When Should You Turn Off Your Phone

Mobile phones have become an extremely essential part of our lives. So much so, that we cannot live without it evenfor a moment. However, there are certain places and situations where you would be better off without your mobile phone. Let’s see when you should turn your phone or at least put it on silent mode, so that you don’t get embarrassed, lose friends or get fired.

During a Vacation

Our fast paced lifestyle has necessitated us to be on call at all times. We are just a phone call away from work, and this makes us incapable of relaxing. Taking time out becomes extremely critical, in order to distress, relax and rejuvenate. And a vacation is the best means to do this. However, if you are still on the beck and call, you never will be able to enjoy your much deserved time 0ff. So, make sure you designate someone at work, have an handy landline number in case of emergency and give it to a very select few, and not be available for a weekend. If you have not done this yet, do it before it gets too late.

In a Meeting or Conference

Switching off the mobile phone during a vacation is important, but equally important is doing the same during a work meeting. This is the time when even a casual glance at a text message or a sudden phone call can disrupt the proceedings. Also, the microphones that are present in the conference rooms are really sensitive to the mobile signals and can cause significant disturbances which may not go well with your boss or your business partner.

In a Flight

How many of us sometimes ignore this crucial aspect when we are flying? Some of us continue to use our mobile devices without putting it on airplane mode, in order to listen to music or watch videos during the flight. Just remember that they ask you to turn your mobile phones for a reason, and by not doing so, you are not just causing a nuisance, but also endangering lives. The next time you board a flight, switch off your mobile phone, or put it on the aptly mentioned airplane mode.

While driving

This may seem to be overkill, and one may wonder why we would need to switch off our phones while driving. The most important reason being that whatever said and done, mobile phones are capable of distracting the person who is driving, and answering a call or responding to a text message can probably result in an accident. If you really want to be on the safe side, it is better to switch off your phone.

Religious places

That you need to switch off your phone when in a religious place goes without saying. However, there are still a few mobile users who deem it necessary to make themselves available while entering a place of worship. It is important to note that you may even be fined for doing this, in a few places. So, make sure you turn off your mobile phone when you step in to any religious place.

One should never lose sight of the fact that mobile phones empower us, and not enslave us. Using it the right way can make a huge difference to your lifestyle, simplifying your life and getting more out of every moment of the day.

What to look forward to in Mobile Phone Technology

When we were kids, we always used to see a future depicted with fancy gadgets and unbelievable technology. Fast forward a couple of decades and technology which we could only imagine in an episode of a “Star Trek’ or a “Jetsons” is now literally at our finger tips. Let us take a look at the new technologies that are redefining our lives by changing the way we communicate.

Video Calling

If just making voice calls on your phone is not enough for you, then get ready to evolve to the next new wave of communication – Video Calling. Dual cameras are becoming a standard feature across mobile phones, and with the advent of high speed data access via 3G, it’s just a matter of time that video calling will become a frequently used feature. This is just getting one step closer to the time when a smart phone will truly replace the laptop. Just remember to be not just at your best behavior but also in your best clothes before making that video call.

Seamless VoIP Integration

Many of us have used the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology on our computers, when we talk to someone on Skype, Google Voice and any such software. However, this technology is now being integrated into your mobile phone, using the WI-FI feature. Just imagine, you can log onto your Skype or Google account from your phone, and make an international call as long as you are connected to a WI-FI network such as at your house, work or a public hotspot. All this, without paying a single rupee. Using WI-FI to access the Internet on mobile handsets is rapidly emerging as an alternative to phone networks as customers look for ways to save money and carriers grapple with the issue of network congestion. Even if you don’t have 3G, the WI-FI feature helps you to get online and access high speed internet quickly and cost efficiently.

Location-Based Awareness

A location-based mobile platform makes cities easier to use and more interesting to explore. By “checking in” via a smart phone app or SMS, users share their location with friends while collecting points and virtual badges. It guides real-world experiences by allowing users to bookmark information about venues that they want to visit and surfacing relevant suggestions about nearby venues. Merchants and brands leverage the foursquare platform by utilizing a wide set of tools to obtain, engage, and retain customers and audiences. You can also see where your friends are and share your location in the real world. You can check into a particular place and tell your friends where you are, tag your friends in the places you visit, and view comments your friends have made about the places you visit. Use location based check-in to experience connecting with people on social networks in a completely new way.

