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2G technology is the most widely used network technology for mobile phones. More than 80% of cellular phone users around the world use 2G technology at present. One disadvantage that 2G has compared to 3G technology is that data rates are limited – it is relatively slower than 3G. Lower data transfer speed means slower music and video downloads, problems when making a video conference call, or long waits for sending/receiving large media messages.

That is the main reason for the development of newer network technologies such as 3G that offer a data transfer speed of up to 2Mbps (2 Mega Bits per second). Anyone using a 3G phone knows that that is far from being true; in fact, it almost never exceeds 384Kbps, at most.

A new technology being developed these days, 4G, will supposedly allow data transfer speeds as high as 100Mbps (50 times faster than today’s 3G!) outdoors, and a blasting 1Gbps indoors.

So what are the main features of 4G technology?

- Wireless internet with a bandwidth much wider than the 2G or the 3G – 100 MHZ.
- Much higher data transfer speed – up to 1Gbps.
- Video conference calls – with more than 2 callers, and due to the faster data transfer rates, less problems; also, will not get stuck as often as it does with 3G.
- Improved security features to prevent frauds and theft.
- On account of the wider bandwidths, data transfers will be relatively cheap

There are not enough details about 4G technology to compare with other technologies. Without a doubt it will be better, faster, and probably cheaper, but all users would have to get the new devices, meaning compatible devices (which probably aren’t going to be cheap), and wait for the new networks and antennas that will go with this newest technology.

Anyway, NTT DoCoMo, the Japanese company working on developing 4G technology in association with HP, estimates that 4G services will be launched (in Japan only) somewhere between 2010-2016, and it will probably take a couple more years after that for it to get to the United States so that we still have plenty of time to adjust and get ready.

Cell Phones are great tools, not just for keeping in touch with friends and family — but also for your everyday use. Cell Phones can be used as your appointment calendar, reminding you about the meetings you have to attend today, or whose birthday it is. Use your phone to track your expenses or track a package or even as a flashlight during a blackout! Here are four things you didn’t know your phone can do:

1. Cell Phones can be connected to your personal Google account. On your Google account page, go to settings on the desired page and click notifications to pick which updates you’d like to receive via text messaging to your cellular phone. After entering your location and phone number, you would have to verify your cell number by entering the code you’ve received on the page then you’re ready to go. Choose to receive calendar alerts, your events for the day, daily agenda, birthday reminders, stock quotes from your portfolio and more.

2. You’re in a restaurant, asking the waiter to give you your check. The bill is $79.64, but you always tip 15% percent extra. You could use the old “double the tax” way, but if numbers puzzle you or you’re too lazy to do the math, you can use your phone to calculate tip. Most cell phones have a tip-calculator built-in. It might be buried deep somewhere in the phone’s menu, but will usually be found under settings or tools. If you don’t have a tip calculator in your phone it’s not a problem. Use the calculator (every phone has it) by dividing your bill by 7 and rounding up to get the nearest dollar to get 15%: 79.64 / 7 = 11.37: 15% tip would be $12. To tip 20%, do same thing, dividing by 5 this time.

3. Just lost power? Can’t find your keys in the dark? Use your cell phone as a flash light!
If your phone has a flash camera, open the video recorder and turn flash on. It only lasts as long as you are “recording” (and limited to a couple minutes in some devices) but that’s good enough.
If you don’t have a camera phone, go to BlankWebPage.com to have a white blank page – that will maximize your phone’s backlight. Not as good as a flashlight, but it still works!

4. If you have an emergency, and happen to be out of your Cellular Service Provider’s coverage areas, there’s a way to be able to call an emergency number. 112 is a worldwide emergency number for cellular phones. In case of emergency, even if you’re in an area not covered by your carrier, when dialing this number your phone will find another cellular network around you and will establish connection to make the emergency call. Check your phone: on some cellular phones, the only number you can dial with a locked Dial Pad is 112.

These are 4 great tips to maximize the use of your cell phone.