The past, present, and future of cell phones
Just in the last few years cell phones (usually called mobile
phones outside the US) have become de facto standards for most
of the population. What once used to be a luxury item for a
select few that was carried around in a large leather bag and
was the size of the brick, is no longer.
Technology has advanced the mobile phone industry to the point
where the phone is a mere commodity for vendors, meaning that’s
not where they make the real money. It’s in the service plans,
which require 2 year commitments usually, where companies like
Sprint, Nextel (now Sprint Nextel), AT&T (now Cingular),
Cingular, Verizon, and T-Mobile make the revenues that enable
the cycle of technology innovation and marketing to continue.
While the downsides of cell phones have focused primarily on the
annoyance of public conversations and the small possibility of
brain damage due to cellular coverage near the ear, these pale
in comparison to the benefits derived from cellular technology.
For those who have had cell phones most of their lives (think
anyone under 25), it’s hard to imagine life before cell phones.
Writing down numbers in a paper directory, having change on hand
(first a nickel, then a dime, then two dimes), knowing how to
make collect calls, and finding pay phones in new cities were
frequent logistic challenges. Not to mention the inconvenience
of not being able to get access to those you need at any time.
At this point, corporate employees, sales professionals,
parents, young adults, and anyone in industries where
communication among many is critical could hardly imagine life
without the benefits of mobile phones.
As technology matures, ringtones, cameras, GPS features, music,
and multiple other features will be added to the hardware. And
the software on phones will progress to include easier web
access, advertisements, news downloads, and easier chat and
email features – becoming the only piece of technology most use.
In fact, in many countries in South Asia (where the industrial
revolution never occurred) they have gone from agricultural
industries right to technology, bypassing an entire type of
economy. It is in these countries where the cell phone is an
essential tool, enabling communication among millions who don’t
own a computer.
As technology advances, and people respond positively to
resulting changes, we will all benefit.
About the author:
Dave Lloyd has created an online guide to cell phones and mobile
phones at http://www.mobilephonedata.
com