Non Web Tools

Last week, right before class, I was at the Doctor's office. We realized that the visit was going to run in to class time, we were getting hungry, and there was nothing at home to heat up fast. So, a pizza sounded like a good idea. My husband asked the receptionist for a phone book, but she never brought it to him. He thought of using his cell phone to call information, but at about $1.50 for each call, it didn't seem worth it. If only we had a way to get the pizza place's phone number.

Instead of calling ahead, my husband ended up driving to the pizza place, placing the order, and waiting. Thanks to what I learned in class though, we now won't have to do that...

Google, who I think must have marketing geniuses, has entered the world of 411 and text messaging . For only the cost of a text message or cell phone call (of which I rarely go over my limit) I can now text or call Google for phone numbers, the weather, or to answer simple questions. I now have my local pizza place's number, and address, saved as a text message, along with a couple of other local pizza places. As someone who depends on her cell phone as her main means of communication, I really appreciate ways that I can incoporate it in to my daily needs-I use it for phone calls, to text a friend, share pictures of my son, and record interesting events. It is my main address "book", photo album, and watch. I am exciting that now, without paying an extra fee, I can also use it as my yellow pages.

Mind you, Google isn't the only way you can get free information. I have used 18005551212 for years for free 800 numbers. My father told me today about an information phone number you can call that is free, provided that you listen to some "brief" advertisments first. He said he uses it a lot, but wonders sometimes if it would be cheaper to just pay the $1.50 rather than spend the airtime and personal time to listen to ads (what is my time worth?).

My first cell phone, in 2000, was basic. It didn't even have a headphone jack or a vibrate option. My current cell phone, almost 2 years old, has video, a 2 MP camera, the ability to play music, as well as the basics like speaker phone, voice operated dialing, and, most importantly the ability to make phone calls. I have gone through 4 models in 7 years, and can't wait to get a new one in a few months. I don't need all the bells and whistles, but I would love something I can use for everything from texting, to pictures, to music, as well as have reception in Vermont. As we continue to expand the use of cell phones--Googling for info, responding to radio contests, checking in with airlines, staying in touch with people around the world, we will continue to demand better service and better phones. I can't imagine what my phone will look like in a couple of years--how much can we expect or need from a little portable phone?

I expect reliable service, my husband expects a 24 clock (we haven't found a Verizon cell phone yet that will change from 12 hour mode), and my 14 month old son expects noise-beeping, and images. I expect that I will continue to use a cell phone for communcating, sharing ideas and my life, as well as integrate it further in to work, play, and planning. We are a portable age--and the cell phone in my pocket is here to stay.