Fring

If you're on a budget, a data-heavy smartphone package may not be the best situation for your pocketbook (especially now that both Verizon and AT&T have changed their data and text messaging packages), but sacrificing efficiency for a dumbphone may not be an option either. Thankfully, you have a third option: an iPod Touch. If you think that an iPod Touch can't suffice for a cheap alternative to a full-fledged iPhone, you may be surprised. Check just two ways you can function on the fly with an iPod Touch as your cellphone.

• Apps and WiFi — Your iPod Touch may be WiFi-only, but that doesn't mean you can't make calls. Apps like Skype and Fring will allow you to make calls over a connection, while Google Voice will even let you get voicemail messages, send SMS text messages, and forward calls from your home line to your new (albeit slightly jimmy-rigged) cell.

Find out how else you could create an iPod Touch workaround after the break.

You've got an iPhone 4 and want to use FaceTime, but don't have a WiFi connection. What to do now? Well, you can download the newly-updated Fring App (Free) and video chat all you want since it now allows video calling over 3G on any phone, by taking advantage of front-facing cameras (like the one on the EVO 4G).

Take note that chatting over 3G will impact your data usage (unlike the FaceTime feature), so be sure to monitor how much data you're pulling down each month. Fring is available in the Android Market as well, so gather up your Droid-loving friends and start chatting!