I'm lucky because I need a PDA for work. Most people don't feel like paying the money for the elaborate devices or forking up extra cash for internet access. But now there are a number of free programs and services out there that offer the same functions the Treo offers, and the word is getting out. Here is a list of some of the services I have used over the past year or two which have saved me many a nickel and dime, recently discussed in the New York Times:
→ Instead of paying $1 or $2 for calling 411 (information), you can call 800-FREE-411 (800-373-3411). A computer or human being looks up a number for you at no charge, once you’ve listened to a 20-second ad.
→ For an ad-free option, send a text message to 46645. This service is provided free by Google. In the body of the message, type what you’re looking for, like “Roger McBride 10025” or “chiropractor dallas tx.” Seconds later, you get a return message from Google, complete with the name, address, and phone number. It can also send you the weather report (in the body, type, for example, “weather sacramento”), stock quotes (“amzn”), where a movie is showing nearby (type “flushed away 44120”), what a word means (“define schadenfreude”), driving directions (“miami fl to 60609”), unit conversions (“liters in 5 gallons”), currency conversions (“25 usd in euros”), and so on. Your cell service usually charges you ten cents or so to send a text message, but Google's service is free.
→ You can also do info searches by voice by dialing 800-555-TELL (800-555-8355). You are then promted to say "Travel," "Traffic," "News Center," "Stock Quotes," and so on. The system figures out your location and automatically factors that in when you ask for "Movies," "Restaurants," "Driving directions" or "Taxi."
→ You can call internationally for the same price as a regular cellphone call by dialing 712-858-8883; Simply press 1 for English, then punch in 011, the country code and the phone number. You can find country codes here.
→ For easy, free voice messages try Pinger. You call an access number and leave your message and the other person can hear it and reply with one keystroke. No dialing in voicemail passwords, listening to instructions, etc.
→ For another variation on voicemail, YouMail operates like your regular voicemail, but with more options. For example, it allows you to record a separate greeting for everyone you know. Kinda cool. It's free for now, but will probably have ads thrown in soon.
→ Finally, as Christmas Shopping Season nears, you might want to try dialing 888-363-7822 when you find a product you like. When prompted, plug in the bar code on the package, and after a brief ad, you will be provided with a description of the product and the prices from three sample online stores. Just so you know you're not getting ripped off.
cheers!
