While cell phones and smartphones are different, many of us confuse one for the other.

Smartphones are more typically seen in the hands of advanced consumers and business users.

But how are cell phones different from smartphones? Which company made the first smartphone? How many years earlier was the first cell phone used?

These answers and more can now be found at my entry on the differences between cell phones and smartphones. Also, do you prefer owning a cell phone or a smartphone? Share your answer!

Though we all have different priorities when buying a new cell phone, there’s one that unites us: we always want a good deal and never want to spend more than we must.

Following my list of budget cell phones across various carriers, I’m now helping you find quality cheap phones at your specific carrier. These phones are $50 or less with a contract and rebate applied.

Read my new list of our best budget cell phones sorted by carrier! Alternatively, you can jump straight to cheap phones at AT&T;, Sprint, T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless.

Branding matters. Some people want an iPhone just because it’s an iPhone.

On the other hand, some cell phones are released with “numeric names”. For example, would you be attracted to learning more about the Motorola i465 or the Motorola Clutch?

(By the way, they’re the same phone.)

I have a suspicion which one would catch your eye, but here’s your chance to chime in with your two cents. So we can learn how much a cell phone’s name really matters to you, take our new poll below about cell phone names!

Text messaging has been quickly growing into a global religion. Some of us even prefer texting over talking. Others use SMS as a way not to use the mobile Web.

What else can text messaging do for you these days beyond sending the traditional, 160-character messages? Since texting is typically cheaper than mobile Web plans, it can actually save you money, too.

You can now text to the popular social networking services (i.e. Twitter and Facebook), record your expenses securely, instant message (IM), email a phone and even enter sweepstakes through text messaging. Learn more about what text messaging can do for you!