| Even before the iPhone, cell phones were | | | | there were other developments in the "cell" |
| getting more and more applications that could | | | | end of cell phones. Tower technology |
| be useful to their owner. It may have started | | | | developed better quality transmission with |
| with the fabulous product called "ring | | | | lower power, and better coverage. The |
| tones," or it may have started earlier, but | | | | companies offering cell phone service |
| it turns out that as the DSP (digital Sound | | | | multiplied and merged with POTS (Plain Old |
| Processor) chips in cell phones became more | | | | Telephone Service) companies, and the ability |
| powerful it seemed a waste to not use it for | | | | of the consumer to contract for the service |
| more than just voice grade communications. | | | | that served his/her purposes best increased |
| | | | by leaps and bounds. |
| One of these other uses appeared as snippets | | | | |
| of favorite music used to replace the old | | | | One of the "other features" that have |
| fashioned "Ring" of a telephone. Actually, | | | | appeared in the cell phone industry in recent |
| even the old standard ring tones were being | | | | years include the appearance and |
| produced by the DSP as music. | | | | disappearance of "roaming charges" for the |
| | | | most part. If you are paying roaming charges |
| It only took a little bit faster and more | | | | find a different service. |
| powerful DSP and some more memory to make it | | | | |
| possible for the cell phone to converge with | | | | Another feature is "unlimited off-peak |
| the MP3 player, (a generic version of what | | | | hours." This feature allows you to make calls |
| the trademarked iPod is). As Research In | | | | without using "minutes" during the |
| Motion sold vast numbers of its famous | | | | non-business hours of nighttime and weekends. |
| Blackberry email, and web appliance, the cell | | | | Associated with this feature, you may find |
| phone industry took noticed and began to add | | | | "unlimited incoming calls." Some service |
| these applications to "standard" cell phones. | | | | providers also offer unlimited "in-plan" |
| RIM, for its part added cellular phone | | | | calling. |
| features to its Blackberry devices. | | | | |
| | | | With everything that the cell phone service |
| As the market forces drove cell phones, | | | | providers are giving away, it is hard to see |
| iPods, and Blackberrys toward each other's | | | | what is left to charge you for. With that |
| markets, each added features to enhance its | | | | consideration, I ask, "Why is my monthly bill |
| own features and to make incursions into the | | | | always over $100.00 when I am on a plan that |
| territory of other devices. Along with all of | | | | is supposed to be $39.95/month? |
| this development in the cell phone industry, | | | | |