The Mobile Phone Journey: From Past to Present

If you have gotten used to your sleek and compact phone, imagine our grandfathers carrying a huge box which they called as a ‘Cell phone’, which weighed approximately 4 times more as compared to the newer sleek phones. Mobile phones have seen a vast amount of changes in the last few decades, here’s a quick recap of the mobile phones from the birth stages.

The first mobile phone well known as 1G (First Generation) phone was launched in 1983 by the Motorola Company. The phones used analog technology and they faced a huge problem in regards to clarity and constant noise interference. The 1G phones were quite heavy and needed to be permanently installed on automobiles due to their size and weight. The main utility that the 1G phones provided were communicating traffic information. This is the era of mobiles where only one to one calling was possible.

Then the mobile phones drove into the period of 1990’s and came the era of second generation or 2G handsets which brought in a package of changes in technology. The 2G phone proudly featured the digital technology and welcomed the smaller units and batteries and it meant as per its name Mobile. The phones introduced the calling plus messaging features.

While we were busy preparing for the funeral of 2G phones, the 2.5G Phones came in to scene with full fledged talk, messaging and picture messaging features, the phones lost a good amount of weight during their long journey. The 2.5 G features were making a foundation to the path of 3G with calling, text messaging, picture messaging and GPRS packet data facilities.

And the current age of 3G phones surprised the world with a huge list of features like video calling, Wi-Fi connectivity, mobile TV, video streaming and endless amount of excellent features. The phones became an ‘All in One’ compact system and molded into a computer phone and eliminated the need of a computer for some of the users.

The Mobile phones have traveled right from the old green or blue background screens to the latest color widescreens which can be controlled by a mere touch on the screen. While we are getting ready to welcome the 4G generation of mobiles, the mobile phones have already started displaying mobile TV’S proudly and they even guide one through a road with the GPS maps and real time traffic information.

Mobile phones have transformed themselves neatly from a luxury item to a necessity. The phones have even been encrusted with diamonds, precious gems, gold, etc and thus making it a fashion accessory rather than a simple gadget. Mobile phones have not yet stopped with their journey. In today’s date when they have become a necessity, there’s still a long way to travel and there are a vast amount of technological improvements expected in the future.

source : http://www.mobiletor.com/

Cell phone alerts coming soon

Federal regulators Wednesday approved a plan to create a nationwide emergency alert system using text messages delivered to cell phones.

Text messages have exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly among young people. The wireless industry's trade association, CTIA, estimates more than 48 billion text messages are sent each month.

The plan stems from the Warning Alert and Response Network Act, a 2006 federal law that requires upgrades to the nation's emergency alert system. The act tasked the Federal Communications Commission with coming up with new ways to alert the public about emergencies.

"The ability to deliver accurate and timely warnings and alerts through cell phones and other mobile services is an important next step in our efforts to help ensure that the American public has the information they need to take action to protect themselves and their families prior to, and during, disasters and other emergencies," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said following approval of the plan.

Participation in the alert system by carriers is voluntary, but it has received solid support from the wireless industry.

Cell phone subscribers would be able to opt out of the program. They also may not be charged for receiving alerts.

There would be three different types of messages, according to the rules.

The first would be a national alert from the president, likely involving a terrorist attack or natural disaster. The second would involve "imminent threats," which could include natural disasters like hurricanes or tornadoes or even university shootings. The third would be reserved for child abduction emergencies, or so-called Amber Alerts.

The alerts would be delivered with a unique audio signature or "vibration cadence."

The service could be in place by 2010.

source : http://www.cellular-news.com/