Research and Compare

Keep those sticky fingers off the keyboard

We all get grease and stickiness on our fingers. There are natural oils in the skin as well. Not a big deal. We wash our hands regularly. However, in between those hand-washing times we use the computer, including the keyboard to make  or create our messages, to surf the internet, to read posts, and whatever else we do with the computer. We wipe off the monitor when needed, but we also need to wipe and clean the keyboard, after all, we are not touching the monitor with our fingers. What we have on our skin builds up on the keys. The result is that the computer keys get stuck, or what is on our skin gets down under the keys into the machine. The same is true with cell phones. We certainly need to be cleaning our cell phones regularly, since we are always touching them. I once had a Blackberry Curve, with a rolling scroll ball, as the Curve is famous for. I was attracted to that feature of the Blackberry. I soon discovered that the ball would not move. It was stuck. I took it to the cell phone carrier's store, and had the ball replaced, because it had oils on it from my fingers, causing it to get stuck. I had another cell phone with a ball in it, and also had the same situation occur. I got tired of Blackberry, partly for that reason, but I also acknowledged the importance of cleaning hands before using the phone. Now, several times a week, I take a clean, slightly damp, soft rag, and gently clean off the monitor and keyboard of both computer and cell phone. I also blow out any dust that may be collecting in between the keys, using a blow dryer. Have a happy preventive maintenance day!

From Old Analog to Digital Wireless

In the old days, back before the 90's, cell phones were on the old analog network, all over the world. Sound was of poor quality by digital standards. There was often static, and wind sounds. Data transfer speed was slow. Then, came the digital age. Yeah. The digital wireless systems gave us what the analog days did not: text messaging, and multi-media applications on our phones, fast data transfer speeds, and a clear, strong sound quality. Most people use digital wireless networks today for these reasons. 

Now the various wireless networks, IDEN, CDMA, TDMA, EDGE, EVDO, all have the letter "D" in them. The "D" means digital. IDEN, is a network created by Motorola. The popular feature of IDEN is the push to talk feature, or the walkie-talkie. Boost Mobile phones are on the IDEN network, and come with that walkie-talkie feature. Unlike most CDMA phones, IDEN phones do have sims cards. These phones are often stronger, weather, and sand resistant, and made to meet military standards. CDMA is the biggest, and most popular wireless network in the United States, and is getting popular in other parts of the world, particularly certain Asian regions. 

GSM is like digital, but it serves the international community.It is the phone with the sims card. If traveling to other parts of the world, it may be a good idea to have a GSM wireless network phone.  

Before buying a  cell phone device, it is a good idea to know your wireless network in your region, as not all wireless networks serve the same location. The digital networks are getting digital improvements. Stay tuned, and consider life without the wonderful digital features many so desire and demand on their phones. 

How I left the bells and whistles for a simple cell phone

I started using cell phones late in the game. It was not until 1994 that I have my first cell phone, and I was a happy camper. I experimented with different marks, carriers, until I found the one that I really like, the one that I use now, the Boost Mobile Motorola Clutch, i465. I was not always into simplicity, however.

I started out with a Treo 650, made maximum use of it in sales, and really liked the PDA memo feature, a classic of the Palm brand. Then, I upgraded to the TREO 700, just to experience mobile windows. After maximizing my use of that phone for over a year, I then left the Treo family and became a loyal supporter of the Blackberry Curve. I especially liked the maps application, as I was on the road much of the time, and needed the efficiency of the electronic map giving me address location, and highlighting how to get to my destinations. Great feature to have on any phone! Anyway, back to Boost Mobile.

Simplicity became all-important to me, since I did not use all the features of the smart phones. There were features that I absolutely had to have: text messaging, calendar, and a good, clear voice quality.

Boost Mobile offers rugged, dependable phones, not elegant, and not cute, but practical, and to the point: clear reception, and good, clear sound. Like the i335, the i465 meets military standards for toughness. It can endure extreme weather situations, vibrations, and sand. Not just young people, even though Boost Mobile is targeted to the younger demographic, but anyone who does a lot of text messaging would be attracted to the qwerty keyboard, and heightened keys, making it easier to prepare and send text messages. The qwerty keyboard offers both numbers and letters, and major symbols, which do light up. There is a button for caps, so it is easy to make capital letters. It is overall, a very user friendly phone. The battery life beats many other phones as well. I am able to go all day without recharging, unless I am talking on the phone for long periods of time. Text messaging always uses less battery energy. That is big plus for text messaging, as well. The soft rubbery material on the back of the phone, and encircling the edge of the phone's front side is a good feature since most people drop their phone on more than one occasion. I will stay with Boost Mobile, as I am back into strength, endurance, reliability, and simplicity.