Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Ringtones How to Find the Right Sound for You

Cell phones come with a wide variety of accessories, from protective covers to hands free units, but perhaps the most important and least tangible of these are the ringtones, which signal an incoming call or message. Whether you choose the latest pop hit to let you know when your friends are calling, or prefer to be alerted to your phone by a more traditional ringing sound, there are a multitude of ways to find the ringtones that matches your personality perfectly, ensuring that when your phone rings, everyone knows that it’s for you!

Most cell phones include a selection of ringtones upon purchase, and depending on the brand you choose, this choice can be broad enough for the average user. Usually including a brand ringtone and a range of other choices, from simple monotone sounds to animal noises and classical tunes, most of us are fairly certain of finding something we can live with. For many cell phone users though, individuality is all and finding the right ringtone can be a labor of love.

So where do you look if you don’t like the sounds you’ve been saddled with? Since the popularity of cell phones has increased, the growth of companies offering a variety of phone services has occurred along parallel lines. Some of the most prolific of these are ringtone providers, and their services can be availed of fairly simply.

These companies will place ads designed to reach those most likely to be interested in enjoying a variety of ringtones, so finding their details shouldn’t be difficult. Check out your favorite magazine for a good selection, or perform an online search. You will then find easy ways to get your new tones, usually either by downloading them from the internet or having them sent to you by text message.

But remember – caveat emptor, or as most of us would say, buyer beware. Ringtones are available in varying sound qualities and different price ranges, so be sure to read the small print before you commit. You might love a particular song when it bursts on to you radio in living color, but it might not sound so great in the audio equivalent of black and white! You might also find yourself unknowingly signing up to receive regular ringtone updates – remember that these companies are trying to make their money, so be sure that you are purchasing a once off tune, if that is what you want.

With minimal research you can find the perfect ringtone to match your style. Pretty soon you’ll be waiting with baited for your next call – just to hear that tune again!


http://www.articlesearchnet.com/Article/Ringtones-How-to-Find-the-Right-Sound-for-You/699

Targeting seniors for mobile phones

I remember my grandfather telling me about his first experience with the telephone. It was 1942. He had just enlisted, was in St. John’s, Newfoundland, undergoing basic training before crossing the great North Atlantic for eventual deployment in Italy. It was his first trip in eighteen years outside his outport home, population 200, give or take a half dozen babies. A lot of firsts witnessed that year, but eighty years later, of all the stories he told, the telephone story was his favorite. Not so much a story, but an acknowledgement of wonder. Grandfather had relatives in St.John’s and a young female cousin took a particular shine to his lack of technological finesse. The girl would get a grand chuckle watching my Grandfather answer the phone, watching his confused attempt to put the correct end to his ear and howl with laughter as he screamed into the mouthpiece in his fervent attempts to be heard by the unfortunate caller.

The story seems somewhat ludicrous in a world wired for global communication, but there remains a large segment of our population for whom the cell phone is as mysterious today as it was sixty years ago. Strangely enough, that segment is the same populace that witnessed the birth of this powerful mode of communication.

Cell phone designers have yet to focus on this potentially huge market,perhaps because seniors themselves profess a disinterest in cell-phones. The mobiles are too small, the buttons are a hit or miss, and cell phones require a degree of technological savvy that seniors either can’t or won’t
master. There is, however, a market here, and better yet, there’s a need. Community-help organizations are already collecting and recycling old cell phones, reprogramming the donated dinosaurs to call only 911. Seniors carry these recyclables with them at all times and take comfort in the security they offer. Recent cell phone designs include one-button phones that connect to a call center where seniors are rerouted to find assistance with daily needs and activities or emergency response relief. The possibilities are enormous.

I recall my own first cell. In comparison to today’s model, it was as big as a boot, and I quickly became embarrassed with its large, ugly personae as friends and colleagues switched to the neater, streamlined version. Truth is, though, that model was a good fit for Gramps. With hearing not as keen as it was sixty years ago, that oversized earpiece was pretty much the right
size for my grandfather, and the mouthpiece fell into the right area. With a quick push of his glasses to the top of his head, he could easily read the numbers. He needed that loud ringbone, too. Gramps hears music and he’s yelling for someone to turn off that darned radio.

