268 lines
16 KiB
Plaintext
268 lines
16 KiB
Plaintext
CELLULAR PHONES
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Last year we hypothesized about the "Dick Tracy wrist radio", and why with
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today's technology we haven't seen it yet. Well, here in 1994 we still don't
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have one for sale, but the good news is that at least there are prototype wrist
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cell phones materializing from one or two manufacturers. Don't hold your
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breath though -- they're still prototypes. More good news, shirt-pocket sized
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phones are everywhere, and their larger, vehicle-bound cousins contain more
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features than ever before.
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A cellular phone works via an FM transmitter/receiver in the telephone
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itself, and a network of closely spaced cells (or individual transmitters) in a
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pre-set geographical area. The phone talks to its local cell transmitter,
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which is in turn connected to the nearest standard telephone system. As you
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move away from the cell that is currently handling your call, the cell "hands
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off" the call to the next nearest cell to you, so there is no interruption in
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service.
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Your local coverage area can cover as much as a 70 to 250 mile radius,
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however, a technology called roaming can extend your cellular service well
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beyond your local area. Roaming enables you to make and receive calls from your
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cellular phone in another city, or anywhere in the U.S., Canada and the
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Bahamas. All you have to do is transmit a roaming activation code when you get
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to your new destination, and callers can reach you easily. In some cases
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roaming is automatically switched for you, depending on your local cellular
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provider.
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Prices for cellular service vary from place to place, and you can expect
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to pay anywhere between $15 and $60 per month for basic service. Each local
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call will cost you an additional 20-80 cents per minute, and if you make a long
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distance call you will be charged extra for that as well. You are also charged
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when someone calls you, so, unless you watch your talk time, cellular phone
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service can get pretty expensive. Fortunately, you are not charged if you
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reach a busy number (as long as you hang up within 60 seconds), or for callers
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trying to reach you if you don't pick up your phone.
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The digital cellular revolution has recently emerged in some areas. This
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new service can handle many more calls per cell, affords a higher quality
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transmission, and features complete privacy. Current cellular phone calls can
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be eavesdropped by persons with multi-band scanners. However, you will need to
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buy a digital cellular phone to realize all the digital benefits. These new
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phones are completely compatible with all current analog cellular systems, but
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there are only a few models currently available.
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MOBILE PHONES
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The mobile phone ($99-$1200) consists of three parts: the electronics, a
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box usually mounted in the truck or under the dash; the antenna, which can be
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glass-mounted to the back window, or roof-mounted for the best performance; and
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the handset itself, which is often located between the front driver and front
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passenger.
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There are a few basic features found in almost all mobile phones. An LCD
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or LED display indicates the number you're dialing, the transmission signal
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strength, the elapsed time of the call in progress, and other pertinent
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information. Like the backlit dialing keypad, the display is also illuminated
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for night operation. A volume control is provided for the earpiece volume, so
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you can hear clearly in varying sound environments. Mute, multiple call
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timers, redial and a scratch-pad memory (for quickly storing information, such
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as a telephone number) are cellular staples, as is an electronic lock with
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password protection, so that parking attendants can't make calls to Japan using
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your phone.
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In addition, don't forget about hands-free conversation -- an essential
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for all mobile phones these days. Using a tiny microphone placed near your
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visor, coupled with a speaker built into the phone cradle, you can converse
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without taking your hand off the wheel. These systems are smart enough to know
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when you want private conversation, and will cut off whenever the handset is
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picked up.
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Convenience features as listed below are found on mid to high-priced
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cellular fare. In some cases these features are available as options that you
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can add later on.
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Call restriction takes the concept of electronic lock a step further.
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Although passengers may use the phone for local calls, more expensive long
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distance calls can be prohibited.
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Memory dialing works very much the same as in a conventional phone. You
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press a two-digit code, and the phone will dial the appropriate phone
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number. Depending upon the model you can store anywhere from 20-150
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phones numbers in memory. Some phones include one-touch speed dialing of
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1-9 numbers, and many offer Alphanumeric memory, which makes it much
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easier to recall stored numbers. Instead of having to memorize a two-
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digit code for each person, with alphanumeric memory, you can key in the
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person's name by using the alpha-coded keys on the dial pad.
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With Voice Activated Dialing, you only have to hit a single key, and then
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speak out loud to tell the phone who to dial. This feature can be found on
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the more expensive phones, or as an option on mid-priced phones.
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Radio mute is extremely convenient. Whenever you receive or make a call,
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your car stereo or radio volume will automatically be turned down.
