Cell phones (also known as mobile phones) have revolutionized the way we communicate, and even the way we think about communicating. People use their mobile phones to get together with friends, call for directions and moral support when lost, gossip with friends or play games while waiting in line, and simply for talking any time, any place, to anyone. In some ways, the ubiquity of mobile phones can be annoying for those not in on the conversation, but there is no denying their usefulness and convenience.

What do you want out of a mobile phone?

• Are you looking for a basic phone to use in case of emergencies like a broken down car?

• Are you looking for a multi-function tool that will let you talk, email and websurf?

• Is the style of the phone, including color, design and ringtones, important to you?

• Are you interested in extras such as games and cameras?

• Do you just want to talk to friends and family all the time, wherever you go?

There are features to suit almost any mobile phone need, and most service providers offer discounts on new phones when you sign up for a contract. These discounts can bring the price range from $100 to $500 down by as much as $100, and special deals can sometimes provide even more savings.

The Service Provider

When buying a mobile phone, it is necessary to consider the type of service you will get, and which provider you will go through. There are a wide variety of plan options, from pre-paid phones to one- or two-year contracts paid at a monthly rate. There are individual plans and family plans, and options for free cell-to-cell minutes or services like Nextel's walky-talky function.

Which service provider you choose will also determine which mobile phones are available to you, since not all phones are supported by every provider. If there's a particular model you want, the phone may determine which service provider you go through. Otherwise, you can browse through the selections, prices and discounts available from competing providers and decide based on the consideration of both phones and service offerings.

Mobile phones are almost always purchased along with a service plan, either directly through the service provider or through an authorized vendor. Be aware that deals and selection can vary considerably between online stores and brick & mortar stores. Browsing through brick & mortar stores can be particularly useful for checking how each phone feels to hold and use. They may not be able to match the deals offered online for the actual purchase, though.

Features

When choosing a phone, be sure to consider which features are most important, and which are unnecessary. It's also important to evaluate how the phone feels in your hand and against your ear, especially if you will be using it frequently. Here are a few of the many features available in modern mobile phones:

Voicemail

Voicemail is a standard feature for most phones, so it would be surprising to find a phone that doesn't include it. Nonetheless, be aware of this sort of basic necessity just because of how unpleasant it would be to do without it. Voicemail will generally be listed in the specifications for each phone, along with more optional features such as text messaging and multimedia.

Text Messaging

Text messaging can be a useful tool, or a completely unused feature, depending on the person. There is generally a fee to include text messaging as part of the service plan, but using it also requires a phone that supports the technology. As with voicemail, most phones include this feature. If it is important to have this ability, though, do confirm that it's listed in the phone's specifications.

Multimedia

Mobile phone makers are constantly looking for ways to add functionality (and billable services) to the industry. While it is not yet clear how widely used they are, many of these services involve audio, video and text, sometimes all in one package. There are phones designed to download games and music, and of course, to send pictures and audio to your friends.

After you purchase a phone, be aware of which multimedia functions are included in the monthly bill and which charge extra. It can be fun to go online with your phone to check the weather reports, traffic reports or local movie listings, but be aware of how much these services charge in order to avoid unpleasant surprises in the bill at the end of the month!

The specific services, fees and functionality vary from phone to phone and provider to provider. This offers the option of comparing carefully to get exactly what you want, or just picking something that sounds interesting in order to try it out.

Cameras

Camera phones are becoming more and more common, even among basic level phones. Since most people carry their phone around more than their camera, it can be a fun extra. Having the combination opens up possibilities for more spur of the moment photo taking and for sending those photos to friends' phones. Multiple pictures can be saved, and many phones can set specific pictures as the background image or as an image to display when receiving calls from a set phone number.

While mobile phone cameras are easy to use, the quality of the pictures is not usually comparable to that of a dedicated digital camera. If the quality of the pictures is one of your priorities, try out the camera function in the store before deciding on a particular model.

Some high end camera phones are starting to provide camera sensors that do compare favorably with stand-alone cameras, but they are still more expensive than the standard level. Look for the resolution rating, which is measured in megapixels - the higher the rating, the clearer the pictures will be.

One factor to be aware of before purchasing a camera phone is that many workplaces that deal with confidential information do not allow cameras or camera phones on site for security reasons. If you intend to carry your phone at work, check on the current security policies before making the purchase.

Hybrid Phones

Many high end phones combine a mobile phone with the functions of other high tech gadgets such as PDAs and GPS units. These phones can be highly practical for users who need the additional functionality, since they can save by buying one phone for several purposes.

Phones that combine calling with the functionality of a PDA are commonly referred to as smart-phones. Like PDAs, they can store data and keep track of appointments, as well as surfing the Internet, emailing, text messaging, and often other options.

On the other hand, they can also be a tempting but impractical purchase for technophiles who love the technology but won't necessarily use it. Be sure to keep your budget in mind, and to evaluate what you actually need in a mobile phone before investing in a hybrid phone.