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Smartphones and PDAs are the ultimate in cell phone and computer technology. These small devices combine cell phone use with Internet browsing, organizational tools, computer software, music, and even television content. It’s no wonder busy people everywhere are addicted to these marvels of the modern world.

These are some of the most popular Smartphones on the market right now:

Palm Treo 700p

The Palm Treo 700p runs with a Palm OS® - this is a small smartphone that has everything you need and also features BroadbandAccess, which you can connect to on the EV–DO network. It also features a 1.3 megapixel digital camera, Wireless Sync, a Digital Music Player and built–in Bluetooth® 1.2 wireless technology.

Best Features

• Palm Operating System (5.4.9)
• All–Digital, 1xRTT/1xEV–DO
• BroadbandAccess Connect capable
• Fast mobile web browser
• Built–in organizer (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Memos)
• 128MB (60MB user available)
• Bluetooth® 1.2 wireless technology
• MP3 Player with Palm® Pocket Tunes™
• Memory Slot for SD/SDIO Cards
• Send, receive and respond to email remotely
• Wireless Sync
• Download, view, and edit Word and Excel® compatible files.
• Rehearse PowerPoint presentations and consult important PDF files on the go.
• 1.3 Megapixel digital camera (2x zoom)
• 320 x 320 color TFT touchscreen
• 5–Way Navigator
• Backlit QWERTY Keyboard
• Speakerphone

General

• TTY Enabled for the hearing impaired
• Hearing Aid Compatibility = M3

Specifications

Battery Usage: Up to 270 minutes talk time OR Up to 300 hours standby
Dimensions: 4.4″ (H) x 2.3″ x (W) x 0.9″ (D)
Weight: 6.4 oz.

The Phone

With hardware similar to the 700w, the Treo 700p Smartphone by Palm runs the Palm OS, which is a difference between the two. This model also has a higher-resolution display.  Other things to look for include a QWERTY mini-keyboard, EV-DO high-speed data, Bluetooth, a megapixel camera, and speakerphone.

Motorola Q   

Another popular choice in the Smartphone arena, the Motorola Q packs a lot of great features into a portable device you can count on.

Best Features

• All–Digital, 1X/EV–DO (800/1900 MHz)
• Ultra–thin at only .45 inches (11.5 mm)
• Windows Mobile® 5.0 OS for smartphone
• View email and attachments (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Acrobat PDF, TXT and open ZIP only) with Picsel browser
• Internet Explorer Mobile
• Windows Media® Player – Supports:
  • Audio Formats: iMelody, MIDI, MP3, AAC(+), WAV, WMA, WMV, QCELP, EVRC
  • Video Formats: H.263, MPEG–4, WMV
• Bluetooth® Wireless Technology (including A2DP for stereo sound)
• Wireless Sync and ActiveSync®
• Multimedia Messaging (MMS)
• 64MB end–user memory
• 2.4″ display (320×240 pixels, 65K TFT)
• Thumb wheel & QWERTY Keyboard
• 5–Way Navigational Key & Speakerphone
• 1.3 megapixel camera w/flash (w/zoom x 6)
• miniSD™ removable memory support
• Dual Stereo–quality speakers

General:

TTY Compatible

Specifications:

Dimensions: 4.6″ (H) x 2.5″ (W) x 0.45 ” (D)
Weight: 4.1 ounces
Battery: Lithium Ion Battery
Talk Time: up to 234 mins OR
Standby Time: up to 212 hrs.

• All Digital Phone
• Integrated 1.3 Megapixel Camera with flash
• Bluetooth® Capable
• QWERTY Keyboard
• miniSD™ Memory Expansion Slot
• Speakerphone
• Voice Dialing
• TTY Compatible
• Pocket Internet Explorer
• Windows Media Player

Windows Mobile 5.0 OS for smartphone
  
The Motorola Q Black supports Bluetooth Profiles for wireless headsets, hands–free devices, car kits, stereo headsets, keyboards, personal area networks, desktop synchronization, object exchange (OBEX), file transfer (FTP), and more.

The Phone

The Q Smartphone has the look of the RAZR combined with a BlackBerry-esque shape.  Look for Windows Mobile 5, a QWERTY keyboard, EV-DO high-speed data, Bluetooth (with stereo), and a megapixel camera.  The side scroll wheel is also a cool feature, as well as the miniSD memory card slot, and a full-duplex speakerphone. Overall this phone will not be a disappointment!

