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MOBILE CONTENT WRITERS - WIRLESS WIT & WISDOM |
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The
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Wireless Wit & Wisdomby Lynn Walford
"I Now Know Why the Mobile Business is Booming"
In an effort to improve my mobile experience, I decided I wanted to buy a new cell phone. I'm embarrassed to admit the state of the old phone, the case color is wearing away and there are nicks in the screen which is a true bland monochrome black. My fear is that I'll show up at big mobile event and one of my editors will see the ancient B.C. (before color) phone.
So what appeared to be a simple task is taking on monumental proportions and much more hours than I even spend on the phone. If the truth be known the main reason I use the phone is at events where my friends call me saying, "Where are you, we're over by the giant Vodka bottle? Oh there you are over there by the organ..."
Then I got to thinking what would I really like to use the gadget touted to be the next all encompassing device for?
First and foremost I want to be able to synchronize my address book in my computer to the phone easily, that's when the price skyrocketed another fifty big ones. This realization occurred when I gave up carrying around my Palm in my purse when it got too heavy. I was in a car accident since I gave up the little black book a long time ago, I was limited to calling only the numbers in my phone, not my friend who lived two blocks away from the accident.
Then there is the matter of Web browsing, can I browse the web for much needed information easily or will it require the skill of watch repair technician? Here's where I really went bonkers, because I wanted to see what my own websites looked like on the phone and well my vision is showing signs of aging and I can't read the aspirin bottle any more. Okay, add on another hundred bucks and maybe I'll be able to surf the Web although it will slower than my high-speed connection.
Now here's a point, I should not admit to in public, everyone one talks on their phones in their cars right? I would like to be able to dial the phone while driving, and talk easily, so I want a nice big keypad and a hands free capabilities, maybe a speaker phone. The law in California will be changed soon, so I better get an headset. Oh I forgot, my little Yorkie-Poo, Ewok sits on my lap while I drive and well he may pull out the cord when pokes his head out the window to sniff the kitties and skunks in the air. Add on another fifty for a Bluetooth ear piece.
Another option, I didn't consider until I heard the tale of woe of my friend whom while cleaning out the pool, while listening to music on his Treo, watched the phone fall out of his pocket and into the deep end. My friend's teenage daughter swears that her out of style phone feel into the toilet by accident just when the she realized she wanted a phone that could play music. So add another hundred for MP3 capabilities and another seventy-five for insurance, I just remembered the time when Ewok grabbed my Pocket PC and refused to give it back to me as his strong canine teeth gnawed on the case. So far, I haven't taken my phone to pool too often except when my editor needs me....that insurance better cover water damage. The reason I wound up with a such a bland phone is that when my purse was stolen with my cell phone, the insurance didn't cover my cell phone so I bought a used one on eBay.
To spare you time, I also considered the different operating systems and game-abilities and became so flabbergasted I lost my way and then thought about wanting GPS. Add on another seventy bucks.
The cool status factor, I tried not to consider but those low-end phones don't come in pink glitter and match my pink patent leather puppy bag(ala Paris Hilton) I carry the dog in while I shop and what would I look like if my phone didn't match my bag or even my purse? Maybe I could get away with just a new pink patent leather case and some bling, adding fifty something on to the bill.
I really don't want to seem like I'm out of date and not in have the coolest hottest technology so maybe I wait in line to sign up for the long awaited iPhone, but I don't have that kind of plan...so I would have to change carriers, (not just little dog carriers, cellular providers.) Then in a year or so there will be another copycat phone with all the iPhone features but at half the price and maybe it will come in pink....
But wait wasn't the keyboard functionality kind of funky on the iPhone? That's right, Macaholics don't type. I'm a writer, I'll need a keyboard or super fast handwriting recognition, and full Windows compatibility. The phone not only got more expensive but a lot heavier....
ABI researched just revealed "Mobile operators will make approximately $10.7 billion worldwide through the sales of private branded handsets in 2007, almost 23% more than the $8.7 billion earned in 2006."
Mmmmmn, I now know why.
Lynn Walford is a freelance writer who has written for such trade publications as Wireless Week who also writes and invents mobile content.
Please feel free to call (626) 345-9910 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Pacific Time on weekdays.
