A blog all about cell phones!

There’s been lots of debate by school districts over how to handle the rapid change in technology as small electronics become fully functonal computers. Ban cell phone use in the school? Ban cell phones from all school property? Or embrace the technology and integrate into lessons?

More and more, school districts are realizing that students use cell phones regardless of the policies they put into place, and that it’s easier to get the desired results (no disruptions in the classroom) if they make policies that acknowledge the reality of the situation.

If you’re a parent who thinks kids shouldn’t use cell phones until they’re 16 (or 18!), here’s some of the helpful ways teachers have figured out to use cell phones in classrooms:

• To supplement outdated textbooks
• As a calculator
• As a dictionary or theasaurus
• To display maps, art, or other infographics
• As a research tool
• As a vehicle that can store books, newspapers, and magazines

Beyond supplementing older tools, by allowing cell phone use in schools teachers are able to teach kids proper use of such devices including good manners, internet safety, and how to get reliable information.

If your local school is instituting such programs, a great way to show your support is to donate used cell phones or pay-as-you go minutes and data. Not all kids can afford to use cell phones, and donating used cell phones in the hands of every child is a great way to encourage technology in the classroom.

In the US, Apple reigns supreme, but for worldwide smartphones… look to Samsung.

Samsung is the leading retailer for smartphones worldwide (Nokia leads phones in general). If you’re looking to be cool when you travel with an unlocked cell phone, look into Samsung.

Unlocked cell phones allow you to switch SIM cards so you can get the rates of the local cell phone service provider.

When travelling, you can go on roaming…which gets even worse internationally! Prepaying for minutes and texts on a reginonal sim card (or getting a tempoary plan if you need to use data) is a much smarter option, but only if you have an unlocked cell phone!

Make sure that you pick an unlocked cell phone that is manufactured to work globally. Depending on your needs, you might pick a Samsung smartphone like the Galaxy S or go with something simpler like a Nokia.

Even if you’re not travelling this winter, think ahead to summer with your next cell phone purchase. Dream of Asia, of Europe, and of all the exciting restaurants your phone can guide you to (as well as the help it can call in an emergency).

Of course, some people may prefer to travel tech free. Even then, it might be wise to bring at least one unlocked cell phone per group.

Black Friday is bigger every year, with more stores participating in sales, more people lining up earlier—and this year, with Black Friday shifting into Turkey Day.

In an effort to extract consumer information from mall shoppers that’s comparable to Google Analytics—Google’s service that allows web site owners to see how much traffic they get, from where, and which content’s most popular—marketers will begin testing devices this holiday season that tracks any cell phone used at the mall.

This will tell malls which stores (and parts of the mall) get the most traffic, and will tell stores which departments are the most popular. These new metrics may mean using cell phones will not only help retailers, but enhance consumer shopping experiences.

If you don’t use cell phones in the mall, however, you can opt out of being tracked. The service is supposed to be anonymous (meaning they aren’t getting private information off your cell phone) but you should never assume that any data on your cell phone is private!

A future may soon be arriving where as you shop, services use cell phones to deliver adds straight to tragetted consumers (example: have kid-targetted apps? here’s a coupon for Gap Baby!). But that day’s not here yet.

Remember, with Black Friday coming up you’ll be able to score great deals on refurbished cell phones! Great as gifts, used cell phones are often unlocked, so the recepient will be able to use them on any GSM service.

Browse used cell phone selection early, because demand is expected to be high this holiday season! Make sure you get your top pick!

It’s the time of year when new models of popular cell phones get released, but don’t let the excitement get to you! There’s no reason to sign a 2-3 year contract with the first carrier to get the phone you want, it saves you money in the long run to buy an unlocked cell phone, then shop around for the right carrier for you. Then, inquire about no-contract plans, and you’ll save money each month. (Or pick by checking the Better Business Bureau‘s list of complaints).

Unlocked cell phones are phones that work on any GSM provider, all you have to do is pick the phone you want (make sure it’s an unlocked cell phone!) and take it with you when you get your plan. They’ll help you set up your SIM card, transfer contacts, etc.

But make sure you don’t sign that contract! The joy of owning unlocked cell phones is the ability to switch providers. If you had an unlocked cell phone when Verizon cancelled their unlimited plan, it was pretty easy to switch to Sprint (the last company with an unlimited plan).

Tons of factors affect what cell phone companies could do to your plan, plus some companies are notorious for hidden fees. So know the secret: ask about contract free plans, they could save you up to half off your cell phone bill, since the carrier will want to give you an incentive not to switch carriers!

But with unlocked cell phones, it’s easy to switch, if you need to.

Palm Pre, an unlocked cell phone with a great OS for kids.

Many parents are giving their children cell phones at ever younger ages, and it’s not uncommon to see a young child learning to use the device (as well as colors, numbers, and words) while playing with the many child-geared apps available.

But kids need to meet certain expectations for responsibility, as well as have a viable punishment when entrusted with cell phones. Unlocked cell phones can give parents that boost.

Unlocked cell phones work on any GSM provider, and more importantly, are super easy to use with prepaid plans from any company.

Pre-paid plans can be usd as allowance, as punishment if you want to take away kids data plans (or as a way to limit the functionality of the phones, permitting more uses as they age).

Because unlocked cell phones can be bought cheaper than carrier provided phones and without the contracts and fees, they also allow parents the ease of switching plans if necessary. As more kids use cell phones, carriers can be expected to add bonus features to plans (some already exist): being able to use the phone to keep track of your kid at all times, monitoring use, and with unlocked cell phones it’s easy to install thrid party apps for emergency situations (911 to mom with the bush of a button, for instance).

When every family member has an unlocked cell phone, it can help you to save money by finding the cheapest rates, and switching as need be (be sure to ask about the price of non-contract plans-they’re often cheaper).