There are so many things that you can use your phone for these days without even saying a word. You can authorize bank transactions with your phone. You pay bills with your phone. You renew your prescriptions. You can take and send photos with your phone. You play games with your phone. You play music on your phone.

But did you ever think about playing music with your phone, just by using the number pad? Each number has its own tone of course. It is just a matter of recognizing the musical notes those number tones correspond to. We’ve listed ten familiar tunes that you can play on your phone, just by using the dial pad numbers.

1. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star – Most of us learned this little song when we were toddlers. It is also one that many can play on the piano. Now you can play it on your phone. Here’s your music:

1 1 9 9 # # 9 6 6 3 3 2 2 1      9 9 6 6 3 3 2 9 9 6 6 3 3 2     1 1 9 9 # # 9 6 6 3 3 2 2 1

2. London Bridges – Another one that many of us sang and played when we were young. You needed at least three people, two to make the bridge and sing the song, and one to go under your arms that made the bridge.

9 # 9 6 3 6 9 2 3 6     3 6 9 9 # 9 6 3 6 9     2 9 3 1

3. Jingle Bells – When the Christmas season comes along. You can provide the accompaniment for caroling by playing this little song on your dial pad.

1 9 6 3 1 1 1 1 9 6 3     2 2 9 6 3 2 # # 9 6 9      1 9 6 3 1 1 9 6 3 2 1
1 6 3 2 9 9 9 9 # 9 6 3 2     6 6 6 6 6 6 6 9 2 3 6      9 9 9 9 9 6 6 6 6 6 3 3 6 3 9
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 9 2 3 6     9 9 9 9 9 6 6 6 6 # # 9 3 1

4. When the Saints Come Marching In – For Mardi Gras, of course, you’ll want to have this one memorized. You can entertain yourself as you wait expectantly for the festivities to begin.

1 3 6 9 1 3 6 9     1 3 6 9 3 1 3 2     3 3 2 1 1 2 9 9 9 6     3 6 9 3 2 2 1

5. Love Me Tender – If you’re an Elvis fan, then you’ll definitely want to learn this one.

1 6 3 6 9 2 9 6 3 2 3 6
Love me tender Love me sweet Never let me go
1 6 3 6 9 2 9 6 3 2 3 6
You have made my life complete And I love you so

6. The Alphabet Song – If you are helping your preschooler learn the alphabet, you could learn to play the tune for them on your phone. Here it is.

1  1  9  9 # # 9     6  6 3 3  2  2  2  2  1    9  9  6 3  3  2 9 9 9 6  3 3 2
A B C D E F G   H I J K L M N O P      Q R S T U V W X Y and Z
1 1 9 9 # # 9 6 6 3 3 2 2 1
Now I know my A B Cs Next time won’t you sing with me

7. Itsy Bitsy Spider – Another fun childhood song. This one, of course, had motions to go along with it. Now you can play the song on the phone, as your kids do the motions.

1 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 2 1 2 3 1    3 3 6 9 9 6 3 6 9 3    1 1 2 3 3 2 1 2 3 1      1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 2 1 2 3 1

8. Auld Lang Syne – If you start practicing this right after Christmas, you should be fully prepared to impress your friends on New Years Eve by providing the musical notes to this traditional tune.

8 4 4 4 6 8 4 8 9 1 4 3 9 #

9. Frere Jacques – This fun little French tune is another old favorite that has a fun little sound to it.

1 2 3 1   1 2 3 1   3 6 9    3 6 9    9 * 9 6 3 1    9 * 9 6 3 1    1 1 1   1 1 1

10.  We Wish You a Merry Christmas – Here’s one more traditional holiday tune to add to your repertoire.

1 3 3 6 3 2 1 1 1 4 4 6 4 3 2 1 1 9 9 # 9 6
3 1 1 1 1 6 2 3
1 3 3 3 2 2 3 2 1 1 6 9 6 6 3 3 #
1 1 1 1 6 1 2

Perhaps after a little bit of practice, you’ll be writing your own ‘phone tunes’.

