Be wary of your mobile spend

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Authority (AMTA) has issued a warning to consumers about premium mobile phone & SMS services.

Most premium services offer entertainment, news, games, competitions as well as other content such as ringtones, wallpapers and information services. They usually cost more than standard SMS messages and are often featured in magazine advertisements, on television and on the internet.

AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, warns it is crucial that consumers are fully aware of what they are signing up to; and that people should ensure that they check the fine print of any offer before signing up.

Some questions Chris advises you should always ask:

• How do you opt out or cancel the subscription?
• Is it a one-off cost or are you signing up to the ongoing cost of a subscription service?
• If it is a subscription service, is there a minimum term?
• How does the pricing work?
• Are you paying to receive calls and messages as well as send them?
• What is the total cost of the service?

More info:
AMTA: Consumer alert
AMTA: Premium content sending mixed messages

Other charges and billing problems

Of course, it’s not just these types of unexpected charges that are making the news these days.

We also have children accidentally running up exorbitant bills; call charges for above the cap limits - and the iPhone dramas of 300 page bills, $4,954 bills; unexpected data charges for what you thought was “free” or capped net surfing - let alone the roaming charges fiasco. You only need to see how many videos are on YouTube about it.

The AMTA and ACMA websites have heaps of information to help you control your spending, how to avoid “surprises” and other helpful tips.

Of course, keeping an eye on your own bills online is always a very handy tip for your mobile phone spend.

Aside of course from avoiding late night tv ads

Low on Power?

Never get caught with a flat iPod or iPhone battery again. That’s where the DLO PowerPack will come in handy!

What’s in the DLO PowerPack?

• an iPod to USB cable,
• a USB to AC wall charger,
• a USB to 12 volt Auto Charger

- for all your charging needs.

Where can you use?

Handy for travellers - plug in whilst in the car and arrive at your destination fully charged.  Also great in the office or just as a back-up at home.

For use with iPod video, iPod classic, iPod nano, iPhone, iPhone 3G
- and of course any other USB charging devices such as your mobile phone or other MP3 digital music players.

Order yours now

Where? Online here: DLO PowerPack for iPod / iPhone

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LG Viewty 5MP camera mobile phone competition

New competition and date deadline

To promote the new LG Viewty (with 5MP camera), enter LG’s competition for your chance to win:

• A trip for two ‘Around the World’
• Three nights accommodation in each stopover city
• Your own LG Viewty
• $2,000 spending cash

“How can I win?” you ask

It’s easy.  To enter, head to LG VIEWTY competition

Answer in 25 words or less “why you deserve to view the world through Viewty”

Competition open until 29 August 2008

Good luck!

Want to know more about the LG Viewty?

Read review of the LG Viewty now

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Mobile phone help, tips, information and more

We’re always on the look out for handy tips for mobile phones - for the punters, or from the punters…

Here’s some we’ve pulled together over time:

• ACMA: Beware of mobile phone scams
• How to Protect your Stolen phone - and identity
• Make your Own Phone covers
• Choosing the Right Mobile Phone and plan
• Managing your monthly mobile spend
• Lost and Stolen mobiles - and prevention of
• AMTA: Known scams and spams
• Extend your mobile phone battery

Where to find more handy tips?

Know any other good tips we can share with readers?

If so, please let us know in comments below.

(This post will be updated each time we add more tips)

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Related:
- Handy Tips for iPods, iPhone
- Handy Tips for Digital Cameras and Photography

Addiction of any sort is a sickness that can take over your mind and body.

We’ve spoken about it on here before, whether it’s Internet Addiction or the fast rising problem of Blackberry addiction already, including to the extent that there has been a rise in thumb surgery because of it. Hmmm.

That level of addiction is not just for the Blackberry user however. There was a the shocking story last week about two Spanish children who were actually institutionalised to be treated for mobile phone addiction, as the Telegraph UK reports:

Their parents became concerned that the children, aged 12 and 13, were unable to carry out normal activities without their handsets. They were failing at school and deceiving relatives in an attempt to obtain more money for phone cards.

So, although addiction is not usually something to be taken lightly… when Michael of BBGeeks contacted us with a new commercial-like video they have made about Blackberry addiction, I thought I should share it (below).

Beware - along with seeing the effects of blackberry addiction, you’ll also see a little “crackberry” (slight nudity). It is meant to be light-hearted so please don’t watch if you will be offended.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

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