T16 Group 2: Anna, Ingrid, Jasleen, Owen

= Growing Cell Phone Dependence = Over the past decade, cell phone use has increased dramatically, becoming an important, if not inseparable, part of our day-to-day lives. Everyone from children to the elderly can be seen occupied with this device. We examined the arguments for and against (excessive) cell phone use in order to understand "Are we becoming overly dependent on our cell phones?"

The History of the Cell Phone
Cell phones are quite a new technology, by the standards of most people. It hasn’t been until the last eight or ten years that cell phones have become so widespread and commonly used. But the thought that the cell phone is a new invention is quite misleading—the first developments for the cell phone can be traced back as early as the nineteen forties. These developments were mostly made to radiotelephone technology and nobody had really given thought to using the technology for private telephone calls.

The cell phone’s early ancestor was the car phone: the first crude form of cell phones. However, because there was a lack of required technology during the period of car phones (1940s), not much development was made. The only available way of broadcasting or receiving messages were different radio frequencies—these frequencies were under the regulation of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It wasn’t until 1947 that AT&T proposed that the FCC allot a sizeable number of radio-spectrum frequencies in order to perform research on new communications technology. However the FCC limited the number of frequencies available—this made it so that only twenty-three conversations could be held in one service area at a time.

In 1968, the FCC allowed more frequencies to become open on the condition that the research would bring forth new leaps in mobile service technology. Both Bell Labs and AT&T performed research using the frequencies newly available, and in 1973, the first ever phone call, on a cell phone, was made by Dr. Martin Cooper of Motorola. The phone call was made to his rival, Joel Engel, who worked as the head of research for Bell Labs.

By the year 1977, Bell Labs had created a tentative cellular system and within a year, trials of the prototype system were launched in Chicago. The following year, the first commercial cell phone systems began to operate in Tokyo, Japan. But it wasn’t until 1982 that the first commercial cellular phones became available.

Even though there was a popular demand for cell phone technology, it took thirty-seven years before it became commercially available in the United States. It was almost fifty years ago that wireless service was invented, and compared to the first cell phones that were ever invented developments have made it a long way. At the rate that the cell phone technology is developing, who knows what may be accomplished in the near future?

How a Cell Phone Works
When you switch it on, a Cell Phone sends out a signal on the Control Channel, which allows it to connect to the base station. If the Cell Phone cannot find a base station whose signal matches its own (set when the phone is made), it displays the message "Out of Service". A Cell Phone is actually very similar to a complex radio. When a call is made, both of the parties in the call are assigned a frequency by the MTSO (Mobile Telephone Switching Office), which allows one person to speak and be heard on one frequency, and the other person on the other frequency. This set up is known as Full-Duplex as opposed to Half-Duplex used by devices such as CB Radios, which allow only one person to be speaking at a time over one frequency.

The MTSO also tracks the signal of your phone so that when you move out of the range of one base tower (known as a cell), the tower knows to switch your call over to the next tower you are approaching. If the cell you are entering is not covered by your service provider, the call will often be dropped. With some providers, however, your signal may be picked up another company's tower and carried on. This is called 'Roaming' and often results in increased fees during the time that you roam.

2G & 3G
The Second Generation (2G) of Cell Phone was brought about with the advent of Digital Cell Phones. Digital Cell Phones have the advantage of being able to fully convert your voice into Binary Code, which allowed a call to be compressed into taking up much less space than it would before. An estimated 3 to 10 Digital calls can occupy the same bandwidth as a single Analog call would formerly. Third Generation (3G) of Cell Phones or Smartphones are designed to be true multimedia phones, intended for use with Web-based applications in addition to visual and audio functions. They are given a system with more bandwidth so that they can quickly and easily connect to the Internet as well as perform a variety of other functions.

The Elements that Make up a Cell Phone
Though a Cell Phone contains relatively few parts, it is among the most intricate devices that we carry around day to day, winning out at having somg of the most complexity per cubic inch in a device.

A Typical Digital Cell Phone includes:
 * A Circuit Board
 * An LCD
 * An Antenna
 * A Keyboard
 * A Speaker
 * A Microphone
 * A Battery

Pros


Welcome to the sunnyside of the cellphone

Cell Phone is an important electronic device in our daily life. Without this product we cannot pass a single day. After invention of cell phone in 1981 this device is attracting people more impressively. Before this product was used only for call making and receiving but now cell phone is being using more widely in different sectors. People are going to be more dependent on this tiny product Cell phone. Cell phones offer us mobility in communication, entertainment, information, and so much more. These days having a cell phone is like carrying a mini computer around. However, cell phones have been associated with the growing number of stress enhancers in our lives. The increased functionality of our mobile phones brings with it a myriad of new activities, begging our attention. Surfing the internet on your mobile, browsing the latest news, views, and reviews can be considered as much a con of cell phones as it is a pro.

