Introduction

The cell phone has come a long way over the years as just a simple handheld device that makes wireless phone calls.  Today, this marvelous device has become something more than most of us thought would turn out to be.  It is our phonebook, our day planner, our miniature photo album, etc¡­  It's the one little device that seemingly has become our digital life companion.  Like a good dog, the cell phone is slowly becoming that indispensable gadget for our everyday duties.

As the world moves more and more towards the digital convergence of products, it only seems natural to assume that the simple little mobile phone will become more than just a phone.  Yes, you're rolling your eyes ¨C the cell phone already is more than just a phone¡­I just said it myself.  Well, when I mean "more", I mean MORE.  Concepts we never expected to pop up on a phone and stuff that will take over our lives.

In America alone, it's not surprising that we're serious lagging behind the world.  For one, we're still running most of our cell networks on antiquated 2.5G (or even 2G) technology!  The rest of the world has been using the 3G standard the last couple years enjoying live television, fast Internet web browsing, and online multiplayer gaming.  In comparison, the just released iPhone still runs on 2.5G and unless you're browsing the net on WiFi, that EDGE data system is just pathetic.  Not so revolutionary as Apple claims it to be, eh?

But the iPhone does deserve credit for being the first cell phone that manages to be a full-fledged media device at the same time.  It may be first and foremost a phone, but it is also a true iPod music player, and has the world's first full web browser for browsing the Internet.  Thanks to Apple, we're only starting to realize just how much more the cell phone can be and just how powerful it will be as it becomes the one device that will replace every gadget on the market.

That said, what I intend to discuss here is the future of the cell phone and what I expect to happen in this industry.  These include ideas and concepts that might have already come to market as well as things that might not as well.  As we witness the cell phone becoming more and more of a mini computer of sorts, it will be interesting to see some interesting ideas that will take the place or replace a previous gadget altogether.