By Megan Fleet

Carriers worldwide  reel in consumers with the lure of ‘free’ smartphones but then tie-in customers into long-term service contracts.  Despite consumer clamoring for changes to the service plans… carriers remained steadfast to their service vs. price plans.  Finally Rogers has risen from the carrier masses and began to interpreted and act on the market sensing feedback provided by its customer and target audience base.  Rogers introduces major changes to their service plans.   After all, 4G LTE is not a necessity – it’s a luxury of speed.

Discover how unlocked cell phones empower consumers with the freedom to choose the right carrier with the right service plan at the right price.

So, to save their customers and ensure mobile device sales of the up and coming 4G LTE capable smartphones, the Rogers has rolled out their Ultimate Unlimited Family plans. There are two options which include “extreme” text messaging and unlimited local talk time.

The company is touting the benefits of these plans with statements like “Overage is eliminated” and “Peace of mind that they won’t have a huge monthly bill.” Customers will also enjoy the ease of “One bill for their family’s wireless services” which is likely designed to capture some of the revenue of bringing these high speed wireless services into the home that is currently handed over to cable and satellite companies each month.

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Customers are consuming more and more data and streaming media in lieu of traditional television and media distribution channels. This will only grow as tablets, media devices (iPod), gaming consoles and other peripheral devices integrate operating system platforms like iOS, Android, and Windows.

In a move that is possibly designed to compete against growing popularity of unlocked smartphones, customers who sign up for these new unlimited plans will have Buy One, Get One deals (it actually translates into Buy One, Get Four devices).

In addition to the talk and texting benefits of the new Ultimate Unlimited Family plans, there will be adjusted LTE plan pricing on the horizon. There are details and plans of these changes that Rogers is touting that “Customers can truly say goodbye to those other cell phone providers.” Perhaps these major pricing changes will result in increased revenues from services and augmented smartphone and tablet sales.

By Megan Fleet

Samsung is poised to unleash yet another addition of the Samsung  Galaxy cell phone line of business to a seemingly insatiable public. Canada will soon see the Galaxy Note released by Bell according to a recent announcement by the mobile carrier.   Discover the latest Samsung device accessories.

The LTE capable Galaxy Note is expected to be available to consumers mid-February and offer a North American mid-market handset to Canadians ready to adopt the Android darling.  While it will not initially have 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as its Android OS, it will have the reliable Gingerbread version out the gate. Based on the announcements, the upgrade to v4.0 is on the roadmap (and may allow other first-gen 4.0 Androids to help work out any kinks).

Leaving your valuable mobile devices unprotected is risky!  Discover the latest innovative protection solutions… stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases specifically designed to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes.  Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside these brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

The Samsung Note specs are decidedly respectable including a dual-core processor, an 8 megapixel camera (video recording is done in 1080p HD which will make for easy device integration with home televisions and other devices), is LTE-enabled and has Wi-Fi and a decent battery life. Consumers can further enhance the Samsung Note’s mobility by optimizing functionality with select accessories including stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

The following Samsung Note video provides an insightful review from Mobile Tech

Now, exactly when this will be launched by Bell is unknown. But, there is the hope that Samsung will make the Galaxy Note available unlocked to allow consumers to choose their preferred carrier and service plans.

By Aldo Panessidi

When Apple launched the iPhone 4S there were plenty of bystanders that were disappointed that the latest smartphone was not the elusive iPhone 5. The silver lining is that this prolonged release has given plenty of fodder for the tech gossip mill as we all speculate if the next generation iPhone will be drastically different.

Latest reports note that Apple’s upcoming device will be slimmer than the iPhone 4S and iPhone handsets and will also strut some new tech as well. The iPhone 5 may have a quad-mode chipset from Qualcomm that will work on all 4G LTE and 3G networks which has the implication of making this unlocked cell phone device more widely available across mobile carriers.

Giving credence to these details is a BGR exclusive last month that reported Apple’s intention to launch a completely redesigned iPhone in the fall. It will have an aluminum case and a rubber or perhaps plastic bezel that will protect and cover a new wrap-around antenna.  Possibly more dependable accounts came from Morgan Stanley’s analyst, Katy Huberty, who noted that Apple sent a communication to clients last Friday. Those statements assured that Apple’s business will continue to grow even with a slowing demand for high-end smartphones. There is no question that the company’s strength is in its iTunes, iCloud and other proprietary technologies that marry customers so closely the OS platform.

Included in Huberty’s comments was the mention of Apple’s next generation tablet, the iPad3 which is slated to launch at some point in the first half of the year. With traditional pricing strategy in play, the iPad2 will be lowered in cost to attract additional customers to the iOS platform and to Apple’s strength in the tablet market.

