The pleasures of more versatile cell phones
The pleasures of more versatile cell phones
JAKARTA (JP): Thanks to the continuous development in
technology, a cellular phone is now not just a cellular phone.
Telecommunications equipment makers are constantly competing to
introduce smarter and more versatile cell phones.
The versatility of the latest cell phones allow users to do
more than just making a phone call.
Among the latest versions of cell phones is the MP3 phone, a
cellphone terminal which allows users to listen to music on it.
Korea-based Samsung's SGH-M100 is such a cell phone.
Users can downloaded files from the Internet to a PC and into
their cell phones. The cellphone can hold 16MB of music, or about
15 minutes worth of tunes.
For those who frequently go on business trips, the terminal
will be a help as its 32MB data storage function allows users to
store data files such as Excel and MS Word downloaded from a PC.
They can retrieve the files simply by connecting their MP3 phones
to a PC.
Siemens of Germany has introduced the SL45, a cellular phone
which is also an MP3 player, a digital voice recorder and an
organizer.
The SL45 has a built-in MP3 player, allowing users to save
their favorite tunes in its standard 32MB multimedia card.
The SL45 also has multimedia capabilities.
Meanwhile, Ericsson has introduced an MP3 player attachment in
its T18 or T28. The player can hold a 32MB or 64MB multimedia
card, and it can be controlled through the cell phone's
interface.
MP3 is currently the most popular audio format for most
Internet music lovers, as it is an easy way to compress and send
audio files with a quality that almost matches the CD.
For those fond of radio, there are also some products equipped
with FM radio receivers.
Motorola has the V2282, which includes a WAP 1.1 minibrowser
for Internet access and an FM radio. Users can surf the Internet
using the WAP minibrowser. They can listen to the radio with
earphones.
There is also the MC 825 FM from SAGEM which offers FM radio
function, allowing users to listen to the radio on their GSM
(Global System for Mobile) terminals.
Most of the new intelligent cellular phones with MP3 player or
radio receivers are equipped with earphones or headphones which
automatically switch from music to incoming calls. Therefore
users will never miss a thing, even when they are enjoying their
favorite heavy metal grooves nonstop wherever they maybe. The
earphones also function as a hands-free facility, so when there
is an incoming call, the music turns off to let the user take the
call.
What users have to note is that they would have to recharge
the batteries more frequently, particularly when they become fond
of listening to MP3 on their cellular phone.
So, just carry your cell phone where ever you go. The terminal
is now not only a tool to make you always accessible, but an
intelligent gadget, combining various features like radio, MP3
player, mobile Internet access, Web browsing, an organizer, and a
calendar.
Soon we may have an even more versatile terminal.
For instance, Samsung, one of the most innovative makers in
the market, has the SGH-Q100, a terminal which adapts to the GPRS
(General Package Radio Service), which is the next generation of
mobile phone technology. The terminal offers high speed data
processing, Internet access and e-mail services for GSM cellular
phones. Now there are also PDA phones, TV phones, and a 1.8-inch
high-resolution TFT-LCD screen on a fold-down mobile phone
handset with a built-in miniature TV receiver.
One day, the PDA, MP3, radio, TV, Web browser and even the PC
may be converged into a tiny terminal. (icn)