WSVN -- You talk: "Let's meet at eight."
You text, you listen to tunes, but did you know there are secrets in your cell phone that could save you time and money?
411 Operator: "What city and state, please?"
Phoning 411 can get pretty pricey.
Customer: "I don't enjoy it, which is why I don't use it as much, because it's too much money."
But we've got the 411 for you, for free: Simply dial 1-800-FREE-411.
FREE 411 Operator: "Welcome to 1-800-FREE-411."
You just have to get past a pre-recorded ad first.
Tired of wasting precious cell minutes dealing with those automated operators?
Automated Operator: "For a list of security and checking procedures, press three."
"You have to push one and then two and then four and then 10 and zero, and then you keep on pushing, and you don't have a human voice."
Nophonetrees.com eliminates the battle and gets you talking to a human without the frustrating wait.
"You don't have to do any of the navigation on your own."
Just click on the company you want to call and leave your number. You go on to doing other things and the website calls you back.
"Press pound to be connected, and you'll be in the phone cue."
Looking to touch base with friends anywhere in the country?
Randy Corke: "Anyone can pick up a phone and get a bunch of people on a call together at once for free."
Foonz.com, created by three Massachusetts smarties, is an easy way to stay connected. Sign up on-line, set up contact list and get what's called a Foonz number for free.
When you are ready to conference in your peeps, dial into Foonz, and they'll instantly blast out a text message to everybody on your buddy list, telling them to call in.
Randy Corke: "No codes, no planning, nothing."
Freeconferencecall.com also gets you connected to a group for free. Sign-up for a special number and access code, then everyone calls into that number to chat.
Your cell phone can also be a lifesaver.
Did you know in an emergency you can dial 911 from any cell phone, even if the keypad is locked?
Joseph Farren: "There's an FCC regulation which requires every phone, regardless if it has service or not, as long as that phone is charged, it will still reach 911 operators."
Traveling abroad? In most European countries, 112 is the number to know. That connects you to their version of 911. Unfortunately, it does not work on every cell service, so check first.
With these techie tricks now you can unlock some of the secrets of your cell phone.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Randy Corke
www.foonz.com
Joseph Farren
CTIA - The Wireless Association
www.freeconferencecall.com
www.nophonetrees.com