Cingular is a service provider you should consider when you start shopping around for a new cell phone package. Cingular (now known once again as AT&T) offers a wide range of mobile devices that suit many different lifestyles. As a carrier, it also has a huge customer base and a wide coverge area. As always, make sure you check with people from your local area to see how good Cingular coverage is in your area before you sign up.

Let’s take a look at one of Cingular’s most popular phones, the Motorola V365:

Motorola V365

For a phone that provides enough features for your busy lifestyle, the V365 is ready to go 365 days a year. A sturdy phone that will stand strong in the most difficult circumstances, this Motorola V365 tri-band world phone is the perfect choice. With long talk times and up to 21 days of standby, as well as a small yet strong design, you can talk easily using Bluetooth wireless from up to 30 feet away. Enhanced messaging and PTT capabilities are another bonus. Plus, you can take photos with the 4x zoom camera, send video clip messages, and download ringtones over this high-speed EDGE capable phone.

Best Features

• VGA camera phone with 4x zoom
  
• Bluetooth® wireless capable up to 30 feet
  
• Multimedia messaging - Send text, video & photos
  
• Live video capture and playback
  
• Clear full-duplex speakerphone
  
• Push to Talk with up to 30 people at once
  
• Sturdy compact design with internal antenna
  
• Media Net internet browsing - one button access
  
• Download Music Tone ringtones, graphics and games
  
• Instant messaging - AOL®, MSN®, Yahoo! and ICQ®
  
• Mobile email access for POP3 email
  
• Voice dialing and voice memo
  
• Quick iTAP predictive text input
  
• Unique picture and ringer ID
  

Technical Specifications

• Weight: 3.9 ounces
  
• Dimensions: 3.54 x 1.85 x .95 inches
  
• Talk Time: Up to 9 hours
  
• Standby time: Up to 21 days
  
• Tri-band world phone - 850/1800/1900 MHz
  
• High-speed data transmission: EDGE Class 10
  
• Internal memory - Up to 5MB usable memory
  
• MicroSDTM expansion slot for up to 1GB extended memory
  
• Internal Display : LCD color screen 176 x 220 pixels
  
• One year warranty on new phones & accessories, 90 days on refurbished
  

The Phone

Stay connected to friends and family using the Motorola V365, which is comparable to the V360 / V361. An updated version, Motorola has added a high-quality speakerphone and kept the VGA camera and Bluetooth. In the V365 you also get a music player, EDGE data, and a memory card slot.

In general, Motorola produces high-quality cell phones for people from all walks of life. It’s relatively easy to find one in your price range that is stylish enough to satisfy anyone who loves the latest fashions, especially when it comes to technology.

And Motorola has many choices – with a wide range of phones available on the market, offering tons of popular features and different styles, you should have no trouble finding a phone that suits your needs and budget. In fact, you may have trouble selecting just one phone!

Plus, the major carriers all offer Motorola cell phones, so it isn’t difficult to search for a plan that matches the type of phone you need. The popularity of Motorola phones has ensured their widespread availability and made it possible to get your hands on a phone you love for a price you can afford.

Now let’s look at the Motorola RAZR V3m, one of the most popular phones in the country:

Best Features

• Sprint TV and Music enabled
  
• GPS enabled
  
• Built-in camera
  
• Sprint Music Store enabled
  
• Spint TVSM enabled
  
• Ultrathin and stylish design
  
• Speakerphone
  
• Web and e-mail ready
  
• Bluetooth Wireless Technology
  
• External display
  
• Expandable memory card slot
  
• Voice-activated dialing
  
• Broadband-like speeds in available areas
  

The Phone

Well-known for being one of the slimmest flip phones on the planet, the Motorola RAZR V3 comes in gray and red, and is chock-full of great features. Equipped with dual color displays, a VGA camera, long-range Bluetooth, MPEG4 video clip playback, and Java 2.0 with 3D graphics, this is a phone anyone can enjoy.

This phone is a people-pleaser: users have reported few problems and praise it for being a small device that packs a powerful punch. A user-friendly cell phone designed to make mobile phone usage second nature, the MOTORAZR is about more than just good marketing and good looks.

Some drawbacks include slow download speeds, low volume, and bad picture quality, as well as price. This phone is on the expensive side, but it does offer a great mix of features and works quite well.

The shape and size are perfect, and fingerprints don’t show up on the exterior of the phone.

