How to Send Music Messages for Free

1. Transfer the music file you would like to send in a message to an Internet-enabled computer. This can be done with a data USB cable or memory card made for your phone. Check the manufacturer's booklet for instructions on your specific phone model.
2. Navigate to the Verizon Wireless website.
3. Locate the log in area under the Manage Account section. Type your user-name and password into the boxes and click the 'Sign In' button. Click the 'Register' link to create a user-name and password if you have never visited the site.
4. Hover the mouse pointer over the Messaging button at the top of the page to expand a menu. Click on the 'Send Picture & Video Message' option.
5. Scroll down the page and locate the red 'Upload Media' button on the left. This will bring up a dialog box. Click the 'Browse' button to open another box. Browse on your computer to find the music file you want to send and click the 'Open' button. Click on the 'Upload' button to add the music file to your online media.
6. Locate the uploaded music file under the Uploads section on the left side of the page. Highlight the music file. Drag and drop the file on the screen of the red phone. The red phone shows how your message will look.
7. Click in the text box on the red phone and add any text to the music message.
8. Click the red 'Preview and Send' button below the red phone. This will bring up a dialog box. Type in the recipient's cell phone number in the Send To box.
9. Click the red 'Send' button to send the message. The recipient will receive the message on his phone and be able to play the music you've sent.

How to Tell Where a Cell Phone Call Was Made From

1. Download the free InstaMapper GPS tracking software. This is a phone tracking application available for iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Motorola iDEN. The website offers step-by-step information for downloading the application for each phone (see Resources).
2. Convince your friends and family to submit their cell phone numbers to the free Google Latitude website. This will allow you to see where your friends and family members are located whenever they have their phone with them.Sign up with Google Latitude through your mobile browser. Sign in and then send an invitation to a particular cell phone number of your choice. If the invite is accepted, you will automatically see your friend's location. However, the cell phone owner has full control over her privacy.
3. Go to Loopt website and download the free application to your smartphone. Loopt will show your friends' location and their activities. This application is available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Windows Phone 7.

How to Send SMS From Skype

1. Open Skype. Sign into the account from which you wish to send a text message. This account should be one that already has your contact's cellphone number listed within your Skype contacts.
2. Click your contact where he is listed in Skype's left panel. This shows your recent history with this contact in the right portion of Skype's screen.
3. Type the message you wish to send as a text via Skype into the 'Type a message to (your contact) here' field at the bottom of the right side of Skype's screen.
4. Select 'Mobile' from the 'To:' list just above this field if you have more than one number listed for this contact.
5. Click the 'Send SMS' button to send your message to the contact you selected.

How to Send Realtones to Your Phone for Free

Download Realtones
1. Launch Ventone.com, Myxer.com or Phonezoo.com from your computer (see the Reference section for links). Click the tab 'Ringtones' and browse the music genre to find a song that is available for download.
2. Click on the song title that you want to download onto your phone. Click the link 'Send to Phone.' Create an account, if prompted to do so. If not, enter your mobile phone number in the appropriate field.
3. Select the portion of the song that you want to play as a ringtone on your phone by sliding the song markers to the appropriate places.
4. Click the option to preview your ringtone to make sure it is satisfactory, and then click the link 'Send to phone.' Wait for the ringtone download link to arrive to your phone via text message.
5. Open the text message on your phone, highlight the 'Download' link and press the 'OK' or 'Enter' key. Wait for the song to download onto your phone. Select the option to save the tone to your device.
Create Your Own Realtones
6. Launch Ventone.com, Myxer.com or Phonezoo.com from your computer. Click the link 'Ringtones' followed by 'Make Your Own' or 'Create Free Ringtones' to upload your own music to use as a realtone.
7. Create an account if prompted to do, and agree to the terms and conditions for the website. Click the 'Browse' tab to browse for songs installed on your computer. Select the file that you want to upload and click 'Open' on the dialog box. Wait for the song to download onto the website.
8. Select the song portion that you want to play as a ringtone on your phone by sliding the song markers to the appropriate places.
9. Click the option to preview your ringtone to make sure it is satisfactory, and then click the link 'Send to phone.' Enter your mobile phone number if prompted to do so and wait for a text message to arrive on your phone.
10. Open the text message on your phone, highlight the 'Download' link and press the 'OK' or 'Enter' key. Wait for the song to download onto your phone. Select the option to save the tone to your device.

How to Get a Free Replacement for Your Phone

1. Call or visit your cell phone provider and ask if you are eligible for an upgrade. Most major providers offer free phone upgrades or special discounts on high-end models after a certain period of time as a client.
2. Renew your contract with your cell phone provider. Call or visit your provider and inquire about contract renewal. Major cell phone carriers generally provide a free cell phone upon contract renewal. Oftentimes, the quality of the cell phone depends on the length of time committed in your contract. Get a better replacement for you cell phone by signing a multiyear contract.
3. Switch cell phone providers. Major carriers offer special deals or free cell phones when you sign a contract as a new customer. Visit your local shopping center or search online for a list of cell phone providers in your area.
4. Search for free cell phones on an online classifieds site. Many Internet classifieds sites have a section for free things that people are giving away. Search often and contact the seller quickly if you see a cell phone that meets your needs.

How to Unlock Phones Using Freeware

1. Enter *#06#, using your phone's keypad. This will give you the IMEI number. Write it down.
2. Choose the freeware you want to use. Examples include NokiaFREE, MotoBlaze and Free SIM Unlock (see Resources). Download the software to your desktop for easy access.
3. Double-click the installation file. Follow instructions for proper installation. Restart your computer.
4. Double-click the unlock freeware. Enter your cell phone's IMEI number, model number and manufacturer. Click 'Unlock' or a similar function.
5. Wait for the results. Write down the unlock codes, since there may be more than one. The freeware also may give you special instructions for unlocking your cell phone.
6. Enter the unlock code into your cell phone and press the 'Menu-OK' button. Depending on your cell phone, you may have up to five attempts. Once you have the right code, your cell phone will access your new cell phone provider's network.

How to Unlock TracFone Phones

1. Write down your phone's IMEI (international mobile device identification) number. Find it by typing '*#06#' into your phone and hitting 'Send.' It might also be on a label under the battery.
2. Get your unlock code one of two ways. First, call TracFone. Give the rep your IMEI number, and you will be told whether an unlock code can be provided. If you're not eligible, navigate to one of several online unlocking services. Enter your phone's model and hit 'Unlock My Phone' or some such equivalent. The site will ask you to identify your current service provider. This will typically indicate how much unlocking a TracFone will cost. This number can vary from $9.99 to $39.99 as of 2010, depending on the type and age of the phone, as well as the network you're leaving.
3. Remove your TracFone SIM card. Put the battery back in and turn on the phone. Enter the unlock code when prompted. A message will appear to tell you if the code was accepted.
4. Remove the battery and insert your new carrier's SIM card. Reboot the phone to officially leave TracFone for a new carrier.