some interesting facts about cel phones

[The Lurker (imported)]

The numbers in the article are way off. The article says that 45 out of 100 people have cell phones in india, and the says there are 1 billion people with 545 million phones. 45 out 100 is clearly 45 percent while 545 million of 1 billion is CLEARLY 54.5 percent, That is a HUGE statistical difference. Someone needs to check his facts or his editor needs to check them...

[Prudence (imported)]

My views are similar to StefanIsMe.

I have a Cell Phone but hardly ever use it. Only for certain rare situations, or emergencies. I see little value in texting and don't understand the Teenager's obsession with it (uh, hello mcfly, IT IS A PHONE, so if you want to communicate, how about TALKING on it... They could call, speak everything, and hang up in less than half the time it will take them to "text" the same conversation).

I have no desire at all to be "connected" all the time. When people call, 95% of the time they will hit Voicemail (or the Answering Machine if on my Land-Line). If they are too timid/stupid/whatever to leave a message, then fuck 'em. I don't care. If they do leave a message, then I will call back when it is convenient.

My negative opinions of Cell Phones were made even stronger a few years ago when I had a Manager/Boss who just abused the HELL out of the company-provided Cell Phones. That asshole would 2-Way (Nextel/Push-to-Talk/"WalkieTalkie") me probably a dozen times a day, every day, always asking what I was doing and then complaining that I wasn't doing something else. Then at the end of the day have the GAUL to complain that I wasn't getting work done fast enough... (when it entirely was his fault for #1 interrupting me constantly with his 2-ways, and #2 demanding that I stop working on whatever I was doing and go do "something else"... The result being that by the end of the day all we had was several half-finished projects). Was very happy to see him go (they finally got rid of him -- too many of us complained!). Also quite happy to see the company-phones go (that was due to budget cuts).

So, yeah, I don't like Cell Phones very much.

Back to the original topic of this thread:

A developing country having more Cell Phones than Toilets -- I don't know whether to call that tragic or positive progress... It could be tragic because money would be better spent on improving quality of life (with sanitation, etc). Could also be positive because it is starting to bring these "third worlders" up to the standards of the rest of the world -- the better communication should improve commerce/business and most other aspects of life.

I wonder... Do the "third worlders" have the occasional moron walking around jabbering on the cell phone loud enough to be heard by everyone in the next 7 counties, like we do in the U.S.?

[gareth19 (imported)]

I'm so far up in the mountains I can only use my cell away from home. So I have to use a land line; most of my friends don't have land lines because its such a hassle when you move; you can just take the cell with you. Never have to worry about getting a new number.

[Riverwind (imported)]

I buy minutes and days on my cell phone, 60 days and 300 minutes for $30. if I don't use all my minutes I don't loose them however you must not let your days expire. Right now I have 73 minutes and 65 days left. Its 10 cents a minute. I guess next payday I should buy another card which will add 300 minutes and 60 days to my phone.

River

[tugon (imported)]

In my town I think it is imperative that you have a cell phone to your ear while driving. As bad as the drivers are I like to think they are getting remedial driving instructions over the phone.

[curious_guy (imported)]

I hate cel phones. I bought one in January, pay-as-you-go, and when I discovered that any un-used minutes at the end of the month disappear if I don't buy more minutes by the first of the next month, I told them to take their thieving hands out of my pockets and fuck off.

Seriously, the way it worked, was I was REQUIRED to buy another card every month, because each card expired by the end of the month. THe only way around this rule was to buy a HUNDRED DOLLAR card, which was valid then for 6 months instead of one.

Shit, I was using only about 8 dollars a month worth of my card, and the smallest denomination card I could buy was 20.

I have a Page Plus Cellular pay-as-you-go cell phone. I have to buy a $10 card (100minutes) every 120 days. I think it is a reasonable deal. I just have it so that I can call AAA or 911 if I need to.

[Dave (imported)]

My cellphone was invaluable when the battery went dead in my car and I was sitting in a parking lot about a mile and a half from the dealership. They brought an entire new battery.

Another time the main cooling valve broke and the temperature on my car went into orbit. I just parked in the nearest lot and called the tow truck.

Or just late due to traffic and having to call the next appointment.

I have called nieces and nephews from a department store to find out the sizes of clothes for their kids (uncle buying gifts)...

What I think is dumb are the people who walk the aisles of a supermarket asking what they should buy. I guess they can't write a list. OR when they leave the market, get into their cara and before it moves they are on the phone. Of those idiotic headsets with the blue lights that they babble to while walking.

[Paolo]

Texting was invented by a gang of carpal tunnel surgeons.

[fhunter]

Texting was invented by a gang of carpal tunnel surgeons.

No it was invented by phone companies to strip their clients of money .

At least here one text message costs as ~1 minute. It is cheaper to just call .

[Eunuken (imported)]

The most interesting thing about Text Messaging is it cost the carrier NOTHING AT ALL!

The "Text Message" rides along the carrier that tell the phone that its getting a signal from the tower.

Thats why they are limited in length.

Its all Profit for the Carrier.