In the year 2007 it was said by the CTIA-Wireless Association that well over 250 million Americans were subscribed to a cellular phone service. That is well over 84.2% according to the U.S. Census Bureau! Where are all these people getting cell phones and other communication devices? Well that is a very simple question with a very simple answer. Companies like AT&T, Motorola, T-Mobile & Nokia are constantly marketing their products with online ads, newspaper ads, TV commercials, radio commercials, and even phone books. Its no wonder almost every single person in the US has one! It’s also become an absolute need to have a cell phone to some people. Quite frankly in this day and age I’m glad we have cell phones! I know it’s become more of a convenience than anything else, but how many times in the past did you wish you had a cell phone and you didn’t?!?

Cell phones along with other communication devices are in constant demand, and there is no age preference to whom buys these devices and who doesn’t. You can be a tween, a teen, an adult, or even a senior citizen! Within the past few years cell phones have become unique in their range, shape, size, color, and options. Some of these devices offer cameras, Wifi, blue tooth, qwerty, and games. It’s definitely not like it used to be, hulling around you’re old (somewhat giant) cell phone! You know the ones I’m talking about! With devices such as these, who needs a computer or a home phone! In fact, most people have completely gotten rid of their land line and only use their cell phones.

The great thing about there being so many cell phone and other communication devices available, is that you can find them almost anywhere online or offline. Some of these sites even offer a plan called “Prepaid wireless” or “Pay as you go” where you pay for your minutes before hand and then every month (or whenever you want) you can pay again and load up on the minutes again. Some of the most popular brands as well as sites that you can find your next cell phone or PDA at are included below!

T-Mobile

WireFly

ATT

VerizonWireless

MyCricket

Walmart

Target

VirginMobileUsa

Tracfone

For several years on end I was the owner of a Motorola cell phone I bought online at Tracfone. It was actually a really great deal for the phone and the phone plan. But recently I decided to go with someone else because TracFone didn’t have enough “cool” phones for me! So, I switched and went with VirginMobileUSA and I got to say I’m really happy with my phone and the service and it is a lot cheaper than TracFone which is really amazing to me.

Here are some other great options besides the ones I listed above you can expect to see in your new cell phone or PDA -

Text Messaging

Speakerphone

Voice Dialing

Music Ring Tones

Full Color Screen

These phones & PDAs usually also come with a kit, which includes things like a battery, charger, and head set! It’s definitely in your best interest to check some of these communication devices online, even if you already have one, go buy a NEW one! There is a new cell phone and PDA out every 5 minutes, so go and have some fun!

The iPod seems to have induced a certain trend in the consumer electronics industry as many companies on the market rushed to manufacture accessories for the little device that allows you to take music with you wherever you go. Speakers and headphones were among the first choices as iPod accessories for consumer electronics companies. The next step was wireless speakers and headphones to allow more freedom of movement. We’ll try to discuss the pros and cons of wireless peripherals for the iPod as well as the models that each wireless component works with.

Logitech

Logitech began marketing in 2005 a wireless headphone unit that works with any model of iPod that has a dock connector on the base. This feature is standard on all new models and is available on older models as well. The headphones use Bluetooth technology to connect to the iPod through an adapter that transmits the signal. They come with rechargeable batteries that supposedly can play up to eight hours of music per charge.

The wireless headset is very light and weighs only 3.2 ounces, with the adapter unit weighing less than an ounce. iPod controls are provided on one of the earpieces, so there is no need to return to the iPod to adjust the volume or move through the play list. The iPod can be left sitting on a counter or on a desk, and the headphones will pick up the signal for up to 30 feet away.

Logitech also markets a wireless music receiver and transmitter that turns your current stereo into a receiver and set of speakers for your iPod. It comes with its own rechargeable batteries so it doesn’t drain your iPod. The receiver unit simply plugs into your stereo system and the transmitter onto your iPod. The system works with any iPod or MP3 player with a standard 3.5mm headphone output.

The benefit of this system is that you can use it to make your existing speakers wireless without having to purchase additional equipment. It is easy to plug in and use so you can easily move to other rooms in the house. The only drawback is the 30-feet distance restriction between the receiver and the transmitter.

Macally

Macally designed a Bluetooth based BlueWave iPod headset that connects to the iPod through a transmitter plugged into the iPod’s headphone port. One issue with the BlueWave system is that the transmitter unit doesn’t use the iPod’s connector for power but two non-rechargeable AAA batteries. Another issue would be the plastic notch situated by the headphone jack that prevents the transmitter from wobbling on the iPod’s top and which you will need to remove if you own an iPod shuffle or a first or second generation iPod.

The signal’s range should be around 30 feet but it varies greatly depending on the environment you are in, especially if doors or walls stand in the way. The headphones can provide up to eight hours of interrupted music depending on volume level and other factors. They are also powered by two non-rechargeable AAA batteries.

With the BlueWave system you can also wirelessly stream music from your iPod by connecting the headphones to the home speaker system with a RCA patch cable that fits in the line-out jack from the headphones.

Oregon Scientific

Oregon Scientific released in 2005 a very interesting wireless speaker system designed for the iPod, the iBall. The speaker is shaped like a bowling ball and it connects to a transmitter dock, that holds the iPod, through 2.4 Ghz wireless technology, with adaptive frequency hopping spread spectrum. The signal range should be up to 100 feet and the rechargeable batteries provide up to 8 hours of music on a single charge. It is compatible with iPods, iPod photos, iPod nanos, and iPod minis.

The iBall has a built-in remote for the iPod which you can use even if the iPod is not in the room. The speaker has a round LCD display that you can use to change volume and skip tracks, find out the time, wireless signal strength, battery power, play/pause status.

Wi-Gear

The iMuffs from Wi-Gear are wireless headphones made especially for the iPod but with a twist. They use Bluetooth technology to connect wirelessly to both your iPod and your Bluetooth enabled phone, so you can use them as a wireless headset for the cell phone. When you receive a call, the iMuffs pause the music on the iPod, ring in the headphones and allow you to speak in the integrated microphone.

The iMuffs system has a small receiver that hooks on top of the iPod and comes with a rechargeable battery that provides up to 12 hours of interrupted music. As expected with Bluetooth, the iMuffs headphones can pick up the signal in the 30 feet signal range. They also feature iPod controls on each earpiece for pause, volume, skip and search.

In the future, the market of wireless headphones and speakers for the iPod will become a bigger share of the overall iPod accessories market, as the signal range will increase, the audio output quality will get better and the batteries the manufacturers use for power will allow more hours of playtime.