What Does a Multimedia Cell Phone Do?

The short and sweet of multimedia cell phones is that they do − everything.

These full-service entertainment cell phones display video, take pictures, play music and can access the Internet. They can also IM, send multimedia text messages (MMS) and can help you organize your life with calendars, notes, voice notes and email. Some multimedia phones include productivity tools like documents viewing, pc syncing and travel tools so you can even justify using them for work.

The best multimedia cell phones offer:

Video: Believe it or not, the new multimedia cell phones display video; some even offer television and most can capture video. With a bit of video compression and adequate memory you can enjoy your favorite video entertainment anywhere.
Audio: All multimedia cell phones play music. Most music enabled cell phones play mp3s and a few other common audio file types, like those utilized by iTunes, the Windows Media Player Mobile, Sprint Music and V Cast. Many of them also have the ability to play streaming music.
Camera: Multimedia phones come equipped with at least a 1.3 mega pixel camera. The best include advanced camera phones that offer zoom, pan, flash and sharing abilities. Some can even send print commands or connect to online photo sharing sites and online photo printing sites.
Email: The top multimedia cell phones work with most POP3 and IMAP email providers, which means you can access web based email like Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail and Gmail. Many also sync with Outlook and offer push email. The best multimedia cell phones can even display full HTML email and attachments.
Internet: Nearly every multimedia cell phone includes some kind of Internet ability. Many of them even offer full web page access and the top rated phones include Wi-Fi ability. So with a capable Internet cell phone you can stop lugging around your six pound laptop and enjoy the World Wide Web with a less than five ounce device.
Messaging: If you like to IM or text message than a multimedia phone may be your next best friend. Many multimedia phones offer full QWERTY keyboards and advanced text messaging features like MMS and are compliant with major IM providers such as Yahoo, Google Talk, MSN and AOL.

In this site, you’ll find articles related to cell phones, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side-by-side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which multimedia cell phone is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS — We do the research so you don’t have to.™

What to Look for in a Multimedia Cell Phone

In the US often your cell phone options are limited by what your provider supports. We looked at multimedia phones supported by popular US cell phone services and some unlocked phones that may work with a variety of providers.

If you are happy with your provider, look for the best multimedia phone that your provider supports. If you are not pleased with your provider look for a cell phone service that offers the terms and coverage you desire and than choose the best multimedia cell phone they support.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate multimedia cell phones:

Voice/ Text Features: Multimedia cell phones should provide basic cell phone functions such as 3-way calling, speakerphone, voice dialing and text messaging. The best cell phones are flexible and are compatible with a variety of networks such as quad-band world phones and those that work with 3G.
Multimedia Features: These types of cell phones should shine in this area. The best include a good cell phone camera, display and record video and play a variety of audio file types. It is also nice if the cell phone includes extras like games and radio.
Internet Features: We looked for phones that provide the ability to access the Internet. The best include the ability to connect through a variety of methods such as through the EDGE network or even Wi-Fi.
Productivity/ Lifestyle Tools: Although these phones are not work phones per say, they are more practical if they can also double as your work phone. The most productive phones offer organizing tools and support third party applications, like Windows Mobile Office or other productivity software.
Technical Specifications: A good multimedia phone is small, yet functional and includes a long lasting battery and plenty of memory. The best cell phones also support additional memory cards and standard headphones.
Wow Score: The wow factor definitely influences buyers. Our wow score is based on a combination of style and innovation.

To begin your search for the best cell phone for play and work, see the versatile Nokia N95 .

What Does a Multimedia Cell Phone Do?

What to Look for in a Multimedia Cell Phone

Multimedia Cell Phone Reviews 2008

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