Cells for Cells

Recycle Cell Phones to Help Families Battling Cancer

Moblie Phone Tips, Tricks & News

How to Clear my Blackberry in less than 5 minutes

by

When it comes to securing or erasing data on your cell phone, you are best served by a quick google search on how to do it yourself.

Most recycling firms (Cells for Cells included) have a generic policy along the lines of “We recommend that you erase all personal information before recycling your phone with (INSERT recycling company name). (Insert recycling company name) takes reasonable efforts to remove any personal data/information from phones collected through our recycling program before we refurbish, reuse or resale your device. However, to fully protect your privacy, it is best for you to remove all personal information before donating your phone.”

Cells for Cells is now pursuing a relationship with a third party that offers certification for the destruction of non-reusable cell phones. [Those are the cell phones that are very old or very damaged that can not be refurbished and put back into use.] I’ll post updates as they occur.

If you happen to own a Blackberry 7100 (or any Blackberry) that you are prepping to donate, here is video showing how it takes less than 5 minutes to clear all of your personal information.

Inside info on the HTC G1 and more phones from TMobile

by

I have a very good friend, former Cells for Cells HERO and strong supporter of CFC, Jeff Pickerell, who works at T-Mobile in Kansas. He had a very strong recommendation to wait for some new phones from T-Mobile that will be coming out after the HTC G1.

I love T-Mobile and have always been happy with their service and especially their customer service. I was very happy to hear they were finally providing a data plan with 3G.

I currently use the old Moto Razr V3. I love how thin it is. And that really is the only feature that is keeping it in my pocket. I totally want to upgrade – I feel like I am missing the boat as this world moves toward mobility.

I also played with the iPhone for the first time and have been following Kevin Rose on his blog as he samples different apps for the iPhone. (Brilliant marketing by Apple, btw.)

The first “review” I ran into was the following from Gadget Labs at Wired.com. There is some PG language.

This review makes me just a tiny nervous about moving to the G1; but the guys at Gadget Labs seem a tiny bit biased. Hmmm?

So I did a little bit more looking and found a very solid review that compares the G1 to the iPhone. Seth Porges at Popular Mechanics does a great job with the comparison of the two devices.

Thank you, Seth, for some great insight. Now I feel empowered to move away from my ancient Moto Razr into this new world mobility.

/screech to a halt sound / but Jeff tells me to wait. T-Mobile is coming out with “a ton” of new phones with touch screens and 3G and 10MP cameras. So if you love T-Mobile, Google, and Android, you will have some very exciting choices to make in the very near future.

I wonder if we’ll have some phones to recycle after all of these launches.

I lost my cell phone at the Sprint Center: What to do if. . .

by


(Photo: insert screen name here)


So, you lost your phone at the Sprint Center in Kansas City? Well, there is good news for you! According to the Sprint Center Security Department, you have about a 90% chance of getting your cell phone back. First of all, you have to remember at what event you last had your cell phone. Was it after a Kansas City Brigade game? Was it after a concert?

After you take a deep breath, realize that 90% is a really great number. Here are the steps to take:

  1. Call the Sprint Center 816-949-7100
  2. Ask for the security office – they run the lost-and-found
  3. Provide a description of your phone
  4. If they have your lost cell phone, you’ll be able to stop in the VIP entrance off of Grand during their business hours 9 am – 4 pm M-F. [Sprint Center Directions and Parking]
  5. Be prepared to show your driver’s license or photo id
  6. You’ll fill out a simple “property claim” card
  7. You’ve got your cell phone back


Additionally, if you’ve lost other items like your jacket, shirt, wallet or camera, you can follow these same steps. Chances are in your favor that you will get your lost item back.

One more thing that will help keep you cool and calm – the Sprint Center security personnel are great on the phone. I spoke to the security offices twice and they have been helpful, polite, thorough, and professional. Put all of that together and you have a wonderful lost-and-found policy at the Sprint Center.

To everyone that I have spoken to at the Sprint Center: “Great Job!” You are impressive and commendable.

Now, check out these great shows coming up at the Sprint Center. And if your cell phone pops out of your pocket while you are enjoying your event, you will know what to do.

World’s Smallest Cell Phone: Could it be the future of Communication?

by

You have got to check this out: It is the world’s smallest cell phone. This is the link to Modu Mobile’s website.

The phone is as small as a matchbox or a stereo remote control – and it is so versatile. It appears to function as the “brains” that powers your other electronics: car/home stereo, mobile phone, gps device, handheld games, etc. The coolness factor is off the charts. I can’t wait to “recycle” our first one.

If you happen to come across one and can “donate” it, we would love to play with it.

Here’s the vid:

The End of Analog Cell Phone Service

by

Here are two informative articles about the end Analog Cell phone service:

PC WORLD: Most Analog Cellular to Fade Away Next Week

The biggest U.S. mobile operators, AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless, will close down their analog networks on Monday.
Stephen Lawson, IDG News Service
Thursday, February 14, 2008 12:00 PM PST

Gizmodo: The Analog Cellphone Timeline

As of today, the analog cellphone is no more. Here’s the complete timeline of its development, since Greece in 490BC to February 18, 2008, the day in which networks are no longer obligated to provide with analog cellphone coverage.