Surely these new smartphone and tablet devices will come with revamped and original peripheral accessories.   Leaving your valuable mobile devices unprotected is risky!  Discover the latest innovative protection solutions… stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases specifically designed to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes.  Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside these brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

So thanks to MobileCrunch.com we have learned that HTC is finally making the switch to the 3,5mm audio jack.  The jack is pretty standard but some companies have chosen to go with either a smaller jack (2.5mm) or go with their own design completely

Well HTC was one of those companies that used a different jack from the 3.5mm “standard” but with the launch of their new andriod phone, the HTC Hero, they will be switching over to the 3.5mm jacks themselves

According to MobileCrunch they HTC position is

The vast majority of devices we launch after Hero will have a 3.5mm jack. Devices that we have already announced but that still come out after Hero will not necessarily be a part of this change…

So it does look like a few handsets will be released over the next year using the old jacks but going forward they will be using 3.5mm jack which will make everyone’s life a little easier.

All we need now is for the companies not onboard with adopting the 3.5mm jack to hurry up and do so.  At least most companies are onboard the MicroUSB port for charging your phones

So it looks like our friends over at MobileSyrup have found something out.  It looks like Rogers Communications is going to be carrying the LG GT500 Puccini.  

Not much is known about this phone and we could not find any info on it over at GSMArena, but according to the article it is similar to the LG KF750 Secret in that it is a very slim phone.  It also will have a 5MP camera and video capabilities.  It will also have GPS support.

Although not much is known and this is only a recent announcement found by MobileSyrup we will be waiting eagerly to see if Rogers Communications does release the LG GT500 Puccini soon

Here’s an interesting article we came across in the Montreal Gazette a few weeks ago but are only able to write about it now.

It seems that the “green” electronics has made it’s way to cell phones now.  According to the article

…the average lifespan of a BlackBerry, Razr or iPhone is just over 18 months….

and

…When older models get replaced with new ones, consumers usually toss them in the garbage or let them gather dust in a kitchen drawer. Less than 5% of cellphones get reused or recycled.

What is even more amazing is that Fido is offering the Renew which is a carbon neutral phone.  This means that it technically doesn’t pollute.  This is achieved by buying carbon offsets from CarbonFund.org.  

…They also include a prepaid envelope to ship the phone back to Motorola for proper recycling, less charging time required and no PVC, lead, exposed nickel or other hazardous materials.  Lastly the Renew’s body is made from recycled water bottles…

There is also a phone coming from Samsung called

…Blue Earth, a solar-powered touchscreen phone, which can generate enough electricity to make a call at any time using a mini-sheet of solar panels on the back. It’s constructed from a plastic called PCM, also made from recycled water bottles.

What does the future hold for cell phones?  We guess only time will tell but for now it does look like companies are doing their part to make the world a better place for everyone.

Phones with slide-out QWERTY keyboards feature sophisticated looks and spacious QWERTY keypads. These phones allow for quick thumb typing and are designed aiming at the young crowd. Phones with slide-out QWERTY keyboards are extremely functional and using them is like using a computer keyboard. These phones are highly useful for professionals also, for example, it is easier to type an email or edit an office document on a QWERTY keyboard as compared to a normal cell phone keyboard. At times these handsets appear to be expensive, but they are true value for money with their useful features and in-built applications. Here are some of the popular phones with slide-out QWERTY keyboards: 

LG Mobile KS360: The LG KS360 features an ergonomically designed keyboard that offers an easy, fast, and fun way of typing messages without tiring your thumbs. The users can send SMS, IM, email and access social networking sites through the high speed internet connectivity offered by this phone. This sophisticated phone comes with the 2.4″ QVGA touch screen display, 2MP camera, touch screen dialing, MicroSD card slot, MP3 and AAC audio and MPEG4 and H.263 with playback, WAP 2.0 browser and more.

HTC Touch Pro: The slide out QWERTY keyboard is among the most finger-friendly, comfy and practical keyboards. The keyboard’s slightly raised keys, soft-touch finish and elegant design makes typing extremely easy. The HTC Touch Pro supports SMS, MMS, email, and instant messaging along with support for viewing and editing office documents. The 3.15 MP camera with the autofocus and flash capabilities offers high quality pictures. The phone also has a touch-responsive interface, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, miniUSB and much more. 

Samsung T459 Gravity: The Samsung T459 Gravity features a QWERTY keyboard along with normal phone keypad. The exclusive slider design discloses the backlit QWERTY keyboard without making the phone look bulky. The full slide-out QWERTY keyboard supports instant messaging, text, multimedia and video messaging. This striking phone is furnished with the features like 1.3-megapixel camera, microSD card slot, Bluetooth v2.0, MPEG4 player, MP3 player and more.  

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1: The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 is among the most keenly anticipated windows mobile phones. The phone’s full QWERTY keyboard allows fast and easy typing. This unique cell phone comes with the sophisticated and distinct design, 3-inch touch screen display and an arc slider design for the best viewing angle. The other features included in this cell phone are 3.15 MP Camera, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v2.0, MS office, web browser and more. 

