Facebook has dipped its toes into the cellphone world already, but most people actually don’t know it. A while back Facebook claimed it was working on its very own phone, dedicated to phone calls and, well, Facebook. These plans seemed to have fallen through as no word of such a phone has come out of the woodwork since then. But now it seems Facebook has chosen HTC to make their Facebook phone for them. So… what does this mean exactly and what should we expect from such a phone?
Oct 21
The past couple weeks we have seen a spike in iPhone 4 trade ins and we just want to assure you all that we will beat competitors offers! Even if you don’t have an iphone 4, we take trade ins of all iPhones, from the iPhone 3g, to the very first iPhone! the iPhone 4s is a huge hit, and we want to help you get the cash to put towards your iPhone upgrade. We also know that not everyone has an iPhone so I want to double assure you all that the “beat competitors offers” is true for ALL trade ins. Used Droids, Used Blackberrys and Used Windows phones all get the same treatment as any other major trade in.
Oct 14
Ah cellphones, they have changed our lives for the better in so many ways. But just like any social device it has its… moments. It is of no fault of the phone itself, but the one who is holding said phone. We here at TheBlueDot may sell cellphones, but we have witnessed some of the worst, or annoying, cellphone habits just like you have. Here are some of our top most annoying habits, in no particular order. We already did a similar article on phone habits, but this one is specifically asked around by staffers.
The Rude Movies
Everyone has been in a movie theater some time in their lives, and there is a good chance you have been in at least one with someone who answered their phone while the movie is playing. Not only is this rude because of the sound, but the sudden flash of light from their screen can be blinding in a room that can be so dark. They don’t always get a phone call either, sometimes there are the texters who hold their phone up to head height so everyone behind them gets a nice bright light in their face. The solution? Well, if it’s you, just put your phone on silent and answer the calls outside if you’re expecting something very important. Or, if it’s a text, hold it low to your lap and cover it almost entirely with your hand so only your face gets the light. If it’s important you can leave and text/call the person outside, or simply ignore it. If it’s someone else, either ask them nicely to stop, or get an usher.
Sep 28
I remember when I was in middle school and I got my first cellphone in 8th grade. It was an old Nokia with a green and black interface, fat antenna on top and was barely able to fit into my pocket. Best of all it had “Snake” built in! I was 14 at the time and seeing a 14 year old with a cellphone back in 1999 was out of the ordinary. During the late 90′s and even the early 00′s, cell phones were considered an adult device. It had the stereotypical attachment to businessmen and soft top sports cars. Now anyone with a few bucks and a prepaid card can get a cellphone from Walmart and be connected instantly. Of course children can’t just go ahead and do that, but the visual of a teenage with a cellphone is now common place.
According to a report done by The Republic, more than 75% of teens going back to school have cellphones and that number continues to grow. but one market is growing even faster, and only recently became an officially named demographic, “Tweens”. Tweens are the ages between 9 and 12, not quite a teenager but not a child either. This market was exploited by businesses the most, with boy bands, MTV and, more recently, romantic vampires. With cellphones getting cheaper, not to mention having gps tracking features, parents are giving their children phones earlier and earlier in life.
But does your child “need” a cellphone? You only need to ask yourself a few questions to know for sure. Do you want to be able to contact your child 24/7, and vice versa in case of emergencies? Can you trust your child with a phone? Or will he or she lose it? How much do you want to spend? Do you want to get a smart phone with GPS tracking and several bells and whistles? Or a simple clam shell phone only for calls. Perhaps buying a used or refurbished cell phone? The National Consumers League has a guide with some of these questions they want you to keep mind when deciding on what phone to purchase for your child.
Next you’ll want to decide on some ground rules. Do you want to set up a limit of texts per-day? Or just accept teens, and tweens, text more than adults and just purchase the unlimited texting plans? You’ll want to explain the dangers of “sexting” and riding a bike while on the phone (just as, if not more dangerous, than driving your car and doing the same). You’ll want to explain strict rules when bringing their phone to school, not just by you as parents, but by the schools rules themselves. Some phones even allow you to set limits to incoming and outgoing phone calls.
The age for cellphone use is only going to get younger and younger. Our phones are turning into more than “just a phone” and soon enough, seeing tweens with cellphones will be just as commonplace as seeing a teenage or adult with a cellphone. The best advice we can give you is to go phone shopping with your child. Just like an adult, you want to be sure they can use the phone, handle it correctly, and like the phone they’ll be getting. Everyone has different opinions on when a child, tween or teen is ready for a phone. But they are your children, so make the decision yourself, and keep the questions above in mind. Happy shopping!
Sep 23
Yes, cordless electronics are great. No one wants to get off the couch to change the channel or have to constantly duck and dodge a web of curly cord while they’re on their house phone. And, yes, being able to talk on your cell phone in your car without a cord dangling from your ear is great, but where in the hell did people get the idea that wearing a Bluetooth headset at all times is a cool thing to do?
Is this awesome?
I consider myself a peaceful, logical, and generally accepting individual but when I see someone, obviously not talking to anyone, walking by with a hunk of blinking plastic hanging out of their ear, I am overcome with the urge to just smack the the thing off their face like a golf ball off a tee.
I mean, I understand that Bluetooth technology is great and that it’s very helpful to have use of both hands at all times, but how hard is it to keep the stupid looking thing in your pocket until you’re actually on the phone? It seems that people now feel that wearing a Bluetooth headset in your ear at all times has somehow become fashionable, but what I don’t understand is – according to whom? When asked about why giant fake diamond earring are cool, gelled up bros at the Jersey Shore can reference T.O. or the kids on Growing Up Gotti. And orange teenyboppers with sunglasses covering half of their faces have Lindsey Lohan and Nicole Ritchie to glorify as they regurgitate their cesar salads before fifth period. But who is the celebrity sporting their Bluetooth 24/7 that these people are imitating?
If famous people aren’t wearing Bluetooths, why do I feel like going grocery shopping is like being stuck in some Star Trek
Nice
convention? The devices aren’t expensive, so it can’t be a status symbol thing. Are there really that many doctors and drug dealers in my neighborhood who absolutely cannot miss a call?
There are now companies making “designer” Bluetooths for women that are supposed to look like big earrings. Great. Now there will be even more people standing behind me in the bank who I think are talking to me but are, instead, just on their invisible cellphone.
Well hello! Oh, you're not talking to me.
I admit, I have a Bluetooth, but I feel like an ass even using the thing in my car where it belongs. I think we need to come to a common understanding that hanging an electronic from your face is something that should be done as little possible in front of as few people as possible. America, trust me on this one.
