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Wireless PhonesWireless phones are full of new capabilities that can enhance your ability to keep in touch with your customers and partners. However, if you don't want to be frustrated with that new phone (we don't want you smashing anything into the cement just to see bits of plastic and circuit board strewn about!) take the time to make sure you understand some important things about that phone you're buying.
Ready to choose your wireless phone? Let's get going! (By the way, if you're into this 'stuff' you can get more information on how wireless phones work at - How Cell Phones Work. Because phones are service provider specific, instead of manufacturer specific, we've rated phones by service provider rather than manufacturer. For complete details on all the wireless phones from these service providers - see our product matrix Wireless Phones.
Wireless Phones ReviewWireless Phones (by Service Provider)* (Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)
* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro
Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹ Depending on the wireless phone you choose, and the functionality you intend to employ, your wireless phone can be simple (voice only) or much more complex (PDA/phone, synching applications, etc.). On the whole however, Alltel has done a good job working with their chosen manufacturers - LG, Motorola, Samsung, Kyocera, UTStarcom, Palm - to deliver basic wireless services simply and effectively. Cost - $$$$ Alltel has twenty-one phones for every budget starting at "Free" and moving up to $149.99 for the BlackBerry 8703e, $249.99 for the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, $249.99 for the Palm Treo 700wx, $299.99 for the Palm Treo 755p and $399.99 for the HTC PPC6800. As always, watch out for the accessories - that is where things get very pricey, no matter the service provider - but you should always expect to invest a minimum of around $100. For details on all of Alltel's phones see our product matrix Wireless Phones. Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹ If used with discretion - your wireless phone is a great time saver! Ease of Use - @@@1/2 If you're willing to "fat finger" your way through using small keypads, text messaging and Web access are nice. Just remember, even the fastest typist is slowed to a crawl using a small screen and keypad for data entry. Works With - YYYY All the Alltel phones are "Tri Mode" and work in both CDMA and AMPs analog environments. Support - ppp1/2 Alltel's web site includes basic technical information. If you need help, you can email or call Alltel support personnel on their "800" number. Features - iiii Alltel fifteen "standard" phones including the Motorola RAZR and ROKR lines as well as six "smart phones" from RIM (BlackBerry), Motorola (Q), Palm (Treo) and HTC (PPC6800). Overall Rating - %%%% Alltel offers capable, basic phones as well as camera phones and six smart phones. A number of solid choices for your home-based business.
Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹ Depending on the wireless phone you choose, and the functionality you intend to employ, your wireless phone can be simple (voice only) or much more complex (PDA/phone, synching applications, etc.). AT&T offers a wide variety of phone options including eight "smart phones" from BlackBerry (RIM), Palm and AT&T. Cost - $$$$1/2 AT&T has done a very good job in attracting you with "free" phones however, you will still need some accessories, so their thirty-seven phones range in price from "free" to $299.99 (AT&T 8525 and BlackBerry 8820). Again, the accessories are the thing to pay attention to - averaging around $100-$150. For details see our product matrix Wireless Phones. Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹ If used with discretion - your wireless phone is a great time saver! Ease of Use - @@@1/2 If you're willing to "fat finger" your way through using small keypads, text messaging and Web access are nice. Just remember, even the fastest typist is slowed to a crawl using a small screen and keypad for data entry. Of course that's where the new "combo" phones come in - just hit a button on the keyboard, or tap the screen with your stylus and you're off - for a price. AT&T's phones are for GPS/GPRS networks - and they offer a good number of "world phones" that you can take with you to Europe as well (although the minutes there are VERY expensive!). AT&T also offer high speed data access from 135Kbps to 400Kbps. Support - pppp AT&T's web site includes the ability for you to manage your account and personal information as well as get access to a variety of technical information that will help you solve many problems with your service and/or phone. If you need more help you can email AT&T or call them on their "800" number. Features - iiii AT&T has a good selection phones that meet all types of needs, including as noted above, a number of "world phones" as well. AT&T also has tons of camera phones and phones that support their new high speed EDGE data network, eight smart phones from BlackBerry, AT&T, and Palm. Overall Rating - %%%% AT&T has a solid lineup of phones to choose from. They offer many of the newer "high end" phones with cameras, data integration and keyboards as well as three of the RIM BlackBerry combo phone/PDAs, the Motorola RAZr V3xx, V3, RAZr2 V9 and V3i, KRZR, Nokia and AT&T smart phones and Palm Treo 750 and 680.
Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹ Earthlink offers three phones only - FIN, OCEAN and HEAT from Helio. All are easy to use. Cost - $$$1/2 Earthlink's FIN is priced at $365.00, $200.00 for new members and $100.00 with special offer, OCEAN is $415.00, $295.00 for new members and $245.00 with special offer, Heat is $265.00, $100.00 for new members and $50.00 with special offer.. For details see our product matrix Wireless Phones. Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹ If used with discretion - your wireless phone is a great time saver! Ease of Use - @@@1/2 If you're willing to "fat finger" your way through using small keypads, text messaging and Web access are nice. Just remember, even the fastest typist is slowed to a crawl using a small screen and keypad for data entry. Of course that's where the new "combo" phones come in - just hit a button on the keyboard, or tap the screen with your stylus and you're off - for a price. Works With - YYYY Earthlink resells the wireless networks of other major providers and offers GSM phones that operate on them. Support - ppp1/2 The EarthLink tech support area on their web site allows you to manage your account and personal profile as well as gain access to a technical information that can help you solve problems with your service and/or computing system. If you need more help, you can contact EarthLink via email or through their "800" number. Our only concern regarding EarthLink services is their reliance on other parties for service - and maintenance. Third party relationships can result in "finger pointing" and slower repairs. Features - iii1/2 VERY limited phone options - however the phones carry a lot of features - cameras, MicroSD slots, media players, Bluetooth , GPS and all the "standards" like Caller ID, PIM, alarm clock and speakerphone. Overall Rating - %%%1/2 If you're an Earthlink customer and want all your services from one place.
Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹ MetroPCS offers nine phones. All are straight forward to set up and begin to use. Cost - $$$ MetroPCS' phones are priced from $99.00 to $219.00 (no "smartphone" offerings). For details see our product matrix Wireless Phones. Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹ If used with discretion - your wireless phone is a great time saver! Ease of Use - @@@1/2 If you're willing to "fat finger" your way through using small keypads, text messaging and Web access are nice. Just remember, even the fastest typist is slowed to a crawl using a small screen and keypad for data entry. Works With - YYY MetroPCS phones are designed for use on their network. Support - pppp Metro PCS lets you manage your account online and download ringtones and other phone tools from their web site. The support area of the web site includes a "How To" guide, information on how to recycle your old phone, an area with information about number portability as well as a support FAQ. If you need more help, Metro PCS has an "800" number for access to technical personnel. Features - iii1/2 No smart phones, but capable phones nevertheless. Most include cameras and all the standards - PIM, speakerphone, alarm clock. Some include MP3 players and video capture as well. Overall Rating - %%%1/2 You won't go to MetroPCS for the phones or phone prices. You will for the pricing of their services. See our review - Wireless Voice Services.
Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹ Depending on the wireless phone you choose, and the functionality you intend to employ, your wireless phone can be simple (voice only) or much more complex (PDA/phone, synching applications, etc.). Sprint has a nice selection of phones for users of "any taste". All of their phones can do very basic text messaging and limited Web access, but their high end and combo phones can do much, much more - adding email and other business "niceties" - simplifying and consolidating mobile communications for the owners of these phones. Sprint also offers free set-up help for the Treo smart phones. Cost - $$$$ Sprint's twenty-eight phones are priced from Free to $349.99. Their ten "smart phones" are priced form $99.99 to $299.99. For details on all the Sprint phones see our product matrix Wireless Phones. Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹ If used with discretion - your wireless phone is a great time saver! Ease of Use - @@@1/2 Easy to use phones, "synchable" phones and smart phones as well. Works With - YYYY Sprint offers a wide variety of phones that are Dual-band/Tri-Mode capable. Support - pppp The Sprint web site allows you to manage your account as well as update personal information. Technical information is also available on the web site and if you need more help, you can email or call Sprint technical support personnel on their "800" number. Features - iiii1/2 Sprint offers a variety of choices in each phone type - including the "combos" (ten of them!). If you want something "flashy" (like TV and streaming music) or unique (like photo Caller ID or ringtones) you can probably get it from a Sprint phone. Sprint has also added Nextel's old Direct Connect walkie-talkie services as well. Additionally, some of the Sprint phones are "hardened" for rough use in construction and other outdoor trades. Overall Rating - %%%%+ Sprints phones offer the best selection for home business owners wishing to integrate wireless voice and data services. Although not the cheapest, their phones are highly functional and if you want a combo, their solutions are among the best.
