God, I love my Nokia 3650!

[Mitaic]

I had managed to dodge the omnipresence of mobile phones until a couple of months ago...

I finally gave up and got a free nokia 3650 from Amazon with T-mobile service.

I wasn't expecting much... a half-descent phone-cam, a large screen and a replaceable MMC slot. ITs size was big turn-off but i got it anyway because it was free. But damn, what I didn't realize was the many apps that are out there for this symbian phone:

I now remote control my TV and stereo, and winamp with my phone.
I play tomb-raider, prince of persia, and most of all Tigerwoods PGA tour when I wait for the shuttle bus
at one time it played mp3 but the phone sound quality sucks for music so i deleted it.
i hooked up with AvantGo so i get the news and weather info.
of course, download maps from mapquest.
writing notes

(all of these connectivity without subscribing to GPRS... just synching with my computer. thank god i don't sms; i wouldn't get any real work done!)

and of course, taking stupid photos everywhere.

I love my phone!

[The Drifter]

But the question is do you actualy need a cell phone?

[Mitaic]

Well, originally I also bought the cell phone so I can talk longdistance with my girlfriend. Well, we broke up and no unfortunately I don't use up the minutes that I subscribe, so in that regard the extra minutes are wasted.

there are ways to fix that, I suppose.

I do talk on the phone though and have come to appreciate its convenience. I also got it because I am attending many conferences outside of baltimore now. And at these conferences, it's great to have cells to locate your buddies and co-ordinate gatherings. So yeah, I use it, just wishing I wasn't tied up in this plan.

[Julierose]

What the hell do you need all that for? Did you loose the remote controls for everything else? if so, what makes you think you won't loose the phone too? Sounds like a waste of money if you ask me. I dont like the idea of phones being able to take pictures. I know that there is no privacy in public but, damn, I dont like the idea that everybody and their brothers girlfriend could be taking pictures of me without my knowledge.

[Mitaic]

jeebus.

first off, the phone itself was free.
secondly, I am a geek. I love gadgets. sue me. :fu:
thirdly, let's pray i don't lose the phone, shall we? 'cuz if lost it, i wouldn't be able to stalk anybody!

I love my phone; it's beautiful in everyway. well, almost.

Considering my love for my phone seems to ellicit some negative emotional issues for others, perhaps this should be put in the rant/rave section. Yo, guys, it's JUST a phone!

ps. [WARNING: RANT]as a geek, i do wish the fast convergence of handheld devices. For people like me who do need to use PDA, who do need to use cell phone, who do need to do a million things on the go, it's good to have a cell phone to do all these things. Now bearing that in mind, the strict definition for a cell phone to be MERELY a communication device here in the US really hinders technology development; whereas in Europe, the standardization of protocols and vast interest in having more than just a phone greatly push handheld technology further. I guess that's a difference between Americans and Europeans. [/RANT]

[Mitaic]

but i do agree with Julierose that conflict between personal privacy and camera phone usage is an issue that needs to be worked out somehow.

[Julierose]

Originally posted by Mitaic


ps. [WARNING: RANT]as a geek, i do wish the fast convergence of handheld devices. For people like me who do need to use PDA, who do need to use cell phone, who do need to do a million things on the go, it's good to have a cell phone to do all these things. Now bearing that in mind, the strict definition for a cell phone to be MERELY a communication device here in the US really hinders technology development; whereas in Europe, the standardization of protocols and vast interest in having more than just a phone greatly push handheld technology further. I guess that's a difference between Americans and Europeans. [/RANT]

um, you really are a geek aren't you?

[Julierose]

Originally posted by Mitaic
but i do agree with Julierose that conflict between personal privacy and camera phone usage is an issue that needs to be worked out somehow.

there is no conflict really, THERE IS NO PRIVACY IN PUBLIC. If whay you are doing can be seen from a public street, or other public property such as a park, it is perfectly legal to take pictures of it. There are many documented cases in media law that have involved with photographs or video of people in their private homes or businesses where the photographer has won. The moral is, if you dont want people to see what you are doing, close your blinds. I just think that its a bullshit law. My problem with camera phones is that they look like phones and not cameras. If I see someone with a camera and I dont want my picture taken I can get out of the way, if I see someone with a phone I dont necessarily know that they are taking a picture. I think that is unfair. It kinda seems like something out of an Orwell novel to me.

[mattb]

South Korea passed a law requiring that all cell phones beep at at least 60db while taking a picture, so as to prevent people's picture being taken without thier knowledge. My korean buddy is looking for the link, if he finds it I'll post it.

[mattb]

Found it!

camera phone law

[Julierose]

interesting... that is a good idea but if it beeps while the shutter is going off it wont make much of a difference really. I wonder what the shutter delay is after the beep...

[Mitaic]

nah. just make the expose time > 30 minute like it was in the 1840s before Mr. Kodak came along. People would have more than enough time to dodge the the phone-cam stalkers. And if you do want to have your pic taken, you have to smile for 30 minute. Notice why none of the peeps in old pictures smile?

would it make you feel better if cameras are made to have phone functions instead of the other way around?:touchmymonkey:

[Mitaic]

Originally posted by Julierose


there is no conflict really, THERE IS NO PRIVACY IN PUBLIC. If whay you are doing can be seen from a public street, or other public property such as a park, it is perfectly legal to take pictures of it.

Well, that's a law I personally don't agree. There is a certain amount of decency and privacy of individuals even in public others should repspect. But then again, this is America where common sense needs to be written into laws and in order to accomodate all the Amendments, laws get all screwed up in the end and don't make any common sense.

It's like although you have every right to refuse giving out your SSN, everyone asks for it anyway.

[Julierose]

Originally posted by Mitaic

would it make you feel better if cameras are made to have phone functions instead of the other way around?:touchmymonkey: [/B]

not really... I think that the ability to take a picture and send it imediately is a novelty but not a necessity.Someone could take a pic of you doing something you dont want others to see and before you even get home, its all over the internet. I think it is bullshit marketing of technology that no one really needs.

[easysl]

Originally posted by dabigfro99
But the question is do you actualy need a cell phone?

there is life without mobiles?