What is required by designers and service providers is a rethinking of the consumer. Seniors are besought with physical and limitations that require modifications in cell phone design, options, and service. In many ways, the modifications are already there. For this particular segment of the population, we need to step back a little, rather than surge forward.

Bring back the wonder. Give Gramps a cell-phone he can call his own.

http://www.articlesearchnet.com/Article/Targeting-seniors-for-mobile-phones/806

The New Entertainer

Digital music players caused a furore when they first arrived on the scene, as music moguls everywhere feared that without the need to purchase a hardcopy of an album, consumers would enjoy artists’ hard work for free, and the profits derived from an enormously lucrative industry would be depleted in a serious way. A few years on, it’s obvious that the industry of music creation hasn’t collapsed under the weight of such digital music players as the iPod, which holds a ninety percent share of the digital music player market. But now, it seems, another area of the music industry is in fear of its life.

You may have heard the term ‘iPod wedding’ being bandied about, but rest assured that humanity has not yet lost all respect for the sacred bonds of marriage and begun to indulge in formalized commitments to their electronic gadgets. The term, in fact, refers to the new, money saving trend of ditching the wedding singer or DJ in favor of another musical mediator. Newly wed couples are now celebrating their nuptials to the sounds that emanate from their iPods.

And with the expense of weddings rising, seemingly, every year, who can blame them. To have a live band play at your wedding can cost upward of a thousand dollars, while a DJ can cost less, but not much, at a price tag of about six hundred. For many brides and grooms, the opportunities for cutting financial corners are slim, with many couples unwilling to compromise on other such other wedding essentials as the rings and the bride’s gown. Setting up your iPod then, with its enormous capacity for storing a huge variety of songs, to take care of your music for the occasion seems to make a whole of sense.

There are a multitude of other advantages to choosing an iPod as your wedding day entertainer. The newly married couple are free to choose precisely the music they want played at their special event, without worrying about the weird and wonderful tastes of a band or DJ. An iPod is also around half the price of a DJ, and as the couple can use it after the wedding for their own personal use, represents a double bargain. With the giving of favors to wedding guests a popular tradition, a wedding iPod is also a wonderful favor for the couple to give themselves, allowing them use and enjoy every day an item that is likely to evoke wonderful memories of a happy day.

An iPod is an ideal way to save money at any big occasion, and allows you to share the music you love with the people you care about. But while the iPod is a powerful tool, DJs and bands shouldn’t throw in the hat just yet – the iPod didn’t kill the music industry and with the continuing popularity of live music at weddings, it’s unlike to ruin their business either.



http://www.articlesearchnet.com/Article/The-New-Entertainer/1664

The Perfect Home Theater System

As with everything else, the requirements in a home theatre vary from person to person. However, all of us have something in common, that is, we want the perfect home theatre, suited to our own tastes. We want every item perfect, right from the equipment to proper placing of them which would ensure proper balance and quality of sound. We want to watch movies the way it was meant to be. Is the ultimate home theatre contained in owning a Cinema 1 True 5.1 Digital Wireless 2.4GHz headphone system? Or is a home theatre incomplete without a nice flat panel TV like a Sony KDF-E50A10 50 in. HDTV LCD Television? Then there comes the question of choosing whether to use DVD or VHS. This is almost readily decided for people who buy or rent their DVDs; they will do fine with a DVD player alone. But for people who still have tons of tapes with their favorite movies on them will definitely have to go for systems which allows VHS playback and preferably allows them to be converted over to DVDs. There might also be another factor to consider, that is, sometimes, the combo units are better performers than their solo counterparts. One such unit is the LG LRY-517 Super-Multi DVD Recorder/VCR Combo. This unit would be suited for anyone into home theatre but only if one has the money would he consider buying it.

