I had a client ask me if you could have 2 phone numbers while using only one cell phone. Of course I answer “Yes.” Many people want a line for business and one for personal use.

While you were able to do this with most carriers in the past, they have all but phased out this option. Only Nextel remains who still allow this option, but only with a specific phone and many other challenges since their merger with Sprint. Many carriers had a tough time in both gaining customers with this and technical difficulties.

These days the only options are SIM based GSM carrier phones. The 2 options are using a dual SIM card or a dual SIM phone. (while yes, you can swap out SIMs, this is cumbersome and you cannot answer either line at the same time.)

The first is a dual SIM card adaptor or Twin SIM card. You can actually cut out the memory component and piece it in with the other SIM. It can be cumbersome & is not the easiest thing to do. You still can toggle back and forth between 2 lines without powering down the phoneJ

The option I am really looking forward to is the Dual SIM phone. You can actually place both SIMs in the phone and answer either line and go back and forth without powering down the phone.

My next article will be a review of some dual SIM phones.

Wireless Warrior

Do you have a hard time getting signal from your carrier inside your home?
IF so, you may be in luck with Spotwave Signal Booster.

The Z1900 Signal Booster repeats signal throughout hour home or office up to 2,500 sq feet. It boosts signal for cell phones along with data devices like air cards for laptops and PDA phones such as Blackberry and Treo’s.
Keep in mind if you have absolutely no coverage, it will not help you any. Boosting nothing still gives you nothing. You must have signal outside or near windows.

It works decent if you have at least 2 bars at your window. One bar it depends on where you are located relative to the tower. Its best to put the booster on the side of the house facing the cell tower you are using.

At $399 its reasonable if you need it for business. If not, you may just want to forward your calls to your home phone if you still use a land line. Typically, carriers will give you an allotment of minutes to forward (please check with your carrier).

Please check your carrier to see what frequency they are using in your area and be sure you get the one that is compatible. Spotwave & companies like Wilson have technical info on their site which should narrow down which one would work for you.
                   
There are more robust boosters for commercial use as well.
 Wireless Warrior
Note: Check your wireless carrier agreement on terms & condition regarding repeating their signal.

  It seems like it takes forever to be able to leave a voicemail message these days. You need to wait and hear how long the person will be out, or how many meetings they have that day.

Although some information may be important, like when that person may be back from a week long vacation, most is not that crucial and is too long.
 

If I know the carrier of the person I am calling I will push the button that will bypass their message. Since I am on Cingular/AT&T, I actually tell people to push 1 to bypass my message, unless I am on an extended absence.
Here is the list of Voicemail bypass of the major carriers. Regional carriers and MVNOs may be found on their respective sites.
Voicemail Greeting Bypass
Cingular/AT&T          push 1
Verizon                      push *
Sprint                         push 1
T-Mobile                     push #
Note: This may actually waste more time if you are not sure of the caller’s carrier. If you hit the wrong button, you will not be able to leave a message and will prompt you to leave a paging #.
Wireless Warrior
 

I have a number of clients, Realtors in particular, who feel locked into Palm devices because of the amount of Palm Apps they have invested in.

Finally, I found a software called Styletap (http://www.styletap.com/) which will allow you to run your previous Palm Apps on both Windows Mobile or Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphones.
Pros
·          Allows you to keep your Palm Apps you have invested in over the years
·          Reasonably sized file at 1.2MB file download
·          Even works on popular Smartphones without the touchscreen like the popular Samsung Blackjack
Cons
·          May be a little trickier to use on Smartphone devices or non-touch screen devices
·          Some icons appear differently on Windows device
·          Some progras may not run perfectly… and some NOT at all. Remember you are trying to make something work in a different platform
Price
$50
Bottom line
If you want to convert to Windows Mobile and keep your Palm Apps, it’s a great option. Use the trial version first and make sure you like it. If the apps you need works, it’s a great buy.
Wireless Warrior