Most prepaid carriers have some sort of monthly plan that gives you unlimited talk and text. But finding the right data in the prepaid market can be tricky, not to mention exhausting trying to search through all of the different options and comparing them.

So to save you the trouble, I have put together these prepaid data charts listing carriers with unlimited and limited data on monthly no-contract plans. I haven’t included information about unlimited talk and text in this chart simply because 99% of the plans that include data also include unlimited text and many include unlimited talk as well.

Unlimited carriers

The carriers in the chart below offer unlimited data at slower speeds, and many offer limited data at higher speed, usually 4G. Most of them have unlimited minutes and text as well, but not all. For someone who wants to use a medium amount of data, these are pretty good for prepaid monthly plans and you wouldn’t have to worry about running out of data. However, the throttled speeds are pretty slow, so be aware of that.

Limited Data

These carriers offer limited data at 4G or slower. Once you use it, it’s gone. These would be excellent for someone who has WiFi most places and only wants data occasionally. It should be noted that a few of these carriers actually offer data by the MB. Also, the numbers for Ting are to add that much data to an existing plan and do not include voice or text.

These are the services I could find. If you have a data plan on a carrier not listed, let me know and I will update the charts. Some of these are really good deals and others aren’t. But it’s nice that prepaid customers have data options, at the least. Just depends on how much you are willing to pay and how much Wifi you have available.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Prepaid Data Comparsion Chart appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Phone contracts suck. I don’t think anyone would disagree with that statement. You basically sign your life away for two years and hope that the service you agree to pay for works in the areas where you need it at a price that you can afford. But there are always hidden fees and always overages and always places where you get no service when you need it. Phone contracts suck.

So we’re going to give you a couple resources to help your friends and family out of dumb phone contracts so they can enjoy phone freedom with prepaid devices. A lot of these services basically just sign over your contract to someone else and a few cost a minimal fee to list your phone, but it is still a lot cheaper than paying upwards of $250 termination fee. It should be noted that most of these sites do not actually do any transfers–they simply match you with someone else. It is your responsibility to make the transfer with your carrier.

Here are some choices:

1. CellTradeUSA – One of the more popular phone swapping sites, this company allows you to list your phone contract and then anyone interested can contact you and take over the plan, leaving you free of liability. Publishing your ad is free, but you do have to pay $20 to access your inbox to contact interested parties. They have a very detailed FAQ that explains the process.
2. CellSwapper – This online service is very similar to CellTradeUSA but is a little newer. It costs $20-$24 to list your phone contract and you can either swap with someone else for a shorter contract or simply sign over your contract and be done. Be sure to read through the FAQs and details as certain carriers have rules about swapping plans less than a year, etc. The service also suggests you post ‘bonuses’ in the form of cash or free phones to help with enticing a buyer. It is not required, but many of the plans do, and it might make it harder to find someone willing to trade if you aren’t willing to add an incentive.
3. TradeMyCellular – This site is much like the two above and matches people interested in transferring in or out of contracts. However, unlike the two above sites, this site is free. Aside from that detail it is extremely similar, but doesn’t seem to have as many users. Here is their FAQ for some more specific information.
4. CellBreaker – Unlike the previous four options, this site has nothing to do with transferring your contract. Instead, CellBreaker is a company that will help you find loopholes in your contract and break it for you. The fee for successfully terminating your contract is $77 currently with a $10 fee to assess whether or not they can break it for you. According to their website, it takes about a week to gather the info and negotiate the termination. It should also be noted that when you agree to let CellBreaker terminate your fee, you are giving them the power of attorney as far as your phone contract goes. Here is their FAQ for more information.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Get Out Of Phone Contracts With No Fee appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

If you aren’t familiar with data, it can be hard to decide exactly how much data you need for what you want to do. Minutes and text messages are much easier to measure and understand than GB and MB and kb. Companies capitalize on this and the fear of running out of a needed service to convince people to purchase more data than they actually need. Here are some explanations and examples to help you decide how much data (if any) you actually need to purchase with your smartphone.

How is data measured?

Going from smaller to larger, data is measured in kilobytes (kb), megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). It takes 1024 kb to make 1 MB. Likewise, it takes 1024 MB to reach 1 GB.

But those are still pretty abstract numbers. The Citizens Utility Board has some pretty helpful explanations that will help us narrow this down. So let’s put it into perspective:

What can I do with 1 MB?

Here are some figures of what you can do with 1MB of data:

• Send/receive 50 emails (without attachments, as downloading and uploading will take up more data)
• Stream 2 minutes of music
• View 1 web page
• Post 3 photos to Facebook
• Watch 30 seconds of YouTube

Most prepaid monthly plans that include data will come with 200 MB at the least. I have seen a couple with as low as 30 or 50, but for light users that might be more than enough. I mean, if you only browse the web a little bit away from home and do not stream video or music, then a small amount of data might work just fine.

What can I do with 1 GB?

Unsurprisingly, 1 GB of data goes a lot further than 1 MB of data. Here are the same examples as above, except using 1 GB instead of MB:

• Send/receive 50,000 emails (without attachments)
• Streaming 33 hours of music
• View 1,000 web pages
• Post 2,800 photos to Facebook
• Watch more than 8 hours of YouTube

As you can see, unless you are constantly streaming videos/music or uploading photos, 1 GB really goes quite a way. I browse the internet and Facebook a lot on my personal phone when I’m not at home, and I don’t think I’ve ever exceeded 1 GB of data. In fact, I usually don’t go over 500 MB. So for a mid-range user who isn’t into streaming but likes browsing the web and uploading photos, lower amounts are probably just fine. Most prepaid plans start getting expensive if you add more than 1 GB of data, so make sure you’re likely to use it before you upgrade.

How much data do I actually need?

Well, that depends entirely on your habits. According to CTIA data, smartphone consumers used an average of 800 MB of data per month. And that’s just an average–I would expect most prepaid customers with data don’t use that much, as your average prepaid customer is probably a little more careful with their phone usage than postpaid customers. In contrast to that number, most carriers recommend 2 GB of data for their customers.

As for how much you actually need, ask yourself these questions about your data habits:

1. Do you have WiFi at home?
   Using your WiFi to access the internet on your phone isn’t going to cost you anything, so whenever possible, you can set your phone to use any WiFi signal instead of data. Setting your apps and email to only sync with a WiFi connection will also help with keeping data down.
2. Do you stream music or videos? How often?
   Streaming music and videos can eat up data pretty quick if you do it for long periods of time over several days. If you are a heavy music streamer, you should look into a carrier like Rok Mobile or T-Mobile that allows for free music streaming.
3. How many times a day do you get on the web?
   Browsing the web takes up very little data, but if you are on the web all day, every day, it will add up (see the examples above). For light users, this will probably be a pretty small amount. If you are an avid Facebooker, look for a carrier that includes unlimited Facebook access for a minimum monthly fee.
4. How many apps do you download a week?
   Downloading apps is a variable that it’s hard to generalize because game apps tend to be much larger than more functional apps, like notepad or a calculator. However for general purposes, apps tend to average out at about 50 – 70 MB per app. If you only have a few MB a month that can start to chew into your data, but remember that downloading apps is rarely something that has to be done on the go and downloading apps on WiFi is free.

One thing to keep in mind with data usage is that on most phones you can toggle it on and off to prevent apps from accessing your data and chewing it up for no reason. Combined with using WiFi signals, you probably don’t need as much data as you think you do. In fact, for most people 500 MB to 1 GB would be way more than sufficient.

Where can I get prepaid data?

