California Highway Patrolmen Bust Down On Drivers Using Cell Phones

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The new law that prohibits the use of handheld cell phones while driving has went into affect in California and Law Enforcement is taking it seriously.

The Mercury News reports that the California Highway Patrol has already issued 15 tickets and a number of warnings to drivers caught using their mobile phones behind the wheel.

First offenses will cost California drivers $75.00 (including fines and associated fees) and repeat offenders $175.00, so violating the Handsfree law could get pretty costly.

In fact, you can find a nice Bluetooth device for about the same as what you’d pay for a violation
so it might be easier to just get in compliance and avoid the hassle.

Remember.. Zip it or ticket.

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AT&T To Sell 3G iPhones Without A Contract

If you’ve been wanting an iPhone, but haven’t been happy about the idea of signing a new 2 year contract, you’ll be happy to know that the 3G iPhone will soon be available without a calling plan.

AT&T announced today that “sometime in the future” the 3G smartphone will be available without a contract, but didn’t give an exact date. Consumers that wish to purchase one of these “no-contract” phones can expect to pay more for the device; AT&T advised that they’ll be priced at $599 for the 8GB model and $699 for the 16GB device.

The 3G Smartphone will be available for sale on July 11, 2008 for those that don’t mind signing a 2 year contract. The 8GB will retail for $199 and the 16GB for $299 for qualifying consumers.

AT&T stated “These prices require two-year contracts and are available to the following customers: iPhone customers who purchased before July 11, customers activating a new line with AT&T [and] current AT&T customers who are eligible, at the time of purchase, for an upgrade discount.”

But not all customers will qualify for an ‘upgraded account.’

AT&T spokesman Wes Warnock explained their requirements.

“Eligibility for the upgrade discount typically involves a number of factors, including how long you have been in your current service agreement, your payment history, for example, prompt payment of bills, and more. In general, you are more likely to qualify if you are at or near the end of your current service agreement and pay your wireless bills promptly.”

Consumers that don’t qualify will be required to pay $499 for the 8GB and $599 for the 16GB and sign up for a new two year customer agreement.

Plans are expected to cost between $69.99 - $129.99 per month.

The phone will go on sale at 8 AM local time on July 11, 2008.

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Nokia 7610 Supernova - Pictures

The Nokia 7610 Supernova is a stylish phone with a notable feature set. In the world of fashion cell phones, it’s easy to see how the 7610 Supernova would be a stalwart. Nokia spent plenty of time in getting this product polished to a degree where the phone is almost ready for an art gallery.

(See end of this post for all available Nokia 7610 photos and the specs).

The Nokia 7610 Supernova will be available in Q3, according to company officials. The camera sports a 3.2 megapixel camera, an FM radio player, multi-media player, AV connector, and TV output.

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LG Dare Touchscreen Mobile Phone

Verizon Wireless just announced the addition of the LG Dare to their lineup of available mobile phones.

The LG Dare

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Nokia E71 - Photos And Specs

The Nokia E71 is an impressive offering from Nokia. The company has continued on with its’ tradition of engineering success and built a whole lot of functionality into this newest E-Series phone.

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Google Phone Release Delayed

If you’ve been waiting for the Google phone, plan to wait a little bit longer.

The company recently announced that the Google phone release has been delayed until late 2008. The Google cell phone will operate on the open source Android platform.

Google spokesman Barry Schnitt said “We remain on schedule to deliver the first Android-based handset in the second half of 2008. We’re very excited to see the momentum continuing to build behind the Android platform among carriers, handset manufacturers, developers and consumers.”

It’s unlikely that the Google phone will have any impact in the global phone market until 2009.

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Americans Are Addicted To Cell Phones

A recent Fox poll found that Americans are addicted to cell phones, even more than so than cars and gasoline.

This comes as no surprise since many cell phones on the market today are more affordable than a vehicle (well, unless you go over your calling plan.)

Smartphones and Multimedia handsets offer video and photo capabilities, so it’s easy to capture a moment without a camera. Of course, there is some resolution lost but technology is getting better all the time.

Other features like MP3 players, internet access, radio, games on top of calling and TXT messages serve as additional ways a cell phone user could get addicted.

What are your thoughts on cell phone addiction? Do you consider yourself an addict?

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FCC Weighs In On Early Termination Fees

Early termination charges on mobile phones has become a big enough issue that the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has decided to weigh in.

Kevin Martin, FCC chairman, stated that he wants to impose regulations on wireless carriers and their practices of imposing fees for terminating a wireless contract early.

He said that these fees should be pro-rated and should be related to the actual cost of the cell phone.

This proposal is being made at the same time that industry leaders are setting up reasonable guidelines for early termination. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Jay Rockefeller
spearheaded reform in this gray, murky area of cell phone contracts to better protect consumers.

What are your thoughts on Early Termination Charges? Do you have a horror story you’d like to tell?

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Pearl Jam To Offer Bootleg Recordings To Verizon Wireless

Fans of Pearl Jam will be pleased to find out that a recent agreement with Verizon Wireless will give them access to Pearl Jam’s first ever mobile bootleg recordings. The band is kicked off their US summer concert tour in West Palm Beach on June 11, 2008.

In addition, Pearl Jam supports mobile phone recycling and Verizon Wireless’ Helpline which aids domestic abuse victims.

How the Pearl Jam Bootleg Program works:

Every night of the tour, Pearl Jam’s live concert performance will be recorded. After each performance, Pearl Jam’s studio engineer will mix three songs on the Verizon Mobile Recording Studio Bus that will be released on V CAST Music. Verizon Wireless will offer one of the full-length tracks for free on V CAST Music; the other two full-length songs will be available, as well as the ringtones and ringback tones for all three songs, at standard costs. Each free mobile bootleg will be available until the following show; however, customers will be able to access and purchase all of the mobile bootlegs as they become available through the end of the tour. Fans can download Pearl Jam’s songs as ringtones, ringback tones and full-song downloads either over-the-air onto their phones or on their PCs with V CAST Music from Verizon Wireless under the Pearl Jam category.

To find out more, please visit Verizon Wireless

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Free iPhone At 02

02, a wireless carrier based in the United Kingdom recently announced that they’ll be offering a free 8GB 3G iPhone with qualifying wireless calling plans.

This is the same Smartphone that Steve Jobs unveiled earlier this week.

02 said that customers that sign up for an $88 or $146.50 a month wireless plan will be eligible to receive a free iPhone. They are also offering a free 16GB iPhone to people that wanted a more expensive calling plan. Businesses can take advantage of the free iPhone offer by signing a 24 or 36 month contract.

02 will begin offering the phone on it’s release date of July 11, 2008.

Please visit 02 for more information.

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