Call the shots
By Helen Bradley

Like a new outfit, your mobile phone isn't ready to hit the streets without the digital equivalent of matching shoes, handbag and belt. Your mobile phone can be decked out with all manner of custom ring tones, screensavers and logos to suit your mood. So what can you add to your new phone and how do you do it?

The first thing to understand is that not all phones are capable of being accessorised and, if they can be, you'll need to locate the items which are compatible with your particular brand. For example, an Ericsson phone can receive only Ericsson-compatible items. So, if you're unsure, check the specifications which came with your mobile phone to see if you're able to download accessories and what ones your phone can handle. You may find it can download ring tones, but not screensavers, for example.

Badge of honour

In most cases when you start your phone you'll see a logo on its screen indicating the carrier you are using, for example Telstra or Vodafone. This logo can be removed on some phones (notably Nokia phones) and replaced with a logo of your choosing or one which you've drawn. You can change this logo as often as you like, but in most cases you'll be able to store only one logo on your phone at a time. Any new logo you download will replace the old.

If you are using a Nokia phone that can download logos, all you need to do is to ring the phone number of the logo provider and choose a logo from the categories which are listed. Alternately you can save time by browsing logos online and finding the one to use. Online logos show an ID number you can use when calling to download it. Once you've chosen the logo, it will be sent to your phone, but you may not receive it immediately, depending on how busy the service is. Eventually, some time within a few minutes and a few hours of making the call, your phone will receive the logo and you'll be notified. You will, of course, have to have your phone turned on during this time and you will need to have been in an area covered by the network.


Ring my bell

A ring tone is what you hear when your phone receives an incoming call. With a compatible phone you can use any ring tone and you can change them as often as you like. Some phones can store only one ring tone and new ones you download will replace the old ones. Other phones may be capable of storing five or more ring tones at a time. Downloading a ring tone is similar to downloading a logo: you dial the number and step through the menus to choose the tone and download it. You can also browse ring tones on the internet to save time on the phone.

Picture this

A fun way of communicating with friends is via picture messages. These are small graphics that you can send by themselves or with some short message text included. (Some new mobile phones come with cameras so you can take pictures and quickly send these images too.) To send a picture message you will dial a number, type the ID number for the picture to send and then type the number of the phone to send it to. You can send it to yourself or a friend and, when you're finished, the picture message will be sent. If you send the picture to yourself, you'll get a message when it arrives and you can then choose from a number of options, including looking at the picture, saving it or discarding it. If you don't choose save, it won't be saved. If you're sending a picture message to a friend, they won't be able to see it unless their phone is capable of receiving and viewing it.

If you're a Vodafone user, the company's website (www.vodafone.com.au/voda_help /ringtonesLogos.jsp) contains plenty of great information and answers to every question you're likely to ask about downloadable accessories. The site also offers downloadable ring tones and logos and a tool for composing ring tones and drawing logos. For Nokia phone users, the hip Mstyle.com (www.mstyle.com.au) is a great place to start. If you're using another phone, check the phone manufacturer's or phone service's website for information and links.

The final word

Before you go mad downloading ring tones, images and other accessories, be aware of the cost. These are premium services and you'll be paying charges of at least $2 a minute or more for the call so, be warned, the cost can quickly mount up.