buy the Samsung SCH-u340.

Happy hunting!

Technorati Tags: cellphone, cell phone, Verizon, Samsung SCH-u340, voice activated phone, hands free phone

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