Updated Articles and Resources

By Russell Ware, About.com Guide

What is NFC? Created: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 Updated: Wednesday, May 22, 2013
NFC, or Near Field Communication, is becoming a standard feature on mobile phones. But aside from sending pictures between phones, what else is the technology useful for, and why should you want it...
What is a SIM card? And why do we need one? Created: Thursday, April 25, 2013 Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013
Everything you need to know about the SIM card in your GSM cell phone. From what it does and why it is useful, to the different types and sizes available.
Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 Review Created: Thursday, April 25, 2013 Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013
As a flagship device from Samsung, the largest smartphone manufacturer in the world, the Galaxy S3 has certainly had its share of headlines. But does this huge phone live up to all the hype? Read o...
Nokia Lumia 920 Review Created: Thursday, April 25, 2013 Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013
Can Microsoft Windows Phone 8 put a dent in the sales of iOS and Android smartphones? If they are going to do it, this could be the phone that strikes the blow. Read the full review of Nokia's flag...
Connecting to Wi-Fi on Android Created: Friday, April 26, 2013 Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013
Learn how to get your Android smartphone connected to an secured or unsecured Wi-Fi network.
35 Common SMS Abbreviations Created: Thursday, April 25, 2013 Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013
There are hundreds of different acronyms and abbreviations that can be used when typing SMS messages on your cell phone. Here are 35 of the most common SMS abbreviations used today.
How to Automatically Dial Extensions on Android Created: Friday, April 26, 2013 Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013
Learn a quick and easy way to automatically dial the extension numbers of your business contacts, on your Android phone, without having to install additional apps.
What is a Cell Phone? Created: Thursday, April 25, 2013 Updated: Friday, April 26, 2013
We have all heard the term "cell phone", but what is a cell phone? And why is it called that? Is a cell phone the same as a mobile phone or smartphone? Read on to find the answers to all of these q...
What is Inductive Charging? Created: Thursday, April 25, 2013 Updated: Friday, April 26, 2013
You may have heard the expression "inductive charging" or "wireless charging" being used when shopping for a new cell phone. But what is inductive charging? Despite sounding like a new cell phone b...
Contact Russell Ware, the About.com Cell Phones Guide Created: Friday, April 26, 2013 Updated: Friday, April 26, 2013
Find out how to get in touch with the About.com Cell Phones Guide.
What Is an Unlocked Cell Phone or Smartphone? Created: Monday, May 03, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
An unlocked cell phone is one that is not tied into a certain carrier’s network: It will work with more than one service provider.
What is the Best Smartphone Available Today? Created: Monday, May 03, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Reader's Choice Awards 2010: About.com's readers pick their favorite smartphone.
What is the Best Budget Smartphone? Created: Monday, May 03, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
About.com Reader's Choice Awards 2010: Readers pick their favorite budget smartphone.
How to Change Your BlackBerry Theme Created: Monday, January 17, 2011 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
How to Change Your BlackBerry Theme. Learn How to Change Your BlackBerry Theme. Changing Your BlackBerry Theme.
CTIA 2010: Hot New Smartphones on Display Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Sprint made a splash at the show with the announcement of the HTC EVO 4G, the first WiMax-capable phone.
Smartphones: Winners of the 2010 Reader's Choice Awards Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
In January 2010, About.com asked readers to nominate their favorite smartphones and apps in six categories: Best Smartphone, Best Budget Smartphone, Best Free iPhone App, Best Paid iPhone App, Best...
How to Set Up Push Gmail on the iPhone Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Push Gmail offers a faster way to get new e-mail messages on your iPhone. Here's a guide to adding this handy feature.
How to Connect a Bluetooth Headset to an iPhone Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Using a Bluetooth headset can be a liberating experience. Here's how to connect (or "pair") a Bluetooth headset to an iPhone.
How to Get MMS on Your iPhone Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
AT&T has (finally) activated MMS for the iPhone. Here's how you use iPhone MMS.
How to Set Up a New iPhone Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Whether you purchased your iPhone in the store or ordered it online, you still need to connect it to iTunes to get it up and running. Doing so allows you to transfer information and data (including...
How to Update Your iPhone's Software Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Updating your iPhone's software is one way to make sure you're taking advantage of all its features. Here's a step-by-step guide that tells you how to update your iPhone software.
How to Connect a Bluetooth Headset to a Palm Pre Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Using a Bluetooth headset with your Palm Pre can be a liberating experience. It keeps your hands free, which is not just convenient -- it's also a much safer way to use your phone while driving. He...
How to Restore an iPhone Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Restoring your iPhone to its original factory settings is a way to repair any damages you've done to the phone by downloading unauthorized software. It's not guaranteed to fix your problems, but it...
How to Sync Your Palm Pre With iTunes Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Syncing your Palm Pre smartphone with iTunes can be a really handy way to transfer music and photos to your phone. Here's how to sync your Palm Pre with iTunes.
How to Transfer Contacts to Your Palm Pre from Microsoft Outlook Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
If you have a shiny new Palm Pre, you'll want to get your contacts on there. Here's a step-by-step guide to transferring contacts from Microsoft Outlook to your Palm Pre.
How to View Word Documents on Your iPhone Created: Thursday, May 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
The iPhone has its strengths, to be sure. Unfortunately, productivity software is not the iPhone's strong point. Apple's smartphone does not come with any applications designed to let you create, v...
The Best Verizon Wireless Smartphones Created: Thursday, June 02, 2011 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
What are the best smartphones available from Verizon Wireless?
LG Expo Review: A Compact Windows Mobile Phone Created: Monday, May 03, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
The LG Expo looks more like a messaging phone than a full-featured Windows Mobile smartphone, but don't be fooled: this phone packs plenty of features into its relatively compact case.
Palm Pre Plus Review: A More Polished webOS Phone Created: Monday, May 03, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
If you liked the original Palm Pre, but wished it had more polish, well, then, you'll love the Palm Pre Plus.
Palm Pixi Plus Review: Better, But Not Perfect Created: Monday, May 03, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
If not for the small Verizon logo above the screen, it would be very easy to mistake the Palm Pixi Plus for the original Palm Pixi. These two smartphones share the same slim design and the same sle...
Nokia Surge Review: An Incredibly Affordable Smartphone Created: Monday, May 03, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
Nokia's phones are usually thought of as bland, boring business devices. But not the Nokia Surge: this petite, attractive smartphone packs in plenty of features for both work and play.
Google Nexus One Review: How Super Is It? Created: Monday, May 03, 2010 Updated: Thursday, April 25, 2013
A Google phone has been rumored for months. Specs have been leaking for weeks. And now it's official: Google has unveiled the Nexus One, the first smartphone that the search company will market and...