Next Generation Cell Phones Unveiled
Next generation mobiles unveiled (CNN)
The mobile phone is a phone no more — or rather it’s a phone and more. The new models unveiled at the CeBIT technology show this week let users do more than just call a friend to catch up. How about sending a brief film clip of you by the fountain in Rome? Or perhaps a picture snapped of the Eiffel Tower with an image quality so fine it could be blown up and put in a 10×14-inch (25×35-centimeter) frame.
The new crop of phones debuting at the world’s largest technology trade fair included a model by Samsung that sports a seven-megapixel camera and others that can download and stream music like an MP3 player. “This is the first time that 3G phones are getting close to being sexy and attractive,” said Leif-Olof Wallin, who follows mobile phone development and marketing for the Meta Group from Sweden. Samsung Corp. didn’t disclose a price on the new SCH-V770, whose seven-megapixel camera delivers quality on par, or better, than the digital cameras available to consumers that offer four to six megapixels in quality.
The handset is expected to go on sale by June, at least in Asia, but its availability in the United States and Europe isn’t certain.
I’m really not all that impressed. Frankly, the thing I’d like to see the cell phone industry concentrate its energy on is improving the ability to do voice communications. Until they solve the problem of dropped calls, intermittent signal quality, and so forth, the addition of geegaws is of little interest to me. Furthermore, I’m just not sure how often I’d want to take pictures, let alone motion pictures, with my phone. The MP3 playing ability would be useful, however, if the reproduction quality is sufficient.
Now, if they could make the phones beam me from home to office instantaneously, bypassing the commute, I’d be excited. For that matter, I’d be happy to be able to say things like, “Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.” and have the phone produce that thing for me free of charge.
But would you really trust transporter service from your cell phone company? I wouldn’t. Static and dropped signals take on a slightly different meaning in that context! 😉
Ya has a point.
Yep. I’ll just settle for a cell phone that works well in my own house.
But James, improving all the video and pictures taken by cellphones makes the quality of a future Fred Durst or Paris Hilton video hack that much better!
I wish that cell phones worked in my apartment. That would be the best advance for me.
That said, I think that different advances in cell phones appeal to different people. The opposite of you – I don’t care to have a phone that plays MP3s… But a decent camera phone would be great. I am an amateur photographer and like to have a camera with me at all times. If I can combine my camera and phone – great.
The problem with camera phones now is not just quality – it’s how do you get the pictures off the phone? I was shopping for a phone over the weekend and nobody could tell me the answer to that question.
The problem with camera phones now is not just quality – it’s how do you get the pictures off the phone? I was shopping for a phone over the weekend and nobody could tell me the answer to that question.
email it or get a cable.
IMHO, cell phone manufacturers are making the same mistake(s) software companies make: including a lot of features many users do not want and will never use. Just give me a cheap, reliable phone and cheap, reliable network with customer service reps who know what they are doing and [at least] act like they care.