It seems that now a days if you aren’t sporting some kind of PDA you are behind. You may be ranting and raving about your camera flip phone, meanwhile the rest of the world is checking their email and watching streaming TV! One of the hottest phones available in 2008 is the Blackberry Curve. Their tagline, “a stylish way to get things done.” sums it up nicely.
If you’re in the market for a Curve there are a number of ways you can go about it. If you’re eligible for an upgrade head to your cellular provider and you’ll get a decent discount. Unfortunately if you’re not up for an upgrade right now it can get pricey. I did my research and even Best Buy was charging $499 to $599 for Blackberries. There was no way I was going to pay that much.
eBay has some pretty solid prices, but to find a bragworthy deal you have to be in the right place at the right time. Well I found a couple tricks that put you right in the sweet spots of eBay. Sweet spot #1 is checking the auctions that are ending the soonest. If you check at various times of the day you’ll see an entirely fresh list of auctions. Persistence pays off and you might even want to check at night if you’re really looking for a deal.
Another trick is to use advanced search and show Buy It Now auctions that have been added to eBay recently. This way you are looking at the most recent additions to the site some merely minutes old. These auctions are all Buy It Now so that when you find a deal you can scoop it up before anyone else even sees it. Its kinda sneaky, but it works.
By: Brian Dankins
Archive for September, 2009
How to Get a Blackberry Curve Dirt Cheap September 27th, 2009
Bluetooth Accessories – Advantages of Having One September 25th, 2009
You may be wondering, “what’s the hype with all of these Bluetooth accessories invading the market like an epidemic?” There are actually tons of advantages Bluetooth technology provides, that it has slowly become more of a necessity than a luxury.
Determined below are some of the benefits a Bluetooth device can offer you:
Go wireless – There are heaps of advantages wireless devices offer. Aside from increasing safety as a result of ditching wires you don’t need, you can go places with your laptop and other Bluetooth enabled wireless devices without worrying about annoying connection cables.
Affordability – Contrary to popular belief, Bluetooth accessories are not that expensive, considering its many huge benefits. And since Bluetooth technology doesn’t cost much for companies to execute, these savings are then passed from them to you, making it economical. Spending some bucks on a quality Bluetooth accessory is definitely cheap if you think of it as a long-term investment.
Universality – Bluetooth technology is accepted and recognized all across the globe because it implements a universal wireless standard. Now that it’s obtaining so much attention and with the dawn of so many manufacturers eager to make Bluetooth devices, you can truly depend on it for several years to come.
Automatic – Bluetooth technology is a no-brainer and it doesn’t need an expert to configure Bluetooth connectivity. It’s simply automatic-requires no setting up a connection or pushing any buttons. When two or more devices come into a range of up to 30-feet of each other, they will automatically start to communicate, quick and easy.
Standard procedure – A Standardized wireless system ensures a strong level of compatibility between devices. Bluetooth accessories will no doubt connect to each other regardless of their brands or models.
Virtually no interference – Bluetooth enabled devices have low, almost no interruption from other wireless devices because they utilize a technique called, “frequency hopping” and low power wireless signals. Thus, you can always expect crisp quality reception using Bluetooth technology.
Safe communication on the road – Bluetooth devices, such as Bluetooth wireless car kits effortlessly resolve the audio and communication dilemmas emerging while driving. Bluetooth technology definitely improves safety when it comes to being able to drive with both hands on the wheel while having a crystal clear conversation via your cell phone.
Low power usage – Since Bluetooth uses low power signals, the technology only uses low energy, lessening battery consumption or electrical power.
The fame of Bluetooth accessories has constantly progressed since they were first launched because of these amazing benefits. These Bluetooth devices have demonstrated time and again to make people’s lives so much easier and more efficient. No wonder they are definitely a hot item on the market today, and are expected to remain for the years to come.
By: Gyrel Dagooc
Cell Phone Batteries Tips and Overview September 25th, 2009
Are you concerned your current battery is defective? Then perhaps, a replacement battery is the solution. However, there are many reasons NOT to purchase a cell phone battery. Most of the time the battery that came with your phone is under a one year warranty. Many service providers will replace your battery at no charge if you go into their store or call their customer service.
Also, most phone manufacturers have an additional warranty on your entire device. Generally, most batteries range from $40-$45 if they are not after market. Batteries that come straight from the manufacturer are sold either by your service provider or directly from the manufacturer’s website. After market batteries can be found at electronic stores, authorized agents of your service provider, swap meets or cell phone accessory kiosks. Often times, after market batteries are not covered under any warranty and are more susceptible to being defective.
You will know that you have a defective battery if your phone is hot to the touch, not providing any power or not holding a charge. You do not need a replacement battery if your signal strength is low. The reception on your cell phone does not in any way correlate to your battery. If your cell phone is not responding to commands, any of the features stop working properly or the phone powers off by itself, these are not symptoms indicative of a defective battery.
It is always recommended that before you buy a replacement battery, you first contact your service provider. They may be able to offer you a whole new phone at a discounted price (sometimes, even for free) if you are willing to renew your contract. If you have had your current cell phone for less than one year then there is a very good chance they will replace your battery or even your entire phone at no charge per the manufacturer warranty.
The only reason that you would not be able to get your battery replaced under the warranty is if it has water damage. Most batteries contain a water indication sticker on the side of the battery. If it has not come in contact with water than it will be white with a pink stripe. However, if it does have water damage the sticker will be completely red.
In the event, that your only option is to buy a new battery, your best bet would be to purchase it from your service provider to ensure that you are not buying an after market product. The replacement battery itself comes with a one year warranty and a 30 day buyer’s remorse policy.
By: Luke Walker
