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The Computer in your Pocket–The Increasingly Surprising Capabilities of Modern Cellular Phones

In less than a decade the cellular phone has gone from a novelty owned by a few to a necessity owned by nearly everyone, regardless of nationality or economic status.  Cell phones have evolved with the times as well.  Just a few years ago, cellular phones were large and clunky and had only one useful feature–the ability to make phone calls.  Modern cell phones are sporty and sleek, and technology has increased to the point that size is no longer an issue.  In fact, it is possible to make cellular phones now that are so small as to be practically unusable.

Whereas cell phones once were used exclusively to make and receive telephone calls, they now have so many bells and whistles that the ability to make and receive calls is now only one feature out of many.  Perhaps the most commonly used feature of modern cell phones is text messaging.  Text messages are, as the name implies, short bits of text that can be sent to and from a cell phone.  In fact, text messaging has become so prevalent that an entirely new version of written English has spontaneously sprung up to make using cell phone alphanumeric keypads more efficient. 

Most modern cell phones now have the ability to browse the internet.  This means that users can now check traffic reports, view sports scores, and book plane and hotel reservations from anywhere and at any time.  While internet browsing on a cell phone used to be rather slow, new communication technologies and protocols are opening up a world of broadband browsing to cell phone users.

Most cell phones today come with built in cameras and video recorders.  This has impacted society in some rather remarkable ways.  For instance, it is now likely that anytime a major event occurs there is probably someone nearby who can record it.  This has essentially turned the public into an enormous cadre of free lance reporters and photo journalists.  From the sublime to the horrific, if something happens, it is likely that someone will use a cell phone camera or video recorder to capture it.  This was most poignantly illustrated by the macabre footage of the execution and post-mortem of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.  The videos that were leaked to the press and broadcast by countless media outlets and internet news sites were, of course, captured on cell phones. 

Many modern cell phones also allow users to load and play digital music files.  The so called "Ipod effect", a term given to the increasingly important role of digital music in modern life named after Apple Computers' ground breaking digital music player, has resulted in a consumer base that demands that their portable electronics be able to play digital music.

Cellular phones are now full fledged computers that can run software in the same way that a desktop computer does.  While the first optional computer programs for cell phones were games, there are now software programs that allow cell phone users to read electronic books, write documents, manage their finances, check their email, and do much more.   

Cell phones have certainly come a very long way in a few short years.  They have gone from being primarily toys of the few to ubiquitous tools of the masses.  Their functionality has increased to the point that it almost seems laughable to refer to them as phones at all.  No matter what you call them, the computer that you carry in your pocket has changed and is changing the world. 

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