Cell Phone Tricks You Just Gotta Learn!

O-k, quick question: the heat is on -- it's a dire emergency and all you have with you is your cell phone! What are you gonna do? Make a phone call for help, right? Maybe that was a no-brainer, but you're cell phone CAN be used for a more than you ever imagined when you absolutely, positively need to some help and no one is around.

Check out the things that you can do with your cell phone:

1) The emergency number worldwide for a mobile phone is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly enough, you can even dial (112) if the keypad for your cell phone is locked. Try it out. I have, and I tell you -- it works!

2) Have you ever locked your keys in the car? I know I have. Does your car have a remote keyless entry? At least one of my cars does. The following may come in handy someday - and it's reason enough to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and your spare remote is at home or with your spouse, call that person on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person on the other end (the one with the spare remote) press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Believe it or not, your car will unlock. I'd have never believed it if I hadn't tried it myself. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you, and distance is no object (but let me clarify -- if you're in Tokyo and for some reason the other remote is in Toronto, then unfortunately you ARE screwed). But if you are hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

3) Now imagine your cell phone cell battery is very low. To activate your phone and tap into the phone's hidden battery power, press the keys * 3 3 7 0 #. Your cell phone miraculously will restart with this reserve power and the cell phone will register a 50% increase in battery charge. This reserve power will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time.

4) How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone? To check your mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 # A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. If your cell phone ever gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. Nothing better than sweet revenge on the SOB who pilfered your cell phone. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use or sell it either. Come to think of it, if everybody did this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

And last but certainly not least....

5) Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for each 411 information call we make. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial:

(800) FREE 411

or

(800) 373-3411

If you dial these numbers you will not incur any charge at all. Program this number into your cell phone now. This is the kind of information people don't mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and friends.

Cell phones aren't getting any cheaper but every now and then you CAN outwit the phone service provider at their own game. I know I did and I have never regretted it!