Some of the hottest features on cell phones include the ability to watch video, take pictures, play music, and access the Internet. People pay money to decorate their phones and purchase ring tones. Yet, features already pre-installed on phones exist that many people don't even know are there. Cell phones have organizer applications that differ depending on the model, but most phones have an alarm clock, calculator, and address book.

Here are some practical features on the majority of cell phones that are often over-shadowed by flashier multimedia features:

Address Book
Allows users to store contact information for people they call regularly or want to stay in touch with.

Includes a maximum number of contacts a user may enter. Numbers per each contact can include a home number, cell number, work number, and fax number. Letting users enter several numbers for each contact increases the efficiency of the search feature so each name doesn't need to have several entries for different numbers. If you need someone's home number and cell number, you only need to pull up the person's name once to find both numbers.

The LG VX3450 phone has an address book that can accommodate 300 contacts as well as nine numbers, an email address, and a note for each contact.

The Samsung Upstage SPH-M620 music handset has a capacity of 500 contacts with 5 phone numbers per contact as well as a notes feature, a nickname, Web addresses, and email addresses per contact.

Alarm

Most phones allow users to set an alarm to go off at a certain time under the condition that the phone must be on.

Phones with more extensive versions of this feature have several alarms that can be synchronized with the phone's to-do list or calendar and will sound even if the phone is turned off.

Calculator
Most calculators will add, subtract, multiply, and divide.

Some will also perform more complicated functions such as calculate tips and convert currency.

Calendar
Enables users to track appointments and reminders.

Lets you view and manage your daily, weekly, and monthly schedule.

The feature may have a reminder or alarm function.

The Nokia 6800 is just one of many phones that has a built-in calendar that allows users to see their schedule monthly.

To-do List
Users can create and manage a list of things to do, and options for this feature differ depending on the model of the phone.

Users may be able to assign deadlines to items on their list and sort by order of importance.

The Sony Ericsson W810i phone is one of many that has a to-do list feature.

Voice memo
Many phones give users the option of recording their thoughts or parts of a phone conversation to use as notes when needed.

Some phones, such as the Samsung e335, even have the ability to allow the user to record a memo and then email it to someone.

Above features sound like they could be useful? These features are already built-in to most phones and are unknown to many phone users. It's likely your phone has most if not every one of the above features, so start saving time and money now: Get to know your cell phone!


About the Author
Robin Meyer is Web Manager of Your Wireless Source , a company that specializes in portable wireless products and accessories including Sony Ericsson cell phone accessories and LG cell phone accessories .