Do You Need an iPhone?

A cellular phone or mobile phone is a portable, long-range, electronic device used for transportable communication. Apart from the standardized voice function of a cellular phone, the mobile phones that we have in the market today support many additional features like SMS (Short Messaging Service) for sending and receiving text messages, sending or receiving email, storing contact information, making reminders or to-do lists, using the built-in calculator for performing simple arithmetic calculations, get all kinds of information about entertainment, sports, news or stock quotes through packet switching on the Internet, playing games, watching TV, sending or receiving MMS for photographs and videos. It also incorporates other devices like camera, MP3 player, GPS receiver etc. I'm out of breath, but you get the idea.

The humble cell phone that has made its way to almost every person`s pocket. With the increase in use of cellular phones the question about its health and environmental hazards has also risen. There has been a lot of debate regarding the issue whether cellular phones are indeed responsible for cancer or any other type of health risk. There are some researches that firmly say that using it can indeed cause brain damage. Linking the cellular phone with causes of cancer has also been a favorite topic of argument. Though it remains a controversial topic to date, the fact is that there is no solid research that can prove that cell phone usage has any link to cancer. One proven exception to a cell phone hazard is the case of driving and talking simultaneously. That can indeed cause accidents. Many states now have laws prohibiting cell phone use while driving. Let us thank the idiots who felt text messaging was so much more important than watching a traffic light. One bright spot is that many of these states still allow cell phone usage if Bluetooth technology is used. Basically, you can talk, but don't be holding the phone to your ear.

Today we have that multitude of choices, mentioned above, when it comes to buying a cell phone. You have all kinds of phones like camera phones, video phones, FM phones and so forth. In case you are floored by the various options then here are some guidelines that you must consider before buying a handset.

Wireless mode: it is preferable to use dual-mode phones that support both analog and digital than single-mode phones. This is especially important if you need to use your cell phone in rural areas and not just the main city.

Design: there are lots of styles to chose from, like flip-open or non-flips, clamshell-style phones; candy bar-design phones or slider style, or swivel phones that will twist open. Flip phones look chic but tend to break easily and are not suitable for rough handling.

Size and weight: the most important feature of a cell phone is its portability. Today all the leading cell companies are in competition to make the lightest and the slimmest phone. You can choose one according to your budget.

Battery life: choose a cell phone that gives you maximum battery life with a minimum of four hours talk time and 2 to 6 days on standby. Keep in mind that battery usage will depend upon your phone usage and the network signal. Do not forget accessories like car battery charger and adapter.

Screen: you should go for a PDA phone if you are planning to send lists of messages or frequently go online.

Do your research. Figure out what your requirements are and what your budget can afford.