Re: A cell pone feature that isn\'t (yet anyways)
 

Interesting ideas in this thread, but there's really only one I care about that hasn't been mentioned: make them waterproof. Seriously. Digital calculator watches were waterproof when I was growing up 20-25 years ago, I'm hoping there's some way that one day the same can be done for cell phones, as basically every phone I've broken has been a consequence of it getting fried after getting wet.

Re: A cell pone feature that isn\'t (yet anyways)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Interesting ideas in this thread, but there's really only one I care about that hasn't been mentioned: make them waterproof. Seriously. Digital calculator watches were waterproof when I was growing up 20-25 years ago, I'm hoping there's some way that one day the same can be done for cell phones, as basically every phone I've broken has been a consequence of it getting fried after getting wet.

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ohh that is a good one. I've lost 2 phones to wetness.

they don't seem to make electronics waterproof anymore. I suppose complexity has a lot to do with this...a simple digital watch has no inputs, and the battery never needed to be charged.

Re: A cell pone feature that isn\'t (yet anyways)
 

KB4Z,

I've always thought it was a combination of the inputs and the fact that fried phones = more phone sales for the carriers and their manufacturers. I'm not normally much of a conspiracy theorist but there's pretty good incentive for them to not invest in improvements.

Re: A cell pone feature that isn\'t (yet anyways)
 

There will be an open source phone released very soon. So many things you can dream up could be reality.

http://openmoko.org/

Re: A cell pone feature that isn\'t (yet anyways)
 

I would like a bottle opener on my phone.

A ton of the stuff we're talking about here isn't creative or brilliant or new. "I would like my phone to incorporate other electronic devices" is the general theme we're working with. Manfactorers have been doing this as quickly as technological development allows, which is why current phones are also datebooks, pagers, internet browsers, watches, etc. Personal electronic tools that incorporate the functions of an incredible array of current devices will be so ubiquitious in 30 years that we'll wonder how we ever lived without them in much the same way that we currently take clothing for granted.

Re: A cell pone feature that isn\'t (yet anyways)
 

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Dual simcard phone I know was released, but may not be available in the US. I remember it being directed at international travelers. Here is one I found: http://www.fonefunshop.co.uk/dualsim/dualsimcovers.htm.

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page not found. you've been cell pwned!

Re: A cell pone feature that isn\'t (yet anyways)
 

all phones come with cameras these days, how much longer until the camera works as a streaming video to - say another person with the same feature? I think all you'd need is a little bandwidth bump.

Re: A cell pone feature that isn\'t (yet anyways)
 

[ QUOTE ]
KB4Z,

I've always thought it was a combination of the inputs and the fact that fried phones = more phone sales for the carriers and their manufacturers. I'm not normally much of a conspiracy theorist but there's pretty good incentive for them to not invest in improvements.

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Yes, there's a great incentive for not making cell phones waterproof. It isn't cost effective.

Re: A cell pone feature that isn\'t (yet anyways)
 

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I'd be way happy if my cell phone acted as a key and a debit card.

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Until someone steals your phone...

Re: A cell pone feature that isn\'t (yet anyways)
 

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[ QUOTE ]
I'd be way happy if my cell phone acted as a key and a debit card.

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Until someone steals your phone...

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Well, if someone steals my wallet I'm in the same boat (at least with respect to debit cards). It's really just exchanging the risk of having your wallet stolen with the risk of having your phone stolen but with increased convenience, so it's a net gain.