Smarty pants

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I sometimes tell myself how the mobile phone has changed our lives. Right from connectivity to e-commerce, this handheld concept is growing leaps and bounds.While all this may be the future, I have my reservations. I'm definitely a tech savvy person, something even my friends would point out, but the concept of these insanely powerful phones is something am not entirely convinced.


It must have been in 2004 that my dad decided to buy a mobile phone. Though he's definitely into all these gadgets, home electronics sort of thing, the decision was more so because of sheer necessity. Since my brother was in his graduation process, it was rightfully handed over to him. A humble Nokia, with a B&W screen got the job done just fine. (If I'm not wrong, there was no option to even download and install new ringtones on his cell.)

Even today when I look at it, I wonder; What the hell was wrong with it? The battery never died out, calls were not dropped, clarity/reception was superb; overall not a pain to live with at all. Move ahead 7 years and a friend of mine shows the latest technological prowess, admitting that his PC is slower than his phone! I mean, isn't that insane? Do we really need such extremely powerful handheld devices?

These so called 'smartphones' are really just a marketing gimmick if you ask me. Sure the ads show a handsome man seducing a beautiful woman using an app although I'm not convinced as to how many will be in that situation occasionally! I'm not pointing out to any particular platform or manufacturer, since everyone's doing pretty much the same. :P

In the midst of making the mobile phone the ültimate gizmo to behold,  it's basic functions are forgotten. I mean, with all your 3G, Wi-fi, EDGE and what not switched on, the battery drains out in a few hours. So when your near and dear ones call, your cell phone is redundant! Stored electricity of any form is definitely not the answer. Hopefully the future has in devices in store which use alternate sources. 

Also, I do not understand the fascination for phones in our country. Having been looked down by salesmen in stores for inquiring a basic handset, I realised a phone is the ultimate statement in terms of style and status. All said and done, I've myself comprehended on a lot of smartphones but never really took it seriously. Maybe when the flaws the ironed out slowly, the mobile phone as we know it will definitely change our lives.

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