Simple Cell Tips That Can't Be Missed

We may have to wait until 2008 to test out Google's newly announced Android — an open platform for cell phones that includes an operating system, user-interface and applications that promise to make cell phone usage easier — but we can make use of our cell phones' many features in the mean time.

The easiest way to get the best out of your cell is to take care of it and play around with all of its functions. It's not just a texting, call making device, it's an attention worthy gadget. Follow these tips to a more connected life:

• Use Your Alarm!


• 
  
• Be a Text Message Champ


• Protect Your Phone From Damage


• Get Help on the Go!


• Get Your Del.icio.us Bookmarks On Your Cell

Simple Cell Tips, Part 4: Get Help on the Go!

Now that you're addicted to using your cell phone for reminders and alarms and working on your text messaging know how you might as well start using your cell phone for information help on the go. There are a handful of great services that allow you access to informational databases and 411-type information without having to pick up the Yellowpages or struggle to use your phone's web browser.

• Call GOOG-411: GOOG-411 recently added free Telephone Directory Assistance to its service. Looking for a restaurant? A specific store? Just dial 1-800-GOOG-411 and let Google take care of the rest. Check out a video to see how it works. If you're lost and need map help just say "map it" during your call and you'll get a text message with the details of your search plus a link to a map of your results right on your mobile phone.


• Use Google Mobile SMS: Need help with an address or solving a fight but don't want to make a call? You can text message your search to 466453 ('GOOGLE') and Google will text message the results back.


• Put your calendar on your phone: While most phones have built in calendars and task managers, they can be hard to organize. You can now access your Google calendar from your cell phone.

Simple Cell Phone Tips, Part 1: Use Your Alarm

As you've probably noticed, the pay phone booths of yesteryear have been replaced with free WiFi and cell phone charging stations. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, in 2007, 81 percent of the U.S. population owned a cell phone, a 20 percent increase compared to 2002.

While we all use our beloved mobiles for phone calls, texting and even dating, we often overlook our phone's most simple functions and features. I've detailed some of my favorite cell phone tips in the past, but I decided to share a handful of easy ways to use your celly. For the first part in my new series,

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