Mobile phones are packed full of gadgets and gizmos and it is important not to waste money on something you like the sound of, but don’t actually need. Cameras, video calling, TV, music players and radios are all well and good but come at a price. There are plenty of phones out there that have all these features, yet the one thing you’re buying it for – the phone – can sometimes be the worst performer. Style over substance springs to mind here and if you’re looking for a decent phone, make sure you get one! Don’t be afraid to try before you buy – retailers will happily let you make a test call – so make sure you don’t go home with a duff bit of kit. Lets have a look at some of the features you can find on the modern mobile.

Cameras

Taking pictures has never been so easy. In the early days camera phones were pretty rubbish, producing splurgy, fuzzy interpretations of your subject, but now we’ve reached a point where some camera phones are actually better than similarly priced point and clicks. You can now use your camera phone to record your own home videos, make video calls and transfer and send pictures/films to your friends. However, be aware that manufacturers will make a song and dance over the amount of megapixels as an indicator of quality – this isn’t really the case. A better lens and good flash capabilities are a much better indicator, and a high megapixel camera can still take a blurry shot. Don’t be fooled, read up on reviews and forums and try before you buy.

Games

Games on your mobile are powered by a program called Java, so look out for this if you like spending long train journeys pulling funny faces as you take a nasty corner on MarioKart. This is a highly profitable area for programmers and technology has moved on so much that graphics, game speed and size are indistinguishable from the early days of Snake. In days gone by you will have had pre-installed games already on your phone for free, but now you will generally have to go to one of several huge market places and buy them. Some contract packages include a free amount of downloads every month – have a look at these if you like your gaming.

Music

Most modern mobiles will offer you some form of dedicated music player – whether it’s radio or mp3 depends on the handset. If you’re looking to use your phone as an mp3 player check for the amount of memory – more memory means more songs. You may want to buy a memory card to give you that little bit extra. Typically, a 2gb memory card will hold 3-400 songs, so should do you for the longest trips unless you’re planning on the next lunar landing. There are various cables available which can link your phone up to your stereo or computer and if you have Blue Tooth or Wi-Fi installed you can download and transfer from your computer wirelessly.

Guide to Mobile Phones – Menu

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