Revisiting cell phones

There are tons of statistics concerning the proliferation of cell phones and their usage. Here's one: by mid-2005, worldwide, there were 2.4 billion cell phone users. But statistics don't speak to the benefits, nor to the disadvantages of cell phone use.

Using cell phones while driving is a hot issue in and of itself. The list of states banning or restricting cell phone use while driving is growing, and in at least one state (Utah), the offense has been named as "careless driving". One Canadian province has banned cell phone use for drivers, and several others are considering it.

Just before taking a brief look at some of the obvious pros and cons of cell phone use, I want to share with you why we originally got our first cell phone. Almost 15 years ago, my wife and I thought we should get a call phone as a safety measure, and only use for the car. Is that why you bought your first cell phone? Interestingly enough, for the first few years the only times we used the cell phone was for calls to or from the car. No emergencies ... just calls about our whereabouts, lateness, errands, etc.  It took a long time before I bought my own phone, and longer before I started to use it outside the confines or conditions of the car. I don't know when I 'forgot' about my/our original intent for cell phone use, but both of us have had our own cell phones for ages, and the monthly bills are notable!

So here is a list of some of the obvious cell phone benefits:

• security
• convenience
• features such as texting, digital cameras, video capture, music, etc.
  
• solutions medical information, school issues, data transfer)
• universality

And here's a list of some of the obvious cell phone disadvantages:

• security (there are a lot of cell phone hackers and other concerns)
• etiquette issues, foremost the use of cell phones in public places such as classrooms, doctors offices, etc.
  
• medical issues with cell phones affecting medical devices and equipment on the one hand, and potential negative effects of cell phones to users on the other hand
• safety issues, especially concerning the use of cell phones while driving

You may have more advantages, or come across other disadvantages. I've carried mine constantly over the past week, traveling to and from the hospital to check on my mom. It has been a critical and important tool for me. For my virtual assistance practice, the cell phone is a given. I've worked it into the cost of doing business, and all that.

One thing is clear: the use of cell phones or smart phones is not a fad and is not going to go away. New uses for cell phones are being developed right now. New towers are going up, faster data rates are being developed, and new cell or smart phone models come out constantly. Here in Canada, we're just going through a phase where the cell phone provider industry is being deregulated: that's a good thing. As soon as my massive 3 year contract expires, I intend to change phones and change carriers!

Do you have a cell phone story or statistic, good or bad? Drop me a line ... I'd like to know about it!

Comments

[Stacy]

I, too, originally got my cell phone (in about 1999) for emergency use and convenience when I was away from home.

Fast forward nine years and I now have a blackberry that goes everywhere with me.

I love the convenience of having it, and all that it can do to make my life easier.

While it's always on my hip, we're not "joined at the hip," as it were. I'm absolutely able to put it on silent and leave it that way till I'm ready to look at it again.

But I really do love having access to my calendar, contacts, email, GPS, and easily available information of all sorts, wherever I am, and whenever I need it.

The one thing I still don't really get is doing anything on web sites--even those optimized for mobile viewing are frustrating to me in the extreme.

Thanks for the great post!
S

[Rob Neilly]

Perhaps the convenience and features of cell or smart phones are their overwhelming selling point ... I had forgotten about the GPS feature (mine has it, but I have turned it off).

Like you, I don't surf on the phone; I get quite enough of that elsewhere!

Thank you for your comments :)

Rob

[Ginger Derrickson]

I too got my cell phone for security reasons many moons ago. Then, it became a great way to call family without extra long distance charges.

I also like the camera feature. I can take pictures at times when I have forgotten my larger camera, and carry pictures of my loved ones with me (taking up less space).

However, I absolutely refuse to be drawn into the TEXT MESSAGING craze! I hate receiving those messages. I won't send them either! I feel that if you can't call me on the phone, then either we don't need to talk or it isn't important!

Some people tout sending text messages as a great way to contact someone in the case of an extreme emergency where talking on a phone would not be prudent or could be dangerous.

Under an extreme emergency I would be too stressed to send a coherent message - I don't see the benefit!

I had text messages blocked on my phone for a while, but when I upgraded my phone, it was added back to my package. My husband wants me to have it...just in case.

Maybe someday I'll upgrade to a blackberry and might change my mind, but for now... PLEASE just dial my number instead of texting me!

[Rob Neilly]

Ginger,

Thanks for taking time to comment on my blog post! Yes, it seems many of us were slowly, inexorably moved from using the cell phone a little to finding it indispensable.

Many cell plans in Canada aren't as generous as those in the United States, so for me, text messaging is sometimes less expensive than phone calls.

Rob

[Vitrual Phone]

I absolutely refuse to be drawn into the TEXT MESSAGING craze! I hate receiving those messages. I won't send them either! I feel that if you can't call me on the phone, then either we don't need to talk or it isn't important!

I'm with you on that one !

[Rob Neilly]

Ah, more on text messaging! I've found there to be very few neutral opinions on this cell phone feature.

As two of Canada's largest cell carriers are on the eve of charging for incoming text messages (they have our government's attention, probably much to their dismay), the debate rages on.

Thank you for adding your voice to others who responded to this post.