I’m glad you asked! A lot of no-contract carriers have data offerings either with prepaid monthly plans or as limited add-ons to pay-as-you-go plans. Check out this article with a short list of a few of the options for carriers and how much data they offer. We’re still adding to it, and it isn’t comprehensive by any means, but it will give you somewhere to start!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Smartphone Data Usage Explained appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

No-contract wireless prepaid plans have become more and more common and it seems like all of the four major carriers have monthly plans, prepaid brands or both. But as the prepaid consumer base grows, I have noticed a divide between the types of plans offered: pay-as-you-go reloadable accounts and prepaid monthly accounts. While the trend is quickly moving towards the latter, it is still possible to find pay-as-you-go plans without being grandfathered in.

And that leads to another question: Which is right for you?

Here are some pros and cons of each so you can decide.

Pay-as-you-go Plans

As the name implies, pay-as-you-go plans involve buying credit for minutes, texts or data as you need them and then paying a set rate for every minute, text or MB used. Back in the day, this was the primary way that prepaid phone plans were set up and how much you paid per minute or text depended on your carrier. When you run out of minutes, your phone turns into a paperweight until you could afford to reload it. But, for people who seldom use their phones, this type of plan is excellent.

Pros:

• You only pay for exactly what you use. No more, no less.
• No commitment–if you don’t have money, don’t buy minutes
• Good for kids, because there are no dangers of overage
• Unused minutes/texts/data will roll over until expiration

Cons:

• Prices can stack up pretty quick for long calls
• Higher risk of losing your number
• Data plans are oftentimes not reasonable
• Short expiration dates can cause trouble for low users

Prepaid Monthly Plans

Unlike the pay-as-you-go plans, these plans are set up very similar to postpaid services, but they require no contract. Instead, you pay a flat fee every month and can use whatever services they offer for your payment tier. Most prepaid monthly plans include unlimited minutes, texts or both–but not all. You can usually add services as you need them, and they will expire eventually. A lot of times, these types of plans will include data as well, but they can be more pricey than the pay-as-you-go alternative.

Pros:

• No worry about running out of minutes/texts a month
• Bill is the same every  month
• Data is usually available for a bit more
• Not as much danger of losing your number

Cons:

• Prices are higher than pay-as-you-go
• It’s easy to end up paying for a lot of minutes/texts you don’t use
• Data plans are often deceptively worded
• Some plans/carriers allow you to go over allotment and put it on the next bill
• Unused minutes/texts/data do not usually roll over

It all really depends on how much you use your phone, whether you are worried about running out of minutes, if you want data and how much you are willing to use your phone. Some phone plans offer discounted or free nights and weekends as well as other perks like free access to Facebook or free music streaming. The options for customizing your own prepaid plan and payments have become more extensive than ever and with no contracts, you are free to switch as much as you like until you find the perfect fit for you.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Choosing a Type of Prepaid Plan appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

With prepaid MVNO companies constantly changing around and closing and opening, it can sometimes be hard to keep track of who is doing what. And, from what I have seen, finding an accurate list of MVNOs and who they get their service from can be ridiculously hard to find. So I have put together a list of all the active MVNOs that I could find. International MVNOs and companies aimed at international travelers are not listed–these are just companies providing phone and sometimes text and data services. I will update this MVNO list as often as I can as companies change and merge.

Some of the companies have very specific rules about which devices can be activated on their

So without further ado:

And that’s it! If you know of any companies I have not included or companies listed here that are no longer operating, let me know and I’ll be sure to update the list.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Prepaid MVNO List appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

One of the cheapest ways to keep in touch with friends while traveling abroad is to use a prepaid phone instead of your normal phone. Depending on the country you are calling to or from, international rates can be extremely expensive with both prepaid and postpaid phone plans–if you have international calling at all.

Here are a few things to consider when you are looking to travel abroad:

How long will you be traveling?

This is probably the most important thing to consider when looking at using a mobile phone abroad. Depending on how long you’re going to be in the foreign country you might or might not want to bother with a prepaid international SIM or a local SIM.

For example, if it’s only for a few days, setting up an entirely different number and prepaid account probably isn’t going to be worth the time. Just use free WiFi to call your friends on Skype or wait until you get home to tell everyone about it. If you intend to be there for several weeks or simply need to have a mobile phone for your stay (say, for business purposes), then getting some sort of international plan is definitely something to consider.

If you already have a prepaid account, check with your provider to see if they have any prepaid international calling and how much it will be to call to and from the country you are traveling to before you decide. Many pre and postpaid providers offer international minutes, but the cost per minute is oftentimes outrageous.

International Roaming SIM vs. Foreign Local SIM vs. Neither

If you have decided that you need to have some sort of mobile phone and your carrier’s rates are too horrendously expensive to contemplate, then you have a few options for making calls in foreign countries.

International SIM: These can be purchased online ahead of time, which means that you can give your contact information to loved ones so they can reach you while you’re away. Calls to the U.S. are usually cheaper with international roaming SIMs, and a lot of times you can keep your international number when not in use, so if you travel a lot you can always have access to the same number. However, the downside is that calls, texts and data are going to be more expensive than on a foreign local SIM.

Local SIM: You can also get a sim local to the country you are visiting. There are both pros and cons to this. The best part is that the prices will be a lot cheaper than international roaming SIMs. However the downsides are that you’ll probably have to spend your time finding a carrier and SIM while on your vacation. Additionally, the activation for foreign local numbers is often in the local language. So if don’t speak the language it can be a problem.

WiFi: Alternatively, you can just choose to wait until you find free WiFi at hotels and restaurants in the country and make calls via Skype, Google Hangouts or other free (and dirt cheap) online calling services with your phone or laptop. This is a little more tricky, because there is no guarantee that you will be able to find free or reliable WiFi, but it is still an option.

Is my phone compatible?

The U.S. mobile carriers mostly use one of two networks: CDMA or GSM. To use your phone internationally, you will need to have a GSM phone, as CDMA phones can’t pick up the right bands and usually don’t have removable SIM slots. Both T-Mobile and AT&T use the GSM network and are probably compatible.

Now, to use your GSM phone internationally, you’ll have to get it unlocked so it can access the proper networks. Here is article on how to unlock your phone. Generally, you’ll need to contact your carrier and the phone will have to meet certain requirements before they will unlock it. However, for traveling internationally sometimes they will waive a few of those requirements, so be sure to talk to a representative to see what they can do if you’re still on contract/have a new account/still paying for the phone.

Also, some carriers offer internationally-ready phones, so if you intend to travel a lot and you are in love with your Sprint/Verizon service, you should contact them and see if you can purchase an unlocked international phone, which will have a SIM slot for an international SIM of some sort.

Where do I get a new SIM?

 There are several companies that sell international roaming SIM cards. Some of them allow you to rent phones while others simply sell SIM cards and minutes. Here’s a short list in no particular order of some of the companies I found that provide these services:

• Go Abroad eKit – You can not only purchase SIMs with reloadable funds, but you can also rent a phone if yours is not internationally ready. Their prices start at $0.39/minute.
• Brightroam – One of the more popular options, Brightroam sells unlocked international phones, SIMs and data plans.
• TravelSim – TravelSim is also pretty popular but only seems to sell SIM cards. However, their minute rates are pretty high for some places; all the way up to $3.77/minute, so be sure to check the rates. Some of them are pretty good.
• Go Sim – Unlike other carriers, GoSim doesn’t charge for incoming calls and their site claims they only begin charging when the outgoing call is picked up by the other line. Their rates are decent, and the SIMs a little expensive.
• Telesital – they have SIMs, phones and international data plans. They also rent satellite phones.
• One Sim Card – looks pretty similar to Telestial and the others
• World Sim – World Sim offers dual sim phones, SIM cards and data roaming gadgets.

