The Extinction of Simple Cell Phones
Market forces reveal that I am in the dwindling minority of those who want a simple cell phone. Or have I just fallen behind the curve? Historically, I’ve always been anxious to recognize and incorporate new technologies into daily life. I had a VCR, fax machine, PC, and PDA, all before they were fashionable. I just don’t seem to be adapting to the wave of cell phone features, let alone lead the pack of enthusiasts.
Recently, I needed to replace my cell phone, and found it impossible to get a top quality cell phone that sports the features I want without all the bells & whistles I don’t want. I wanted a device with attributes solely targeted to enhance person-to-person communications. For example, I want Bluetooth® for a wireless headset, and predictive text for messaging, but don’t care to have Tetris or an MP3 player. I do want an address book for phone numbers, and voice commands for hands-free operation, but don’t need customized ring-tones, and could care less about watching MobiTV. This is the second phone I’ve had with a camera. I would have rather had a PEZ dispenser in the previous one, considering the poor quality of the images. At least this phone has a good quality 2MP camera that I won’t use. Maybe I need to abandon the concept I’ve developed regarding cell phones, and take a fresh look. Before I do, allow me to reminisce.
I was a cell phone user long before they were practical & affordable.
My first cellular telephone (late 1982) was an OkiData unit comprised of a desk style phone set mounted on the hump between the driver & passenger. It was connected to a transceiver, which was about the size of a 24-can case of soda, bolted into the trunk. At that time, such units were only available directly from NYNEX (the ancestor to Bell Atlantic, which is now Verizon). A typical local call was 55¢ a minute (or part thereof) in addition to the monthly service charge, which I think was around $75.
A completely handheld phone had been in development for over a decade, and in 1983 when Motorola introduced the first DynaTAC at 2lbs. and a price tag of $4,000, portable (if you want to call it that) cellular history had been made. For those curious, DynaTAC was an acronym for “Dynamically Adaptive Total Area Coverage”. Conceptually, the cellular method of 2-way radio coverage was quite revolutionary. The early years of the portable cell phone included a more popular ‘transportable’ model which matched the 3-watt power of those installed in cars. It was referred to as a ‘bag phone’ since it was sold in a canvas-like carry bag with a shoulder strap. 
The transceiver and a rechargeable battery pack remained in the bag, and the removable handset was connected via a traditional coil cord. When in use, an 8″ antenna had to be swivelled up and out of the bag to its vertical position. It was a tremendous leap in roving connectivity, and they were showing up everywhere (including my home).
A few years later, Motorola rolled out the MiniTAC whose style was a dramatic departure from the ‘brick’ design of the DynaTAC. At 16 oz, it cut the weight (and cost) of a handheld personal cell phone in half! It was only a matter of time before the next generation of portable cell phones would begin to revolutionize the concept of personal communication.
My first pocket worthy cell phone was a Motorola MicroTAC flip phone that I purchased in 1989. It weighed in at 12.3 oz., which is about 4 times heavier and comparably bulkier than today’s typical cell phone. 
It was a huge success, and brought cellular phones into the mainstream marketplace. Since this only put out 0.6 watts (600 milliwatts) in most areas a car kit was an essential accessory for reliable service while on the move. A cradle mounted in the car would connect the MicroTAC to a higher power 3-watt transmitter and externally mounted antenna, plus recharge the battery. Back then, hands free functionality was standard using a visor mounted microphone and a speaker hidden somewhere under the dash. These costly installations have become unnecessary with today’s digital networks and more robust coverage. In fact, the output power of a typical cell phone today is only 300 milliwatts or less.
Personally, I was thrilled as advancements sprung cell phone technology to a point where a phone could easily be carried clipped to your belt. Within a few years, newer and smaller models began appearing from a variety of manufacturers, and I found myself preferring Nokia’s design, for both functionality and durability. I still hold that opinion of Nokia’s products today.
I enthusiastically embraced SMS (short message service), more commonly referred to as ‘text messaging’ upon its appearance in the cellular communications arena. A succinct message could be sent when the depth of a direct call wasn’t warranted, and an email would not be immediate enough. Since these messages ride on the sparsely used control channel, whatever service providers charge, is essentially money for nothing.
So here I am with my new cell phone that weighs in at less than 4½ oz., and has more computing power than my first IBM personal computer. What’s more, I can send an email with a PowerPoint file as an attachment. If I could just figure out why I would want to do that, and who I would send it to!