It Might not be Free, But How Does a Penny Cell Phone Sound?

While all major carriers offer free cell phones with a new contract agreement, not all phones are free. Recently, many more consumers have been interested in trendy smartphones that offer a lot of featured but cost a little bit more. The popularity of the iPhone on AT&T and Verizon and several other phones like android and BlackBerry smartphones has shown that many people are willing to pay a few hundred bucks for a nice mobile phone.

But that's not why you are here, is it? You are probably looking for the free phones. One problem with the free phones has always been that they were, well, ugly. Or just not as "good" as other phones in many ways. Maybe the battery life wasn't that great or there wasn't a good keyboard for texting or it didn't take video or clear pictures.

It really depends on what you are looking for. Maybe you want the free mobile phone because you just want the cheapest phone plan contract and the lowest cost phone service you can find. That's fine, but if you are looking to still buy a really good phone and not spend a lot, consider spending just a little bit more. Like a penny.

For example Amazon Wireless is offering bestselling smartphones starting at a penny. They have AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and other major carriers. Prices and available change constantly in the wireless world, but you can go there and see what their current penny phone offers are:

Did a Kid Really Hide a Cell Phone in Her ?

This article sure makes it sound that way. But I'm going to guess the answer is "No." This kid did not hide her cell phone in her you know, she merely put the phone down the back of her pants where it could not be confiscated. It was probably a very small phone and she thought it could hide there. no body search necessary.

Abilene Christian University Giving iPhones to students

This Mac News World article (Cell Phones make Headway in Education) makes it sound like colleges are giving away free iPhones or other smartphones to incoming freshmen. Off course it's not like they are handing out free iphones. It doesn't mention if there is a "supplies" charge. Even if there is not, college students pay a good chunk of cash on tuition. So there is a cost.

Still it's pretty cool, I guess, that schools are embracing technology and applications from the iPhone to perform certain tasks. As noted, in many ways the iPhone can replace functions of a laptop ( I'm sure Apple had that in mind), and the smart cell phone is a technology the way computers were a new technology in the previous generation.

Cell phones were previously a nuisance in the classroom, with them banned from many schools and classrooms. They were seen as a distraction, a source of leisure and entertainment, not something for learning and productivity. The iPhone and other smart phones provide something new. Educators are realizing that this technology can be something other than a distraction. Cell Phones can be educational tools.

Phones for ATT

One of the most popular cell phone providers is AT&T Wireless, formerly Cingular. Like all major wireless provers, ATT offers several equipment models. Many high quality phones are offered "free" as an incentive for those who would like to sign a long term agreement. Free Contract Mobile phones include new models, not just old ugly cell phones.

For example the Blackjack II by Samsung is available for free with a 2 year agreement for monthly ATT wireless service. This smartphone has many features and functions and is comparable to phones that cost $200-300 or more.

Of course, this is not the only free phone AT&T offers. There is a wide selection of free and reduced phones available. ATT even offers cell phone upgrades for existing att customers with phones at very low prices. If you find a plan with the features you need and are willing and qualified to do a contract, an ATT phone may be the way to go.