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In addition, some models have Auto-Answer capability, whereby the phone
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will automatically pick up on the second ring.
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A call-in absence indicator will tell you that a call came in while you
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were away from the phone, a few models will tell you how many calls were
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received, and still others will allow the caller to leave his or her phone
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number. Some newer models even operate like answering machines whereby a
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personalized outgoing message greets callers and the system allows them to
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leave voice messages.
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A number of manufacturers provide a horn alert feature that beeps your
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horn when an incoming call is detected.
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An auxiliary telephone port comes in very handy for those times you wish
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to quickly connect a notebook computer, or portable FAX machine to your
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cellular phone. Some phones have this RJ-11 jack built in, and for others
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it's available as an option.
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Multiple-NAM allows you to have numerous telephone numbers assigned to one
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phone. This feature is convenient if you frequently travel between two or
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more cities for business, and you don't want to pay long distance roaming
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charges. So Multiple-NAM allows you to have a cellular telephone number
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assigned to each city. Some phones have dual NAMs, others come with four
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or six.
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Transportable Conversion is a unique feature that enables the car phone to
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be transformed into a transportable phone via the addition of an optional
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kit. Transportable phones have many of the features found in mobile
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phones, the only difference is that this type of cellular phone can be
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moved from place to place because the 3-watt transceiver, rechargeable
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batteries, and antenna are contained in a single hardcover book-sized
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package.
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PORTABLE PHONES
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Just like the miniaturization of a notebook computer results in a costlier
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package, the portable cellular phone is more expensive than mobile fare. This
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year's crop of portables range in weight from 11 ounces to a mere 3.8 ounces of
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electronic circuits and plastic. Speaking of plastic, expect to pay anywhere
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from $99 to $1500 for a portable phone.
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Because you can only cram so much transceiving power into such a small
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size there is one drawback to portable use. The transceiver power is cut from
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3 watts down to only .6 watts or 1.2 watts in one or two models. What this
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means in real life is that you won't have the range or performance of a full 3
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watt mobile phone -- this translates into dropped calls or static from time to
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time. It all depends on the area in which you live. Flat surroundings, and
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markets with closely-spaced cells will offer the best performance for portable
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use.
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Interestingly, due to its low wattage, a portable's battery power often
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lasts longer than the older transportable type. Portable standby time will
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range from about six hours to as much as 30 hours depending upon the model and
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battery used. Similarly, continuous talk time can range from 30 minutes to
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three hours.
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Many of the same features found in mobile cellular phones are available in
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the portable, albeit some mobile features such as radio mute, and horn alert
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are not likely to be found. Memory dialing will range from 30-100 stored
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numbers, and conveniences such as electronic lock, call restriction, signal
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strength metering, call timers, automatic answer, one-touch dialing,
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alphanumeric memory, lighted display, and dial-pad, Multiple NAMs and a
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scratchpad memory are all available on the portable. There is a unique new
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feature on some models that consists of a vibrating system that signals you
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when a call is received. This is an ideal way to be alerted to a call so that
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you don't disturb others or when a noisy environment prevents you from hearing
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the phone ring.
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Although portables are convenient, a more permanent approach is often
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needed. Fortunately many manufacturers offer the convenience of portability
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with the flexibility and range of permanent-mount installations. All you have
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to do is pop your portable into a car-mounted cradle, and it's quickly
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transformed into a cellular car phone. Optional car-mount kits contain a
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special cradle-mount that can accept the portable phone via the use of handset
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cord, or alternatively, an extra handset is provided along with a cradle in
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which the portable is plugged into. Either way, the kit includes a cable for
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connection to a permanent cellular antenna, and direct connection to the car's
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battery power. Most manufacturers have hands-free speakerphone options, and
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many offer booster kits to upgrade the portable from .6 to a full 3 watts of
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transmitting and receiving power. Amenities such as voice activated dialing and
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RJ-11 data jacks are also available in kit form on some models.
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When buying a portable make sure it's well-balanced in features, and
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comfortable to hold. The lightest and smallest models cost the most money, and
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you can pay as much as a $500 premium to save a few ounces and inches in size.
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SHOPPING AROUND
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Unlike, other types of electronics, you may notice that the suggested list
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prices of cellular phones are much, much higher than the actual street prices.
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This is because in return for signing up business, many cellular franchises
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will offer retailers a rebate from $200-$400 for each customer sold a phone.
