The revolution in telephone technology and usage is really picking up speed now. All of a sudden there are new features and programs being tested and introduced by the cellular industry, including the phone makers, the networks, and the program developers. I’m starting to feel like I’m being left behind now as this stuff is really racing away. I’ve known for a while that I’m “behind the curve” when I read about 8-yr.-old children “texting” exam answers across the classroom.
So far, I’ve resisted the texting fad because it hasn’t had any draw or necessary use for me, as well as the extra cost involved. But GeezerDotter and Son of Geezer are both fully conversant in it, mainly because that’s about the only way they can get their kids to talk to them these days. It looks like the text messages are replacing a lot of phone calls, though. Instead of dialing a number, waiting for the ringing, then listening to the voice mail prompts and leaving a message (Whatcha’ doin’?), you just punch in your important message (wht u doon) and it goes right through….interrupting dinner and making immediate contact.
Within the last two weeks there has been an explosion in technological announcements as various companies have tried to keep their products relevant in this runaway market. For instance, there have been phone instrument upgrades in attempts to compete with iPhone and Android (HERE ), programmers racing to keep their products compatible with the newer sytems, such as Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 (HERE), and even mighty Google is setting up an “app store” to sell business-related apps for smartphones (HERE).
And as we mentioned the other day, Skype and Verizon will be making their joint announcement any minute now on their new collaboration that will permit cell phone callers to talk to people in other countries using the VOIP on the phone instead of their computers. Just think, soon you will be able to connect directly to someone in Slovakia and ask them, “Vatch ya’ doin’?”
If you’re off work today, and you’re in the U. S., the afternoon has tv coverage of the USA vs. Switzerland men’s hockey game from noon Eastern time to 3 pm, followed by men’s curling from 3 to 6. This is our first view of curling this year…so don’t miss your chance to start learning the game that we talked about HERE. Both programs are on the USA Network today.
We’d better get this equipment checked out now. I’ve got to get some coffee going.
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