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We carry our cell phones with us everywhere today. They are our constant companion and link to friends and family. We don’t memorize people’s phone numbers anymore. We don’t have to. We simply program them into our cell phone memory, and they are always available when we need to make a call.

Unfortunately, because we carry them with us everywhere, we easily misplace them. When we do, we panic. Even if we have the phone locked, so it can’t be used, we have lost our list of phone numbers programmed into the phone. We will also need to pay for a replacement in most cases.

One way to prevent this from happening is to simply be aware of the most common ways that people lose their cell phones, so that you can be especially careful in those situations.

1. Coat pockets. Carrying your cell phone in your coat pocket can be very convenient. It can easily be pulled out to answer a call. There’s no need for a clip to attach it to your belt or the need to carry a purse. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common ways that cell phones are lost. Usually, a person bends over and the phone slides out onto the ground or a carpeted floor, without the owner even noticing that the phone has escaped the confines of their coat pocket. Because they don’t hear it fall out, they also don’t know where to look for it.
2. Purses. You would think that a purse would be a safe place to keep your cell phone, and in most cases it is. Many purses now have a special cell phone pocket on the outside, especially designed to give you easy access to your phone. These perfect little pockets with velcro fasteners have one problem, they don’t always stay fastened. This means that your cell phone can easily slip out of its pocket, just like the coat pocket, and disappear without you realizing it.
3. Car tops. Purses, laundry detergent, even babies in car seats, have been left sitting on top of cars when the driving leaves their parking spot. The same is true for cell phones. If your cell phone is in your hand, it is easy to sit it on top of your car as you unlock the car door, and then forget that you put it there. Even if you do find the cell phone afterwards, it usually won’t be in very good shape after taking that tumble off the car roof.
4. Restaurant booths. It is a common thing to use your cell phone while dining in a restaurant and set it down on the table or on the bench of a booth. The booths tend to be the greater culprit of lost cell phones than the table, because the cell phone is less likely to be seen as you get up from the table than if it was sitting on top of the table.
5. Waiting rooms. Because waiting rooms are a common place for people to use their cell phones, phones often get set down on a chair or side table and left behind, when the person’s name is called.
6. School lockers. Leaving your cell phone locked in your school locker would seem like a safe place, but unfortunately it is not. This situation is actually one of a stolen phone, not a lost phone, but the result is the same.
7. No pockets. Carrying a cell phone around in your hand because you don’t have a pocket to put it in, puts you at an even greater risk of losing your cell phone. It is just too easy to set the phone down for a moment and forget to pick it back up again.
8. Changing rooms. Cell phones often are left behind in department store changing rooms. The phone either falls out of a pocket as clothes are being changed, or gets set down on the bench. Since the person’s focus is on other things at the moment, it is easy for the phone to be overlooked.
9. Buses. Whether it is school buses or city transit buses, this is another place that cell phones often escape their owners, landing either in the crevice of the seat or on the floor underneath another seat.
10. Couches. The couch has been known for collecting objects underneath its cushions for as long as it has been around. If you need some loose change, check the couch cushions. Electronic objects are no exception. Plenty of cell phones have been lost and found under couch cushions.

Now that you’re a little more aware of the ‘danger zones’ for cell phones, perhaps you’ll exercise a little caution in those situations to prevent any of these happening to you.

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Die hard texters have their phones with them at all times. You never can tell where they might be when they send you a text message. The ten places listed below have not been officially documented as texting locations, but that does not discount their possibility in the least.

