Stellar Cellular
The popularity of the modern cell phone continues to grow, and so does the number of bells and whistles our cellular companions come with. Here’s a rundown of what features and add-ons are available.
David Cieslak, CPA
A study by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania reported that the cell phone was the third-most significant invention of the last 30 years, behind the internet and personal computers. Nearly everyone relies on their cell phone as their primary way of staying in touch with those around them. But the cell phone’s stellar rise in popularity has not only been it ability to make voice calls or send text messages. Cell phones are playing a growing role in people’s lives given the increasing number of things we can do with them.
Display
It wasn’t that long ago that users needed to purchase a combination personal digital assistant and phone to enjoy a larger, high-resolution display and the additional functionality these devices offered. Thankfully, with advancements in screen technology and the continuing push toward downsizing, virtually every phone today has a bright color display—many capable of supporting screen resolutions of 480 x 360 pixels with 65,000 colors.
Internet
A feature that can most significantly extend the reach and potential of cell phones is internet connectivity. Once a phone is connected to the internet via a monthly data plan, a wealth of additional real-time information is available at the users’ fingertips. A large number of popular websites make available a downsized version of their content, optimized to fit on smaller resolution displays. Additionally, many vendors have custom, downloadable applications that are optimized to run on cell phones.
E-mail
Most phones feature pull or push e-mail that’s available in connection with a monthly data plan. Alternatively, the built-in browser on the phone can be used to access web-based e-mail.
GPS
Many cell phones have built-in global positioning system capabilities that enable them to be used for real-time directions. And with the added connectivity of the internet, maps can display real-time traffic information super-imposed over the suggested driving routes, making it easy for users to avoid problem areas. A newer twist on mobile GPS technology is Google Latitude, which enables users to broadcast their location to approved contacts. It’s an interesting way to connect with friends or keep significant others informed of their whereabouts.
Book/Content Reader
Since the one device most people have with them at all times is their cell phone, it only makes sense that these units also have become content devices. It’s unlikely that reading on a cell phone will ever replace the feeling of relaxing in a recliner with a favorite book or magazine. However, the cell phone provides a convenient opportunity to remain current on the latest news, industry articles, whitepapers, etc. For example, Google Reader provides a way to subscribe to various websites and automatically receive—on your computer or cell phone—new information as it’s posted.
Camera/Video
Almost all cell phones come equipped with a digital camera. And more and more of them also feature a video camera. (That way, a really hip CPA can YouTube the process of preparing a tax return.) Beyond that, one of the truly amazing technologies for cell phone video is found at www.qik.com. Using this website, an individual can take video with their cell phone and stream it live on the internet.
MP3 Player/TV
With downsizing and increasing digital storage capacity, cell phones can store a significant number of music and other audio files. An expanding array of TV programs is also available for the cell phone. With Slingbox, for example, users can “sling” whatever is on their TV to their mobile phone. Video/TV on cell phones will only grow in popularity. In fact, Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently went on the “Charlie Rose Show” and predicted that mobile devices will become the new TV.
SaaS
Software as a Service (Saas) is defined by webopedia as “a delivery method that provides access to software and its functions remotely as a web-based service.” As more applications become web-enabled, cell phones can quickly turn into a computing device.
Don’t settle for using a cell phone simply as a device to make and receive calls. Take a bit of time and explore how to gain additional utility and enjoyment from it.
David Cieslak, CPA is principal at Arxis Technology.
