The Evolution of the Cell Phone

The cell phone in 'mind, body and soul' so to speak, has advanced enormously over the past two decades.
By mind I mean the intelligence of the phone itself and its functional capabilities.
By body I am referring to the physical design and appearance of cell phones.
And by soul I mean the general purpose and usage of cellular devices.
When the idea of cell phones originated, the purpose for their use included and was essentially restricted to voice calling. There was no texting ability or even a thought of a built in camera.

Can you imagine?
This example seems prehistoric to people of our generation. There were various models of cellular phones beginning from this size and evolving quickly into smaller, hand held devices.

One of the first cell phones in this series that many people may recognize is the Motorola MicroTAC. The phone became overwhelmingly popular due to its light weight and small size (for the time). It was the first flip phone and the first phone to fit into the pocket. This enhanced the usage of cell phones and the communication involved. With a phone in your pocket all day long, one can be reached at any time and any place.

With such potential, it is no wonder that the cell phone has become as advanced as it is today. The phone that became popular shortly after this one included a new, smaller, Motorola known as the StarTAC. This came about in 1996 and again advanced the way users viewed the cellular phone.
The next great advance in the world of cell phones was the Nokia. The Nokia8810 came out in 1998 and changed the design of the cell phone completely. It included a flat antenna that hid inside the phone so that it would be more aesthetically pleasing. The design of Nokia phones has not changed dramatically; in that it still generally maintains its small rectangular shape with the "candy bar" feel to it. However, those phones are now often referred to as "bricks" rather than "candy bars". Our expectations for the devices have advanced so greatly that these phones which were once known as slick new designs are now very old and outdated. Although Nokia remains as one of the most reliable phone companies, maintaining strong and dependable products, they no longer make the most attractive or technologically advanced phones and are therefore found to be much less popular.
Despite the fact that companies such as Nokia make such trustworthy products, new and different phones have become much more popular largely because of their appearance. For example, the Motorola Razr was a wildly popular cell phone when it was released. Its sharp new appearance and variety of offered colours were among the attractions this phone had to offer. However, when it came down to it, the phone was highly unreliable and Motorola faced many challenges with this product. Similarly, the LG Chocolate caused various problems for the LG company and gave them an awful reputation as cell phone providers.
Not only has the physical appearance of the cell phone been updated throughout the years, but so has the use of the phone and the applications a cell phone has to offer. From phone calls to voice mail, to caller ID and call waiting the actual phone options are very useful and have advanced greatly.
However, it is the other technologies now involved in the usage of cell phones that have become so very far advanced. These include but are not limited to text messaging, picture messaging, cameras, music, games and internet access.
Cell phones are remodeled and re released so often now that it seems one day you may have the newest technology, but the next it is garbage. In terms of cellular devices, it seems as if it is constantly "out with the old, on with the new." For example: the BlackBerry. When BlackBerry brand first came out, it was basically intended to be a two way pager. However, between then and now, it has rapidly become one of the largest growing technologies both in function and popularity. It has become a mini computer, cell phone, email centre, digital camera, music player and much more to its users. When the BlackBerry first began it was mainly used by business people or others who had a use for its many functions (mainly the email and internet). Now, the BlackBerry has taken over the use of regular cell phones for many people who have no use for most of the functions it offers.
It has recently become overwhelmingly popular for its BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) application. This is similar to an instant messaging program such as MSN Messenger. This along with the use of text messaging has changed the way the world communicates. With the opportunity at our fingertips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, communicating between one another for work purposes, leisure, or any other reason has increased and become possible anytime, anywhere. The use of the BlackBerry has even been noted as addictive. This is how the term "CrackBerry" came about. This nickname suggests that once one starts to use a BlackBerry they just cannot stop.
The iPhone is another example of the newest models of cellular devices. It is another complex version of the cell phone which has become extremely popular since its release. Despite the known problems and disfunctions with these complicated pieces of technology, people are continuing to buy into the idea of such intricate communication devices.
The use of cell phones has had an enormous impact on how people communicate in almost all settings. This includes the workplace, the classroom (school), for teams, clubs and simple general conversation. Text messaging has become a colossal form of communication which wouldn’t have been possible without the evolution of the cell phone.
Cell phones have been proven to be very useful devices in emergency situations among many others. However, is it really necessary (or healthy for that matter) for people to depend so largely on one small piece of technology in their daily lives?
Can you live without yours?
Would you?


By: Nikole Davies