Technology and Gadget Blog

How often do you find something at a store and wonder how much cheaper you could get it online? Now you don’t have to wonder–you can call 1-888-FRU-SHOP. That’s the number for Frucall, a first-of-its-kind price-comparison shopping service currently in Beta.

How Does Frucall Work?

Frucall is pretty simple to use despite all the technology behind it:

*Call 1-888-FRU-SHOP from any phone in the US.
At the prompt, enter the product’s bar code number. That’s the number directly below the bar code. (Hint: don’t forget the first and last digits, which may be offset from the rest of the code.)

*A computerized voice confirms the product’s name and states the price, as well as shipping information.

*The whole process takes about ten seconds. There are no signups, no downloads, and funky add-on services or charges to your phone bill.

Beta Limitations

Frucall has been launched to the public in Beta mode, though it has already been tested for more than two months on an invitation-only basis. The Beta service works well, though there are still a few limitations:

• During the initial Beta period, Frucall only searches Amazon. The designers, however, are planning on adding additional sites soon. They eventually expect it to become an internet-wide ecommerce price comparison service for cell phones.

• Because the Beta only searches Amazon, you can’t use it for things that aren’t sold on Amazon. The Beta is most valuable when you’re out shopping for clothes, appliances, electronics, books, music, DVDs and stuff like that, but for now you cannot use it for grocery shopping.

• You won’t be able to buy the product using your phone until this feature is implemented sometime in summer 2006.

First-Ever Voice-Activated Mobile Price Comparison Service

Mobile phone technologies are all the rage these days, from movies to games to weather reports to shopping. For the most part, these technologies have a dedicated core of people who tend to be very comfortable navigating all the options on the little screens and touch pads of their cell phones. Right now, mobile applications aren’t as appealing to people who are less nimble-fingered, less technologically savvy–or just less patient.

Frucall, however, might just be the first mobile application both you and your grandmother could use. The usability factor for Frucall is high since it’s all voice-activated, and, ultimately, that’s what cell phones were made for: talking, not running software.

Looking out for people who actually like mobile software, Frucall’s designers are working on a WAP (mobile application) version as well, which will be available in a couple of months.

In the meantime, Frucall’s voice-activated interface is a blessing for die-hard cheapskates: they can call the toll-free number from a payphone without even having to pay cellphone airtime.

In short, if you’re serious about saving money, you just got another tool in your toolbox.

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Originally designed for keeping in touch, today’s cellphones are nifty feature rich communication devices that not only come equipped with an incredible array of functions to increase your productivity and entertainment experiences but also with the ability to save your life. Hence, in this article we examine ways in which the modern cellphone can be used as a survival tool.

Bullet Protection

The metal casing found in today’s cellphones is not only great for keeping away scratches, but can also be used to deflect bullets. Take the case of Darren Prior, a jewelry attendant who credited his cellphone for saving his life during a botched robbery.

Flash Light

The bright display screen found in today’s cellphones not only makes it easy to use the device in the dark but also allows the cellphone to be used as a portable torch, like in the case of the two stranded hikers who had used their cellphone display screens as glow sticks to direct rescue helicopters to their location.

Personal Surveillance System

Many cellphones now come equipped with a camera which are not only good for snapping personal pictures but can also be used as a personal surveillance device to help protect you from unforeseen incidents, such as a pervert on the subway, a robbery suspect and a would be kidnapper.

Silent Alarm

Apart from keeping in touch, the text messaging ability is a great feature that is not only simple to use but also discrete. This is especially useful if you need to send out a silent alarm, like in the case of a kidnapped boy who secretly text messaged his parents.

Location Finder

Many new cellphones come with a built in GPS. Not only does this technology allow parents to spy on their kids but can also be used a GPS system to find your exact location. Like in the case of the standard couple whose cellphone GPS capabilities enabled Emergency 911 operators to relay their location to on ground rescuers.

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If you’re in the market for a new cellphone, now is a great time to go shopping. Cellular carriers and resellers are constantly offering special offers. Some companies offer free cellphones (after rebates), calling plans with thousands of minutes, etc.

With all these ads, where do you start? You can go to a local wireless store and see the latest makes and models. You can also research a variety of cellphones on the Internet. If you go to a wireless store, be prepared to spend some time, energy, and gas.

If you want to shop from home or the office, and avoid any sales hassles, you can shop for a new cellphone on the Internet. You’ll save time, money, and gas, and possibly get a better deal on a new cellphone.

Three factors will determine how much you will pay for a new cellphone: 1.) PRICE, 2.) FEATURES, and 3.) CALLING PLAN.

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t want to pay anything up front for a cellphone, look for cellphone offers with instant rebates. The instant rebate amount is deducted from the cellphone’s purchase price when you order.

If the cellphone you want costs some money up front, look for cellphone offers with mail-in rebates. You’ll pay the purchase price of the cellphone when you order, and receive a mail-in rebate coupon.

Some cellphone offers promote rebates as much as $100.00 or more. Mail-in rebate checks can take several weeks to arrive, and they’re great if you don’t mind waiting for them. If and when you get a rebate check, it’s like getting cash back. For example, if your cellphone’s purchase price was $100.00, and you receive a $100.00 rebate check, your cost after the rebate is zero.

Cellphones with few features cost less than cellphones with advanced features. If you just want to make calls, you don’t need a cellphone with advanced features. If you’re going to take pictures, download videos, music, and e-mails, you’ll need a high-end model with advanced features like a QWERTY keyboard, camera, large video display, MP3 player, and more.

The last and most important factor is the calling plan. Plans differ from carrier to carrier and you have to decide which plan is best for you. Think how you will be using the phone regularly before choosing a plan. You should estimate how many minutes you will use each day during peak hours, which are typically from 6am-9pm, Monday to Friday. For example, if you can limit your talk time to 30 minutes a day, that comes out to approximately 600 minutes per month.

To get the best deal, look for a plan with the lowest monthly rate and the most minutes per month. Get a plan with more minutes than you’ll need to avoid costly overage charges. Monthly rates of some plans offering the same number of minutes per month could vary. Make sure to look for a plan that offers free long distance, weeknight, and weekend calls. This plan allows you to talk nationwide for a long time at night and on weekends.

If your relatives, friends, and co-workers use the same carrier, you might want to select that carrier. Some carriers offer unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling to other people on the same network or other money-saving features for free or a flat fee.

Some plans don’t offer certain cellphone models, and not all plans are available in all areas. If the plan you choose doesn’t offer the cellphone model you want, search for other cellphones that are offered by the plan. The cellphone you want may be offered by another plan from the same carrier or by a plan from a different carrier.

Great cellphone deals are out there, if you take the time and effort to look for them.

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