A cell phone is a mobile communication device in the way of: telephone calls,SMS, e-mail, and instant messaging services. It has made our lives more comfortable and easy. We have all come to rely on these little devices that fit snugly in to our pocket and purses. Cell phones provide the convenience of being able to reach your friends and family anywherr and at anytime. With the setup of GPS sysytem worldwide we can carry our cell phones anywhere in the world and stay connected.

Telecommunications has been enhanced as a development tool because of its broad range. Better communications networks produce higher incomes, yet higher incomes also produce a higher demand for communications since communication is a luxury good. Telecommunications is a growing sector that creates new activity in itself, contributing to economic growth and employment creation, developing economies particularly. Telecommunications lowers transaction costs, both the fixed costs of acquiring information that is needed for competent decision-making, and the variable costs of participating in markets. Cell phones are very important for business people to in contact.

The benefits of cell phones in emergency situations is undisputed. The Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 74 percent of Americans say they’ve used a cell phone in an emergency. In addition, some emergency agencies are encouraging cell phone users to put “ICE” (in case of emergency) in front of names of people in your cell phone directory whom emergency personal should call in case of an emergency. New phones using GPS technology allow parents to track the location of a phone and thus, hopefully, their child.

Feature-wise, cell phones offer an astounding combination of gadgets, bundled into one. Some cell phones have fm radio; while almost all have calculator, calendar, organizer, and reminder facilities, mp3 players and video games as well. Newest cell phones offer recording from radio, as well as touch screens, with new and improved functions emerging daily.

GPS is new edition in cell pone. You can use your phone as a GPS device to find any location or you can watch traffic condition on the road. So easily you can navigate your easier way to drive. By using gps phone you can observe your teenage son’s driving activity on the road. Cell phone has removed your anxiety for your child because of GPS phone .So cell phone is the easiest device to consume technological facilities of GPS.

Cons


Welcome to the dark side of the cell phones. Driving while talking on the cell phone is the major known cause of many accidents.How many people do you see driving while using a mobile phone? In the UK, this is now illegal but it hasn't stopped people from doing it. Using a handset while driving is dangerous and can cause accidents. When will these people ever learn? If you're going to use a phone while driving, use the other technology which goes with it, otherwise known as hands free.

In addition, cell phones have been investigated to have adverse health effects, backed by testimonies from users who have suffered these effects. Cell phone radiation is said to be very strong and this is illustrated by a YouTube video that portrays kernels of corn being popped by the radiation from three cell phones, into popcorn. Also, the incident in which a cell phone exploded in a man's pocket received much attention owing to increased cell phone usage worldwide. Despite all this, the cell phone has been described by some as indispensable, while others mimic smokers in saying they "cannot live without it".Another study looked at addictive, problematic use of cell phones and found a link between low self-esteem and problem cell phone use. A study measuring the link between cell phones and mental health found that teens who used cell phones the most were more likely to be anxious and depressed.

There's always the person who likes to shout down the phone when you're standing right next to them. And they do it so many. And is there really any need to use it in a restaurant or crowded public place? It sabotages your privacy and can be very irritating for others.

Being such a fashion item, there's also increasing competition, particularly among teenagers, to have the latest model with all the latest gadgets on it: Bluetooth, Mp3, internet connection, camera, you name it. It creates tensions between certain people and means there are more ways to interrupt meetings and lessons at school.

And it would help if the calls were as cheap as a landline. The European Union is supposed to be investigating this possible price fixing scam and advising companies to change their pricing policies, particularly for international calls and calls to a cellphone.Parents often experience sticker shock when they receive the bill for their child’s cell phone. Special ring tones, text, picture and video messaging, downloadable games, overage minutes and connecting to the Internet can all be very expensive and heavily used by teens.

The reason so many people say ‘I can’t live without my mobile’ is that they have come to depend on it, not just for convenience, but for a sense of being in control, a sense of safety, a sense of being (hopefully) needed, and a sense of belonging to their mobile community. Here for many people, especially teenagers and younger people, is a growing dependency for psychological and sociological reasons.

We have to realise that cell phone is nothin but a convenience and it should be used in moderation. Its somethin we created to help us in our daily lives and not to interfere. So, even though it has its cons,if used wisely these cons can be reduced if not eliminated completely including the health effects.

