Cell Phones Emporium

Cellular Accessories can make any phone a lot more fun. The Plantronics Bluetooth Headset is no exception. The Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth Headset is a bulky, solid, old-school Bluetooth headset which has a large rotating boom mic of the kind that used to be associated with customer service reps from about ten years ago. The successor to the Voyager 510, one of the most popular premium headsets ever sold, the Voyager Prof measures 1.8 inches wide, or 4 whole inches with the boom mic extended, and it is 2.3 inches long by 0.4 of an inch thick. The weight of the device is distributed towards the back of the ear, making for balance and comfort. A large battery wraps around the back of the ear, which is also where the power button happens to be located. The volume rocker sits atop the headset, over the ear, and the call button is situated behind the earpiece, which can be fitted in either ear. Rubbery gel covers for the earpiece are provided in two sizes, and do not intrude too deeply into the ear canal. Foam bud covers, however, are provided in only one size. The rotating boom mic extends from the earpiece and can be flipped around for use on either side of the head. The boom can also be set closer to the mouth or more compactly against the face. At the tip of the boom mic are two screens that act as a barrier against wind-noise. In addition, the Voyager Pro offers a built-in electronic filter in its circuitry, along with Plantronics’ Audio IQ2 noise cancellation software, which all works to reduce static and other noise without a noticeable loss in sound clarity. The headset doesn’t currently support single-ear stereo, however, though such a feature could be possible with nothing more than a firmware update in the future.

The Plantronics Voyager Pro is able to answer, reject, or end calls, and features call waiting, call mute, last number redial, and the ability to connect with another headset. Official talk time is 6 hours, and standby can be up to five whole days. A full charge typically takes ninety minutes. Verizon Wireless subscribers should note that a normal Voyager Pro headset will play a special musical tone upon connection to a Verizon phone. Because many Verizon phones save power by timing out their active connections and switching into passive mode, this tone will be played quite often when waking up the phone and switching it back to active mode when in use again, so be sure to get the special Verizon version of the Plantronics Voyager Pro, available only at Verizon Wireless stores.

Cellular Accessories are always in high demand. Items like the Plantronics Bluetooth Headset are very popular. Open the retail box of the Plantronics Voyager 835 Bluetooth Headset and you’ll find its instruction manual, its charger, an L-shaped car charger, and the headset itself. The car charger eliminates the need for a cord by simply interfacing between the car’s AC power outlet and the Voyager 835, which measures 2.1 inches long, 0.6 of an inch wide, 0.4 of an inch thick, and weighs 0.4 of an ounce. This headset is the first-ever such product from Plantronics to offer dual microphones, which help to further enhance audio quality while the patented AudioIQ software works in the background to filter out ambient noise. The Voyager 835’s Windsmart technology makes one microphone capture the noise as the other one focuses on the user’s voice. This also means much increased clarity for both sides of a call. The microphones are omnidirectional, which means that they needn’t be too carefully aligned for the best sound quality. Two volume buttons are located on the right side, with the propriety USB-styled charging jack on top of them. These buttons are easily accessible, though fairly small. At the end of the earpiece is a rubberized earbud and a flexible translucent plastic ear hook; the earbud acts as an anchor, and fits snugly within the outer folds of your ear, while the hook can be twisted around so that the headset can be used on either side of the head.

With a basic list of features and a slim business-like design, this headset is clearly being marketed to busy mobile professionals. The Voyager 835’s list of standard capabilities means support for the likes of call rejection, call waiting, and last-number redial and voice-activated dialing where available. The 835 can also transfer calls from the phone to the headset and vice-versa. It offers multipoint pairing so that two Bluetooth headsets can be connected at a single time, with the Plantronics Quickpair process automatically detecting other devices upon power-on; thus, for example, the headset will always automatically find your phone when turned on. Near the top of the headset resides a multiple function button in a recessed area, with an LED indicator next to the housing for one of the two microphones, with the second microphone located at the bottom of the headset. Calls are answered and ended by tapping this multi-function button, and battery power can be checked by holding down both the button along with the volume-down button simultaneously for about two seconds: the fast the LED flashes, the less power there is remaining. Talk time is rated at five hours, with standby clocking in seven whole days.