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However, in most cases you will have to sign a service contract with the
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cellular phone service providing the rebate, and that will lock you into a 60
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day to three year term. While it's true that there are only two cellular
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service franchises assigned to a single cellular market, each provider may
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offer different services, or cover a different number of cities or towns, so
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you may not wish to be locked into any one particular company. Generally,
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though prices are fairly competitive between the two providers.
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Cellular phones may also be purchased directly from the franchise itself.
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This is sometimes a good deal as a free antenna and installation are sometimes
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included -- a nice buy when you consider that retailers can charge anywhere
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from $50 to over $150 to install a car system.
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It can't hurt to shop around. All types of discount stores, car audio
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shops, telephone stores and mail order companies sell cellular phones these
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days. Make sure that whoever you buy from has a good return policy, and is an
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authorized sales and service center for the products they sell. If you aren't
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sure whether the retailer is authorized just call the manufacturer of the brand
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you're interested in, the folks in customer support will be happy to guide you
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in the right direction.
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BEST BUYS
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MOBILE PHONES
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[P] Nokia 6000 (Price: $700.00 - $1199.00) The Nokia 6000 is a digital cellular
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phone. Like all digital phones it can also operate on a standard analog
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cellular system. This phone features privacy (in digital mode), 100 number
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memory, scratchpad memory, any key answer, auto answer, theft alarm, radio
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mute, horn alert, 4 NAMs. Notable options include a voice recognition unit, and
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a data/FAX adapter.
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[M] AT&T 3050 (Price: $250-$550) The AT&T 3050 is a feature packed analog phone
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featuring voice recognition and voice activated dialing. The phone also
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includes a built-in answering machine, voice memo pad, 60 number alphanumeric
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memory, escalating ring and dual NAM. Options include: an auxiliary speaker, a
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limo kit, a transportable conversion kit and a data interface jack. Two year
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warranty.
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[E] Motorola TX-300 (Price: 0-$250) Sturdy and well-made phone with 30 number
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memory, single one-touch dialing button, auto-answer, call in absence
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indicator. Three year warranty.
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PORTABLE PHONES
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[P] Nokia 2120 (Price: $499 - $899) In years past we gave the high-end
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Motorola Micro T.A.C. models a Best Buy in this price category, but Motorola
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continues to stick with an inferior LED display, and Nokia really came up with
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a winner in technology and ergonomics. First off, the 2120 is a digital phone
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that weighs only 8.3 ounces. Secondly, the phone boasts a gorgeous 5-line,
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backlit, super-twist, LCD, display with continuous battery, signal strength and
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digital service indicators. Thirdly, this phone features 99 alphanumeric
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memory locations, call privacy (in digital mode only), high-speed cellular
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FAX/data support, any key answer, 6 NAMs, automatic answer, and one-touch
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dialing. The phone provides 45 minutes of talk time and 8.7 hours of standby
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time in digital mode with it's slim battery. Options include numerous battery
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sizes including one with a vibrator option, numerous chargers and car kits, a
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PCMCIA Data/FAX interface, a belt clip and a headset. One year warranty.
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[M] Motorola MICRO T.A.C Ultra Lite (Price: $499-$699) At only 5.9 ounces this
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phone is one of the smallest and lightest available. The Ultra Lite
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incorporates a "Star Trek" type flip-down mouthpiece, that when closed ends a
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call automatically. Other features include: 101 memory locations, alphanumeric
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memory, one-touch dialing, continuous redial, a call-in absence indicator, and
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a single line LED display that is quite difficult to read in bright sunlight.
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Other amenities include: a battery strength meter, and auto answer. The
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standard battery offers 60 minutes of talk time and 8 hours of standby. The
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Ultra Lite comes in various packages, some of which include different
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accessories and models, such as VibraCall capability, higher capacity
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batteries, extra chargers, a data jack, car kits with 3 watt booster
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capability, hands-free operation and voice recognition. If the phone is
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purchased directly from Motorola it comes with a special VIP Classic Gold
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Program that gives the phone a five year warranty (instead of the usual 3 year
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warranty), a technology upgrade option, immediate exchange/repair and many
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other courtesies.
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[E] Pioneer PCC-720 (Price: $200 - $400) Pioneer's new pocket cellular phone is
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a flip design similar to the one found in Motorola products. This 7.5 ounce
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model incorporates a very nice 7-character LCD display, automatic answer, dual
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NAMs, 30 number memory, a battery and signal strength indicator and an
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electronic scracthpad. Options include numerous battery and car kit
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configurations.
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