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11/28/06 |
Music for your mobile
Putting music on a cell phone, particularly if the tracks are protected files, can be tricky. This week, CNET cell phone editor Kent German gives you the scoop. He also answers questions regarding Cingular's national coverage and whether you can use a Sprint phone in Europe.
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11/14/06 |
Upgrading your phone
Upgrading your cell phone usually involves a set of restrictions and
rules. This week, CNET cell phone editor Kent German gives you the scoop.
He also discusses how to find a SIM card and whether you should buy a
handset at a store not run by your carrier.
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10/31/06 |
Prepaid plans and reception
Selecting a prepaid plan, or even knowing if one is right for you, can be confusing. This week, CNET cell phone guru Kent German helps you figure it all out. He also tells you if a phone's reception and radiation level are related and dishes advice on new text-messaging services.
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10/17/06 |
Cell phones in the last frontier
How do you get phone service in Alaska? And will we ever see a CDMA Motorola Pebl? CNET cell phone editor Kent German gets to the bottom of these mysteries and also recommends the best music phone he's seen thus far.
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10/3/06 |
Hands-free phones and the iPhone
Are you looking for a hands-free phone or trying to choose a discount cell plan? CNET's cell phone editor addresses these problems and gives his latest dish on the rumored iPhone from Apple.
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9/19/06 |
Note to carriers: remember your loyal customers
Do carriers treat new customers better than current ones? What should you do if your handset breaks months before your contract ends? This week, CNET's cell phone editor answers these questions and gives his take on California's new cell phone driving law.
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9/5/06 |
Finding your phone's radiation level
Deciphering your phone's SAR can be difficult because phones can have multiple radiation numbers. This week, CNET's cell phone editor tells you how to make sense of the science. He also gives the latest dish on Nokia's fancy N-series phones and his view on cell phone use on planes.
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8/22/06 |
Syncing software and a phone for Mom
Have you ever wondered how to get pictures off of your camera phone? This week CNET's cell phone editor tells you how. He also gives advice on finding a phone for seniors and tells you how you can make money from your camera phone.
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8/8/06 |
Swapping SIM cards and second lines
If you think using a SIM card is easy, you be might unaware of some limitations. CNET cell phone editor Kent German tells you how to use your SIM card and also tackles such issues as second lines on a cell phone, how to use a mobile overseas, and the growing trend of design-first devices.
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7/25/06 |
All about unlocked cell phones
Once you get an unlocked phone, how do you set it up with your carrier? CNET cell phone editor Kent German tells you everything you need to know about unlocked phones and offers solutions from readers for using two mobiles with the same phone number.
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7/11/06 |
Repairing a broken phone and your questions answered
Accidents happen, and sometimes they involve your cell phones. But what should you do if your mobile takes a tumble, repair it or replace it altogether? This week CNET cell phone editor Kent German offers up some handy tips on broken handsets; plus, the scoop on which cell phones offer the best reception inside buildings and the latest on the Cingular lawsuit.
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6/27/06 |
Kids and cell phones, and your questions answered
Cell phones for kids--a good idea or bad idea? On the one hand, it gives parents some peace of mind, knowing that they can pretty much reach their kids at all times. On the other hand, does a five-year-old really need a mobile phone? This week, CNET cell phone editor Kent German weighs in on the issue and dishes advice on what to do if you lose your cell phone.
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6/13/06 |
Cell phone pet peeves, and your questions answered
Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, cell phones are a way of life now, and they're everywhere. You have people yakking away in restaurants, on the bus, even in movie theaters, which brings up a question: Have we gone too far? This week, CNET senior editor Kent German takes a look at some of your cell phone pet peeves and answers your questions about Japanese handsets, personalizing your mobile, and more.
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5/30/06 |
Welcome the Motorola Q, and your questions answered
After months of waiting, the Motorola Q is here. CNET's cell phone editor Kent German answers your burning questions about why it took so long and why Verizon is the only carrier to offer the device. He also dishes on TDMA phones and international calls and gives the scoop on the promised end of the federal excise tax.
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5/16/06 |
AT&T is back, and your questions answered
It's in, it's out, and now it's in again. That's right, AT&T Wireless is back. So wait, what does that mean for all the Cingular customers out there? Will you have to change mobiles and sign new contracts? CNET cell phone editor Kent German has all the answers. Plus, the latest dish on the LG Chocolate phone.
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5/1/06 |
Reception on unlocked phones, and your questions answered
Unlocked cell phones hold some distinct advantages, such as the fact that you can use an unlocked mobile on any GSM carrier with a simple switch of a SIM card. But is one of the disadvantages bad reception? Find out the answer in this week's On Call. Plus, we show you how to port your number, and is anybody watching mobile TV?
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4/18/06 |
Service terminations, and your questions answered
We all know that the carriers don't make it easy for you to terminate service contracts, but can they actually cut you off their service? Apparently so. CNET cell phone editor Kent German explains the details of this unfair practice, plus more of your questions are answered.
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4/4/06 |
Get ready for CTIA, and your questions answered
Viva Las Vegas! CTIA, the cell phone industry's largest trade show, is just around the corner, and we're off Sin City to get all the dirt on the latest phones, accessories, and services. To kick things off, CNET cell phone editor Kent German offers you a preview of what to expect; plus, he continues his crusade in exposing carriers and their oh-so-sneaky contract tactics.
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3/21/06 |
Better carrier maps, and your questions answered
Coverage maps from carriers are never detailed enough to determine accurate reception in your area. This week, CNET cell phone editor Kent German discusses where you can find alternatives. He also talks about the radiation level of Nextel phones and the recent AT&T/Bell South merger.
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3/7/06 |
Understanding carrier networks, and your questions answered
Learning the ABCs of carrier networks isn't as easy as 1-2-3, and with terms such as GSM, CDMA, WCMDA, and TDMA, it's no wonder how it can get confusing. However, this week, cell phone editor Kent German helps make sense of the cell phone alphabet soup and arms you with more knowledge so that you don't get bullied by the carriers.
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2/21/06 |
Keeping your AT&T contract, and your questions answered
The Cingular/AT&T Wireless merger may have happened more than a year ago, but there are still a lot of questions brewing from former AT&T customers. This week, cell phone editor Kent German tries to help clear up the situation. Plus, just how many versions of the Motorola Razr are out there? And what the heck is the difference between them all? This plus more of your mobile questions are answered.
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2/7/06 |
Recycling your phone, and your questions answered
You finally got that fancy new cell phone you've been pining for, so what should you do with your old mobile? Throw it out? Stash it in a drawer? Here's a green idea: Recycle it. This week, ecofriendly cell phone editor Kent German tells you how you can recycle your phone, plus he answers your questions about unlocking handsets and porting numbers.
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1/24/06 |
For sale: your calling records, and your questions answered
By now, you've probably seen at least one report about the security of your cell phone records, and you may be wondering whether this is all fact or fiction. Well, it appears to be fact, as the FCC, Congress, and the carriers have all gotten involved to try to shut out nosy peddlers. This week, cell phone editor Kent German gives you the latest information on this topic and tells you how you can fight back. Plus, more of your questions are answered.
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1/10/06 |
Carrier contracts, and your questions answered
Cell phone carriers can be such bullies. They'll try to strong-arm you into a long-term contract, with an "our way or the highway" attitude, but you don't have to stand for it. This week, cell phone editor Kent German tells you the truth about carrier contracts, plus he answers your questions about SIM cards and blurry camera phone pictures.
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