Ferrari Mailing List: Re: In addition to ICE (No F content)

[Gary Reed (gary]

Here's what "urban legends" says about the list that you sent.

Gary
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Comments: Beware forwarded emails offering esoteric tips and tricks "you never 
knew." Most of the claims in this message are either false or have limited 
applicability. Let's examine them one by one: 

1. The worldwide emergency number for cell phones is 112.
Not quite. Throughout most of Europe and a few countries outside of the EU, 
dialing 112 will connect users to local emergency services. However, the number 
won't work in North America, nor most of Asia and Africa. Many, but not all, 
cell phone models will allow special emergency numbers to be dialed even if the 
phone lacks a SIM card or the keypad is locked. 

2. Unlock a car door with your cell phone and a spare remote key.
False. As discussed previously in these pages, cell phones and remote keyless 
entry systems work on entirely different radio frequencies. Therefore, cell 
phones are incapable of re-transmitting the signal from a remote key to unlock 
a car door. 

3. Press *3370# to access 'reserve battery power.'
False. On some Nokia phones, users can punch in special codes and toggle 
between speech codec modes to 1) enhance voice transmission quality at the cost 
of diminished battery performance, or 2) enhance battery performance by 
decreasing voice quality. Apparently, some users have misconstrued the latter 
as "tapping into reserve battery power." On that score the email is doubly 
erroneous because *3370# is the code for enhancing voice quality, so using it 
actually decreases battery life! 

4. Press *#06# to disable a stolen cell phone.
Not exactly. On some cell phone models, but not all, pressing *#06# will cause 
the phone's 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity to be displayed. 
Some service providers, but not all, can use that information to deactivate the 
handset. In any case, it isn't necessary to supply an IMEI number to cancel 
your cellular account in the event of theft; simply call your provider, give 
them the appropriate account information, and tell them the phone was stolen. 

5. Make 411 calls on your cell phone without charge by dialing (800) FREE 411.
Basically true (see previous commentary on Free 411), though cell phone users 
may still incur a charge for minutes used, depending on the specifics of their 
plan.