All Cell Phone Owners

 * World-wide, there are an estimated 2 billion cell phones.
 * According to a 2004 MIT survey, the cell phone is the invention people hate the most but can't live without, beating the alarm clock and the TV.</li>
 * 83% say that it makes life easier.</li>
 * 86% say they are irritated by loud cell phone users in public places.</li>
 * 36% say that they were shocked by the size of their monthly bill.</li>
 * 24% say that they often feel like they must answer their cell phone even when it interrupts a meeting or a meal.</li>
 * 26% say it is more important to go home to retrieve a cell phone than a wallet.</li>
 * 29% say they COULD live without the cell phones, 45% say they would MISS it, but could do without, and 26% say they could NOT live without their cell phones.</li>
 * 15% of Americans admit to having interrupted sex to answer a cell phone call; none have interrupted a cell phone call to have sex.</li>
 * Almost 2/3 of cell phone owners have used their cell phone backlight to look for something in the dark.</li>

Teenagers

 * In the United States, 2/3 of all children have cell phones. In Japan, 80% of high school students have cell phones. In Hungary, 3/4 of all children have cell phones.</li>
 * 45% say that having a cell phone is key to their social life. 28% feel that having the latest and greatest cell phone is essential.</li>
 * Cell phones rank 2nd after clothes in determining a teen's social status (Jewelery is 3rd and shoes are 4th).</li>
 * According to a 2006 study of 575 US high school students, 1/3 use their cell phones more than 90 times each day, mostly because they are bored or unhappy. These students scored higher on tests measuring anxiety and depression.</li>
 * 88% use their cell phones to make or receive calls, 74% send or receive texts, and 64% use the camera to take pictures.</li>
 * 90% of teens text. 42% say they can do it blindfolded.</li>
 * 36% admit that they love texting because it enables them to avoid face-to-face communication.</li>
 * <li>41% are concerned about their privacy and security when using their cell phone.</li>
 * <li>89% carry their cell phones to stay in touch while 78% carry their cell phones to feel safe while on the go.</li>
 * <li>1 in 5 teens had sent or posted a naked picture of themselves. 1 in 3 had received such a picture.

Using a Cell Phone While Driving

 * <li>About 73% of cell phone users talk while driving. </li>
 * <li>In Alberta, 2 people die and 150 are injured every week in traffic collisions due to driver distraction.</li>
 * <li>Using a cell phone while driving slows down the driver's reaction time by 18% and increases the risk of collisions by 4 times.</li>
 * <li>The issue with cell phone use while driving is NOT whether it is hands-free or hand-held, but rather that it is DISTRACTING. If you feel you must talk to someone while driving, ask someone to sit with you in the car. This person, aware of their physical surroundings, will be able to direct you attention back to driving if need be.</li>

Conclusion
Communication is a key factor in running our day-to-day lives, and any device that enables us to keep in touch can be seen as beneficial. What we must keep in mind is that MODERATION is immensely important. We must practice self-discipline to ensure that we do not become dependent on our cell phones.

History

 * <li>http://cellphones.org/cell-phone-history.html</li>
 * <li>http://www.motorola.com/content.jsp?globalObjectId=7662</li>
 * <li>http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/02001/home.htm</li>
 * <li>http://www.affordablephones.net/HistoryMobile.htm</li>
 * <li>http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa070899.htm</li>
 * <li>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcnXOhrmDB8</li>

Technology

 * <li>http://www.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone.htm</li>
 * <li>http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone1.htm</li>
 * <li>http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone3.htm</li>
 * <li>http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone5.htm</li>
 * <li>http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone5.htm</li>
 * <li>http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone6.htm</li>
 * <li>http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone9.htm</li>

Benefits and Detriments

 * <li>http://www.buzzle.com/articles/benefits-of-using-a-cell-phone.html</li>
 * <li>http://kids-and teens.ncomn.com/dir/Teen+Life/Social+Life/Cell+Phones/Pros+and+Cons</li>
 * <li>http://www.helium.com/items/1188475-disadvantages-of-cell-  phones</li>
 * <li>http://www.cellphone-reviews.net/driving.shtml</li>
 * <li>http://hubpages.com/hub/Cell-Phones---Pros-and-Cons</li>
 * <li>http://www.flickr.com/photos/keijock/2231853308/</li>
 * <li>http://www.flickr.com/photos/onthesource/3332357005/</li>

Statistics

 * <li>http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06075/671034-294.stm</li>
 * <li>http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/statistics-and-cell-phones-538109.html</li>
 * <li>http://www.acicr.ualberta.ca/documents/QuickFacts.pdf</li>
 * <li>http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/ehost/detail?vid=1&hid=115&sid=cc6749b3-828c-413b-a7dc-25ba0035c902%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=36891801</li>
 * <li>http://files.ctia.org/pdf/HI_TeenMobileStudy_ResearchReport.pdf</li>
 * <li>http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2006/PIP_Cell_phone_study.pdf.pdf</li>
 * <li>http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/05/24/MNGVKJ12341.DTL</li>

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