Almost often, performance of the units is measured against their price. With the internet, this has become very easy as dedicated websites like “Price-watch” and “Ubid” dot com allows the user to make comparative price choices, and sometimes auction sites lower the prices even further. In a recent comparison, the top performing DVDs chosen were - JVC DR-MX1S DVD/VCR/Hard Drive Recorder Combo, LG LRY-517 Super-Multi DVD Recorder/VCR Combo, Panasonic DMR-ES40VS DVD Recorder - VCR Combination, Pioneer DVR-RT500 DVD Recorder/VHS VCR Combination, Panasonic PV-DR2714 DVD Recorder/VCR/TV Combo, Panasonic DMR-ES30VS DVD Recorder VCR Combination, and Sony RDR-VX500 DVD Recorder/VCR Combination. All of these units were chosen considering their price to performance ratio. This indicates that service and professional quality alone aren’t the only considerations in buying a good home theatre.

While considering the television situation, it is important to note that high definition is not the only advanced technology. Though still new, plasma based displays have already taken over others in terms of performance and convenience. They work with virtually any type of input source, including computers. This makes them feasible for movies as well as gaming use. The top models available are Panasonic TH-42PHD7UY Plasma Television, LG Electronics 42PX5D 42-Inch Plasma Television, Pioneer PDP-5060HD Plasma Television, Samsung SP-R4232 42-inch Plasma TV, Hitachi Ultravision 42HDF52 42-Inch Plasma Television, Panasonic TH-37PX50U Plasma Television, Panasonic TH-50PX500 50-Inch Plasma Television; and again price was a factor of consideration. Even plasma TVs should be selected based on the price to performance ratio.

The whole emphasis is laid on the fact that buyers should be conscious of what they are buying. It is very important that the product fits the buyer, its price fits the buyer, but what is more important is that the buyer should know what he is buying, and what is that he wants. Once the buyer purchases it, it is owned by him fully. In today’s online market, two very important considerations are price at delivery, because shipping costs extra, and warranty- what is the warranty policy, on- site or carry in? 1 month or 1 year, etc. Buyers beware.


http://www.articlesearchnet.com/Article/The-Perfect-Home-Theater-System/827

The Plasma to Choose Depends on the Plans for its Use

If you are trying to decide which TV is better for your life style, just take a look at your viewing styles. Will you watch in the light or will the room be dark? Will you and other viewers be centered in front of the TV or will your seating accommodations mean that some viewers will have to watch from a side angle? Take those aspects into consideration and make your decision. You can be assured that whichever decision you make, you will have a good picture and if you choose a quality brand, your plasma or LCD TV will last you a long, long time.

You decided to take the plunge. Your old LCD TV has been on its last legs for some time now and it has finally bitten the dust. There is no better time than the present to buy a plasma TV.

As you are picking out your new plasma TV, you need to ask yourself a couple of financial questions. 1.) Do you plan to keep your existing entertainment center or TV stand, and 2.) How much money can you afford to spend.

Let’s address the affordability issue first. Like with any new technology, plasma TVs will naturally remain a little more expensive than their predecessor for a little while. Once they become more common, the price will start to drop. If you have been pricing plasma TVs for a while, chances are that you have an idea of how much you will spend on the actual television itself. The real issue of affordability leans more to the accessories needed for your new plasma TV.

For instance, do you currently use your old television set to play video games on? If so, depending on how old your current TV is, you might have to consider a game upgrade or at least conversion attachments to make your old game system fit the new plasma TV.

Another issue of affordability relates back to Question 1. Do you plan to keep your existing entertainment center or TV stand? Why is this such a big deal? Plasma TVs tend to run a little larger than their LCD relatives. So, the entertainment center you have been using might not fit with the new plasma TV you are thinking about buying. If working around your existing furniture is not an issue, that’s great. If you can only afford the new TV and not a new entertainment set up, however, you will need to be mindful of your current furniture and what it will be able to accommodate.

Of course, you might choose to mount your new flat screen plasma TV to the wall, making your old entertainment center or TV stand obsolete. If that’s the case, remember to buy the brackets and hardware necessary for mounting. Follow the instructions to guarantee a solid mount for your new investment.

