Four months into 2007, our technical savvy lifestyle deserves a pause and look back on where we came from – our cell phones. They’re like silent voices that scream out first impressions daily, but what do they really say about you? A decade ago many of us students were storming the hall ways of a dress-code-abiding, detention-assigning middle or intermediate school. Communication was probably as important as it is now, but it is apparent what the answer to the question “what does your phone say about you” would have been. Whoever the kid was with the cell phone in 7th grade, either stole it or his/her parents had some money to waste! This was the case in 1997, but it’s a totally different scenario in 2007. Literally everyone has a cell phone, and it isn’t chance that brought us this way either. Over the last few years, telecommunication companies have spent billions of dollars to increase the manufacturing of cellular devices.
Even though they are more accessible and compatible with plenty of voice plans now, the blueprint of what makes the “perfect” cell phone is constantly changing also. Unlimited texts. check. Voice dialing. check. Email and instant messenger. check. But is that the extent of what people look for when shopping for a celly?
Can all these features be spotted from the exterior of the phone, and what do they mean?
Cory Dixon, a graduate student, says, “A person either has a phone to show how trendy they are, or to meet up with what type of business they do with the phone. If they only want a phone to just chat with friends, then their phone might not be all that, but if they’re running a business, they might have a Sidekick or Nextel.”
In a survey conducted and printed by Neilson Media Research found in an article by “The Tech Diva,” Gina Hughes on yahoo.com, it has been proven (by the survey) that cell phones do say a lot about our personality. According to Neilsen Media Research associate director Mr. Jody Loughlin, “The type of mobile you’re seen with could even be more important than whether you’re with…one of the other major carriers.”
In the same survey here at Prairie View, eight out of 10 people say it says a lot as well. Jeffery Thomas, 26, says, “It’s definitely an ‘in crowd” thing to speculate peoples’ reasons about what kind of phone they have, or whether or not they even have one.” Even though everyone surveyed owned a cell phone, some felt it doesn’t matter what kind you have or if it makes you any cooler than you already are. Some said the opposite.
It’s possible if you have that phone that no one has, you’ll be starting a trend. As always, if you have that phone that everyone has, you’re inside the loop, but what if you don’t? Is it time to upgrade?