Five Most Bizarre Cell-phone Money-wasters
Illinois Utility Policy | Five Most Bizarre Cell-phone Money-wasters
Sept. 20, 2011—We've come a long way since Motorola's "brick" first hit the market in 1984. At just under $4,000, the DynaTAC weighed a not-very-mobile 2 pounds, and it was only used for talking—a measly 30 minutes before its battery ran out.

Today, people pay for lattes, upload vacation photos to Facebook, and get on-the-go driving directions on "smart-phones" that weigh no more than a king-size candy bar.

But the road to the iPhone has had its share of speed bumps: some weird, some expensive, and some just plain silly. CUB compiled a list of the top five most bizarre cell-phone money-wasters.
1. "I Am Rich" iPhone app
In 2008, the $999.99 "I Am Rich" iPhone app became the talk of the World Wide Web. What do you get for a grand? A glowing red ruby on the iPhone's screen….and that's about it. Touching the "i" in the lower right corner gives the user "a secret mantra…(which) may help you to stay rich, healthy, and successful."

Apple has since removed "I Am Rich" from the App Store, but not before eight people became $1,000 poorer.
2. $60,000 solid gold cell phone
You won't get apps, Internet access, or even e-mail on Danish luxury retailer Aesir's 18-karat gold cell phone. You won't even get 6 hours of talk time before the battery dies. Can't afford a solid gold phone? Aesir has you covered with a stainless steel version for just under $10,000.
3. The Cell-Mate

Want to win one of these? Cast your vote for the most bizarre cell-phone money-waster.
No, not your prison buddy. This Cell-Mate makes it easy to operate your cell phone (or even a cordless phone!) hands-free—you just have to strap it to your head. Looking like an air-traffic controller has never been easier!
4. "Hold On!" iPhone app
The ad for this app somehow argues that it will improve your concentration and "make you more productive." For 99 cents you can download the "Hold On!" app. It displays a button on the center of your iPhone screen, and a digital timer tracks how long you hold the button down. It even stores your button-holding record. The app's timer is accurate down to the millisecond, so you can track exactly how much time you're wasting.
5. Wrist Cell Phone Carrier
If you don't like strapping the phone to your head (see "The Cell-Mate"), try handcuffing it to your wrist. Now the good folks at SkyMall offer a product that makes it easy to access your cell phone. "It can also make a fashion statement!" SkyMall says, noting that the wrist carrier comes in black, hot pink, and classic blue denim. Does it come in "invisible?"

Which do you think is the most bizarre? Cast your vote by 5 p.m., Friday, September 23 and you'll be entered into a drawing to win your very own Cell-Mate! (See #3.)

Use the CUB Cellphone Saver to make sure your bill is free of money-wasters. CUB's free service has shown consumers how to save an average of more than $300 a year.