If you are buying a new plasma TV, keep in mind that one of its features is its sleek, new look. If you are putting the TV in a living room or den that has antique décor, it might not look like the room you have been accustomed to. Decide before buying if having a new fangled plasma TV in a room decorated with antiques will be an issue that vexes you. If it will bother you, decide now to buy a plasma TV that will fit inside an armoire type entertainment center that will fit your décor. You can close the doors to “hide” the sleek plasma TV. Otherwise, bring the plasma TV in and enjoy it. There’s a pretty good chance that once you see that clear picture, the other accessories in the room will seem so unimportant!


http://www.articlesearchnet.com/Article/The-Plasma-to-Choose-Depends-on-the-Plans-for-its-Use/1015

The Technology Behind a Plasma TV Screen

For many years, the technology that allowed you to sit in your home and watch audio and video was based on a tube technology. Very basically, light was shined into a tube which then projected the image onto the screen of your television set. The technology behind the plasma TV screen isn’t so very much different in some respects, but is very different in others.

First, keep in mind that plasma TV screens aren’t a new idea. Almost as long as people have had the power to watch television, there have been those with the idea for plasma television. It was during the 1960s that a college professor created the first plasma TV screen, though manufacturers weren’t anxious to pursue the technology until much more recently.

The technology is based on a series of very small lights. The lights are fluorescent and each pixel has three colors – red, green and blue. The lights are illuminated based on the code of the image being received so that the viewer sees a series of lights that form an image.

Plasma TVs have nothing to do with blood. In this case, plasma is a gas. The gas in its neutral state is stagnant. When electricity is introduced into the situation, these particles become active and light is released. The process is very fast, making it possible for pictures to be updated quickly so that you have the impression of a moving image when watching the television.

There are some other technologies that have been tried along the way. The liquid display screen works in a very similar manner and the result is a quality picture, though some argue that the plasma TV is the ultimate viewing experience.

One of the most beneficial points of the plasma TV is the fact that the layers needed to make this technology work are very thin, resulting in a television screen that is mere inches thick. Even for a very large screen, the thickness of the layers changes little, meaning the screens are easy to handle, mount and view.

There’s no doubt that technology will continue to develop as new people have better ideas for bringing audio and video into our homes. But when you see the crisp clear images of a plasma TV, it’s rather difficult to imagine how it could get any better than this.


http://www.articlesearchnet.com/Article/The-Technology-Behind-a-Plasma-TV-Screen/1005

The Ultimate in Portability

When it first became possible to listen to recorded music, the notion of being able to do so on the move probably seemed a little ridiculous. Though the transition from the type of music appreciation that necessitated the presence of the performers in the same room as the listeners to that which required only a gramophone to enjoy must have been a strange one, music remained, back then, a form of entertainment. And while there is little doubt that the music we listen to today brings us enormous pleasure, it has adopted a new position in our lives. Music is now the accompaniment to our lives, following us from home to office to store. And with the technical innovations of recent years, we can now take it with us to all the places in between.

Portable music first became available to the masses with the mass marketing of the cassette tape Walkman. This allowed consumers take their favorite music with them when they went about their daily business, and quickly became a huge success. It is, in fact, the consumer enthusiasm for music in general that has spurred on the technological advancements that have created portable music systems that are better than ever before. And while cassette, and later CD, Walkmans allowed music lovers everywhere to take their tunes wherever they went, listeners were limited to a single tape or CD. The desire for more has now rendered these portable music systems a thing of the past.

Next came the Minidisk player, and while this data storage system allowed listeners to carry far more music on one disk, the world of electronics still had more to add. The culmination of their capability, and our limitless desire to hear the tunes we love, any time, anywhere, has come together to create the epitome in music portability – the iPod.

The enormous digital data storage system of the iPod allows music lovers to tote their entire music collection with them when they go out into the world. The storage capacity of this miniature music system is great enough to allow you to play your favorite tunes, twenty four hours a day, for well over a month, without repeating a single track. Music lovers are no longer forced to choose which genre they are in the mood for today – you can simply grab your iPod and go, and listen on a whim to any of your favorite artists.