You can also talk to your carrier, and they may be able to help you out, depending on where you are.

What about my old number?

Unfortunately, when you get a new SIM, you are probably going to get a new number. Depending on who you get your service through, you might be able to forward your U.S. calls to your international number. If you can’t, then you should change the voicemail of your U.S. number to list your temporary international number so that contacts know how to reach you. You may be able to set up an auto reply to texts as well, depending on your phone and carrier.

Other Tips and Tricks

Of course, there are a lot of things to consider when taking your phone abroad. Not all countries use the same voltage, so you’ll have to get an adapter to charge your phone. And you might be surprised how often you use data, which will be extremely expensive abroad. Huffington Post has a great list of 9 hacks for traveling abroad and another article full of tips for using phone abroad that you should read as well. CNet also has a pretty informative article about using international SIMs as well if you need more help.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Using a Prepaid Phone Internationally appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

We’ve talked about it before, but there is a huge difference between postpaid coverage and prepaid coverage. Networks usually boast about their area to postpaid customers but the prepaid segment usually doesn’t have the same level of coverage. To make it even more complicated, there are so many different MVNOs and prepaid carriers and choices to make all promising different speeds and the best coverage around.

So to help out, we have compiled the coverage maps of some of the largest prepaid carriers so you can compare and decide which is best for your location.

Net 10

Straight Talk

Red Pocket

Tracfone

AT&T Prepaid

Cricket Wireless (AT&T)

AirVoice (AT&T)

Boost Mobile (and other Sprint MVNOs)

MetroPCS (and other T-Mobile MVNOs)

Verizon Prepaid (and Verizon MVNOs)

For a full list of which MVNOs use which network, check out this post.

Several of these maps were actually a little hard to come by, and Straight Talk was the worst. The image above is actually pulled from an old article by Prepaid Phone News, as the Straight Talk representative insisted that all of their networks used the same map (yeah, right), and refused to help me find a more updated image. Their website is no help at all for just determining coverage, as you have to first select your region and then the phone to see a very buggy map, which either shows nearly complete coverage of the U.S. (which I find hard to believe) or no coverage at all. Literally, all white. Don’t believe me? Try it out yourself.

As a note, many of the MVNOs that all use the same base network will have the same maps, so I only listed the major ones. The smaller MVNOs might have less coverage, depending on what they purchased.

And, of course, all of the companies have disclaimers that their service might actually vary from what is shown… so these will mostly be just for comparison purposes.

What do you think? Do you find any of the maps surprising?

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Prepaid Coverage Maps Compared appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

The wireless industry is slowly changing as consumers are beginning to realize they don’t have to deal with cumbersome 2-year contracts anymore. In fact, when T-Mobile rebranded itself as the ‘Uncarrier’ and began advertising “no contract” and “contract buyout” deals, unhappy customers flocked to their pink savior, vowing to never again sign a contract. And the other carriers immediately took action and began offering the same ‘no contract’ postpaid deals that T-Mobile pioneered.

But are these ‘no contract’ postpaid deals any better than a regular 2-year agreement or a prepaid phone plan? I’ll put out my pros and cons, and you can decide.

Postpaid Contract Plans

Once, 2 year contracts were just about the only option if you wanted a decent phone, but it was a bit of a gamble. You signed a legally-binding deal to pay for the service for two years and hoped that it would have service where you lived. Sometimes you were lucky. Sometimes you weren’t. But just about everyone had a contract, so most people didn’t think twice about it.

Pros:

- Brand new phone when you sign on
– Better coverage due to roaming on other networks
– More reliable business; they probably aren’t going anywhere

Cons:

- Can only upgrade phone every 2 years (or pay full price + activation)
– It’s a gamble if you get service where you need it
– Locked in to service, for better or worse
– Contract buyout/cancellation fees are often really high

No Contract Postpaid

A lot more recent, these service plans don’t involve a contract–but buying your phone usually does. Instead of getting a phone for free, you sign a contract to pay it over the course of 24 months. The friendly associates assure you that you can pay it off whenever, and then will try and sell you a $600 phone, full payment due if you cancel. Which, if you decide after a month you don’t like the service, is quite a chunk of change.

Pros:

- Postpaid coverage
– You can cancel the phone service at any time, so you aren’t technically locked in
– Business is, again, more reliable than prepaid
– Options to upgrade your phone more frequently

Cons:

- Phone payment contracts are similar to traditional postpaid contracts
– Remaining Phone payments due upon cancellation of service
– Plan prices aren’t as good
– High-pressure sales

Prepaid

Prepaid phone plans offer a freedom that the other two services don’t. However, you do have to purchase your phone outright and companies frequently close and open, so there’s a chance you might lose your number with an unlucky company. Also, the service is sometimes not as complete as with a postpaid, as they oftentimes do not allow roaming on other networks.

Pros:

- No contract at all — no commitment
– Lower rates
– Ability to change as frequently as you need
– Only pay for what you use

Cons:

- Have to purchase phone outright
– Coverage isn’t as good
– Companies come and go quickly
– Customer Service tends to be mediocre at best

So, what do you think? Are prepaid phones the best option? Are postpaid no-contract phones really that good of a deal? They all have downsides, but sometimes it helps to list it all out to properly decide. It just depends on how important it is to have a new phone, a permanent number and flexibility.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post No Contract Postpaid Plans: Worth It? appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Everyone has at least a few old cell phones sitting around, and if you are a prepaid phone user, you might even have more than one that you just don’t need. So, instead of throwing them in the bin, check out these options for donating your old phones and giving them to a good cause:

• Cell Phones for Soldiers – You can help our troops overseas call home by donating your cell phone. Cell Phones for Soldiers will recycle your phone and use the profits to buy prepaid phone cards for soldiers. Check out their site for options to donate your phone.
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – The NCADV raises funds to help families recovering from domestic violence through the sale of refurbished phones. They also recycle unusable phones, so it isn’t going to the landfill.
• Hope Phones – Run by Medic Mobile, this organization recycles donated phones to help the environment and to help fund their healthcare organization abroad.
• Second Wave Recycling – Not only will they recycle your phones, but they will donate 100% of the value of the phone (from $0.25 to $150) to your chosen charity. They have a pretty good list of charities to choose from, so it is definitely a good choice. They also guarantee none of the phones go to the landfill.
• Secure the Call – A non-profit, Secure The Call is all about taking working cell phones–no matter their age–and redistributing them to seniors and others to use as 911 emergency phones. All functioning phones have the ability to call 911, even without a carrier or service, and can provide as a contact during an emergency.
• American Cell Phone Drive – This website is set up to help match phone owners with charities and organizations in your area looking to collect old phones. You can put your zipcode in on this page and see all the locations looking to collect phones in your area. If there are none, then you can also mail them your phone and they will recycle the phone as necessary.

There are plenty of other sites and places, so check with your local charities to see if they have any use for old cell phones. Before you send your phone anywhere, make sure you wipe all of your information from the device using a factory reset or other method. If you don’t know how, check with a local phone resale shop and they may do it for you, or help you figure it out.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Places To Donate Your Used Phones appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Everyone knows that iPhones are pretty valuable phones with a high retail value months and even years after their release. I’m not sure whether it’s because the phones are really that good or simply because Apple fans are very dedicated. But either way, iPhone thefts are incredibly common and there’s nothing worse than buying an iPhone from somewhere online and discovering that it was flagged as stolen and cannot be used. Now, there is a way to check that before you buy.

