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Cell Phone Accessories
Depending on how you use your phone, certain cell phone accessories could
come in quite handy. If you are going to use your cell phone in the car
often, you may want a hands-free kit or a car charger. As far as accessories
are concerned, you don't need to purchase from the celluar service provider.
Often, you can get quality accessories from wireless accessory stores
at a better price.
Besides the standard package of a battery and a travel charger that come
with a new mobile phone, it is important to note the other accessories
that may come with it. Is there a spare battery? An earpiece or leather
casing? Desktop charger, antenna, neck strap, cables and so on?
Such items may be optional, and if you need them, they contribute to
hidden costs. Also, while you may not need the optional items immediately
and can afford to get them at a later time, do make sure that such accessories
for the model you want are already available. This can be a problem when
you are the first on the block to get a spanking new model, only to find
that it was launched before other accessories could be produced for the
market.
In addition, the availability of compatible (third party) accessories
can help users save money. These are cheaper than name-brand accessories,
although many people believe in the myth that the quality of third party
accessories are inferior in quality. This is not always true, and even
if that is the case, some buyers wouldn't mind, because half the fun is
in choosing another dirt-cheap replacement in another color and design
not available from the original manufacturer!
- Extra batteries
- Hands-free kits
- Protective cases
- Travel chargers
Extra batteries
Wireless phone batteries are rechargeable but not infinitely so. A rechargeable
battery can accept 200 to 400 recharges before it needs to be replaced.
Having a spare, charged battery ensures you'll always have power. Accessory
batteries range from about $25 for a standard-life battery to $100 for
an extended-life lithium ion battery. Battery capacity is measured in
talk time or standby time. Digital phones consume less power than analog
phones. At the max, an "ultra-extended" lithium ion battery
can deliver approximately two hours talk time or 60 hours standby in analog
mode; five hours talk time or one to two weeks standby in digital mode.
More on Batteries
Hands-free kit
Using a cellular phone while driving is a bad idea if it means taking
a hand off the steering wheel. Hands-free kits allow you to convert a
handheld phone into a speakerphone. Kits start at $25 for do-it-yourself,
plug-in kits with power converters, speakers and microphones. More sophisticated
kits require professional installation and include a microphone that typically
attaches to a visor, a speaker that's mounted near the dash, a cradle
that holds the phone and a junction box where all cords connect. Antennas
are available in a variety of configurations including glass mount, trunk
mount, magnetic mount and retractable/stub types. Prices for an installed
hands-free kit range from $180 to $300, depending on phone and features.
More on Hands-free
kit
Protective cases
Cases protect a phone from dust and moisture while still allowing you
to operate the phone. Various materials are available including leather
and neoprene. Cases typically sell for $10 to $25.
More on Protective
cases
Travel charger
Phones are usually sold with standard AC battery chargers. Rapid travel
chargers can cut charge time in half. Charging times vary based on the
type of phone and battery. A rapid battery charger can charge a lithium-ion
battery used with a digital phone in two hours, compared to four hours
by a standard charger. Rapid chargers for the car plug into the cigarette
lighter adapter and can provide a full charge in two hours. Phones can
charge and be used for conversation simultaneously, although the charging
time lengthens when the phone is in use.
More on Travel
charger
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September 1, 2010
