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A mobile phone (also known as a wireless phone , cell phone , or cellular telephone ) is a short-range, electronic device used for mobile voice or data communication over a network of specialised base stations known as cell sites. In addition to the standard voice function of a mobile phone, telephone, current mobile phones may support many additional services, and accessories, such as SMS for text messaging, email, packet switching for access to the Internet, gaming, bluetooth, infrared, camera with video recorder and MMS for sending and receiving photos and video. Most current mobile phones connect to a cellular network of base stations (cell sites), which is in turn interconnected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) (the exception is satellite phones).

Overview

According to internal memos, American Telephone & Telegraph discussed developing a wireless phone in 1915, but were afraid deployment of the technology could undermine its monopoly on wired service in the U.S.

The first commercial mobile phone service was launched in Japan by NTT in 1978. By November 2007, the total number of mobile phone subscriptions in the world had reached 3.3 billion, or half of the human population (although some users have multiple subscriptions, or inactive subscriptions), which also makes the mobile phone the most widely spread technology and the most common electronic device in the world.

The first mobile phone to enable internet connectivity and wireless email, the Nokia Communicator, was released in 1996, creating a new category of multi-use devices called smartphones. In 1999 the first mobile internet service was launched by NTT DoCoMo in Japan under the i-Mode service. By 2007 over 798 million people around the world accessed the internet or equivalent mobile internet services such as WAP and i-Mode at least occasionally using a mobile phone rather than a personal computer.

Cellular systems

Mobile phones send and receive radio signals with any number of cell site base stations fitted with microwave antennas. These sites are usually mounted on a tower, pole or building, located throughout populated areas, then connected to a cabled communication network and switching system. The phones have a low-power transceiver that transmits voice and data to the nearest cell sites, normally not more than 8 to 13 km (approximately 5 to 8 miles) away.

When the mobile phone or data device is turned on, it registers with the mobile telephone exchange, or switch, with its unique identifiers, and can then be alerted by the mobile switch when there is an incoming telephone call. The handset constantly listens for the strongest signal being received from the surrounding base stations, and is able to switch seamlessly between sites. As the user moves around the network, the "handoffs" are performed to allow the device to switch sites without interrupting the call.

Cell sites have relatively low-power (often only one or two watts) radio transmitters which broadcast their presence and relay communications between the mobile handsets and the switch. The switch in turn connects the call to another subscriber of the same wireless service provider or to the public telephone network, which includes the networks of other wireless carriers. Many of these sites are camouflaged to blend with existing environments, particularly in scenic areas.

The dialogue between the handset and the cell site is a stream of digital data that includes digitised audio (except for the first generation analog networks). The technology that achieves this depends on the system which the mobile phone operator has adopted. The technologies are grouped by generation. The first-generation systems started in 1979 with Japan, are all analog and include AMPS and NMT. Second-generation systems, started in 1991 in Finland, are all digital and include GSM, CDMA and TDMA.

The nature of cellular technology renders many phones vulnerable to 'cloning': anytime a cell phone moves out of coverage (for example, in a road tunnel), when the signal is re-established, the phone sends out a 're-connect' signal to the nearest cell-tower, identifying itself and signalling that it is again ready to transmit. With the proper equipment, it's possible to intercept the re-connect signal and encode the data it contains into a 'blank' phone -- in all respects, the 'blank' is then an exact duplicate of the real phone and any calls made on the 'clone' will be charged to the original account.

Third-generation (3G) networks, which are still being deployed, began in Japan in 2001. They are all digital, and offer high-speed data access in addition to voice services and include W-CDMA (known also as UMTS), and CDMA2000 EV-DO. China will launch a third generation technology on the TD-SCDMA standard. Operators use a mix of predesignated frequency bands determined by the network requirements and local regulations.

In an effort to limit the potential harm from having a transmitter close to the user's body, the first fixed/mobile cellular phones that had a separate transmitter, vehicle-mounted antenna, and handset (known as car phones and bag phones ) were limited to a maximum 3 watts Effective Radiated Power. Modern handheld cellphones which must have the transmission antenna held inches from the user's skull are limited to a maximum transmission power of 0.6 watts ERP. Regardless of the potential biological effects, the reduced transmission range of modern handheld phones limits their usefulness in rural locations as compared to car/bag phones, and handhelds require that cell towers be spaced much closer together to compensate for their lack of transmission power.

Some handhelds include an optional auxiliary antenna port on the back of the phone, which allows it to be connected to a large external antenna and a 3 watt cellular booster. Alternately in fringe-reception areas, a cellular repeater may be used, which uses a long distance high-gain dish antenna or yagi antenna to communicate with a cell tower far outside of normal range, and a repeater to rebroadcast on a small short-range local antenna that allows any cellphone within a few meters to function properly.

Handsets

Nokia is currently the world's largest manufacturer of mobile phones, with a global device market share of approximately 40% in 2008. Other major mobile phone manufacturers (in order of market share) include Samsung (14%), Motorola (14%), Sony Ericsson (9%) and LG (7%). These manufacturers account for over 80% of all mobile phones sold and produce phones for sale in most countries.

Other manufacturers include Apple Inc., Audiovox (now UTStarcom), Benefon, BenQ-Siemens, CECT, High Tech Computer Corporation (HTC), Fujitsu, Kyocera, Mitsubishi Electric, NEC, Neonode, Panasonic (Matsushita Electric), Pantech Curitel, Philips, Research In Motion, Sagem, Sanyo, Sharp, Siemens, Sendo, Sierra Wireless, SK Teletech, Sonim Technologies, T&A Alcatel, Huawei, Trium and Toshiba. There are also specialist communication systems related to (but distinct from) mobile phones.

