The Phone Revolution

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It's dinner time

I never thought that I would write a story like this, one that looks back in time to put today’s events in perspective but  I am. Last evening, we decided it was time to update our cell phones. There are reasons prompting this: 1) our two-year contract was up, 2) my phone doesn’t work well with my hearing aid, and 3) she wants a G4 iphone.  

We decided to meet at the phone kiosk at the mall. The first phenomenon that I want to identify is the explosion of cell phone shops and kiosks at the malls. Look around and observe that there are more phone kiosks than nail salons. We chose the phone kiosk, a national brand, located between the “threaders” and the henna tatooers. (A threader is an eyebrow plucker, and henna tattoos are nonpermanent, in case you change your mind.)

Since we met after work, the goal was to get new phones and a new plan before I became raging with hunger as it is dinner time. At the kiosk, there are no apparent rules for obtaining service, no formal line or take-a-number system. So, after jockeying for the attention of one of two service attendants among six competing customers all apparently arriving at the same time, we were up.

We were served by a very tall young man who was as much of genius in rattling off service and phone details as an Apple person. I knew which device I wanted and she knew what she wanted and we knew how much time we needed so this should be simple.

I have ADD, attention deficit disorder, and I have read all the literature and have gone online too. However, my wife likes listening to all of the details and the genius likes describing them, so they you are. With no stones left unturned we are now down to “let’s wrap up the sale.” Yet, wait. There is one more decision, “What color?” Then, genius throws down six options onto the counter and she ponders.

In the old days, I remember the phone man came to the house and delivered a phone – black, heavy and from having once worked in the business, I know it was called a C4A ringer, referring to the copper hammer that vibrated against the bell causing the phone to ring. Then, they came up with colors – red, green, white, cream.

When Barbie was born, they added the “Princess” phone. OMG, the handle laid flat and you could hang it on the wall.

Anyway, she picked a color and now we have a sack filled with accessories and user manuals and we are ready for dinner.

Phone technology has crossed the line with computers and communications devices have spun a global revolution. That is a good thing.

There are places in the world where people still eat with their fingers. I can hear it now, “Don’t touch my phone with those greasy paws.” Utensils are about to find their way to the table, caused by the cell phone. There will be eating utensil kiosks somewhere.

http://www.cellularphonenews.com/