Mobile Phones

Mobile phones.... hmm ok for all the 'nerds' and 'boffins' out there that won't appreciate MY definition of a phone here is Wiki's :

'A mobile phone (also known as a cellular phone, cell phone and a hand phone) is a device that can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by the mobile phone operator, allowing access to the public telephone network. by contrast a cordless telephone is used only within the short range of a single, private base station.'

Ok happy??

Right now here is MY definition of a mobile phone. A mobile phone is simply a device that is used for quick and easy communication. 

Simples.

It rings you pick it up to speak to whoever it is that's on the other line, if you don't like them you hang up! You receive and send text (sms) other people... blah blah blah....

However nowadays, phones are WAYYYY much more than your basic call and text Nokia's. We now have have phones that can play music or perform any action in a specific location when you tap it on its individual 'smart tag'. Or phones that you hold a button and say 'Tell Mum to hurry up I'm gonna be late again', and it sends a text for you, so the norm of texting on a original phone is sooo the 60's. 

The link below shows us a slide show of how humans got from using a SRA/Ecrisson MTA (Mobile Telephone System A) in 1956 when it weighed the same size of a 13 year! (I know shocker!!) To the present where we have 'Technologised' phones like the iPhone 4s which fit into the palm of our hand.

(Click on the slideshow on the page and read slides 2, 8 and 15)

Evolution Of Mobile Phones

Ok your probably wondering yh get to the point already... Ok so my argument is 'Who Makes Who'?

Yes I know your thinking 'Duhhh humans or machines make phones in China..' That's not what I mean, I mean 'who Makes who'? Do we consumers make the phone by covering it in pink Swarovski crystals and personalising it to our taste. Or does the phone make consumers beacuse of its value, history, spec, features and stereotypes. 

Blackberry's were originally associated with business people as they used it for mulitasking and sending emails etc, now the common 12 year old has one with a bubblegum cover using it to IM her best friend half way across the world!

Who makes Who? - What the audience think?

Below are 2 videos from consumers with phones and their viewpoint on the following statement:

'Do phones make people of people make phones?'

Video 1: (Click to play)

Abigail Sidden, 22, from Sidcup is a holder of a Blackberry and iPhone

Between 1:10 - 1:30 she makes interesting points quoted below. She believe people make the phones.

'People do make the phones and the phone don't make the people, because they use the phones for what they want, they don't let the phone use them. They teach themselves to be able to use the phones in they way that they use the phones.'


Video 2: (Click to play)

Michael Stitchen, 18, from East London has had 4 Blackberry's. He believes that phones make the people. He also reckons that,


 'Phones make people because they force you to live a different lifestyle..' 


Just like name brands and trainers you have to be 'with' the current trends in order to do this you have to conform and get the latest phone and buy that app that everyone is talking about. Michael also says 


'You can earn respect or people will associate you with wealth and money because of the phones you have.'

When talking to Michael and Abigail about their daily lives and why they have they're phones they both gave me a one lined sentence that made me think 'Hmm ok then'! When asking Michael why he didn't stop at the second Blackberry, and if he knew they were going to keep packing up why get another one? He said 'Nah man I cant live without my BB, I cant go one day without my phone. I also Abigail why she had an iPhone and Blackberry and she said 'Firstly I cant live without them its like living without oxygen! They're both two of the most used and common  phones out right now so i has to get both 1 wouldn't just do! 

Both Sides of The Story

'Does the Phone make the Consumer?'

Does the smartphone laying next to you make up a part of who you are? Does it contribute to your identity and how people perceive you? Some may think 'Errr what is she on about?! How can a device make up a persons identity.?' What the phone holds and its identity has a lot of an effect on the owner and carrier as well. 


There are over 5.1 billion users of mobile phones in the world and there are currently 7 billion people living on planet earth at the moment. So more than half of our planet has a mobile phone. But the real question is what for? 

Ok so on the right is a picture of the Nokia 3310, it came out in 2000. It has he basic calling and texting features of any other simple Nokia phone. Although it was popular for SMS text messaging because it allowed three times the normal standard size. My mum purchased this phone when it came out, I was 7 years old at the time, and didn't know the value of the phone or anything for that matter!! I had to to take with me to school and anywhere else i was going so my mum could contact me and see where i was and if i was safe etc. I quickly began to notice that most of my friends had phones but even better ones that i did! That's when the 'false needs' which Herbert Marcuse talks about; began to kick in! In his book 'The One Dimensional Man' Marcuse he talks about Capitalism and the society of the Soviet Union. However he criticizes and expresses his disapproval of Consumerism arguing that its a form of social control. Herbert made a statement that made sense to why I wanted to have the latest gadget and outdo my friends, he said;

'The people recognise themselves in their commodities; they find their soul in their auto mobile, hi-fi set, split-level home, kitchen equipment.' 

In English he means we see and know who we are by getting an iPhone, and the phone in a weird way controls us. It draws us in to its features and specs, we see a majority of out family and friends using it then we conform ourself. For example take the Blackberry, which has BBM ( an instant messaging service allowing owners of any blackberry to contact another Blackberry free of charge 24/7 worldwide).  

'Does the Consumer make the Phone?'

Consumers have much power in social media, brands and other institutions that make producers modify and alter their products, in order to keep up with the consumers overpowering and always-changing needs! Take the phone on the right, this Apple's iPhone 4 has been valued at £5 millon ($8 million), and also hold the title of the most expensive phone, wrapped in gold and diamonds and containing 500 flawless cut diamonds. Consumers have majorly influenced products such as these, from their overpriced fake diamanté encrusted cases, to celebrities personalising their gadgets so much, the demand for the closest to what they have is endless.
All these mediums have been exposed to the public - mainly youths via the media. 

Not only phones do celebrities customise but like above Lil Wayne has taken it to the next level and customised his Beats by Dr.Dre heaphones!

DOPE!

Some theorists and sociologist have alternative views concerning whether the product or consumer defines each other, and they may be a different readings totally.

Blackberry