There are several categories of mobile phones, from basic phones to feature phones such as musicphones and cameraphones, to smartphones. The first smartphone was the Nokia 9000 Communicator in 1996 which incorporated PDA functionality to the basic mobile phone at the time. As miniaturisation and increased processing power of microchips has enabled ever more features to be added to phones, the concept of the smartphone has evolved, and what was a high-end smartphone five years ago, is a standard phone today. Several phone series have been introduced to address a given market segment, such as the RIM Blackberry focusing on enterprise/corporate customer email needs; the SonyEricsson Walkman series of musicphones and Cybershot series of cameraphones; the Nokia N-Series of multimedia phones; and the Apple iPhone which provides full-featured web access and multimedia capabilities.

Features

Mobile phones often have features beyond sending text messages and making voice calls, including Internet browsing, music (MP3) playback, memo recording, personal organiser functions, e-mail, instant messaging, built-in cameras and camcorders, ringtones, games, radio, Push-to-Talk (PTT), infrared and Bluetooth connectivity, call registers, ability to watch streaming video or download video for later viewing, video calling and serve as a wireless modem for a PC, and soon will also serve as a console of sorts to online games and other high quality games. The total value of mobile data services exceeds the value of paid services on the Internet, and was worth 31 billion dollars in 2006 (source Informa). The largest categories of mobile services are music, picture downloads, videogaming, adult entertainment, gambling, video/TV.

Nokia and the University of Cambridge are showing off a bendable cell phone called Morph .

Applications

The most commonly used data application on mobile phones is SMS text messaging, with 74% of all mobile phone users as active users (over 2.4 billi

T-Mobile is gearing up for the holiday season by offering phones and services that are designed to place family and friends just a click away. They intend to deliver products and services that enrich relationships regardless of distance.


Malaysia Airlines on Tuesday unveiled a new service allowing passengers to make and receive calls on their mobile phones while in air on some routes.


A new way to send SMS to your friends phones completely for free. Apparently works anywhere in the world, except for Iran.


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Review the most important (and most amusing) iPhone and iPod Touch applications available. AppCraver love hearing from the founders of app start ups —their stories, struggles and successes are interesting and newsworthy. If you have a new product or service to showcase to the iPhone community, AppCraver is the place to do it.



msgooch76 asks: "You have to have a bridge card and the phone company is thru the government or something. I think its called TSI ? I need an website or number for them if anybody can help, thanks!"
Roger Vadim *SMILE* replies: 'http://www.whitefence.com/go to this website and put in your address and zip! check every couple of days, it will add any new services in your area!'
lisa m replies: 'There is a phone Co. TSI call 1-866-392-7123 they are based in Ohio but can hook up in alot of places.They are not run by the Government however;if anyone is on any public assistance programs,they will reduce the install charges,and take a reduction off the monthly bill-like a few bucks.my friend did this and this is what she did.She called the company,they explained the pricing plans,she asked for LIFELINE [the reduced price plan] they had her FAX a copy of her I.D. plus proof of Senior,or low income[whatever the case may be] they then hooked up in the 5 days as promised,all was well.The issue nobody told her was that it is a pre-paid plan so,the first bill comes real fast,and the second.After that everything is smooth.P.S. any major phone company has LIFELINE[ which is a reduction in fees for seniors and low income].Please check around,as this is not the cheapest service.Good Luck,Lisa'
Tea Fah asks: "I just got my bill from AT&T and I have to pay $102.47 by July 10th. It says that the phone is $42 and my internet is $52!!! Can anyone give me some good and lower costing companies here?"
The Wasp replies: 'if u live in the southern states try Bellsouth.net. NetZero is a good one, too.'
John Z replies: 'For phone/internet check out:For internet check out: For internet phone service check out:Make sure you look for "best deals" or "current offers."Good luck.'
charka j replies: 'Dialog communication the number is 1800-439-6100 by phone service is 35.00 a month. Everything is included. Call them on Monday and refer me Charka Jackon, email me and tell me what you think'
EDWARD I asks: "Does anyone have had any problems with the phone service vonage if so please tell me about it becuase i pay way too much for regular service and internet and vonage seems like the company to go for becuase i save about 30 dollars a month"
J... replies: 'Many people use it and like it, but some others don't. So, just depends on luck of the draw.Here in Canada, they are too expensive for me. So I use InPhonex and CallCentric at lower rates and, No Contracts, no commitments, no strings.'
Curious07 asks: "or do they make u pay for it first before they turn on the phone service i know they bill installation charge on first month bill thanks i have at&t thanksthis is a land line phone not a cell phone"
jane doe replies: 'A deposit would mean you have to pay upfront, that is usually if you don't have sufficient credit though. I would think they would want it and the install fee when they actually install services (or have a credit card on file). With Charter we had to pay for installation even though it was free and then they apply that toward the first month bill.'
kathryn.durkin replies: 'Worked for Sprint for 3 years. Almost all phone companies are the same. Yes for a deposit you have to pay for that first. Now the activation fee which is usually like $35 or $50 extra will be on your first bill... Sorry:( Most companies with deposits start at about $100 and go up to $500. Hope you were closer to the $100'

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