From Facebook to cell phones and MP3 players, new technology can be confusing and complicated. Whatever happened to the days of a phone that was just a phone?

Have you ever wondered whether these are things you want to get involved in, or if it’s really for you? It may seem pointless, but before closing your mind to the new technology completely, take a look at what’s available and you may just find that you can learn to embrace the new wave of tech.

Here are a few things to consider when trying to learn and make decisions about today’s new technologies:

Facebook

In 2004, Facebook.com was launched strictly for students of Harvard University. Shortly thereafter, it expanded to more colleges in the Boston area, then to all college students, to high school students, and eventually to all people above age 13. By July 2010, there were over 500 million active users, according to the site’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg.

So, is Facebook right for you? “It’s all a matter of personal preference,” says president of Insight Marketing Group, Jennifer Thompson. “The site is beyond the point of being just another fad for youngsters, it’s used by businesses and folks of all ages who want to stay in touch with their friends and family through another method rather than the telephone.” Although many young people at first feel awkward about parents and grandparents creating Facebook profiles, it might be for you.

Creating a Facebook profile allows you to reap the many benefits of being instantly connected to people. Geography is no longer a hindrance to relationships, whether they’re across the state or around the world. You can update your “Status” to instantly allow your friends and family to know what you are doing. You can join groups and fan pages for companies and organizations that you are a part of or support. Photos can be uploaded and arranged into albums, and you can “tag” friends in photos to share them. Thompson points out the convenience of these features, saying, “From any computer with an Internet connection, you can view and share these pictures but it also applies to e-mails, status updates and address books.”

If you are interested in starting a Facebook profile, Thompson suggests getting the help of a friend or relative, or do some research using your favorite search engine. “The site can be as intrusive as you want it to be, if you’d rather not be notified until you’re ready to log in, that’s ok. Or if you want to be up to the second in the loop, it can do that for you, too.”

Cell Phones

The mobility and accessibility of cell phones have pretty much made them into a necessity. Wes Pickens, a sales representative from AT&T, points out some factors to consider when purchasing a new cell phone, or if you are a first time buyer.

The first thing to consider is your voice plan, “Everything revolves around that,” Pickens says. Ask yourself how much you actually talk on your phone. If your use of the phone is minimal, consider getting a simple pre-paid plan, in which you buy more minutes as you need them. If you use your phone often, a monthly plan is for you.  Keep track of how many minutes per month you talk on the phone, and pick a voice plan that best suits your lifestyle.

Aside from your voice plan, there are “texting” plans as well. Typing messages instantly to another phone is not necessary, but ask yourself how much you would text your family and friends. This is a great tool when you need to get a short message across to someone instantly and is quickly becoming the preferred communication method of younger generations.

Another consideration is what features you want your phone to have. There are phones that are hearing aid compatible, or use large fonts to benefit those with weak vision. Some phones come with calling plans that allow you to talk to family or other phones with the same plan for free. Some phones have built-in cameras, GPS options, Internet capabilities, and other features that are not needed, but are fun additions. Consider whether or not the amount you use these extras will be worth the added price you pay to have them.

Pickens suggests that, above all, choose a phone that will be easy for you to use. “Most cell phone stores will have phones on display. Test out phones you are interested in, and make sure the technology makes sense to you,” he says.

MP3

An MP3 is a digital audio file used in almost all digital audio players, such as the Apple iPod Microsoft Zune. MP3s are the replacement for CDs and music files on your computer are most likely in this format. If you want to take that music from your computer and bring it along with you, consider purchasing an MP3 player. They are good companions for your workout, commute, walking or jogging, shopping, relaxation and can be taken almost anywhere.

MP3 players store songs in memory that is referred to as gigabites (GB). Players can have as few as 2 GB, up to as many as 160 GB. The more gigabytes, the more music the player can store, and the more it costs. You will get about 240-250 songs per gigabyte.

Some MP3 players offer extra features, like storing photos and videos, an address book, games and internet access.

Remember, the key when getting ready to purchase new technology is to make sure it’s right for you, and ask for help if you need it. “Don’t be afraid of it because it’s new and you’ve never used it before,” says Thompson. “Ask for help and you’ll be surprised how fast you’ll be on your way to surfing and texting with the best of them.”

Article by Amy Simpson