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With a laptop, you can find a list of available WiFi networks by clicking on the WiFi logo (which looks like arched waves radiating upward) on the top of the screen for Macs and the bottom of the screen for Windows laptops. The reason: When WiFi is turned on, your phone constantly checks to see which WiFi networks are available. But if you don't plan to use WiFi at all while you tour a city, you can eke out some extra minutes of battery life by temporarily turning off your phone's WiFi connectivity. [Extracted from the article]

If you're having phone connectivity problems, disconnect your phone and turn it off. "Let it sit for a minute and then power the phone back on and reconnect to the car", Crossen says. We'll also show you how Android Auto or Apple CarPlay can bring familiar phone apps to your car's screen and make a bad system much better. If you're having trouble with Bluetooth, Android Auto, or CarPlay, it may be your phone's fault, says Michael Crossen, automotive technician at CR's auto test center. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information on the plans recommended for people who are 55+, families, & perks from smaller providers that lease excess wireless capacity on cellular networks built and maintained by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Topics include the Verizon Play More Unlimited plan, the T-Mobile's Magenta MAX plan , and Unlimited plan by Metro.

The article looks at smartphones, evaluating several retailers and offering suggestions for ways that consumers can save money. Topics include reducing one's cell phone data usage, how to sell, trade, or recycle an old cell phone, and the relative merits of the Android OS, Apple iOS, and Windows Phone mobile operating systems. Money-saving suggestions include haggling over the price of the phone, considering a prepaid phone plan, and avoiding insurance or an extended warranty. Costco, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy are evaluated as cell phone retailers. INSETS: Data-hogging phone habits;When to get a new smart phone;Android phone, iPhone, or Windows Phone? How they compare;Protect the data on your phone

The article presents advice on choosing a smartphone data plan. Consideration is given to why consumers should not sign multi-year contracts for wireless service, options for getting out of a multi-year plan, determining how much data one will consume each month, and the quality of service offered by wireless firms including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

The article presents consumer information about smartphones and cell-phone services, as of January 2014. It notes the difference between contract-based and no-contract services. It discusses the pricing structure of major carriers including Verizon Wireless and AT&T in which the cost of a cell phone is distributed over the life of the service contract. Data plans are also discussed.

The article presents advice on choosing a smartphone data plan by considering the needs of three households and the plans best-suited to them. The family of Debbie Frye of Manassas, Virgina could benefit by staying with their current wireless provider, Verizon, but choosing a different plan that company offers. Also discussed are circumstances for the families of Cynthia Nagrath of Harwich, Massachusetts and Danny Kofke of Hoschton, Georgia.

The article discusses how Alison Heller of Bluffton, South Carolina saved money on her smartphone service by switching from wireless service provider Verizon Wireless to T-Mobile.

An introduction is presented in which the president and chief executive officer of "Consumer Reports" discusses various reports within the issue on topics including consumer dissatisfaction with cell phone carriers, tips for selecting cellphone carriers and calling plans, and cell phone legislation.

The article discusses telecommunications company Verizon's Edge Share Everything cell phone plan, focusing on "Consumer Reports" magazine's aid to Verizon customer Dick Lambert in reversing a monthly fee increase that was not stated in the plan's policy. The impact of the action to other consumers is examined.

The article discusses U.S. political issues regarding consumers and suggests ways people can take action to support the views endorsed by "Consumer Reports" magazine. Topics include a potential ban on using the word "natural" for food products, banking regulation, and the legality of unlocking mobile phones from contracts.