The rapid pace at which technology is changing makes it possible to not just communicate better, but also at a lesser cost. While the above technology is becoming fairly commonplace in countries where the telecom sector is more evolved, it is yet to catch on in India. However, there is no doubt that this is something that we should be ready for.

Five things to look out for while buying a midrange phone

A mobile phone is not just a voice communication tool, but an extension of our lifestyle. It is perhaps the last instrument that we use before hitting the bed, and the first one, when we wake up – sometimes, it is the one who we depend on to wake us up. So, for those whose needs from a cell phone are beyond just making a simple call, or sending a SMS, there are a wide range of phones which are available. Let us have a look at some of the essential features of a mid range phone.

Pc Sync – Backup

One of the worst things that can happen to a mobile phone user is losing his contacts, photos and other important files on his instrument. This can happen because of a multitude of reasons, say due to water damage (see our feature on Rain Proofing your Mobile Phone) or in case your phone is lost or stolen (Read Securing and backing up your phone). One of the safest ways is to ensure that your phone is always backed up, and you have a copy of your important files and contacts on your computer. Any decent midrange phone would have the minimal capabilities to do this, so that you know that you can get back to having your new phone up and running in no time.

Good Multimedia Capabilities

Since your phone is more than just a communication tool, you will definitely require some enhanced multimedia options which let you watch complete movies in multiple formats, and listen to your favorite music whether on the radio or your own personal music collection. Some of the features you may want to look out for on your phone is a player which supports a variety of formats. It should also have a generous internal memory and an expandable memory card slot which will let you take almost your entire music collection with you on the move. Look out for features such as A2DP Bluetooth connectivity which let you listen to music via a Bluetooth stereo headset. You can find a complete list of must have features in this post on Six Features to Look Out for in a Music Phone.

Options To Harness The Power Of The Internet

Your midrange mobile phone should allow you to go take ‘keeping in touch’ to new heights. You should be able to efficiently surf the internet using built-in browsers, and stay connected with family and friends on your favorite instant messenger. For a complete feature set on what you should be able to achieve from your new phone, read effectively manage E-mail, Instant Messaging and Web Surfing on the go.

Snapping Memories

One of the most important features that your mid range phone should possess is not just an average, but a good camera. Look for phones which have at least a two megapixel camera. Most phones in this category also have options to edit the photos in your phone, share them via Bluetooth and email and also different modes to enable shooting good photos whether in bright sunlight or in the night. To know how to shoot photographs like a pro using just your cell phone camera, check out Five Tips to take the Best Photos on your Cell Phone.

Additional Features

Apart from the above essential phones, many phones, depending on their make and model come with a slew of features such as Dual – SIM, Marathon Battery, Voice Recorder, Torchlight and more. Make sure to read our post on Five Things to Look Out For While Buying a Budget Phone and ensure that the you get the features to look for in a budget phone in addition to the ones to look out for in a mid range phone.

The line between midrange mobile phones and entry level high end phones is blurring fast and a phone with the above feature set will ensure that you are up to date with the technology has to offer.

Q-127 a premier medium budget mobile phone from the house of Accord Mobiles

Accord Q155–Going Back To Our Customers

With less than a year since the launch of Accord Mobiles in the medium to premier mobile segment in the country, the growth that the company has seen is nothing less than phenomenal. In a market flooded with international brands tied in cut throat competition, where new entrants were doomed by all marketing experts, Accord can now proudly declare that it has arrived on the telecommunication scene in India. And at Accord Mobiles we attribute this success to our customers, who defying the commonly held predispositions about brand affinity, gave a new and relatively lesser known company a shot. To understand and analyze the experience of our valued customers, Accord Mobiles reached out to one of our very first clients, who like thousands of other Accord Mobile phone users prioritized quality, value, and cost effectiveness over the sheen of multinational brand names.