Having a full keyboard is always a nice feature.  It makes texting and messaging much simpler.  There are always alternatives but among the most popular right now the LG KS360 and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

Gaming has become one of the most essential features in a mobile phone that are chosen by the youngsters and gaming enthusiasts. With advances in technology and innovations in the gaming industry, there are a large number of games that can be played on mobile phones. The mobile phone companies are also coming up with new designs that are suitable for gaming and such phones are sure to appeal to those interested in gaming whether to pass the time or as a hobby. Here are some of the top gaming phones available in the market:

Sony Ericsson F305: Sony Ericsson F305 is a unique gaming device with dedicated controls and motion sensing feature to add to the gaming experience. The phone has a PlayStation button to bring up the game list without going through the menu to access games. The 2.0 inch screen and the O and X gaming buttons add to the experience of playing games. The sliding body of the phone gives it a stylish as well as functional edge over other phones. With quad-band EDGE and Bluetooth for high speed data transfer, F305 makes a brilliant gaming phone.

Apple iPhone 3G: The Apple iPhone is the best gaming phone in the market. The phone’s hardware, accelerometers and graphics add a lot to the fun of playing games. This amazing phone come preloaded with the interesting games like Kroll, Theseus, Real Football 2009 and more. The phone is a true combination of true products-a revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod, and an advanced internet device. The Apple iPhone 3G comes packed with the features like 2 MP Camera, 3G, WLAN, GPS mapping, Microsoft Exchange and more.

Nokia N81: This smart phone by Nokia makes use of the N-Gage gaming platform by Nokia for advanced gaming and community gaming on the N-Gage platform. The phone has a 2.4 inch screen for wide screen gaming and dedicated gaming control buttons for playing horizontal games. The 8 GB memory card slot makes sure that you never run out of space for storing the games or any other multimedia content. The phone has a 2 mega pixel camera for clicking pictures and shooting videos in high resolution.  

LG Mobile KS360: The LG Mobile KS360 with the extra buttons for the entertainment purpose is the best choice for the game lovers. This sleek phone comes preloaded with the exciting games like Block Breaker Deluxe, Midnight Pool and more. The phone comes loaded with the interesting features like 5-megapixel autofocus camera, image stabilizer, Bluetooth, MicroSD card support and more. 

These are some of the best phones out there to keep you entertained for hours, but remember these phones do more then just play games.  They also make calls and a whole host of other thing.

This year at the Mobile World Congress Sony Ericsson announced the Idou.  Since we haven’t had any real hands on with the phone yet we, at Puremobile, thought a brief discussion of the phone was due

The Sony Ericsson Idou looks like it will definitely be a top contender and the thing that really sets this phone out above all the rest is the 12 mega pixel camera.  The 12MP camera is the feature that is currently getting the most attention, but there are other features like a touch screen that looks to have been throughly tested to make sure it didn’t feel like it was just put on the phone as an after thought.  Also the Idou will be working on the Symbian operating system.  For people who aren’t sure it is the same one that is used by Nokia on phones like the N95.  This is a robust operating system that has a proven track record for quality.

For now the Sony Ericsson Idou looks like it will be an amazing phone, but like all new phones we won’t know for sure until they are actually released.  The other issue is Sony Ericsson has not announced a release date yet.  So like everyone else we, at puremobile, are eagerly anticipating the release of this phone.

[source: Engadget Mobile]

[image source: Planete Nokia]

Cell phones have become a vital part of everybody’s daily life. People depend on cell phones for communication, entertainment, accessing the internet, keeping time and much more. Due to the increasing cell phone dependence, cell phone care becomes essential for its optimized usage. With preventive care and optimum usage, you can make your cell phone last for a long period of time. Here are some tips that can help you to take better care of your cell phone:

Charge your cell phone’s battery properly:  It is advisable to plug the charger appropriately into the cell phone while charging. This is essential for proper charging and functioning of the battery. Avoid overcharging of the battery and charge it only when the battery is very low. Keeping the charger plugged in when the battery is fully charged can adversely affect the life of the battery. Also, make sure that you follow manufacturer’s guidelines for best results.

Remove the battery when not in use:  Make sure that you remove the battery if you are not going to use your cell phone for a long time. Also, if you are traveling to a place that has no coverage, consider removing the battery or simply turn off your phone. If you don’t turn off your phone then it would consume a lot of power while searching for the network. You can also carry a spare battery incase your present phone battery runs out of power. 

Keep the cell phone clean:  To prevent the malfunctioning of your cell phone remove the dust particles from the display screen and the keypad before charging. It is recommended to use micro-fiber cloth while cleaning the phone’s LCD screen. If you are using any liquid cleaner, avoid it applying directly on the phone’s screen; instead apply the cleaner to the cloth and wipe the screen gently. 

Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures:  Exposure of cell phone to extreme cold and hot temperatures can affect its life drastically. Storage of cell phone in a cold place can result in the temporary loss of the screen display and the damage of the electronic circuits. Direct contact of cell phone with the sunlight for long periods of time can cause non-repairable damages.  

Keep the Bluetooth switched off when not in use:  It is necessary to keep the Bluetooth switched off while not in use. Keeping the Bluetooth on can attract malicious viruses that can result in improper functioning of the cell phone. Also, allow Bluetooth communication only with the trusted sources and avoid accepting any files from the people you don’t know. 

Don't Do This At Home!