Apple recently released a tool that is designed to check to be sure that your shiny iPhone hasn’t been locked down or blacklisted as stolen by its rightful owner. By entering the IMEI on this page, you can get the all-clear from Apple before you buy.

Every time that a new iPhone is released, iPhone thefts increase (such as the iPhone 6 released last month), iPhone thefts around the country double, so be careful if you are purchasing a used iPhone from an individual. Whenever possible, check the IMEI yourself and input it on the page linked above. If you’re buying online from an individual via Ebay, ask for a picture of the IMEI before you hand over any money. Of course, it isn’t a foolproof method as it would be all too easy to send a clean IMEI and then sell you a stolen phone.

As with just about everything technology, exercise caution and common sense. If it looks too good to be true or the person pressures you and refuses to give you the information or let you check before buying, then it isn’t worth the money.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Check iPhone Status Before You Buy appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Smartphones are amazing pieces of technology. With that little device, you can contact anyone anywhere in the world with just a few buttons. You can access a wealth of knowledge via the internet and learn anything in an instant (or maybe a few instants on slower connections). When you stop and think about it, smartphones are incredibly powerful devices that, used properly, allow us to do almost anything–as long as your battery is charged.

And there’s the rub. Many smartphones suffer from short battery life which can result in having to stop and charge whenever possible. But, you can prolong smartphone battery life with just a few changes. Here are some tips to get the most out of your phone.

Settings to Reduce Battery Use

There are several settings that you can enable (or disable) to get better battery life out of your phone. Most of these are pretty small and only a minor inconvenience at best.

1. Screen Settings - Chances are, your screen is probably the biggest drain on your battery, but there are a few things you can do to stop that such as dimming the screen, shortening the screen timeout, using darker backgrounds (if you have an AMOLED screen), and using lock screen widgets so you don’t have to unlock the phone as much.
2. Disable Settings  – Disabling vibrations, turning off GPS/WiFi/NFC/Bluetooth when you aren’t using them, and turning off smart features like gestures and smart scrolling when you don’t need them can really help save your battery. Enabling these might take an extra 10 seconds, but if you’re trying to conserve battery life it can be well worth it.
3. Disable Notifications and Updates - All those push notifications and apps that auto sync and auto update can really drain your battery life without you even noticing. Turning off the push notifications that aren’t essential and instead updating manually can really save you a lot of battery.
4. Software Updates –  Make sure that your phone firmware is up to date, as smartphone developers are always working to make phones more efficient. Also, make sure you update your apps occasionally to maintain compatibility and be sure you have all the bug fixes up to date. It can be amazing the difference a few small tweaks can make.
5. Close Apps – So, this is kind of a ‘duh’ but with all of the multitasking abilities of smartphones, it can be easy to forget to really close out of an app. Having tons of apps running in the background can really wear down your battery, so be sure to fully exit when you are done!
6. Turn it Off – Switching your phone and and off constantly can really damage your battery–that’s what sleep mode is for. But if you aren’t going to be using your phone for several hours, turning it all the way off can really help conserve battery. Also, restarting your phone occasionally will help with battery life as it will shut down all those little functions that build up over time.

Take Care of Your Battery

There are a lot of myths going around about batteries and the proper care of them.The first thing to keep in mind is that there are different kinds of batteries, and they all have to be treated differently. Chances are, the battery in your smartphone is probably a Lithium-ion battery. So, with that in mind, here are some battery tips:

• Regulate Temperature - Lithium-ion batteries don’t deal well with heat, so whenever possible you should try and keep your phone at or below room temperature. Leaving the phone at hotter tempreatures (like in a hot car) can reduce the maximum battery capacity slightly. Not a big deal once in a while, but over time it adds up.
• Top Off  – Don’t let the phone get down to zero very often, as it can actually damage the battery. Keeping it above 50% is usually a good idea, although Apple does recommend resetting iPhone batteries once a month by letting it completely die and then charging completely.
• Charging Sweet Spot - I’m a little dubious about this tip, personally, but in doing some research, many places recommend actually keeping your phone a little less than fully-charged. Gizmodo suggests the sweet spot is 80% – 40% for optimum battery life. Doing small charges throughout the day is probably best for your battery, but probably not your schedule, so take that as you will.
• Length of Charging – Lastly, generally it’s a bad idea to leave your phone plugged in constantly, as it can significantly reduce the battery life over time.

Some of those tips are going to be more useful than others, and for most phones keep in mind that you can actually just purchase a new battery. So if the inconvenience of not leaving it plugged in overnight is too high, I’d say don’t sweat it too much.

Battery Saving Apps

If all else fails, there are a few apps that you can use to help prolong your battery life. Many of these apps will streamline the above suggested settings so you don’t have to mess with them as much.

• JuiceDefender – This is, hands down, one of my favorite apps. There are three different versions–two paid and one free. I have only ever used the free version (because I’m cheap like that) and it works wonders. I expect the paid versions would work even better. Basically, JuiceDefender has different modes that you can enable, and it will automatically switch off WiFi, apps and other functions. With my old phone it would literally double battery life, although it does take a few seconds for the settings to turn back on again.
• BatteryDefender – Much like JuiceDefender, this app is a slightly less bloated battery saver and allows you to see your battery percentage right in the notification bar, along with giving easy shortcuts to turning off Wifi, GPS, Bluetooth and other features.
• Battery Doctor – this iPhone app is very similar to JuiceDefender or BatteryDefender, but for iPhones only. I haven’t tested it, as I don’t have an iPhone, but it has excellent reviews.
• GO Battery Saver &Power Widget - This app allows you to set up a ‘battery saving mode’ for low-end phones that don’t come with one. Also, it’s free.

Do you have any other tips or apps that you use to conserve battery life? Let me know in the comments!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Increase Smartphone Battery Life appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

It’s getting to that time of the month when glowing pumpkins adorn porch steps, skeletons dance at night and spider webs cling to everything. Halloween can be one of the most fun times of the year for your little ones, and one of the most stressful for worried parents. There are some safety things that everyone knows–like wearing something reflective, going together in groups and staying in well-lit areas. But with the prevalence of smartphones and technology, there are plenty of things you can do to help your kids stay safe.

So, here are a collection of smartphone apps for parents of trick or treating kids this Halloween!

1. Trick or Tracker – This app is probably one of the best Halloween apps, designed specifically for keeping tabs on kids trick or treating. With a parent and child version, this app allows kids to check in with parents through the app and helps relieve parent worry without making kids feel like they aren’t trusted. Definitely worth checking out.
2. Get a free Flashlight app – Flashlight apps are extremely useful and generally free. Just be careful when choosing one, as many have shady permissions designed to collect information. A good one for Android is Tiny Flashlight + LED.
3. RedPanic Button app - There are several different versions of this app available, all of which allow you to program a number. When the red button is hit in case of emergency, the programmed numbers will receive a call or text message displaying GPS coordinates and other information. Something like this would be excellent in case of emergencies.
4. Realtime Tracking app – Life 360 is one of several family tracking apps that can be used to keep an eye on your child so you know where they are on Halloween. You can set destinations and track where they go. The app isn’t as accurate as something like a GPS unit, because it relies on phone connections, but it is definitely better than nothing.

Parents might also consider creating some sort of parent texting network where you can get updates or emails about kids as they pass through. Another good idea is to check the sex offender registry either online or via an app before you send your kids out.

Do you have any other apps or safety tips you would recommend to parents? Let us know in the comments!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Halloween Smartphone Safety Tips appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Something that many new smartphone users don’t even consider is smartphone security, which is rather interesting considering how much personal information we tend to store on those small devices. They are always with us, documenting every part of our lives–why wouldn’t you want to protect that? The chances of getting a virus on your mobile phone might not be as high as a regular computer, but with all of the apps you already have on your phone, one more shouldn’t hurt.

