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An unlocked cellphone is becoming increasingly enticing for many people. Androids are very hot right now primarily because of their availability on different networks. There are now more Americans buying Androids than iPhones. Will Apple be able to hold on to the unlocked cellphone market?

Signs show that Apple has no intention of slowing down. Their stock is well above $300 a share, higher than it’s ever been. They are increasing their availability to Verizon in a few months. And there were 12 million iPhones sold last quarter, a 60% increase from last year.

But with Microsoft prepared to take on the market, and Google’s presence growing, Apple could find itself in a position similar to its the deathbed it rested on in the 90’s when Microsoft held almost all of the market power in the PC world. Many researchers worry about Apple’s tight fisted control over their products, which David Yoffie, a Harvard Business School professor has said has “a large short-term advantage and a large long-term disadvantage.”

Then again, with Apple’s technologically superior phones at costs made lower by the subsidization of wireless carriers, and with their trio of iOS devices, it seems at least at this point, as though Apple will continue to retain a large share of the consumer electronics online mobile phone market.

There’s a new iPhone app that you might want to check out. It’s called Line 2, and it has major repercussions for the cell phone industry.

The app appeared last March, but now there’s a second version out. It’s $10 per month for your unlocked cellphone instead of the $15 it used to cost.  You can use your Line 2 number to text and call people when you don’t have wireless service, but when you do have Wi-FI.

But maybe the best part about this app is that you can turn your iPod into an unlocked cellphone. You can have a second phone number and as long as you have Internet access, you can make phone calls.

This service differs from the Google Voice app in that the latter isn’t Voip – it uses your AT&T minutes up when you want to make a call. Line 2 works as Voip or as a traditional phone service.

It’s hard to find a better way to make a cheap unlocked cell phone work for you.

Programs like Line 2 are exciting to watch develop because they force the CEO execs to think smarter about how to keep customers. We don’t want to spend a lot of money, and we want to be able to tinker and design programs that do what we want. So here’s to more programs and for my unlocked cellphone that make my life easier.

For most of us sane people, the way our discount cell phones look and operate are enough to make us happy. Occasionally, we’ll splurge and dress it up with some cheap cell phone accessories like a rhinestone skin or case. We don’t really spend a lot on our cell phone, because, for one, we’re on a tight budget. Also, many of us don’t want to spend exorbitant amounts of money on something that can break easily, something that we can lose, or something that can be stolen faster than you can say “iPhone”.

But then there are other people who yawn at the idea of discount cell phones. BORING!, they say to themselves, as they scoop another bit of caviar and look down on us from their pedestal. If you’re interested in seeing how the other half uses their money (try not to gag!) here are 3 of the world’s most expensive cell phones. Enjoy!

3) Vertu Signature Cobra: $310,000.

This gem is so exclusive that only 8 have ever been made. Yes, that’s a diamond encrusted cobra. No word on how many have actually been sold. We don’t want to know…

2) GoldVish ‘Le Million’ Piece Unique: $1.3 million.

This diamond-studded solid gold monstrosity is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s most expensive cell phone and the world’s most “exclusive” cell phone.

1) Goldstriker iPhone 3GS Supreme: $3.2 million.

And you thought a regular iPhone was expensive! This 3G’s case is made from 271 grams of solid 22k gold and its face has is accented with fifty-three one carat diamonds.  The naviagation button is a 7.1 carat diamond.

The iPad showed everyone where the future of laptops is heading, but a new device combines even more functions that will likely eventually rival discount cell phones.

The new Dell Streak, only available from consumer electronics online on Dell’s website, is priced similarly, at $550 without an AT&T contract, which is the only service provider for the tweener device. Or if you sign up with a new 2 year contract, which must include a data plan, you pay $300.

It runs on Google’s Android OS and has a 5-inch screen, larger than the iPhone’s 3.5 inch display. Bigger than all smartphones at 6 inches long and 3.11 inches wide, this device is difficult to define. It is important to note that this is the first device of its kind that combines calling with all the accessibility of a tablet, but as the first, it lacks in entire excellence. It isn’t as clear as an e-reader, its speakers aren’t the best, and video calling isn’t standard. But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t perform well as a tablet, or a smartphone.

This isn’t at all like discount cell phones or even the current smartphones on the market – it is a tablet, with calling capabilities. By next year, when the second edition comes out, you can expect all of the kinks to be worked out.