A blog all about cell phones!

Despite Apple’s reputation for being a control freak—keeping their app store behind an ivory gate, limiting what computer languages can be used on their devices—but they may some day through the American cell phone industry into a dynamic beyond unlocked cell phones.

There are many reasons to love unlocked cell phones: having no contract so you can get the best deal, being able to mod the software and delete the carrier junk apps (and then scratching off the corresponding branding), and just being able to say f-you to the companies.

Well, Apple may do all that for you. They’ve already told the carriers a big NO to branding and preloaded add-apps—but they were also recently awarded a patent that would extend those unlocked cell phone like services, AND do the work for you.

Basically, Apple would become a middle-man between the user and the phone companies, leveraging their iPhone popularity for the lowest rates, switching between or mixing and matching different companies without a user ever seeing a dip or change in service. They could even take payments, making the branding, contracts, and other junk associated with all the carriers obsolete.

Of course, unlocked cell phones would still have a place, since not everyone would want an iPhone, so you have to assume that a dual system of some sort would have to emerge, but it’s an interesting future to think about. You’d never have to risk bricking your phone to unlock it again!

News has boomed recently with Google’s Android OS is under attack for patent infringement. Apple is accusing Android of infringeing on 10 patents (2 of which have initially been confirmed) and Oracle is adding another 7 to that list. (Apple is also accusing Motorola and Nokia of infringement).

Apple’s Android OS has existed very much in the spirit of unlocked cell phones: it’s based on open source software and an app store anyone can contribute too.

Much like how carriers don’t like unlocked cell phones, they don’t like Android’s openness, or rather they like it a little too much: most carriers Android as a blank template for installing their own software. (That’s why unlocked cell phones/jailbroken cell phones are so awesome: they say heck-no to carrier locks and restrictions).

Google/Android’s battle will take months (if not years), but it could have positive implications for open source software and unlocked cell phones. If Google fights successfully, over-restrictive copyright law might be improved (or removed!). This would be a boon for both consumers and developers like Google.

Of course, if Google loses, it could be the end for HTC phones, and possibly Android. Or they might lose an intense amount of market share. In that case, consumers can still have their jailbroken iPhones and other unlocked cell phones!

The most popular phone for pictures.

While many still think of cell phones as phones only, many users are seeing them as an opportunity to have an everywhere camera, which can instantly upload photos to the web. Used cell phones affordability makes cameras even cheaper!

That makes used cell phones an incredibly affordable option for those who want an everyday camera that’s quick to take pictures, and used cell phones can be so affordable that you can afford the most popular brand of used cell phones: Apple.

In fact, recent data published by Flickr indicates that iPhone users are the most likely to use the site (more than other phones, more than real cameras!). Since iPhones are normally expensive, used cell phones provide an option for you to join the thousands sharing photos with their friends using iPhones & Flickr.

Going for a tricky shot? Used cell phones make dropping your phone less disatrous, since it can be more easily replaced then when you buy from a carrier, because used cell phones are super affordable! Especially if you love having the latest and greatest, of which iPhone 4G is currently king.

Most phones, including many used cell phones, are available with a 5MP camera, sometimes they have zoom, and sometimes they have flash. Check out used cell phones to find a phone that fits your needs!

What other way have you used cell phones in place of other devices?

Could the next generation have infrared? Maintain control with unlocked cell phones!

Recent news suggests that future iPhones (and, likely following, all smartphones) will have infrared. What is infrared? It’s a way for gadgets to talk to each other over a short range, and unlocked cell phones may be the only way to maintain control over this technology.

Infrared could be used, for example, to allow a museum exhibit to send you more information, specifically in a multimedia format (audio or video, for example). You may have seen infrared if you’ve played multiplayer on a DS, but in that instance you generally initiate the function; this new version would be on all the time, except, of course, for those who maintain control with unlocked cell phones.

The dark side to infrared: at malls (for instance), you may receive targeted advertising (remember pop-up ads?). It could also be used to override some or all of your cell phone’s operations in certain places. For example, you may not be able to use it in movie theatres.

How to avoid this likely future? Unlocked cell phones. With unlocked cell phones, you can override carrier restrictions/apps, and depending on the amount of benefit infrared offers, turn off the entire function. Unlocked cell phones allow you to maintain control over the software and hardware of your phone. Apps can sometimes behave similarly, but carriers control the gateway to apps, unless of course you cut them out of control with an unlocked cell phone!

Palm is one company moving toward unlocked cell phones.

You may have heard that many carriers and cell phone manufacturers are dead against unlocked cell phones. Apple even tried to making jailbreaking the iPhone against its copyright on the phone. However, last summer, the federal government ruled that jailbreaking phones (turning them into unlocked cell phones) is not illegal, or at least not protected by copyright.

For many phones, however, it does void the warranty. Unlocked cell phones destroy exclusivity contracts cell phone manufacturers make with carriers, such as the iPhone with AT&T, and now Verizon.

But exclusivity creates a huge problem with demand—popular phones like the iPhone are wanted the world over (and certainly the US over), but carriers are not always available, don’t always provide adequate bandwidth for powerful phones like the iPhone, and don’t always provide quality service. The only answer, then, is unlocked cell phones.

But should you jailbreak it yourself? Probably not. If you do it wrong, your risk turning your expensive smartphone into a brick. Rather, buy unlocked cell phones from reputable retailers, or send them in to become unlocked cell phones by the same.

What’s the advantage of unlocked cell phones? Have the phone of your choice in the region of your choosing, on the best (or most reliable) carrier, and control what you do with the phone when you upgrade.