Mohit Lal Chandani is the Business Development Head at Bharat Shikha, a Delhi based NGO that provides vocational training and employment assistance to the relatively backward sections of the community. Mohit procured an Accord Q-155 in July last year, and can be reached on his personal email at mohit.lal[at]gmail.com.

Accord Mobiles: When you set out for your search for a quality smart phone, what exactly were you on the lookout for?

Mohit: To be fairly honest, my search started for a phone with good bouquet of features, and not exactly a smart phone. As per my perception of the market back then, I believed the smart phone bracket to be way above the reach of an average middle class Indian consumer.

Accord Mobiles: What was your reaction on getting a glimpse of Accord Q155?

Mohit: My first reaction was of surprise! I was slightly taken aback on seeing a smart phone with a price tag lesser than that of a conventional multimedia mobile phone.

Accord Mobiles: So you must have had your set of apprehensions. What were they?

Mohit: Yes, like most consumers, I did have my set of doubts about the product. Moreover, the price of the product added to my apprehensions. For a while, I believed it to be one of those quick-e-mart phones that look good, but barely deliver in terms of value and durability.

Accord Mobiles: So what made you change your mind?

Mohit: My perception about the phone changed as soon as I got it in my hand. A solid, sturdy make with elegant designing and colors got my attention fixed on it. On top of this, the feature that absolutely turned the tables for accord was its simple yet intuitive interface. For customers like me, who are fairly new to the concept of smart phones, it took little over few minutes to gain a certain degree of confidence about its interface, and I was able to guide my way flawlessly through its features.

In addition to its interface, features like dual sim, 1.3MP camera, Opera mini browser, social networking support, E-Mail support, and MP3 music player that till then were prerogatives of expensive, high end phones was a major draw for Q155.

However despite of all its features, the durability and reliability of the product was still a concern at the back of my mind.

Accord Mobiles: Despite your concerns about its durability and reliability, what was the clinching point for Accord Q155?

Mohit: I believe my past experience with my previous phone had played a big part in it. I was using one of the premium QWERTY multimedia phones from a reputed, international brand. Despite the immense brand value and reputation, my phone failed to deliver on its promises. The experience was dotted by frequent trips to the service centers for maintenance visits. When I was eventually fed up by my phone and decided to change, I calculated if I have to take a risk, why not do it at a quarter of the price quoted by other manufacturers. I did enquire about the durability and maintenance support of Accord from the retailer and received a very positive feedback from the technical personal.

I can now gladly say that I made the right choice.

Accord Mobiles: Your feedback for readers who are considering investing in Accord mobiles…

Mohit: I, personally, am extremely satisfied by my phone. And for customers who are still in grey like I was, before making the purchase, I can assure them that they will not be disappointed by Accord.

Accord Mobiles: Do you have any expectations from Accord in the coming years?

Mohit: With the flood of touch screen smart phones in the market, I would like to see Accord’s take on the segment. It will be interesting to see how Accord, without compromising on the functionality and experience of touch screen phones, can bring these devices into the budget of an average Indian consumer.

Accord Mobiles: Thank you so much for your support, Mohit. I am sure Accord Mobiles will stand true to your expectations time and again.

On this note, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to thousands of other Accord mobile owners like Mohit who defied the market trend and placed their faith in our products. Truly, Accord Mobiles would have remained only a mere concept without your unfaltering support and trust.

Dual Battery Phones to the Rescue

With killer features such as multimedia, dual SIM, FM Radio, Bluetooth, GPRS etc becoming very common in a mobile phone, it is easy to understand why the phone has become an indispensable part of our lives. However, these features take a heavy toll on a mobile phone’s battery. Mobile phones are increasingly becoming power hungry. How many times have we wished that our batteries would last longer, so that we could finish that one important call? It can be really annoying to carry a charger to ensure that we are always available. The solution is to go for a mobile phone with a “Dual Battery”. A dual battery mobile phone has a regular high performance battery, but unlike in regular phones, it also has a lower capacity internal battery (which in itself can last for at least 5 hours). The internal and external battery have their own status indicator, and when you charge the mobile phone, the external battery starts charging, once the internal battery is fully charged. This way, the technology ensures that your emergency battery is always available on standby. Read on to know how a mobile phone with a dual battery can boost productivity in your life.