Here is a list of some of the top-rated security apps along with some of our personal favorite security apps here at Prepaid Reviews.

Lookout Mobile Security - This app has both a free and a paid version. The free version automatically backs up all of your photos and call history as well as checking apps for viruses/malware. It has several features to help you locate a lost phone, including triggering a loud alarm from a distance. The paid version include theft alerts, browsing scanning and a privacy advisor.

TrustGo – This is one of my personal favorite antivirus apps. It not only does routine scans of your device to ensure you haven’t picked up any malware on the web but also allows you to set data limits, check websites for security issues, backs up data and contacts, provides loss prevention (using GPS) and tracks which apps are accessing your information. It will also scan apps to let you know if it is a risk. Also, it’s free.

CM Security AppLock Antivirus - This is one of the more popular Android security apps on the market with a range of features including antivirus scanner, app lock, SD card scan, call blocking, safe browsing and more. I’ve not used it personally, but as it’s one of the highest rated, I thought we should probably include it.

AntiVirus Security (AVG) - Created by the same company that does AVG security for computers, this app is free (with a premium option) and allows for finding your phone via GPS, locking/wiping your phone, killing tasks that slow down the processor, checks websites, monitors battery life, and scans apps/files/media.

Avast! SecureLine VPN - This app allows you peace of mind while surfing the web via unsecured Wifi by encrypting your information. It also allows you to monitor your data usage and filters contacts.

HotSpot Shield VPN - Very similar to the above app, this app routes your traffic through a secure network when using public Wifi. It also reportedly allows for browsing areas normally restricted by public hotspots.

Of course, many of those apps are a little redundant and most of them work on both iOS and Android. Pick one and see what works for you! Have another app that you use and love to protect your phone and privacy? Tell us about it in the comments!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Our Top Mobile Security App Picks appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

When most people think prepaid phones, they picture a $10 flip phone that you constantly have to load minutes on or risk having no method of communication all of the sudden. They picture the kind of phones that do nothing other than call and awkwardly text. Phones that you’d be embarrassed to pull out in front of a date with service so shoddy, why even bother having one?

That was what the prepaid market was when it first started many years ago, but prepaid phones have come a long way since then. Now you can activate the newest devices and enjoy coverage pretty comparable to most of the postpaid carriers at half the price. Sounds too good to be true? Well, there are catches, but for a lot of people, it might just be worth it.

How do prepaid phones work?

Well, there are multiple parts to this question but we’ll start with the obvious. Unlike other ‘traditional’ phones, prepaid phones require you to pay upfront the cost of usage. This might be in the form or reloading (or ‘topping up’) the phone with a balance via card or it might just be a flat monthly fee for limited or unlimited services. In order to use your phone, you must use first pay for that month. Hence pre­-paid.

In contrast, most people have what is called a ‘postpaid’ phone contract. You sign a contract, purchase a phone for little to nothing and then use minutes. At the end of every month, you get a bill for your plan plus whatever overages you incurred that month.

Prepaid plans, however, don’t require any kind of contracts. But, on the downside, they also don’t offer phone subsidies–you have to purchase your phone outright, which is why many prepaid phones are in the cheaper price bracket.

It is worth noting that some companies are advertising themselves as ‘no-contract’ which isn’t always the same as prepaid. Those companies are exactly what it sounds like–they do not require you to enter into a contract for the service, so you can quit at any point. Some of them bill at the beginning of the month, while others bill at the end of the month. The difference is that companies that bill at the beginning of the month tend to provide more peace of mind, as you don’t have to worry about overages or surprise charges. That isn’t to say postpaid no-contract carriers and MVNOs are bad–simply that they work differently. Be sure you know which one it is before you sign up.

What’s an MVNO?

If you’ve been looking into prepaid phones, you probably came across the term MVNO. It’s one that gets thrown around a lot, and everyone basically assumed you know what it means (I’m guilty of that on this blog as well). MVNO stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator. An MVNO does not actually have a network of their own–they instead purchase or lease a network from one of the major carriers and sell it to consumers. They provide all of the customer service, billing, technical support–everything except actually owning the network.

MVNOs are kind of a gamble, in my opinion. You can sometimes get fantastic rates and the same sort of coverage as you’d experience with a larger carrier. However, because they don’t actually own any of the network they are selling you access to, MVNOs tend to come and go pretty quick. If they are unable to balance finances or cannot work with the operator, they are likely to shut down with varying amounts of notice. It’s extremely common to see MVNOs come and go, which can result in a loss of money for the consumer if you load a lot of cash on your account and then have to switch your account over. However, there are some MVNOs who have been operating successfully for years with good customer service. So don’t be scared away from the MVNO market–just be aware that newer companies aren’t always stable.

Do I have to use a cheap phone?

Absolutely not! Most MVNOs and carriers allow you to bring your own phone or to purchase a phone. The main reason you see prepaid customers with mid to low range phones is because with prepaid plans, you must purchase the phone outright. So while you can bring an iPhone 6 to many MVNOs and carriers, most people don’t have $700+ to drop on a phone.

However, don’t get discouraged just yet! There are plenty of midgrade phones (like the Moto G) that are still excellent quality without breaking the bank. Make sure you read through the reviews before purchasing it. And, most importantly, make sure the phone will be usable on the network you want to use. If the company uses Verizon or Sprint, it must be a CDMA phone. If the company uses T-Mobile or AT&T, it must be a GSM phone, and both phones must be unlocked. For more information about unlocking phones, click here.

How do I pick a network?

Well, the easiest way to pick a network is to ask around and see which carrier has the best network in your area. All four major carriers have prepaid options and MVNOs that sell their network to the prepaid market. Here is a partial list to get you started.

And if worst comes to worst, remember that this is prepaid. If you purchase a phone through someone and find out that night you have zero service, you can cancel at any time with no penalties–other than the cost to setup and whatever money you have already put on the phone (still bound to be less than the ETF for a postpaid contract!).

So, what’s the catch?

There are several reasons that prepaid might not be worth the money. For heavy mobile phone users, it can get expensive to constantly be refilling your phone. Of course, there are many MVNOs that offer unlimited packages similar to the sorts of plans you’d see at a postpaid, but a lot of times they will be a little more pricey for the data you get. Truly unlimited data on prepaid is hard to find.

Another downside to prepaid is that you must purchase your own phone. I mentioned this briefly above, but if you’re someone who craves the newest tech, it can get pretty expensive pretty quick. Then again, because you 100% own your device, you are free to sell it and purchase a new phone whenever you can afford to do so.

Probably the largest mark against prepaid coverage is their network. While it is often very similar to the postpaid customer map, prepaid networks rarely include roaming off network. That means that depending on where you live, you might suddenly lose service or have patchy calls. Additionally, prepaid customers on certain networks–most notably Verizon and Verizon MVNOS–tend to be throttled to slower speeds for data while the higher speeds are reserved for postpaid consumers.

The final minor inconvenience is the instability of new MVNOs and the speed at which they can rise and fall. This can lead you to losing a number or constantly having to port your number and phone to a new plan. Because it’s prepaid and you own your phone the most you are losing is a little bit of prepaid funds and some time. But it is still an annoyance for some.

Why go with prepaid?

In short, to save money. Depending on where you live, what kind of serice you get and how much you really use your cell phone, you can save a ton of money by switching to a reloadable prepaid card or a minimal monthly bill. Republic Wireless offers wifi-only phone plans for as little as $5, which would be perfect for a stay-at-home mom. The variety of options is impressive, and you really can find a little bit of everything.