If you’re in the market for a new cell phone, consider purchasing one of the many Motorola cellphones currently available. Motorola cellphones are very popular right now – and for good reason. Motorola is known for quality and performance, as well as style.

Let’s look at the Motorola MOTOKRZR Klm:

Best Features

• Sprint TVSM enabled
  
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel camera
  
• Sprint Music Store enabled
  
• Slim and trendy design
  
• Speakerphone
  
• Web and e-mail ready
  
• Bluetooth Wireless Technology
  
• External display
  
• GPS enabled
  
• Expandable memory card slot
  
• Voice-activated dialing
  
• Broadband-like speeds in available areas
  

The Phone

This sleek and sophisticated phone by Motorola comes with a metal and glass design that hides the touch-sensitive media keys on the front. Complete with a 1+ megapixel camera, music player, microSD memory card slot, and Bluetooth, this phone has a lot to offer the discerning consumer. The KRZR K1m also comes with EVDO high-speed data, video capture, streaming video, and BREW.

So what is the overall impression of this phone? The KRZR K1m is a good phone in most aspects. The music player offers excellent sound quality as well as an eclectic mix of tunes that appeal to a wide demographic, and it’s stylish enough that people with a fashion sensibility can look good while staying in touch with friends and family.

Some drawbacks include slow download speeds, low volume, and bad picture quality, as well as price. This phone is on the expensive side, but it does offer a great mix of features and works quite well.

Here’s another great phone from LG, the LG Muziq. The name says it all – this phone is all about the music. Complete with an MP3 player, FM transmitter, dedicated music key and external navigation pad, you can get your ears on great music any time you need it.

Best Features

• Instant wireless downloads from the Sprint Music Store
  
• Advanced Stereo Bluetooth
  
• Sprint Music Store enabled
  
• Sprint TVSM enabled
  
• Cool design
  
• Speakerphone
  
• Built-in camera
  
• Web and e-mail ready
  
• Bluetooth Wireless Technology
  
• External display
  
• GPS enabled
  
• Expandable memory card slot
  
• Voice-activated dialing
  
• Broadband-like speeds in available regions
  

The Phone

If you were a fan of the Fusic phone this is the next generation in line. The LG Muziq / LX-570 is slightly different than its predecessor, with changes such as a thinner, lighter design and an internal antenna. Insert up to a 4 GB memory chip for storing movies, music and voice memos – whatever you need to backup. Enjoy radio music as well with the integrated FM transmitter, and take advantage of the stereo bluetooth, EVDO data, and a 1+ megapixel camera for taking great shots.

Listen to music, talk to your friends, and a whole lot more with this hip cell phone! Enjoy the integrated MP3 player, FM transmitter, camera, and phone in a sporty clamshell design.

Best Features

• 1.3 Megapixel Camera


• Sprint Music Store enabled


• Sprint TVSM enabled


• Sleek and trendy design


• Speakerphone


• Built-in camera


• Web and e-mail ready


• Bluetooth Wireless Technology


• External display


• GPS enabled


• Expandable memory card slot


• Voice-activated dialing


• Broadband-like speeds in available areas

The Phone

If you want a phone that’s a lot of fun to use, the Fusic phone from LG definitely takes the cake. It can be difficult to create an impression when there are so many mobile phones out there offering the same features as everyone else, but this little number still manages to impress and awe.

In general, people love the look of this device. To put it simply, it’s a cute phone. Although it does have its flaws, this cell phone is really a decent buy if you’re looking for a good all-around phone and mobile device. If you can’t afford the business class phones, this one is a much more affordable compromise full of tons of neat features. The music player, service, and compact form combine for a good overall phone.

According to various owners of this device, it offers better-than-average features and fantastic battery life, as well as high-quality music playback so you can enjoy listening to music the way it was meant to be heard. This is a diverse phone that offers the user a lot and has very few drawbacks.

The menu is very easy to use and the phone itself comes with changeable faceplates that are quite stylish, so you’ll never get bored and can switch it up whenever you want. A headset comes with the package and although access to the web is expensive, service is quite reliable. If you love features such as picture mail, downloads, and are really into music, this is probably the perfect phone for you.

We Americans like to think of ourselves as the world’s most technologically advanced nation. Unfortunately for us, this simply isn’t true in some very important areas of technology. One such area is cellular communications. That’s right, your “cutting edge” US cellphone is probably about two years behind the times in a country like Japan.