Traveling

The most important concern while traveling is that batteries don’t last. While on roaming, the mobile phone constantly checks for new networks and this takes a heavy toll on the battery. It is a common sight to see a long queue in trains around the charging outlets, which are mostly inadequate. These are the times when one wished we had spare batteries, so that we don’t waste our time over the charging outlets, but continue to enjoy the benefits the mobile provides. A dual battery phone does exactly that. It provides you with an inbuilt spare battery which should comfortably last till the end of the trip.

Emergency Calls

When things go wrong, they tend to go really wrong. Murphy’s Law has been proved time and again. It is easily possible for a person to be stranded in the middle of nowhere and not have access to his mobile phone because it ran out of battery. While this in itself is not a cause of concern, just consider the fact that he/she cannot place a call from a local phone booth simply because they have no access to their contacts and do not remember important phone numbers. These are the kind of situations where a phone with a dual battery would have come to the rescue.

The Novelty Factor

Remember the time when you could proudly display a dual SIM phone and surprise your friends and colleagues? Well, those days are long gone, however, with a dual battery phone, you can surely impress the people around you. Apart from the novelty factor, these phones are usually very sturdy and designed to last really long.

So, go ahead, and check out Accord Q155, the latest dual battery phone from Accord and never worry about running out of charge or carrying a travel charger again.

Six Features to Look Out for in a Music Phone

A mobile phone is not only a device to stay in touch with the rest of the world but also an instrument which lets you connect to oneself, and there can be no better way to connect to oneself than to listen to music. Let us see are the most important features that a mobile phone MUST have to be considered a music player.

3.5 mm jack

Imagine having to carry along an adapter to be able to listen to music with your favourite earphones and not with the (mostly) boring ones which come along with the phones. Adapters are a real pain and the most important feature of a good music phone is a 3.5 mm jack on which you can directly plug in your earphones and start listening to music right away.

Built – in FM transmitter

Today, most phones come with a built-in FM transmitter (Thought they require you to plug in the earphones). However, it is best to double check this important feature before purchasing your phone. Also, see how good the quality of the signal reception is and the ease with which you can scan for radio channels, store them and have one touch access to your favourite radio stations.

Support for Stereo Bluetooth

When you really want to enjoy your music, you’ll want to hear it in stereo. And that means the phone should have the ability to connect with a Bluetooth-enabled speakers or stereo headphones — different than the Bluetooth headsets used for making hands-free calls. You may use Bluetooth occasionally for transferring files to your friend’s phone and so forth. However, if your phone supports stereo Bluetooth, get ready to get hooked – wirelessly. A stereo Bluetooth is different from that with which you just make boring calls. This one lets you listen to music, and of course, also lets you make calls. Look out for a phone which supports A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) so that you can experience true wireless music listening.

Music Formats

While MP3 is the standard format for music, look out for a phone which is not just able to play MP3 but also various other format such as WMA and AAC. Make sure the phone you want will be able to play the music you have or want

Battery Life

The sooner you accept the fact that your phone will not last as long as it usually does, when you start listening to a lot of music, you will understand the significance of a powerful battery faster. In order to make sure that your phone does not run out of juice during the most crucial moments, you should consider having a spare battery with you. Other options are to go for a phone with a dual battery. That will ensure that you never miss that most important call.

Support for External Storage

You will be surprised how fast your phone will run out of space once you start storing music. A typical MP3 music file occupies around 5 MB of space and even if you have just 30 songs, your phone’s internal memory will not be enough. Go for a phone which supports external SD/Micro SD so that you never run out of space.

Keeping these factors in mind, it’s time to dump the portable music player or give it to some young cousin and start enjoying the benefits of your music phone. And just in case if you’re on the lookout for a music phone that has all these features you should check out Q155, a swanky new phone from Accord, fully loaded with a top class music player, camera and many more features.