While it isn’t for everyone, prepaid plans can really be just as good as postpaid–even better in some instances. Just be sure you know what you’re getting into and do your research to avoid frustrations.

Have any questions or tips? Let us know in the comments!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post How Do Prepaid Phones Work? appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Apps are awesome, and can be an excellent way to pass the time, keep in touch with friends or check on things that you love. The average Android user has about 95 different apps installed on their smartphone at any given time (some of which are bloatware and come pre-installed). Of those 95 apps, users use an average of 35 apps on a day-to-day basis. The others? They’re just plain battery drain and space suckers.

So, if you are one of the millions of people who frequently finds their phone chirruping sadly about low battery in the middle of the day, don’t despair! There are plenty of things you can do to help preserve your battery life. But if those aren’t working, then perhaps you should look to your apps as the culprits.

Here are the top ten apps that drain your battery at start up, based on a study conducted by AVG of more than 1 million app users in the third quarter of this year. These apps are hard on your phone when you start up, and many will continue to run in the background until you tell them not to. Interestingly enough, the top two are actually Samsung bloatware.

Apps That Drain Battery at Start Up

1. AllShareCast Dongle S/W Update (Samsung bloatware)
2. ChatON Voice & Video Chat (Samsung bloatware)
3. Beaming Service for Beep’n’Go (Moheam)
4. magicApp: Free Calls (magiclack VocalTec)
5. Samsung WatchON Tablets
6. Facebook
7. Path
8. PPS for Mobile
9. Vault-Hide SMS Pics & Videos
10. Al-Moazin Lite Prayer Times

Of course, these apps really only hit your phone hard when it starts up. For the apps that run in the background, making sure you utilize the Task Manager (or other similar) apps can help ensure that you only have apps running that you’re actually using.

Aside from start-up apps, games are probably the biggest battery-suckers. In fact, according to a CNet article, roughly 62% of the time spent on phones is dedicated solely to games. On that line of thought, here are the games most likely to hit your battery hard:

Top Battery-Draining Games

1. Puzzle & Dragons
2. Hay Day
3. Candy Crush Saga
4. Minecraft — Pocket Edition
5. Cookie Jam
6. Pet Rescue Saga
7. Clash of Clans
8. Bubble Witch 2 Saga
9. Farm Heroes Saga
10. Angry Birds

I can’t say that any of these games surprised me as battery-drainers, but it’s still good to know which apps to stay away from if you’re trying to conserve your battery life. Are there any games you can think of that are really hard on your battery? Let me know in the comments!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Top Battery-Draining Apps appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

You get in the car and turn over the ignition, pulling out onto the road, when suddenly, your phone beeps. Another incoming text message from your friend. Do you look at it? It’s an important decision that could mean the difference between life and death in some cases, but most people don’t even think twice about picking up a smartphone on the road.

Texting while driving, as most people know, has become a huge issue–not only in teens, but for everyone. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve passed by someone and glanced over to see one hand on the wheel and their nose in a phone. But studies show that it might not be a conscious decision to check your messages, and if you’re one of millions who is guilty of this habit you probably aren’t alone.

What The Studies Say

AT&T recently sponsored a study (which you can view here) surveying 1,000 drivers between the ages of 16 and 65 who drove at least once a day and texted every day. And, while 98% of the respondents said that they thought texting while driving was dangerous, nearly three-fourths of drivers said that they have interacted with their phones while in the car.

The study also asked people why they felt the need to check their phones while driving, even though they knew it was dangerous, and here is what they said: (as a note, respondents were allowed to choose more than one response.)

The one that shocked me the most was that 12% of respondents said they were bored while driving, and looked to their phones for entertainment. Now, maybe I’m a little old-fashioned, but the idea that using your phone while driving due to boredom is pretty terrifying.

But that made me start to wonder why so many people reported feeling the need to compulsively check their phones in places where they shouldn’t. In this interview (also sponsored by AT&T) with Dr. David Greenfield from the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction, the need to check your phone is literally an addiction, and results in an increased level of dopamine when messages are there. (For those of you a little rusty on your biochemistry, dopamine is a neurochemical that is associated with pleasure.)

You can watch a brief interview where he talks about compulsive texting below:

What To Do

So, how do you keep people from texting while driving? Well, back to the study we referenced earlier, as it turns out, around 82% of respondents said that they actually feel pretty good about themselves when they take steps to stop texting while driving, while relatively few felt anxious or frustrated.

To try and help spread the word, AT&T and a few other companies have been spreading about a new social shorthand, #X as an acceptable way to pause conversations on social media, text messages or any other medium before you hit the road.

However, if you are having trouble resisting the urge to constantly check your phone, there are also several apps that can help with pausing texting while driving. One of the better apps is called AT&T DriveMode. Available for both iPhone and Android, this app must be toggled on before driving and will automatically sends a response to incoming messages that you’re unavailable. It also silences notifications so you aren’t distracted.

For those who need a bit more motivation, DriveScribe measures and evaluates driving performance, including texting while driving and going the speed limit, and gives users points based on their driving. Those points can then be redeemed for gift cards and discounts at various retail outlets. It is also available for both Android and iPhone.

What suggestions do you have to help drivers keep their hands off their phones and on the wheel? Let us know in the comments!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Is Your Texting and Driving Compulsive? appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Thanksgiving is almost here, which means that the Christmas season is approaching! As I write this, my office is already playing Christmas tunes all day and the stores are all bedecked with red and green in preparation for the holiday rush when December starts.

If you’re one of the thousands of Americans who intend to give the gift a of a new prepaid smartphone this year, then there are a few things to consider:

1. Know what carrier they currently have – If the person already has a prepaid phone and is happy with that carrier, then be sure to get them a phone with the same carrier to avoid the hassle of porting numbers, losing minutes and setting up a new account.
2. Check coverage – It might sound pretty common sense, but make sure you check the coverage map for the areas that the phone will be used. Prepaid does mean less commitment, but you’re still stuck with it for at least a month, or until you use up the minutes, so be sure that the phone will work!
3. Choose appropriate phone – Not only are there several different kinds of phones (Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Phone, etc) to keep in mind when gifting, but also the technology level. If your loved one isn’t comfortable with phones, getting them a lower-end phone is probably the best way to go. However, if they are a tech guru, then a high-end phone will likely be appreciated. If possible, consider getting an unlocked phone directly from the manufacturer. It will be more expensive, but will allow your giftee to take the phone to any MVNO or carrier they want.
4. Keep their budget in mind – Some phones will require setting up a monthly recurring prepaid account, so before you buy a phone for someone, take a look at the plans to see if the plan options line up with how your recipient uses their phone. Keep the price in mind, too, because even if you intend to pay for the first month, they will have to pay for the rest.
5. Consider a case and accessories – Phones are breakable, and there’s nothing worse than dropping a phone right out of the box and having to send it in for repairs. Consider getting a case to protect the phone and some accessories like a car charger, portable charger, stand or headphones.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post 5 Tips for Gifting a Prepaid Phone appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

As the holidays get closer, cameras–and especially smartphone cameras–are going to be used twice as much as normal. Here are the top ten tips to get the most out of your smartphone camera for those can’t-miss-it moments this holiday season:

1. Know the difference between taking a photo and taking a snapshot.

Photographs are planned out–your subject isn’t moving and you have time to take more than one photo. Play with angles and settings and take your time.

Snapshots are about sharing the moment, and often happen quickly without being repeated–like the moment of shock on someone’s face when they open that present they wanted, or the look of surprise after a prank. These pictures are unplanned and often have memories attached. For these photos, just snap away and know your shutter lag so you don’t miss the moment!