One benefit of seeing the technologically advanced Japanese cellphone market from a distance is that it allows us to see where cell phone technology is going in this country. In other words, what new features can we expect from our cell phones within a couple of years?

Some of the Japanese features are already available here in the US but are more costly and limited. For example, mobile TV and mobile radio are already available to US customers on higher end handsets for an extra monthly subscription of between $10 and $20, but in Japan the service is less expensive, streams faster, and is available across a wider range of handsets. Furthermore, GPS tracking is available in very limited quantities here in the US but GPS enabled phones have been widely used in Japan for years. And of course, Japanese cellphones tend to have larger screen resolutions, more memory and faster processors for storing more data and playing more complicated cellphone games.

But two cellphone features really stand out as being cutting edge features not yet available in the US. The first is the use of fingerprint sensors to authenticate users. As the cellphone becomes more and more of a personal information storage device, it becomes more important to the user that that information is protected. Soon, cellphones in the US will start to appear with small fingerprint scanning sensors built into the phone. The user enters a fingerprint by sliding his or her finger over this sensor. If features of the fingerprint match those stored in a database on the cellphone, the fingerprint is verified and the user can get access to sensitive data on the cellphone.

This feature is also a building block of what will be a truly revolutionary cellphone technology, which is mobile payments. It is already the case in Japan that users can store financial information on their phones and can use their phones to use certain subways or even to buy soda from a machine. Fingerprint authentication is used as a sort of digital signature to authorize these payments. Soon the US cellphone market will start to see these same technologies appear on US phones. The sensors and fingerprint recognition technologies already exist. The major work required is in the area of infrastructure development and information security to provide all the players in the arena (users, financial institutions, merchants) with enough trust and security to make the widespread rollout of such a system a success.

How would such a system work? Payment is made and received by sending and receiving text messages. For systems without fingerprint authorization, it is necessary to use a PIN code to authorize the payment. For phones with fingerprint authorization, a fingerprint scan will authorize the payment. The fingerprint scan is inherently more secure than the PIN code, and there is currently a debate in the US as to whether mobile payment technology will need to wait for the widespread rollout of phones with fingerprint scanners.

But regardless of the specific details of the eventual system, mobile payments are definitely coming down the road. Remember a few years ago when the skeptics thought no one would ever want to send money via email? Now that Paypal has become a dominant force in online payments, no one is laughing anymore.

These days, having a cell phone has become an essential part of life. Most of us can benefit a great deal from having a cellphone to help us conduct our personal lives, and most businesses require their officers to have a cell phone so that they (the officers) can be available in any emergencies. So it is important to choose the right cellphone plan in order to avoid paying too much for services you don’t need, or for overage charges if you use your phone more than you thought you would. Because of the large variety of network services in the US, it is essential to research and assess the carrier offers before deciding on a cell phone plan.

Before you decide to buy a cell phone, you may want to decide first whether you want a prepaid cell phone service or a traditional cell phone plan. Prepaid cell phone service has several advantages, such as the fact that there is no credit check. You just pay up front for the service and immediately you have your phone. Some cell phone carriers even offer a free cellular phone when you purchase prepaid cell phone service from them. On the other hand, prepaid plans have more expensive per minute charges than regular cell plans.

If you decide to get a regular cell phone plan, there are many options to choose from. How many minutes do you need? Will you be calling mostly in the evenings or weekends? Until recently, you also had to worry about whether most of your calls were local or long distance. The good news however is that the major carriers have now gone almost exclusively to national plans where a call across the country is the same as a call to your next door neighbor. In other words, minutes are minutes wherever you are calling. Calls outside the country (even to Canada or Mexico) can still be very expensive however. If you plan on making calls outside the US, make sure to ask about plan add-ons for this to keep costs low.

Most carriers also have family plans, where minutes can be shared across two or more phones. This is advantageous for family use and small businesses. In addition, for family plans, it is cheaper to call the other cell phones included in one billing. There are usually discounts for the airtime usage of family members using this cell phone plan..

In order to make full and effective use of your cell phone, you may want to set some guidelines in your usage. If you want your cell phone for your business, you may need to make sure you turn it off when you need privacy. Being available at all times may not do well for you. Reserve sometime for yourself and never allow people to disturb you during this time. If your business partners know they could reach you even late at night and on weekends, they will be annoyed if you suddenly change this behavior. Having a cell phone and being available all the time may not be healthy, thus, you have to be careful not to allow people to disturb you when you need to be alone with or without your cell phone.