1. Bathroom. If you have not yet received a text that originated while the sender was sitting upon a porcelain stool…then just wait. You will. Texting is quickly replacing the magazine formerly used to pass the time on the stool.
2. Horseback. Even cowboys don’t want to lose touch with their comrades while out on the range. It should surprise us to see a man on horseback with his thumbs quickly tapping away on his cell phone.
3. Motorcycle. Hopefully, this wouldn’t be the driver of the bike, but texting from the back of a motorcycle just makes sense. You couldn’t possibly talk on your cell phone with a Harley roaring in your ears, but a text message would come through loud and clear.
4. Amish farm. No electricity, no phone lines and no gas engines are allowed on the Amish farm. However, text messages have been known to fly out of and be received on those premises from time to time.
5. Funeral. Aren’t you supposed to be at a funeral to ‘show your respects’ for the deceased? Somehow sending a text message in the middle of the service seems a bit disrespectful to me.
6. Hot air balloon. There is absolutely no reason why you couldn’t or shouldn’t send a text message from a hot air balloon, except (if it was me) I’d want to be holding on to something other than my cell phone when I’m floating in a basket.
7. Sky diving. You probably shouldn’t try this on your first jump out of a plane, but I’m sure an experienced sky diver would have no problem typing out a text message on his way down.
8. Rollercoaster. This might require some good coordination to keep your thumbs hitting the correct keys while your body is being thrown back and forth on the ride, but it might be a good distraction if you’re afraid of looking at the track.
9. Deer stand. A cell phone could come in handy while deer hunting (though there are some regulations limiting their use while hunting in some states), but you don’t want to be spooking the deer by chattering on the phone, so texting makes perfect sense. Although, in some states, your fingers would get awful cold.
10. Duck blind. Things can get a little boring in a soggy duck blind waiting for the water fowl to make their appearance. I imagine there have been quite a few text messages sent out while Dad wasn’t looking.

I’m sure there are plenty of places that texts have originated from that would surprise all of us.

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Not all cell phones are created equal. If you’ve used more than one, you know that already. That is just as true when it comes to their use for texting and messaging. The keyboard becomes the center of attention when messaging is your main use of your phone. Below are ten of the most highly rated cell phones for the text message junkie.

1. LG enV3 VX9200 - Verizon provides this great texting choice. It has a foldout clamshell design which makes for a large Qwerty keyboard and a second LCD screen. It has a traditional space bar and several shortcut keys for messaging. It is the newest in the enV line, and it will definitely cause some envy among your texting buddies. You’ll pay a good price for it though.
2. 3G Sidekick LX – There’s a great texting keyboard on this style T-Mobile phone with a swiveling screen. This phone was designed with messaging in mind and is very popular among teenagers because of that and its many social networking apps that come with this phone.
3. LG Tritan – U.S. Cellular provides this touch screen phone with the full, roomy keyboard. The phone is a full five inches long and over two inches wide, much larger than most phones. Of course, its size is exactly what makes its keyboard so great for messaging.
4. Casio G’zOne Brigade – If you’re looking for a texting phone that can handle some tumbles, this phone is known for its tough exterior and standing up to abuse. Its keyboard is very comfortable in the hands and easy to use. The drawback to this phone is its size and weight. It doesn’t fit into a typical pocket and is fairly heavy as well.
5. Pantech Ease – This slide phone has a very easy to read keyboard, which makes it very popular with seniors. It also as an easy versus advanced mode of operation for those who would rather have less functions to sort through. It does require a fairly expensive messaging package though, through AT&T.
6. Pantech Link – Another AT&T option, this phone comes in a typical smart phone design and has the domed keys below the screen. It has gotten good messaging reviews but also requires the more expensive messaging package, just like the Pantech Ease.
7. Samsung Epic 4G – This Sprint Android phone is getting rave reviews for many of its features and its Qwerty slide out keyboard is one of them. It is extremely comfortable to use, according to the reviewers and preferred by most, over a touch screen keyboard. Its 4G speed and gorgeous touch screen just add more wow to this great smart phone.
8. Razzle – You won’t find another phone out there that looks like this one. The Verizon Razzle is made for mixing music and messaging. Its Qwerty keyboard is located below the screen in a typical smart phone setup, but it can swivel to the back when it is the music player than you want the most function from.
9. Pantech Reveal C790 – You’ll find a unique function with this slide out Qwerty keyboard. The numeric keyboard above it stays functional even while the alphabetic Qwerty keyboard is in use. This is a feature many texters have begged for. Now they can have it with this aT&T phone.
10. LG Cosmos – A great messaging phone for beginners. This slide out keyboard places all the number keys in the top row, similar to a laptop keyboard. The keys have plenty of space around them, making for ease of use. A great option, at a great price, from Verizon.

