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Latest Cell Phone Technology

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healeygal

Jedi Warrior
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I just finished reading a bunch of posts on the BCF using my new cell phone! From what I can figure out, my new phone is capable of taking and storing pictures and videos, playing video entertainment videoclips (like Jay's nightly monologue), broadcasting the latest news, and playing and storing music like an MP3 player.

I tried logging in using the phone, but either the phone doesn't have the resources required, or I didn't do it correctly. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif I've got another month to figure it out, then my free one-month trial to something called VCast is over, and I'm outta there!

Oh, and there are a few drawbacks - scrolling thru a 3-page news article line by line is rather tiresome, I'm getting eyestrain trying to read the tiny print, these wonderful features drain the battery like crazy, and worst of all, I just wasted two hours of a beautiful, sunny day here in So Cal when I should be out riding the Healey!

Sharon
BN1 pulling out of the driveway as we speak
 
At a meeting recently someone asked for the phone number of a fellow we worked with. As my co-worker fumbled with his "hand-held" scrolling and tapping, I flipped open my little black Dayrunner to the appropriate phone tab and spouted out the phone number whilst Mr. "Hand Held" was still tapping! I thought about getting some fancy-schmancy phone or Palm pilot. Yep, thought about it for about 2 seconds.

Basil /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/computer.gif
 
They offer them up at work, but I have no use for one, nor the time to figure out how to use it.....They make me carry a cellphone so I am reachable, but otherwise I wouldn't even have one of those.
 
I get my daughter's hand-me-downs.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif

Perfectly adequate for a phone techno-klutz.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

And free! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I finally replaced my old phone as well. Got a Motorola Q. It's great! All the features of a Palm but with an easier to use Windows interface. When I'm bored on the job I can browse the web, send and receive email including POP accounts, etc. It also holds my work schedule so I don't have to carry around a calendar and the device syncs up with my computer.

At home I prefer a rolladex, but on the road I want to carry as little as possible. And this phone actually retrieves contacts very quickly, perhaps as quickly as my rolladex at home! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Not a bad deal for a hundred bucks.
 
I've had a few over the years, Palms, phones, etc. I'm a cell-only guy, no home phone at all. I like it, but then I'm often not home, so a home phone isn't as useful. I keep holding out for a good PDA/phone, since I don't like having to carry a couple of things around. Contract's up in June, so it will be shopping time.

Don't really care much about the email/web features (and my carrier, Verizon, charges dearly for these features). Just want calendar, notes, todo, addresses that sync with my Mac. Not too much to ask, you'd think, but haven't really seen the package yet.
 
I just graduated from hand-me-down phones this year to a Samsung SPH-A900. I've been enjoying it so far. However, I found the MP3/Media player feature to be under used on my phone. It DID come in handy while I was sitting around in the airport between flights though. I'd bounce back and forth between listening to the music I have on it and playing cell phone solitaire. heh
 
My employer finally got changed from Nextel to Cingular reception coverage area is much better for my line of work. With Nextel and my cruddy Motorola 730i I was constantly picking up the Mexican base stations. I swear I could be standing right under a cell tower and the cranked up Mextel (or whatever they call themselves) would over power the American base stations.

As for phones I w as never so happy to give up my Motorola 730i as it was big & clunky. They gave us those new Razors but I don’t use half the functions other than to invest in a nice “Blue Tooth” ear piece for hands free/voice activated calling (going to be the law for motorists in southern Kalifornia next year). But like I said I don’t use most of the functions anyway.

As for phone technology about the only things that have really improved are the battery technology and how we use the existing technology. Gone unnoticed is that we’ve reached a saturation point in the technology in that we really haven’t increased bandwidth just the functionality and software has changed. Stuff like text messaging, games, web browsing etc. may seem like jumps in technology but truthfully nothing that you couldn’t do from a land line phone. Oh sure we’re seeing cell towers going up in areas that previously hand none or where switched from analog to digital. But otherwise there haven’t been any major break troughs other than that you can play music, take pictures and video with our phones nowadays.

Personally I could care less about text messaging, taking pictures or any of that other stuff. I just want a phone that I can rely on to be available when I need it and won’t drop me half way into a call.
 
the sour note: I think that cell phones and all the new gimmicks are becoming a big cause of accidents on the road. People are actually looking at their phone's tv screen while driving. Personally, I don't care if they kill themselves while doing it, but I do worry about the innocent drivers that get hurt by these irresponsible people. I hope that the Federal Government gets involved in this and simply makes it illegal to drive and use a cellular phone at the same time. It's about time. You wanna chat on the phone? just get off the road and do it where it is safe. You just can't drive in a hurry while messing with a phone, no matter how talented and profficient you might think you are at multi-tasking. And when was the last time you were not in a hurry to get somewhere? Just like Alcohol and Driving don't mix, Cellulars and Driving don't mix either.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I hope that the Federal Government gets involved in this and simply makes it illegal to drive and use a cellular phone at the same time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here in the UK it is illegal. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif

There are special "nads-free" sets people can get and some do use them, but the numbers of people I see just driving along using handsets is crazy.

There's common sense and the law too agsinst it. Not that the law seems to be enforced much.... and as for common sense, well.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
We've had the cell phone “discussion” (remember we don’t debate here in the BCF) in the past and in a sincere attempt to avoid recapping them at nausea, let me just say that we shouldn’t look for the government (Fed, State or local) to get involved anymore than they already have.

Kalifornia (as stated before) is going to band cell phone usage while behind the wheel to a limited degree. Hands free, voice activated devices will be required – otherwise it is my understanding that violations will be handled in much the same way people are issued tickets for seatbelt violations. Too much vested by wireless communications vendors and the automotive industry (e.g. GM’s On Star etc.) to ever see a full fledged ban.

I’ve discovered that Blue tooth works quite well. Just tap my ear piece with my finger and say the name of who I wish to call and that’s it. No scrolling my rolodex while cruising down the road at 65 or 70 mph. In coming calls are even easier tap with my finger and say hello. Truth is I put more effort into selecting between stations on my radio now than I do to get or make a call. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Somehow I knew this topic would get your attention /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I hope that the Federal Government gets involved in this and simply makes it illegal to drive and use a cellular phone at the same time.
.
.
Here in the UK it is illegal.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's illegal in New York as well.
 
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