It seems that almost every time I watch television, I see an advertisement for the iPhone that talks about some of their new, cool applications. In fact, some could argue that the success of the iPhone is a direct result of the numerous applications (apps) that one can download and use on the phone. It isn’t much different than having a mobile computer that fits in your pocket, really. However, other companies have recognized the consumer interest in app-ready phones and are beginning to release phones and applications for phones that are not the iPhone.

The first apps developed for cell phones were meant to provider users with more information, better organization, and so on….essentially ways to improve productivity and efficiency. However, today there are apps available for just about anything that you can imagine. The purpose of this article is to highlight a few of the apps that are available for most phones (not just the iPhone) and explain ways that users without app-friendly phones can get them at a reduced cost – by purchasing used cell phones.

Apps from Google

A while ago, Google released a cell phone, called the G1, that had apps designed for it by Google. However, they’ve expanded their reach by designing apps that function on a number of phones. Their most popular apps are a Gmail app and GoogleMaps – which can help people stay in touch and in the right place at all times.

Skype

Chances are, you’ve either heard of or even used Skype. Skype is an internet based phone service that allows users to make free “phone calls” using their computer and internet connection. Well, now the same service is available on any internet-enabled cell phone. Of course, mobile carriers are not exactly thrilled about this app as it allows users to make phone calls without using any minutes, but they do earn some profit on the call by charging people for data-transfer plans. However, in cases like international calls, the Skype application can be a great way to make calls on your cell phone without paying international fees.

Weatherbug

A number of people are familiar with Weatherbug, a desktop application that supplies subscribers with weather reports in real time, including any severe weather alerts. Now a similar app is available for internet-capable cell phones, which allows users to stay on top of the weather wherever they are at, at all times, in real time. This can be helpful for people that do a lot of travel, for example.

Radio Applications

If you prefer to listen to the radio instead of MP3s, you’ll be excited to learn about the numerous radio applications that are available. These apps function using the streaming feature of the station’s internet broadcast. This provides an alternative to filling up your phone with MP3 files and allows you to do things like listen to your favorite local morning show during the commute when you’re across the country on business.

Apps Just for Fun

Not all applications for cell phones are aimed at being productive or useful, some are simply designed to be silly or fun. Of course, there are a number of games that can be downloaded and played. Another funny app is the Light Saber application that functions using the accelerometer installed on most new cell phones. This app lights up the screen like a light saber from Star Wars and emulates the sounds one would hear during light saber fights as the phone is moved around.

In conclusion, be warned that not all apps are free and that some apps that are free to download cost money to use. Be sure you understand all terms and conditions of each app that you download to keep yourself from having to pay additional charges down the road. Also, if you don’t currently have an app-ready phone but would like on, you may find that app-ready phones are pretty high end and expensive. One good way to have your cake and eat it, too, is to buy a used or refurbished cell phone from used cell phone vendors that is app-ready. In many cases, these phones can be found as much as 50-60% cheaper than they cost at full retail price.

Whether you buy your cell phone new, or opt for a used or refurbished phone, sooner or later you may want accessories, like headsets, cases, or AC adapters. You may also find that your battery life is slowly growing shorter and shorter, in which case you may want to replace the battery rather than the whole phone.

If you need a case for your phone, remember that a lot of phones fit in to numerous cases. Although there may not be a case made specifically for your phone anymore, chances are you can find a case for a different model that will fit your phone. If you strike out there as well, look online at places like eBay for people selling used cases made for your phone. The benefit here will be additional cost savings.