2. Make a Camera App Shortcut

No matter what kind of pictures you take, having to dig through your app selection screen is a pain. Make your camera easy to get to through an app shortcut on your homepage. You’ll never miss a snapshot and won’t keep everyone waiting for photos.

3. Clean Your Lens

You go everywhere, and so does your phone–including some not-so-clean places. Even with a case your lens can easily pick up dust and fingerprints so clean it off with a soft cloth to reduce glares and smudges. A t-shirt will work in a pinch, but don’t make a habit of it, as it can scratch the lens.

4. Have Good Shooting Posture

Blurry photos are the bane of a smartphone camera’s existence. Change how you hold your phone to reduce shake and movement while snapping the perfect shot. Instead of holding the photo away from you, pull in your elbows and hold the camera closer to your body.

5. Know Your Camera’s Settings

Your camera’s default settings are fine for most things, but to take really good photos, you’ll need to understand how to get to the settings and what they do. Generally, the settings will be a gear icon on the camera screen, and if you click it, you’ll be presented with options such as exposure, white balance and ISO, as well as different shooting modes and color options. Most of the modes and color options are self-explanatory. Here’s help with the settings that aren’t as easily understood:

Exposure – In camera terms, this is a measurement of how much light is present in the photo. It is expressed by positive and negative numbers with decimal points (or sometimes just a sliding bar). Playing with exposure can make dark photos lighter (by letting more light in) or make blown-out photos darker (by letting in less light). Your camera will do this automatically, but sometimes it needs a little help.

Of course, because the camera is limited, there will only be so much you can do, so be aware of where the light is compared to your subject. As a general rule, never let your subject get between you and a bright light source.

White Balance – Everyone has seen images where the color is WAY off and the whole image just looks awful. This is because the white balance wasn’t adjusted properly. White balance is basically telling the camera which objects are white and then aligning the rest of the color spectrum accordingly. This can be done on a computer after the fact, but if you can take the photo right to begin with, it gets rid of a lot of problems.

On your smartphone, this might be labeled “AWB” and is probably going to be listed with options like “Incandescent,” “Fluorescent,” “Cloudy,” or “Sunny.” If the photo colors look off, trying playing with those to see which looks better, or to help set the mood of the photo. This is especially important when shooting indoors, as natural and artificial light will produce different colors through a photo lens.

ISO Meter – ISO is the setting for your camera’s sensitivity to light and changes how fast of a shot the camera can take. The higher the setting, the faster the shot (allowing you to take non-blurry images of moving objects) and the higher the sensitivity to light. On lower grade and simpler cameras, this will actually be part of the “scene” setting. Some phones do allow you to set it manually, however, and it can make all the difference.

Most smartphone ISO defaults are in the 100 to 200 range, which is generally good for sunny, still portraits or photos. However, if you (or your subject) are moving, then a higher ISO is going to be better. Basically, it will let the camera know that it needs to take a faster, shorter shot. The higher the number, the higher the sensitivity and generally, the less blur. I’d recommend trying it on 400 for moving shots, and then play around to see what happens. ISO is probably the single most important setting to avoid blurry photos.

6. Ditch the Auto Flash

The default setting for most smartphone cameras puts the flash on auto, which means that it supposedly will detect when the flash is appropriate and use it as necessary. The quality of your camera will greatly determine how good the phone is at deciding if it needs a flash or not, and flashes can definitely help in some settings to correct shadows. However, I have found that a lot of cameras will use an auto flash when they shouldn’t, and the result is odd colors and weird shadows.

I strongly recommend taking control of the flash yourself and whenever possible, take two photos: One with the flash and one without. You’ll quickly learn when your camera needs the extra boost and when it really doesn’t. My smartphone usually doesn’t need the flash, but it is a little different for each phone. Get to know your camera and your flash and don’t be afraid to snap more than one photo.

7. Cropping and Zooming

As a general rule, I advise people not to zoom with smartphones. Don’t even think about it. Just forget that button is there. Zooming will instantly decrease the quality and sharpness of your picture on probably 90% of smartphone cameras. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself, and you’ll instantly see the photo become grainy and less defined on most phones. If it doesn’t, then count yourself lucky, and be aware that zooming makes the camera more prone to shake and blur, so be careful.

Instead of zooming, what I suggest is to ramp up the size and quality of the photo, and then simply crop it on your computer. Not only will you retain that incredible detail, but you’ll have more control on the photo itself. Don’t forget that moving yourself closer to the object can make a big difference too.

8. Follow the Rules of Composition (sometimes)

Real photography has a surprising amount of rules about how to take a photo. Good photos don’t just happen–they are planned out in the mind’s eye of the photographer. While you probably are not a professional photographer, some of these rules about photo composition can be really helpful and provide for some really interesting shots.

Grids and the Rule of Thirds – This rule is designed to understand how to place objects in a photo. Without going too indepth, basically imagine that your phone screen has a grid over it, with nine boxes equally spaced on the screen (or three rows of three). Now, in each of those boxes, you can place the subject of your photo. Generally, people want to place it right smack in the middle of the photo–and there’s nothing wrong with that. But for a more interesting look, you can move things slightly to one side or higher or lower for a more interesting photo (as seen above).

Some cameras will have a ‘grid’ setting, which will help you until you get the hang of it, but this photography composition secret can really help make your photos stand out. Play around with it and see what works and what doesn’t. And always remember to take more than one photo.

Angles – For a fresh look on portraits and such, angle the phone slightly. Just be careful not to angle it too much, or it will look like you’re falling out of the picture!

Perspective – Phones are lightweight, so you can move around a lot more than you can with a bulky camera. Don’t be afraid to hold the phone over your head or crouch down on the floor to look up a toddler for an interesting photo.

9. Edit vs Filter

A lot of smartphones will have color filters built-in, and almost all of the popular online photo editing programs have filters as well. But, instead of mindlessly using the same boring filter over and over (like the one above), why not take some time and actually edit your photo? You will be amazed at how much difference you can make in a photo by changing the contrast and brightness, and cleaning up the colors. If you don’t have a photo editing program, look for a free one online such a Gimp, which can be downloaded to your computer.

10. Print Your Photos

Having a photo on your phone is great. But taking the time to edit it and print it out is even better. Wow your family and friends with fun snapshots and creative photographs displayed around your home. And you can proudly say, “Yes, that was taken with a smartphone.”

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Top Ten Smartphone Photography Tips appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Everyone has someone on their list who is incredibly hard to buy for, and it can be even worse if they are a tech guru with all of the expensive gadgets. Whether your difficult giftee is into smartphones or you’re looking for a fun accessory to gift along with a smartphone, check out these 5 cool smartphone gadgets this holiday season:

All Ur Bass Bluetooth Capsule Speaker – $30

Roughly the size of a tennis ball, this Bluetooth speaker has some pretty good sound for those bass beat songs and it’s portable! Also, it looks kind of cool, which is never a bad thing. It comes with an optional wire if your Bluetooth is acting up, and you can even play speakerphone calls over this baby, so that everyone can hear!

Wrapster Cord Organizer & Smartphone Stand – $2.99

If you are one of those people who constantly find your headphones in a triple knot of doom, then this cord organizer is a must have. This oddly-shaped piece of plastic not only allows you to throw your headphones in your pocket without a care, but doubles as a stand for your phone so you can watch YouTube videos hands-free. And, at $3, you really can’t go wrong. It comes in four colors: white, black, purple and blue.

Fuel Can Micro Portable Charger – $24.99

So, this tiny little fuel can is probably the most adorable phone charger ever. This tiny battery plugs into the charging port on your Android cell phone and will help give you a boost of power until you can get your phone to a plug in. It is rechargable, and has a keychain loop so you can keep it with you. Did I mention it’s adorable?

