In the United States, unfortunately it is the case where most people are only aware of three wireless carriers, that being Verizon, AT&T and Sprint. Why? Advertising, of course. The big wireless companies obviously have deep pockets for gobs and gobs of advertising everywhere. Television, magazines, billboards, etc. Regional wireless carriers are a sound...

Several years ago I remember the transition from analog to digital cell phones. For those that remember those old beasty analog sets, they were commonly known as "bag phones" because they were literally in a black vinyl bag (or ritzy leather if you had the money). Owners of these bag phones would typically place them below a car’s center console...

A few questions many have asked are, "If Big Telecom is so.. well.. big.. why is it I can’t get perfect reception everywhere with my wireless phone? Can’t they afford putting up towers where need be?" Yes, Big Telecom can afford it, and rather easily. Why don’t they do it? The answer is something most people don’t give a second...

For those of you who send emails as text messages to cell phones, you’re well aware that you have to a) send in plain text only and b) count your characters to make sure you don’t trip the 140-character limit. Setting email to send in plain text in easy. In popular email providers such as Yahoo! Mail there is an option right at the top to change from...

Texas Legislature House Bill 55 gives its cities and counties the choice (keyword there) of whether or not to ban cell phone usage in designated school zones. In order for this to be enforced, signs must be posted. In addition, to be fined (which is $200 per infraction), the cell phone must be to your ear and your vehicle must be in motion. This means...

It’s an ever-increasing mobile world, and with it comes all the tech stuff we need to get things done. Being mobile means your tech will run off a battery or two. However there are certain items when you should care and other times when you don’t have to. Point-And-Shoot Digital Cameras Should you care? Yes. I won’t buy a point-and-shoot...

Some choose to text on a wireless phone for fiscal reasons. It used to be that texting cost more than speaking, but these days it’s the other way around (especially with prepaid wireless phones). Some choose to text because it’s faster. If you receive a text message asking, “Meet up for coffee at noon at D.D.?”, it is quicker to reply...

Right now a lot of people are tightening belts concerning money and one way to save cash is by using a pre-paid cell phone instead of post-paid. Here are some tips to maximize minutes and minimize hassle. 1. Check voicemail from another number On many pre-paid phones it chews up minutes checking your voicemail. Solution: Check it from another line. Call your...

To those who have ever used Skype, Yahoo! Messenger voice chat, Ventrilo, TeamSpeak or any other over-the-internet method of peer-to-peer voice communication, you’ve noticed the quality of sound is far superior to land-line and wireless/cell phones. Why is this? There are actually a few good reasons. First, some explanation.VoIP is Voice over Internet...

Dave (owner of PCMech) has a ritzy/glitzy/sexy/super-cool Apple iPhone. And he really likes it. Furthermore he uses it a lot so he’s getting his money’s worth. He uses apps, he texts, he talks on it (obviously), uses Twitter on it, browses the web, etc. I on the other hand am very anti-cell phone. The only reason I own one is to have some means of...

I’ll answer that question even before I start this article: Yes, you are. And you always have been since the first time you used text messaging on a mobile wireless network. The reason you’re getting screwed is because those who are computer savvy even to the most basic degree understand that when you charge 20 cents for 140 bytes of data or less...