The iPod has opened up a whole new world of musical appreciation, as we listen to the songs we love as an accompaniment to our daily lives. Never before has music been so instantaneously available to the people who enjoy it. The iPod really has taken musical entertainment to a whole new level.


http://www.articlesearchnet.com/Article/The-Ultimate-in-Portability/1647

VoIP Phone Systems

VoIP phone systems are used with Voice over Internet Protocol technology. VoIP is the technology used to transmit audio as data or Packets over the Internet to either a computer user or to a landline telephone. VoIP is increasing in popularity, as it is highly valued for its great quality, low cost, sometimes completely free and has incredible features. VoIP phone systems are a viable solution for business needs as well. This will also allow long distance calls for either free or for just pennies compared to traditional phone services.

You can also use VoIP technology by using Instant Messaging services that have voice options enabled. These include, AOL, Yahoo Messenger with VoiceInstant Messenger, Ebay's Skype, MSN and even Google has started their own VoIP messenger.

When using VoIP services, you can simply use a microphone and speakers to communicate with your caller. You need a High Speed Internet connection to allow for your calls to be in real time, and you will also need a soundboard and computer that is up to date with VoIP technology. You may also need a phone adapter for converting standard telephones into VoIP phones, or a VoIP phone.

VoIP phone system adapters are another means of communicating with VoIP. A VoIP phone adapter will connect between your standard telephones, and your Internet modem. Your phone adapter will come with installation and user instructions. Generally, you will need to power off your computer, then connect the adapter to your Internet modem and then plug your telephone into the adapter’s phone jack. Power everything back up and you should be good to use your phone. You will need to make sure that you have VoIP service previously installed.

You can also purchase a VoIP phone, specifically designed for use with your VoIP service. VoIP phones come in both corded and cordless forms. VoIP corded phones come with many features. You can purchase a desktop phone that includes speaker phone, Call Waiting, Hold, Speed Dial, Transfer, and programmable keys such as Menu, Dial, Volume, Transfer, Cancel, and Headset or Speaker mode.

New 2 line VoIP corded telephone are also available. Some of the features that come with a phone include 3 Way Conferencing, phone to phone/PC or phone to gateway direct dial. These VoIP phone systems are perfect for small businesses or for use in the home office.

VoWiFi is another option which is becoming popular. VoWiFi stands for Voice over Wireless Fidelity. This is the use of VoIP over a wireless connection. A VoWiFi phone operates by using a wireless network’s access point. The advantages of using VoWiFi, is that you can easily pick up network signals or “hotspots” for free. However, VoWiFi will not work if it is out of a wireless range, and immediately you will be terminated from your call. If you have a wireless network that you are local to, you will find VoWiFi to be a great advantage and extremely cost effective.

Another popular choice in VoIP phones is the cordless VoIP phone. These cordless VoIP phones are not the same as VoIP wireless or VoWi FI phones systems. These phones are similar to cordless standard phones. They will work in your house, but not outside, apart from your basic VoIP service.

Issues with network connectivity has driven the need for Hybrid VoIP phone systems. A hybrid is a cross between a cellular phone and VoWiFi. A Hybrid will place your call when you are in your cellular network range, and then, to prevent roaming charges, can pick up free VoWiFi by entering a hotspot. This is a great combination of two technologies and time will tell where the hybrid phone will evolve in the future.

In conclusion, VoIP is an advancement in telecommunications that is here to stay. Whether you use your computer, and Internet Messaging program, a VoIP phone adapter, VoIP cordless or corded phones, VoWiFi or Hybrids the future points to VoIP as the telecommunication method of choice. Today you can choose from VoIP phones, headsets, and even VoIP videophones that work as a web camera incorporating video with your audio. Talk has become very cheap or even free with VoIP phone systems!


http://www.articlesearchnet.com/Article/VoIP-Phone-Systems/723

What to look for when buying a mobile or cell phone

Cell phones are arguably one of the best inventions of our modern age. Cell phones allow us to keep in touch no matter where we are globally and have proven to be life saving tools in countless emergencies. Designers, however,have long surpassed the ambition of simply designing a product that willmake a phone call. Today’s cell phone is handheld gaming platforms, a portable music or video player, a personal organizer and much, much more.

