The cell phone has made it a thing of the past. For the most part you would be right, however, you cannot say that everyone in the world has a cell phone. So calling cards would be good for those people. For the rest of us that do have cell phones, the international phone cards have adapted to our new way of life. When you use the phone cards on your cell phone the money goes to the cell phone company, and you do not use up any of your minutes. This is perfect if you have used up all your minutes, and you do not want to spend more money on getting time to talk. Of course, you have to make sure that the prepaid phone cards work with your cell phone company. This is because some will and some will not. It is always better to check, just to be sure.

When you go out to buy one of the many phone cards on the market you may want to start your search online. Sure you can buy phone cards in just about any store, but you can get a better deal online. That is right I said better deal. Lots of times when you buy phone cards you can get more money added to the card for free. These are just special offers that you have to look for. That is why shopping online is the best. You can go on there, and compare deals to see who is going to give you the most money on the card for the least amount of your own money.

Like a lot of places have a deal when you buy 20 bucks worth of time on a phone card you get 5 bucks free. That is just a great deal that is going to be hard for anyone to pass up. Of course, some deals are better, and some are worse; but if you keep your eyes open and look online, you have a better chance of finding the calling card for you. Do not spend more time looking for gifts that they will not like, get them a phone card and see how happy they get.

The Asus Lamborghini ZX1, pictured below, features Windows Mobile 6.1. ASUS is busy applying the finishing touches to a new user interface for the Asus ZX1 and other upcoming handsets. Unfortunately, as with all Windows Mobile themes and skins, it’ll simply cover up a largely cumbersome operating system.

The phone provides HSDPA; built-in GPS; a 2.8in, 240×320 TFT screen; and 256MiB of Flash memory. Not exactly mind blowing but it does say Lamborghini on the front and has the same sharp engines you’d expect to find on a Lamborghini Murcielago.

Though CeBIT doesn’t officially start until tomorrow, we managed to get a little hands-on time and immediately found a few things to moan about. Most importantly, the Asus ZX1 just doesn’t give you the thrill you’d hope for when you’ve a Lamborghini in your hands. Maybe a bright-yellow paint job would help?

Second, the phone’s main navigation tool, a circle placed inside a Lamborghini triangle, is overly awkward to use. It’s round but it doesn’t feel that way. It’s hard to explain, so just imagine a Skoda steering wheel in a Gallardo - that’s right, just plain awkward.

Still, if you’ve a lot of money to spare and, preferably, a real Lambo on the driveway, the Asus ZX1 may appeal big-time - it can be yours in May. And, if you really want to flash the cash, there will be an abundance of accessories. Below are just a few that ASUS had on show today.

Source: Lifestyle.hexus.net

So what is the best way to beat the system? Well I cannot really call it beating the system, but you could always get a phone card. This is a card that you put a set amount of money on, and then use it to make your long distance calls. Now sure you are still paying for the long distance calls, but you are putting a limit to how much money you are going to spend. This way there are no hidden fees at the end of the month on your phone bill. Everyone has to make long distance calls at one point or the other so a calling card could make a good gift. I am not saying that a phone card is perfect for everyone, but it could be a step in the right direction. Who knows you could end up saving a lot of money by using them. Also, you will save a lot of friends by not making them pick up your bill for the long distance calls.

Now when you are thinking about buying these cards the best thing you can do is look for a great place to buy the cards. Now, unless you just hate using the internet, I think that you should get them online. Buying them in a store is fine too, but after you pay for gas to drive around you are spending way to much money on it. A lot of times calling cards can be shipped to your house free of charge.

Let me just say again, calling cards are not going to be right for everyone. They do have their weak points as well. Like if you run out of money on one of them during a phone call they cut the call off. Now if it is just a friend, that is fine, you can tell him about it later. What if it turned out to be a big time business call? Then you would have a hard time talking your way out of that one. So make sure that a calling card is right for you before you go out and buy one. You may be happy you did.

Questioning whether buttons are too small, the loudspeaker too quiet or the menu systems too confusing, the company, Emporia, has launched a range of phones for the older customer.

“Customers should be offered information instead of multiple functions”

says company founder Albert Fellner.

“Large buttons, an easy-to-read display, a loudspeaker that is compatible with hearing aids and simple menu navigation is what we do.”

There are five phones in the range; the emporia LIFE, the emporia LIFEplus, emporia TIME, emporia TIMEplus, and the emporiaTALK. The emporia LIFE will have an emergency call function to let you call for help and five preset numbers will be automatically dialled. As not to confuse, the “Settings” menu item can be blocked.

The emporia LIFEplus is the same, however menu items can be operated with a slide switch…

The emporia TIME doesn’t feature a menu, plus there is an extra button for alarm clock adjustment so, say the company, to remind you to take medication. The emporia TIMEplus is the same as above but has a pull-out phonebook drawer. Finally there is the emporiaTALK that features an extra-loud speaker, no menu and all functions are reduced to the bare essentials.

About the Emporia Life Plus:

Emporia are the first company that have made a mobile phone specifically for the elderly. The Austrian designed emporia life plus mobile phone has acknowledged that the elderly have difficulties using mobile phones and have come up with this basic mobile, the life phone. A lot of elderly people have difficulty using even simple mobile phones because manufacturers dont make a big button mobile phone or large button mobile phone also many older people have failing eyesight or loss of hearing so now emporia have made the emporia life that is a simple to use mobile phone that has features to help senior citizens whos eyesight and hearing have deteriorated.

Emporia official site: emporialifeplus.com