Each carrier has some good messaging phones to choose from. Overall, there are a lot of different configurations to choose from, when looking for a phone with messaging as its primary use.  Of course, you can find pictures and get more information on all of these great text messaging phones right here on our Cellular Phone Comparison Service.

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The ability of electronic systems to be operated via the tone signals produced by your telephone keypad has provided easy access to many services that formerly required a live person on the other end of the phone line. You have probably used many of the services listed below without even giving it a second thought.

1. Banking. You can call into your bank and access any or all of your accounts direct from your phone. You can find out your balances and make transfers from one account to another. All of this is achieved, just by pushing the numbers on your phone’s key pad.
2. Check your mortgage stats. Your mortgage information is another account that you can generally access through your touch tone phone. This is great for getting that year end information you need for your taxes. Punch in a few numbers and find out how much interest you paid in the last year, and how much was paid out for property taxes. Easy, but still kept secured, by information that only you would know.
3. Renew a prescription. Many pharmacies not provide this option. You can call their phone number any time of the day or night to refill a prescription. All you need to do is punch in the prescription number off of your prescription label and the automated system will enter it into the system for the pharmacist to fill. It will even tell you when you can expect it to be ready for pickup.
4. Accessing your voicemail. The touch tone phones allow you to access your voice mail easily, from any location. Simply dial your own number and enter the appropriate code, and you have access to your messages, or to any of the other administrative functions available in your voice mail account.
5. Unemployment. Most states have now automated their unemployment reporting systems so that they can be accessed by touch phone technology, as well. Instead of having to physically go into the unemployment office or report by mail, you can simply call their automated system and enter your information through your touch tone phone each week.
6. Credit card payments. Combining touch tone technology with credit card payments was a no brainer. Not only is it more secure than giving your information to an employee, it is usually much more accurate as well. It also saves time. A credit card number can be punched in very quickly using the numerical keypad.
7. Stock trading. Buy, sell, move your stocks around, all without having to make polite conversation with your stockbroker. Access and control your investments from any location, at any time.
8. Accessing your credit card account. Need to find out how much credit you have available on your credit card, or what your balance is? Just like your bank account, you can get access to those details direct from your phone at any time of the day; no more waiting on the line for the ‘next available operator’.
9. Business call direction. Many businesses have eliminated the need for a receptionist to answer their incoming calls by utilizing an automated answering service. Instead of being greeted by a live person, you hear a recorded greeting that directs you to push 1 for Sales or 2 for Customer Service, etc.
10. Registrations. Events and workshop registrations are often being handled through electronic input these days. It speeds up the process and eliminates the operator hours that used to be required to handle all these incoming calls.

Security, accuracy, and efficiency are all included as reasons for utilizing touch tone technology in all of these applications.

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Not everyone likes to give out their phone number these days. Email we can read and respond to at our leisure, but phone calls can still be disruptive. That’s the very reason that so many people were thrilled when the government instituted the ‘do not call’ list. However, there are times when there are some very good reasons to ask a person to share their phone number with you. Here are ten of them.

