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Pimp your cell phone

Cell phones used to be only used for making and answering calls on the move. Not anymore.

Even the simplest cell phone model, these days, includes the ability to send text messages and emails, a lens through which to capture digital photographs and short videos clips, a digital sound recorder and even a digital media player. Most include a memory card slot so that you can boost the phone’s ability to store and play media files.

Is it a phone or an iPod?

Then there’s the smartphone, typified by Apple’s i-Phone and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7, which are packed with the same features and even more so that you can enjoy the benefits of having a home office in your pocket.

The more complex the cell phone, the more use it will get and the more likely it is that your telecommunications treasure that cost you almost as much as a high powered laptop will get scratched, dented, and even dropped. Unless you were extremely lucky your cell phone will not have come with anything other than its mains charger and proprietary headphones.

Most of the major manufactures offer cell phone specific carry cases – some buyers were lucky enough to get one with their iPhone when Apple admitted it would stop calls from dropping.

For next to nothing, depending on your cell phone make and model, you can get anything from a soft silicone glove to a hard case. (And if you were unlucky enough to drop your phone, smashing its casing, you can even get replacements for that). These are available in specialist cell phone store and electrical dealers.

Legal eagle

It’s been illegal in New Zealand since last November to use your cell phone while driving. But, Telecom as points out on its website, there are still legal ways to make a phone call where your cell phone is entirely hands-free.

Callers can use a hands-free kit or Bluetooth headset that makes cell phones entirely hands-free by using voice activation, or using a cell phone secured in a cradle, with the cell phone only touched to answer and end calls. (Scrolling the address book for a number is still a no-no.)

If it’s important that you never lose contact with the office, and don’t know when you will be able to plug your cell phone into an electrical power outlet next, consider buying a car charger which charges from the car battery via the cigarette lighter. Before buying, ensure that it is compatible with your particular make and model of phone.

Connect to your computer

Some phones, like those made by Samsung, include a USB cable which allows both the transfer of media between the cell phone and a personal computer as well as charging the cell phone.

If you’re in the bush, the car’s kilometers away and you really must keep that phone going – hey, it’s packed with great music - consider a portable charger. Such devices, available from camping and outdoors shops are available in wind up models and solar models for those blessed with good sunshine on their holidays.