Cool Cell Phone Tips

Remember the bygone days when cell phones were clunky devices owned by only the super-rich or the super-important? Now everyone from elementary school kids up to octogenarian grannies has their own cell phone. You probably know all about using it to send text messages, and download uber-hip ringtones and wallpaper. But the following cool tips and tricks likely include something you didn't know you could do with your cell phone.

Did you know you can create a personalized voice mail greeting for each of your loved ones and friends? And what if I told you that this service was free? You Mail is a service that allows you to check your cell phone voice mail online. You can share voice mails via e-mail, IM, or on your website. Create personalized greetings for your favorite callers yourself, or use one of their professionally recorded greetings with categories including Professional, Holiday, and Fake Errors (for example "Sorry, this number is no longer in service. You'll have to find a new boyfriend.") And yes, it's free!

Available in 22 U. S. cities, Dodgeball will let you know when your friends, friends of friends, and even your crushes are nearby. You can choose up to five crushes (they must be registered Dodgeball users). When they are within 10 blocks of your check in, you'll get a notification that one of your crushes is nearby. They'll get a message as well, letting them know that you're crushing on them and where you are. You never know, maybe the feeling is mutual!

Can't live without Google? Then you'll be happy to know it's always just a text message away. Send a text on your cell phone to 466453 (spell "Google") for an instant reply. Get weather, directions, definitions and more. Find out more by texting "tips" to 466453.

Use your cell phone to help a missing child by signing up for free mobile Amber Alerts. Click here and enter your cell phone number. You can enter up to five zip codes. Any time an Amber Alert is issued in one of those areas, you will be notified by a text message.

If you frequently hear a song and love it, but want to know more before you put it in the back of your mind and then completely forget about it, then 411 Song is for you. Once you have registered your cell phone number with the service, the next time you hear a song you love just call 866.411.SONG. After you hear the beep, hold your cell phone up to the music for 15 seconds. 411 Song will ID the song for you, sending you a text message with the artist, title, and a link to get the song. Your first ID is free.

Whether you are house shopping or just feeling a bit curious, send a text message with any address including city and state from your cell phone to 46873 (it spells HOUSE). Housefront will text you back, listing who last bought the house, for what price, the square footage and more!

Finally, you spend enough money on your cell phone every month. Let your cell phone help you save some money! Have you ever been at the mall about to lay down some cash and found yourself wondering "Could I get a better deal online?" Find out with a quick call to Frucall. Dial 1-888-DO-FRUCALL (1.888.3633.7822) and enter the item's bar code number when prompted to find out which is the more frugal option.