Cell Phone’s #1 Feature: Talk

I’m going shopping for a new cell phone this weekend.  It’s kind of a big deal for me because, like my cars, I keep my phones until they’re on their last leg.  I’ve been doing a little online previewing and it’s simply amazing to me how far we’ve come.  Once upon a time I worked for one of the major wireless carriers, back in the day when there were only two of them.  My first mobile phone was just that…mobile…as it was installed in my car.  And the portable phones came in bags that you had to carry around and I swear those things weighed 10 lbs!  So yes, I’m blown away by the advances in modern technology and all the amazing things we can do with our little phones these days.

I’m not fancy.  Okay, yes, I carry a Pink Razr and it’s got a rhinestone encrusted cover, but that’s strictly cosmetic   What I mean by that is my phone has three basic functions…I use it to make phone calls, to send text messages and occasionally to check my personal email.  It may have more features I am simply unaware of but it’s served its purpose so I don’t feel like I’ve been missing out on anything.

But when I hit Circuit City this weekend and talk to my friendly Verizon rep I’m sure he’ll tell me all about the wonderful new things phones can do these days, features I simply can’t live without and of course I’ll buy into it and upgrade to a model with more bells and whistles.  Will I use the features?  I suppose with a little education, I think maybe, yes.  Especially if I purchase a phone with the MP3 player built in.  Video.  Local Search.  Mobile coupons.  There’s an awful lot we can do and some days it’s just downright overwhelming.  I still type in complete sentences when texting so I’ll need a little time to wrap my head around all these other very cool features.  Baby steps, baby steps.   

But this brings me to an article I read in Advertising Age.  Not unlike me, it seems most folks simply want to talk on their cell phones.   I’m certainly not denying there has been a healthy shift to mobile.  I know more than one “Crack”berry addict   The invention of the iPhone is driving more people to watch online videos, surf the web and check their email. I think the younger population is a driving force in the use of the some of the newer, fancier applications found on today’s mobile devices. 

But according to the Ad Age survey 3 out of 10 wireless device owners would prefer a small phone with fewer features in the future.  I wonder who these people are?  I’m guessing the older generation, a little reluctant to embrace change, maybe?  But I can’t wait to see what very cool features my next phone will include…and of course it will be pink!