| A new ruling concerning cell phone could have users tossing their old phone in the garbage. Under the new rule, people will be able to keep their phone numbers when switching cellular carriers.
The cell phone is a communication device, which uses a combination of radio transceiver, microcomputer and traditional telephone commutation for the implementation of a telephone connection on the territory (signal coverage), consisting of a “cell”, surrounding base stations of a cellular network.
Presently, cellular communication is the most widespread of all the kinds of mobile communication and hence, usually the mobile phone is called a cellular phone though satellite phones, radio telephones and trunk communication devices are also mobile phones apart from cell phones.
Types of cell phones:
Apart from the usual cell phones, the following also exist:
* Camera phones — mobile phones with camera and/or video camera functions. Presently, it is no longer used since the majority of modern handsets are equipped with built-in video cameras. Nevertheless, handsets with extended camera facilities are often called camera phones.
* Smart phones — mobile phones with an open operating system: Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, GNU/Linux, etc. Such phones allow installing new programs, expanding their functionality: IM-clients, office packages, schedulers, audio and video players and programs for managing calls, browsers etc. Viruses exist for smart phones (at times when destructive code cannot sneak into the usual telephones). Often, mobile phone users name the programs, which are written on Java, as viruses. The main task of the viruses is to send junk SMS messages on paid numbers.
* Communicators - pocket computers (handheld computer) with phone functions. Communicators work with the help of open operating systems: Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, GNU/Linux, etc. Communicators possess a wide range of functions. At present, communicators differ from smart phones mainly in shape factors: communicators are very similar to handheld computers and smart phones than to traditional phones. Also, the main difference between the smart phones and communicators is the presence of a touch screen in communicators. The performance of communicators, as in the case of any “big” computers, depends on the installed software and “hardware”.
* Player phones — mobile phones with an MP3-player.
Functions of cell phones:
Apart from main function, namely telecommunication, modern cell phones possess a set of additional functions.
* Display (LED, monochrome, color);
* Telephone directory;
* AON (Automatic number identification);
* Voice-activated control
Related to voice communication:
* Speaker phone (“loud communication”);
* Conference communication — in this mode, several people can communicate;
* Headset connection (Hands Free) (ear-phones + microphone);
* Push-to-talk — in this mode, the phone simulates a portable radio.
Alert methods:
* Vibrating alert (“Vibration call”) — is used in noisy surroundings or where it is not allowed to violate silence;
* Variable ringing melodies (ring tones): from simple monotone trills to polyphonic melodies (MIDI), (MMF), (WAV), (MP3) and AAC.
Receiving /sending of messages:
* SMS (Short Message Service) — the exchange of short messages;
* EMS (Enhanced Message Service) — the expansion of SMS, allowing texts in bold, italic and you can add smileys;
* MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) –incorporating audio or images in a message;
* Instant messenger — instantaneous message exchange system, like ICQ
Data transfer:
* Fax;
* Modem and access to internet (through protocols CSD, GPRS, EDGE or Wi-Fi);
* WAP-browser;
* Communication with a computer or other device through a data cable, IR or Bluetooth;
* Features for working with email
Data storage:
* Hard disk;
* Built-in flash memory;
* Supporting removable flash memory cards (MMC, SD, Memory Stick, T-Flash,)
Business and entertainment functions
* Clock;
* Alarm;
* Calendar;
* Organizer;
* Calculator;
* Currency converter;
* Stop watch;
* Games;
* Java support (J2ME);
* Radio;
* MP3 player;
* Voice recorder;
* Digital camera, digital video camera;
* QWERTY-keypad;
* Torch;
* GPS;
* GPRS;
* Location-based services
Miscellaneous functions:
Sometimes, manufacturers of cellular phones include more exotic functions in handsets:
* Karaoke — LG F2100;
* Walkie-talkie — LG KF1000;
* Printer — Polaroid HS-RSS;
* Scanner;
* Finger imprint scanner — Pantech GI100;
* Conversion of audio into text format;
* TV tuner;
* Video surveillance system.
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