Nextel's classic walkie-talkie (Direct Connect) on the iDEN network is gone, but modern push-to-talk survives via carrier PTT services and internet apps. Coverage, group sizes and billing now vary - read providers' terms before you sign up.
How to choose, create and set modern wallpapers and ringtones that fit today's phones - formats, types, and practical tips.
Motorola's consumer walkie-talkies evolved from military tools into compact two-way radios for outdoor recreation, family use, and event coordination, offering features like VOX, NOAA alerts, rechargeable batteries, and channel/privacy controls.
Mobile phone records now include call metadata, location signals, device identifiers, and cloud backups. Carriers and cloud services hold these records; access is available to account holders and sometimes to law enforcement under legal process. Privacy laws and encryption limit what is retained or accessible.
A mid-2000s Motorola flip phone that offered EV-DO data, Bluetooth, a 1.3MP camera, and multimedia downloads through Verizon. Now a legacy device unsuited to modern 4G/5G networks.
Prepaid (pay-as-you-go) Motorola phones remain a practical choice for avoiding contracts. Modern Motorola models - from budget Moto G/E units to the revived RAZR foldable - offer current smartphone features and work with prepaid carriers and MVNOs. Buy unlocked for flexibility and check carrier compatibility for 4G/5G support.
Practical steps to compare prepaid (pay-as-you-go) phones and plans in 2025: check coverage, compare plans by use case, choose the right device, test service, and factor in customer support.
Carriers historically restricted which devices could connect to their networks. Over the past two decades, standards, LTE/5G, unlocked phones, and eSIM have widened consumer choice and clarified certification paths for third-party devices.
Prepaid (pay-as-you-go) plans remain a practical way to get mobile service without a long contract. In 2025, many prepaid options include unlimited talk/text and data tiers - but coverage, throttling, international options, and fine print vary. Compare effective cost, coverage, and device rules before you buy.
Smartphones evolved from niche gadgets to everyday tools. They enable emergency contact, navigation, photography, remote work, and more - but bring trade-offs: distraction, health questions, and variable costs. Modern designs focus on durability and connectivity.
Ringtones are now driven by apps and user-made clips rather than carrier storefronts. Learn formats (MP3, M4R), how to add tones to Android and iPhone, legal considerations, and practical tips.
Clamshell (flip) phones were once Cingular's specialty. Today the form survives in modern feature flips (LTE/KaiOS) and smartphone foldables - but many 2000s handsets won't work on current carrier networks. Check LTE/VoLTE support, battery health, and carrier locking before you buy.
Sony Ericsson combined Sony's consumer-brand strengths with Ericsson's mobile expertise to push multimedia and camera capabilities into phones. The venture evolved into Sony Mobile in 2012, and its focus on imaging helped shape today's camera-centric smartphones.
Emergency call boxes (blue-light phones, elevator phones, roadside call boxes) remain a practical safety measure. They work when phones fail, are highly visible deterrents, and now often include GPS, IP links, and solar power. Many places still use them, though some jurisdictions have reduced numbers where cellphone coverage is strong.
Donating an unused phone reconnects people, supports relief efforts, and reduces e-waste. Wipe data, include chargers, and use reputable refurbishers or recycling programs to maximize benefit and minimize environmental harm.
MicroSD cards remain a practical way to expand phone storage for photos, video, and offline media. Learn current formats, speed classes, device support, and when a card still makes sense.
Long-range cordless phones extend traditional base-and-handset systems using DECT, external antennas, repeaters, or VoIP links. They work well on farms, campuses, and inside facilities where you want local mobility without monthly cellular fees, but true long-distance operation requires additional infrastructure or network links.
A mid-2000s collaboration between Baby Phat and Nextel produced limited-edition Motorola handsets marketed as fashion accessories with jeweled trim and Nextel's Push-to-Talk. The phones are now collectible after Nextel's iDEN network was retired in 2013.