Jan 21, 2008 10:36 pm US/Central
Stay Current With Cell Phone Technology
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
For millions of people a cell phone is a necessity, and no longer a luxury. And keeping current with all the high-tech advances can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be.
That's because so-called "smart" phones are loaded with all kinds of software applications and as long as your phone has Web access, there are ways to "educate" your low tech model.
"What people don't know is all the communication applications -- for instance there are Web browsers, e-mail programs, instant messengers, programs for sharing your photos," said Sascha Segan of PC Magazine.
Along with applications that give you direct access to sports scores, weather forecasts, favorite Websites – even programs to help you shop.
"You can download these applications over the Internet, usually through your phone's built-in primitive Web browser, install them, and then run them from a menu and your phone will be running things just like a little personal computer," Segan said.
You can get applications through your carrier, although often there's a flat monthly fee and there are lots of third party Websites that offer free downloads, but you have to pay for a data plan on your phone.
"Like everything else electronic, I got turned on to it by my kids," said cell phone user Steve Mosca.
Businessman Steve Mosca never thought to use his cell phone for anything but calls, until he got turned onto all the possibilities. Once he signed up for a base Internet plan, Mosca said he had access to an array of applications that he was able to download onto his existing cell phone.
"The communication is phenomenal. I can do quick e-mails - yes, no - I can respond back to my customers from anywhere with my cell phone, it's been great," he said.
Not all carriers allow third party downloads, but that is changing.
"All of the national carriers in 2007 announced that their networks were opening up and accepting more and more third-party software and content, devices and applications, and 2008 is the year where consumers are going to be able to take all that out for a spin," Joe Farren of the Wireless Association said.
And the wireless industry says as always, if you go outside your carrier and download programs from the Internet: "be careful about the applications you download. Always trust the content you download because you certainly have to be concerned about things like spam," Farren said.
Sports are what's on Steve's mind. Thanks to an application he just installed, he now has a direct line to keep tabs on his favorite teams.
"If I can't be in front of the TV, I can go to my cell phone and see what the score is," Mosca said.
Of course, you should know the score when it comes to downloads. Be careful what you download and where it comes from. As always, there's concern about things like spam.
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