The modern cell phone is used for much more than just talk. You can take pictures, shoot video, listen to music, and so much more. And now, with the the addition of Bluetooth, now a standard feature on most new cell phones, you can do all these things easily and more conveniently than ever before, because Bluetooth lets you do it all wirelessly.

However, not all Bluetooth phones are created equal. In order to do any of the cool stuff mentioned here, you're mobile phone has to support OBEX, which stands for Object Exchange. You see, the Bluetooth specifications allow for many different functions, such as connecting to headsets, sharing data, etc. One function - the one we're discussing here, is OBEX, which allows your phone to exchange data wirelessly with other devices. Now, a certain cellular carrier (whom we will simply refer to as V), along with a few other manufacturers, have chosen to cripple the functionality of their phones by deliberately disabling OBEX. They do this for a number of reasons, but the end result is, if your phone doesn't support OBEX, you can't do any of these cool things. So, the next time you shop for a new cell phone, you may want to first check to make sure your Bluetooth is not crippled in any way before making a purchase. (By the way, even if the manufacturer has disabled OBEX, it may still be possible for users to enable it - do a web search to try and find a software fix for your phone. Of course, be aware that you may void your warranty if you screw up, so be careful!)

The top 5 coolest things you didn't know you could do with your Bluetooth cell phone.

1) Use your phone as a wireless modem for your laptop - surf the internet by connecting wirelessly through your cell phone. This is my top pick. Why spend extra for a cellular modem and separate data plan when Bluetooth lets you use your cell phone to connect wirelessly to the web? Many cellular companies offer some sort of data usage plan - for just a few bucks extra per month, you get unlimited data transfers. So, by installing the right scripts in your laptop, you can configure it to connect to your cell phone with Bluetooth for instant, wireless internet access. The real beauty of this setup is that, since most people already carry their cell phones with them, they can get a secure internet connection wherever they get a signal, and not worry about carrying adapters or having a special modem card. Also, I feel much safer using my own connection anyway, rather than rely on open public hotspots  especially when I want to access my bank accounts or other private sites. Every cell phone is different, so if you want to find out how to connect with yours, just google it. Try using the terms "how to use my (phone model) as a Bluetooth modem".

2) Take pictures on your camera phone and download it to your computer - without having to search for a cable or adapter. Some of today's phones pack 3 or more megapixels - enough to shoot some very nice pictures. So, the next time you're on vacation, or out with friends, and you just happened to forget to pack your camera, chances are you probably have your cell phone. Just snap away, and when you're done, use Bluetooth to download those pictures onto your laptop wirelessly.

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