1. Confirm an appointment. You’ve just been asked to meet some for lunch on a certain date and at a certain time. Your response, of course, is that you’ll need to check your calendar and get back to them. In order to get back to them, you’ll need their phone number. This is probably one of the most frequent reasons that a person will ask for another person’s phone number.
2. Connecting two parties. “I know just who you need to talk to! Give me your phone number.” You know someone that this person needs to connect with. In order to make the connection, you naturally ask for their phone number, so that you can share with the other party.
3. Directions. You’ve been invited to visit, and been given direction,s but…what if you get lost? Why waste time trying to find your way, when you could just call and ask for help? Definitely a good excuse to ask for their phone number.
4. Late arrival. Have you ever had to call someone to let them know you’re going to be running late? You can’t do that, if you don’t have their phone number. Maybe you’ve never been late… for anything! Well, there’s always the first time. Ask for the number.
5. Change of plans. Sometimes, the situation isn’t just a matter of being a few minutes late, you aren’t going to make it at all. Do you want someone sitting in a restaurant thinking you’ve stood them up? Again, a good reason to ask for their phone number.
6. Maintaining a new friendship. You’ve just connected with someone while on vacation and it seems like a promising new friendship. Why lose track of them? Exchange phone numbers with them and give them a call after you get home.
7. Share information. During casual conversation waiting in the checkout line, you realize that you have some information that would be very helpful to your new acquaintance, back at home. Requesting their phone number so that you can contact them with it later, would not be unreasonable in the least. They can always say no.
8. No email. Most people can provide you with an email address instead of a phone number these days, but not everyone. For some people, a phone number or physical address is going to be the only way you’ll be able to contact them.
9. Text announcements. “Let us know when the baby arrives!” Sure, you think, you and fifty other people. Let them know that you’ll be sending out a text message to all your contacts when the big event happens and get their cell phone number to send it to. They’ll be so thrilled that you remembered them on that special day.
10. Networking. If you’re trying to buildup contacts for a business or a charitable organization, then you will want to get as much contact information as you can from people you meet. Always preface these requests with a “Would you mind…”  You never want to seem presumptuous with a new contact. Assure them that you will treat all their contact information with appropriate sensitivity to their privacy.

Having someone’s phone number, either at home or their cell, can save time and confusion in some situations. In others, it is just the best means for making contact. Never hesitate to ask for a phone number, but respect a person’s right to decline to provide it, as well.

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Alexander Graham Bell would be amazed at what he started. What was a revolutionary invention at the time is now taken for granted and has been incorporated into so many different aspects of our daily lives. Some of these applications you may not even think of as a phone call, but in each instance, someone is “on the line.”

1. Land line phone – Of course, the original method of phone calls was from a land line telephone in your home or place of business. This phone system is hard-wired in your building and connected throughout the country by a complicated network of cables. It wasn’t until fairly recently that cordless phones were introduced. Otherwise the telephone receiver is connected to the base by a cord making them somewhat inconvenient.
2. Pay phone – Although now nearly obsolete, pay phones are still around but hard to find. Long gone are the days of phone booths on the corner. I wonder where Clark Kent changes into Superman nowadays.
3. Mobile phone – Just about everyone has a mobile phone they take with them everywhere except in the shower. Many people have even eliminated their land line phones and use their mobile devices or computers exclusively.
4. Computer – There are now a myriad of ways to make calls with your PC through the internet. Many of them are free and have different features to suit your specific needs. Different variations are PC to PC or PC to telephone.
5. Onstar – This car safety device and vehicle security system allows you to make hands-free calls from your vehicle. Usually used to contact emergency services or unlock your car, you can also make regular calls with prepaid minute packages.
6. Smartphone – Combining the features of a handheld computer and a mobile phone, these devices are very popular with people on the go. You have your computer, email, camera, and texting all in one; plus you can make phone calls. It’s even possible to make phone calls from your iPad.
7. Videophones – Once thought of as futuristic, being able to see the person you’re talking to is now fairly common. Skype uses your personal computer with some added hardware and software, but many mobile phones also have video capabilities.
8. Satellite phones – Another variation of the mobile phone, these telephones use satellite signals to connect instead of land based towers. These are absolutely necessary for expeditions to remote areas and aboard ocean vessels.
9. Emergency alarms – These devices are usually in the form of a pendant or bracelet worn by the elderly or otherwise physically infirm to contact emergency services when they are unable to get to a phone. A push of a button will contact 911 or an emergency service technician, however, and are not to be used to make regular phone calls.
10. Home security systems – This is when your house makes a phone call. In the case of a break in, fire or power outage, sensors in your home call your security service for you. This can be annoying when you forget to disarm it or your pet sets it off when you’re not home.

So you see, there is absolutely no excuse any more for why you didn’t call. What once was a novelty for people is now almost inescapable. Without our phones, we’d be practically helpless. How did we ever survive with out them? Now where in the heck did I put my phone?

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