Probably the most common accessory to purchase for a cell phone is a hands-free device that allows you to talk on the phone without holding it up to your ear. These have risen in popularity as many states have implemented laws making it illegal to drive and talk on the phone without one of these devices. Bluetooth headsets allow you to do this without any additional wires and the most convenient, but only work on Bluetooth enabled phones. If this is what you are searching for, make sure you shop for a phone that has Bluetooth technology. If your refurbished cell phone does not have Bluetooth, you can get a hands free system that resembles a set of ear-bud headphones. The advantage here is that these systems are often much cheaper than Bluetooth headsets but offer the same kind of functionality.

Finding replacement batteries and accessories for refurbished cell phones may be a little trickier than finding these items for a phone you purchased new, because they are usually specific to that model of phone. In some cases, the same battery will work on a number of similar phone models, but even this is rare. If the phone is no longer being sold by the dealer or company, then the accessories may not be sold new either. In that case, you can look online or locally for used replacement parts.

Phone chargers (A/C adapters) are also a concern. Anyone who has had a dead battery and been away from home has likely realized that most chargers only work on a specific model of phone. This means that you won’t be able to purchase a charger from a different phone if you actually want to recharge your battery. If you need a new charger for your used cell phone, check with the manufacturer to see what options you have, or look in your local Radio Shack type store that stocks a wide range of “universal” chagers with adapters for multiple phones.

Any time you need a replacement part, make sure you get the part number from the manufacturer. Manufacturers may also have a list of other phones that have parts that are compatible with your phone, which can be extremely beneficial and can even be a way to save money. So, if you need a new charger for your refurbished Verizon phones, check with Verizon for information about part numbers and other compatible parts before beginning your search. Finally, make sure that the replacement parts and accessories you get are authentic. There are a number of counterfeits out there that can hamper the performance of your phone. Having the exact part number that you need goes a long way in finding the exact part that you need.

It is becoming more and more common for states to pass laws that make it illegal for drivers to talk on their cellphones while driving if they do not use a hands-free device. People caught without a hands-free device are issued a ticket and are forced to pay a fine for their first offense. Penalties increase for repeat offenders. The theory behind these new laws is that they allow drivers to keep both hands free to steer, shift, etc. and allow the driver to focus more on driving instead of holding a phone against their ear.

The most common hands free device is a Bluetooth earpiece. This wireless solution simply clips over the ear, allowing you to speak without holding the phone. To use a Bluetooth device, just associate it with any Bluetooth capable cell phone. Today, most new cell phones, as well as many refurbished cell phones, are Bluetooth capable.

If you own an older used cell phone, it may lack Bluetooth technology. Do not worry, however, as there are still hands-free solutions that will work with any kind of phone. The most common is a wired headset that resembles ear buds that plugs in to your phone. These devices perform the same function as a Bluetooth headset except they use a wire to transfer data to and from your phone and are also generally cheaper. They are available for nearly any model of phone made in the past 10 years, so even if you’re still using an older refurbished Sprint cell phone, you will be able to find a hands-free solution.

Hands-free devices also come in handy in other situations beyond driving. Even if you live in a state that does not require hands-free devices for driving, chances are you will find some benefit from being able to talk on your phone without using your hands, such as being able to sit at your computer and multi-task while having a conversation with a co-worker.

A final option to make your used cell phone hands free is to use a plug and play kit for your car, which usually draws power from your cigarette lighter. This tiny attachment contains a microphone and speaker, and can be attached to your dashboard, air conditioning vent, or another area in your car. Unlike a Bluetooth headset, you need not attach anything to your ear when using a car kit. While some of these are wireless and rely on Bluetooth technology, others can be attached with a wire to your cell phone.

If you are on the fence about purchasing a used cell phone because you question the hands-free options that it will give you, hopefully this article has helped to ease some concern. Hands-free devices can be found for nearly any phone with a headphone jack and/or Bluetooth. Even if you live in a state that does not currently have a hands-free law, it may be worth it to invest in some hands-free accessories to make your driving safer and improve other aspects of your life.