Bluetooth Handset Gloves - $39.99 – $59.99

Everyone has used the pinky and thumb gesture to mime calling someone. Now, with these gloves, you can actually use your glove in place of a handset. Using Bluetooth technology, these gloves sync with your phone and allow you to receive phone calls through a tiny speaker and microphone sewn in the pinky and thumb of the glove. So extend that hand and talk away! Are you going to look a little silly talking to your hand? Absolutely. But, that’s part of the charm. The gloves come in knit and leather (hence the price range) and while I doubt the sound quality is the greatest, the idea was way too fun to not pass along.

Motorola Keylink Phone and Key Finder – $24.99

For that forgetful person in your life, the Motorola Keylink is there to help keep track of things. As the name cleverly suggests, this little key fob links your phone and keys so you won’t ever leave one somewhere. You can make them both chirrup or ring and generally just keep track of these items. You could even put the keyfinder on a purse, bag, or anything you’re prone to lose. Not quite as fun as the other gifts, but definitely more useful.

Honorable Mention: Ditto – $29

While this little guy won’t actually be available for the holiday season (shipments are expected Q1 2015, which is somewhere between January and the end of March, although it looks like they’re a little bit behind schedule) Ditto is a crazy cool gadget designed for smartphone addicts or people tired of staring at that tiny screen all the time. This simple little device works through Bluetooth and the use of an app, allowing you to sync the device with your phone. Ditto it will vibrate whenever you receive an important text, call or email from specified contacts, alerting you discretely. This way you can stop worrying about missing a call and put away the cell phone to focus on the people around you. It’s small, discrete, affordable, and pretty ingenious. It’s definitely on my list this year.

Do you have any cool gadgets on your list? Let me know in the comments!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post 5 Smartphone Gadget Gift Ideas appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.

Upgrading from a feature phone to a smartphone can be a complicated and stressful experience. Between all of the new terms to learn, an entirely different set of features and the plethora of choices, how do you even get started? Well, in this two part series, I’m going to go over some of the basics for smartphone use and things you should know before making the jump.

This morning, we’ll go over some of the basic questions new smartphone users have about making the switch, and go into even more detail later this afternoon. Let’s get started!

How are Smartphones different from regular phones?

Before you make the jump, one of the most important things is understanding how a smartphone is different from your normal phone (sometimes called feature phones or dumb phones). The most obvious difference is the touch screen and the ability to access the internet.Some of the more recent feature phones can access the internet, but it is often laborious and slow. Where your old feature phone is designed to make calls first and do everything else second, a smartphone is designed to do a little bit of everything. They are basically mini computers that happen to make calls as well.

With a smartphone, you not only have access to the whole of the internet, but also to a million different mini programs (called apps) which can do anything from play games to take notes, do calculations or access Facebook or Pinterest.

What is Android?

While the term “Android phone” is thrown around quite a lot, it can be deceiving. Android is not a type of phone, but rather the primary operating software that the phone uses. Much like your HP or Dell computer is referred to as a Windows, your phone is an Android. There are several other operating systems for phones available, but Android is the most popular by far and, in my opinion, one of the easiest to start with.

Other mobile operating systems include Windows (run on the Nokia Lumia phones), iOS (created by Apple and found exclusively on iPhones) and Blackberry (an operating system created by the company Blackberry, which also makes phones). There are plenty of pros and cons to each mobile operating system, but as most phones (somewhere between 70 – 80%) are Android, I’m going to focus on that for now.

Which phone is the best?

There are so many phones at each price range, this is a pretty common question. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the hardest to answer, as it depends on how comfortable you are with technology, what you’re going to use your phone for, and how much you are willing to spend.

The best thing I can suggest is talking to some of your friends and family who have smartphones and asking what they like about their phones. Maybe even play around with it for a few minutes to see what you’re comfortable with. If you decide to make the switch to a smartphone, take someone who knows phones with you and be sure to ask the associate for an entry-level phone. It will not only be a little cheaper, but also have fewer features which will be easier for beginners. Keep in mind, however, that entry-level phones tend to be limited in hardware and use.

What do smartphones cost?

When most people think about smartphones, they think of the really expensive phones (referred to as ‘flagship phones’) like the iPhone or the Samsung Galaxy S5. While you can expect to pay upwards of $700 for one of these phones, getting a smartphone for $100 – $200 isn’t unfeasible and there are actually some pretty solid phones at this range (such as the Moto E). And if you intend to sign a contract, then you can probably get a good phone for next to nothing, although then you’ll be hedged in a contract, so weigh the pros and cons carefully.

Why do I need a Google Account?

Because Android was created by Google, pretty much all Android phones require you to create or connect your Google account to the phone in order to access all of the features and use your phone. There isn’t really any way around this, and it will allow you to import your contacts from your gmail account (if you have one). If you don’t have an account, it only takes a few minutes to set one up, and doesn’t really require much personal information so it is safe.

What do I need phone storage for?

When you purchase a smartphone, one of the main selling points is going to be the amount and sometimes kind of storage available (also called memory). Smartphones are capable of taking thousands photos and videos and downloading apps and other documents, and all of that has to go somewhere, right? That’s where storage comes in.

There are three kinds of storage: internal, removable and cloud storage.

Internal storage is the memory of the phone. The internal storage of your phone cannot be changed and is used for apps and, occasionally, other media like pictures and videos as well as actual phone processes. This storage is limited and once it is full, you have to either delete something or use removable external storage as a supplement.

Removable storage is usually in the form of an SD (Secure Digital) card. SD cards come in several sizes, but most phones use microSD cards. Generally SD cards come in several storage capacities ranging from 2 GB all the way up to 128 GB. When you are purchasing an SD card, be sure to check your phone manual, as some phones will only be compatible with a certain amount of storage capacity.

Cloud storage is the last type of storage and is probably the newest of the three. With cloud storage, all of your media is saved on a remote server via the internet which means that it can’t be lost by destruction of your phone. This peace of mind is, however, at a cost, as cloud storage is sometimes not as secure and can be limited or occasionally will cost a monthly fee, depending on the service.

How much storage do I need?

When trying to figure out how much storage you need, it can be a little confusing. Storage is usually in increments of 2 – 64 GB, while downloaded apps and pictures are set in MB. So here are some facts for reference:

• There are 1024 MB in 1 GB
• Your average non-game app will take up 6 MB
• A game app will average around 40 MB
• A photo will average 3 – 4 MB for decent quality
• One song (downloaded, not streamed) will take up around 4 MB of space
• Videos can take up a ton of space, depending on quality and length. Anywhere from 50 MB – 300 MB
• eBooks and the like take next to no storage (generally in the kb range per book), so 1 GB of eBooks is literally an entire library

So, as you can see, there are a lot of things that go into storage and figuring out how much you need. When looking at internal storage and external storage and deciding what you need, first figure out what you’re going to use it for and keep in mind that some of the internal storage will be unavailable, as the actual operating system will be stored there.

How do I use a Smartphone?

I’m glad you asked! But, as that is a WHOLE other can of worms, I’m going to cover some of the basic tips and tricks for new smartphone users in the Part II of this article, which will be posted this afternoon! Topics I’ll cover include:

• How to put your phone on vibrate, silent and ring mode
• Tips for downloading apps
• Tips for customizing your Android phone
• Task managers and what they’re really for
• How to send picture messages

Be sure to check back this afternoon!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The post Beginner’s Guide to Smartphones: Part I appeared first on Prepaid Reviews Blog.