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Click here!. Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹ Depending on the wireless phone you choose, and the functionality you intend to employ, your wireless phone can be simple (voice only) or much more complex (PDA/phone, synching applications, etc.). T-Mobile has a nice selection of phones for users of "any taste". All of their phones can do basic text messaging and Web access, but their "high end" and "combo" T-Zone-enabled phones can do much, much more - adding email and other business "niceties" - simplifying and consolidating mobile communications for the owners of these phones. Cost - $$$$ T-Mobile's basic phones aren't "dirt cheap", but they offer a ton of functionality for the price. Their nineteen phones priced from free to $249.99 are augmented by nine "smart phone" selections priced from $49.99 to $349.99. T-Mobile, like AT&T Verizon and Sprint, is working industriously to get you to get "hooked" on their data offerings - and their phones are designed to do just that! Lots of slick features to get you to perceive your wireless phone as your single, communications device. For details on T-Mobile's phones, see our product matrix Wireless Phones. Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹ If used with discretion - your wireless phone is a great time saver! Ease of Use - @@@1/2 There is a ton of functionality in all of the T-Mobile phones. Usability depends upon your ability to deal with phone or QWERTY, small-sized keyboards.
If you are a frequent European traveler, T-Mobile phones are for you. A large number of them have multi-band GSM capabilities which will allow you to use them in Europe as well as in the U.S. (or in any country that has wireless networks built upon the GSM/GPRS standard). This functionality is hardly surprising when you remember that the owner of T-Mobile is Deutsche Telekom (Germany)! Support - pppp T-Mobile's web site allows you to manage your account and personal information online as well as get access to technical information on the service and your phone. If you need more help you can email T-Mobile tech support or call them on their "800" number. Features - iiii1/2 Lots of neat stuff when you purchase a T-Mobile phone. Good combo phones as well - cameras, Photo Caller ID, enhanced messaging (sending pictures and audio) - what more could you desire? Also, nine PDA selections including five BlackBerry offerings. Overall Rating - %%%%+ If you can't find a wireless phone from T-Mobile that you like, you probably don't want to do more than just make a few phone calls with your wireless phone. Lots of slick capabilities and time-saving functions. And, if you're an international traveler, it's pretty much a "no-brainer" that T-Mobile and T-Mobile phones would be your wireless service and wireless phone provider.
Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹ Depending on the wireless phone you choose, and the functionality you intend to employ, your wireless phone can be simple (voice only) or much more complex (PDA/phone, synching applications, etc.). Verizon offers a wide range of phones with lots of feature/functions and in a variety of price ranges. Cost - $$$$ Verizon's phone pricing is aggressive based on the functionality in the phone. Their thirty-two phones range in price from free to $249.99 and PDA/phone combos (10 options) from $149.99 to $399.99. See our product matrix for product details Wireless Phones. Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹ If used with discretion - your wireless phone is a great time saver! Ease of Use - @@@@ With a big "sigh" we give Verizon usability "points" for at least offering Mobile Office software to users and providing them a method to get their phone books, calendars and other data into the phone without "fat fingering" it all in on that tiny phone keypad. But $69.99 (average) is a fairly high cost to pay for a cable and some synching software (if you decide not to use your wireless phone for Internet access). Works With - YYYY Every Verizon phone is Dual or Tri-Band digital capable. Support - pppp Verizon offers a strong suite of reliable, durable phones - except for that Kyocera... Features - iiii1/2 Lots of good functionality in the Verizon phones. Cameras, polyphonic ring tones, voice and video streaming, speech recognition, data capabilities are all built in. Verizon offers Palm, BlackBerry, Motorola and "Verizon" smartphone options as well with Symbian, Microsoft and Palm OS choices - Bluetooth, cameras, music players and more.. Overall Rating - %%%%+ Verizon offers a robust set of "feature" phone choices and a way to get you hooked on their wireless data services. If you're looking for good voice/data phones that synch up with your laptop - and need to constantly access the Internet from your car or other "non-standard" (read non-Wi-Fi) environment, then Verizon's phones and services could very well be for you.
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