The enormous variety in models and the different features supported by carriers make choosing a cell phone extremely difficult. Not only must you choose a suitable phone, but you must choose a suitable carrier as well. Most cell phones will only work on one or two networks, so it is usually
best to find your provider before shopping for the mobile.

When choosing your provider there are several things you should look for. How much and for what purposes will you be using your phone? Decide exactly what you intend to do with your phone. Most companies offer custom customer packages. The variety in packages helps enormously in finding the company with the best rate and service for your needs.

Who will you be calling? If you are making mostly local calls, choose a package that offers unlimited or high minutes for that purpose. Keep in mind, however, that your rates for long distance calls will most likely be huge. Work in reverse if you make primarily long distance calls. Consider also when you use your cell phone. Many packages offer lower rates for evening and weekend calls. If you know you will rarely use your cell and want it primarily for emergencies, consider looking at a pay as you go plan, ensuring that you pay only for those minutes you actually use.

Now consider what extra features you will need. Do you need to access your email? Browse the web? Features like these usually cost a certain amount per minute of connection time. If, however, you are a high volume user, you will most likely be able to find an unlimited plan.

When it comes to the actual phone, your options are almost limitless. While most plans will offer a free base model with an initial contract signing, if you opt to upgrade you have a difficult choice to make. One of the hottest trends right now are the dual-purpose phones that combine all the
traditional features with the additional use of an mp3 player. This is something to consider if you are considering the purchase of an mp3 player and would just rather have the added ease of carrying around one device instead of two.

You may prefer a cell phone that will play games and run applications such as personal organizing software. In this case, your best bet may be to find a Java enabled phone. These models are highly customizable and have many more features than the average phone.

There is a wealth of options available in both your carrier and service provider. Figure out ahead of time what services will be the most used, what features you most require. With these decisions already made, shopping around will be so much easier. Don’t forget to check the Internet. There are hundreds of sites that offer reviews and extended advice of each model on
the market. Knowing exactly what you need will make you much happier in the long run.



http://www.articlesearchnet.com/Article/What-to-look-for-when-buying-a-mobile-or-cell-phone/803

Why Are Plasma TVs So Slim?

If plasma TVs can be so thin, why have we spent decades with those bulky, oversized television sets taking up an entire corner of the room? The answer is in the technology.

To understand why plasma TVs can be so thin, you should start by understanding why traditional television sets of the past couldn’t be. Those televisions typically used tubes as the means to producing the pictures. There were several problems with tubes, including their size. The size of tubes inside a television set depended on the amount of screen space the picture was expected to fill.

The technology wasn’t put to the “size test” until people became disenchanted with the typical 20-inch screen and started demanding larger screens. Manufacturers were happy to meet the demands, but there was a problem. The dimensions of tubes are predetermined. If you want a bigger screen, you have to be prepared to project a larger picture. Larger picture demands a larger tube. It’s always been a given that the size of the television set was dependent on the amount of “stuff” that had to be fitted inside. Larger tubes meant larger cases.

If you consider the average size of a 20-inch television set that used tube technology, you can imagine how big the case would have to be in order to project a picture for a 32-inch, 40-inch or larger screen.

By contrast, a plasma TV doesn’t need the tubes in order to project the picture. Plasma TV, by its very technology, can be housed in a very thin case. Instead of having tubes that project a picture onto that big screen, the plasma TV works by lighting up the phosphorous coating at various times to create the images prescribed by the signal.

The result is that plasma TV screens require very little space other than the room for the screen and the phosphorous. In fact, the entire packages are actually thin enough that they can be mounted - creating a viewing experience only to be imagined with the tube-type television technology. It also means that the thickness of the screen can remain virtually constant, even while the width and height of the screen increases dramatically.

When you consider where the technology is, and where it’s come from, you’ll see that the huge television sets of a decade ago weren’t merely a fad. Those cases weren’t created that large simply to provide a shelf for mom’s favorite flower arrangement or the wedding photo. It was just a matter of providing a case for the technology.


http://www.articlesearchnet.com/Article/Why-Are-Plasma-TVs-So-Slim-/1288