Do you love and know cell phones like the back of your hand? Have you ever wanted to write for About.com? Now's your rare chance to love cell phones and get paid to write about them for the New York Times Company!

In About.com's long history, which dates back to 1996, sites within the network have always been guided by a single expert. For the first time, we have launched a new program with a different kind of writer: contributing writers (CWs).

CWs work under About.com's primary guides. They're focused squared on a subtopic within the guide's primary topic. For the About.com cell phones site you're reading now, we're hiring a CW for cell phone accessories.

This includes anything Bluetooth, headsets, batteries and battery boosters, cell phone cases and belt clips, news and well-vetted rumors about upcoming accessories, cell phone upgrades (i.e. additional memory) and more.

Applicants need to work in a collaborative environment with me along with our gadgets editor. The candidate must have contacts in the consumer electronics industry along with a proven track record of getting review units.

You must also be capable of submitting clean copy without direct supervision. Do you have what it takes? Do you know someone else who might?

More information about what we're seeking in the About.com cell phone accessories CW (along with information about compensation and workload requirements) can be found at this link. Just select "cell phone accessories" under "available subtopics". Good luck!

As more and more people are using smartphones with mobile operating systems, hackers who first attacked computers are now being compelled to do the same with smartphones.

Studies say the trend is only increasing both for the rise in smartphone adoption as well as the increase in mobile cybercrime.

Gartner reported last week that smartphone sales in the third quarter of 2009 grew 12.8 percent year over year to 41.1 million units in total.

Also, 18.9 percent of mobile users now use a smartphone, according to a Nov. 2009 consumer study of U.S. mobile phone users by 41st Parameter. The study also said that an additional 49.2 percent of people plan to buy an advanced mobile device within the next two years.

41st Parameter, which is a provider of fraud detection and prevention technology, said on Wednesday that it anticipates increased mobile cybercrime and decreased effectiveness of traditional anti-fraud tactics. The firm attributes the increase to the rapid adoption of new smartphones and multiple operating systems.

"The mobile channel is the fastest-growing segment of the Internet today. For companies looking to increase their audience potential, conducting business with billions of mobile handsets is compelling," said 41st Parameter founder Ori Eisen in a Wednesday statement.

Eisen added: "The mobile channel is equally appealing to cybercriminals as traditional fraud deterrents won't identify or differentiate between the growing varieties of smartphones."

Along with 41st Parameter, firms like SMobile Systems also exist to help consumers combat mobile fraud. Learn more about mobile security in this About.com article.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700, which features Wi-Fi calling, is now on sale at T-Mobile. The handset, which is an upgrade to the initial BlackBerry Bold, is T-Mobile's first high-speed 3G BlackBerry.

Wi-Fi calling allows you to make voice calls and use data on a local wireless network (i.e. at Starbucks) rather than using your cell phone carrier's network. This can be handy if you have a weak cell phone signal. BlackBerry data service is required at T-Mobile with the Bold.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is available now for $199.99 with a two-year service contract at T-Mobile retail stores, select authorized dealers and online at T-Mobile's Web site. It will also be sold at AT&T. Without a contract, the suggested retail price of the Bold at T-Mobile is $449.99.

At AT&T, the device is listed as "coming soon" and it won't feature Wi-Fi calling there. The first BlackBerry Bold is only sold by AT&T.

The new Bold is slimmer and lighter. It measures in at 4.3 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.6 of an inch and weighs in at 4.3 ounces instead of 4.8 ounces. The BlackBerry Bold 9700 also has a better camera than its predecessor: 3.2 megapixels instead of 2.0 megapixels.

This Bold doesn't use the typical BlackBerry trackball. Instead, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 features an optical trackpad, which was first used on the BlackBerry Curve 8520. More information about the BlackBerry Bold 9700 on About.com can be found here and here.

Are you going overseas for an extended trip? Do you want to keep your cell phone number without having to pay for your traditional bill?

Various services (such as NumberGarage and ParkMyCellPhone.com) help you park your cell phone number so it's there for later use.

It's also likely you can put your number on vacation or on hold at your carrier without paying for traditional service in the meantime. You can even forward your cell phone number.

Learn more about cell phone number parking and forwarding in this new article!