Cellphones Now Used More for Data Than for Calls

[GomJabbar]

The New York Times: Cellphones Now Used More for Data Than for Calls

The number of text messages sent per user increased by nearly 50 percent nationwide last year, according to the CTIA, the wireless industry association. And for the first time in the United States, the amount of data in text, e-mail messages, streaming video, music and other services on mobile devices in 2009 surpassed the amount of voice data in cellphone calls, industry executives and analysts say.

“Originally, talking was the only cellphone application,” said Dan Hesse, chief executive of Sprint Nextel. “But now it’s less than half of the traffic on mobile networks.”

[Puppy]

Finally I'm still looking for a phone-less mobile device with Windows Mobile OS, at least 800x480 display and decent connection options (GPRS/EDGE is mandatory for developing countries without serious 3G coverage, as over here). This one http://www.dynamism.com/notebooks/viliv ... mium.shtml is getting very close, unfortunately no GPRS option.

[kiwipad]

Fortunately for dinosaurs like me who use a cellphone primarily for making voice-calls (oh and taking the odd photo when I remember the thing has a camera !! ), one of the network operators here has just introduced a new "talk" plan with the advertising slogan "talk like we used to" with a distinctly "1980s" feel to the tv ads. Obviously recognizing the fact that cellphones just are not being used for their originally enivsaged purpose, most of the plans were built on the text/data assumption. But maybe there was some demand from us luddites.

Interestingly this is the third time this subject has come up this week:

Once in a discussion looking at the adoption points of technology in different countries and for different age groups...

...and second as my OH has just ordered her new HTC to mutterings of "gadget" from me. Of course I'll be first to open the package & start setting it up, then doubtelss looking for how to rationalize me "having" to get one !

IG