Cell Phone Habits

Continental Airlines has launched a test program in Houston that allows travelers to board flights using their cell phone or personal-digital assistant instead of the usual boarding pass. If it works, the program could expand to airlines and airports nationwide. How will it work? According to USA Today, instead of a traditional pass, Continental Airlines (CAL) and the Transportation Security Administration will let passengers show a code the airline has sent to their cell phone or PDA. Here's more:

The two-dimensional bar code, a jumble of squares and rectangles, stores the passenger's name and flight information. A TSA screener will confirm the bar code's authenticity with a handheld scanner. Passengers still need to show photo identification. The electronic boarding pass also works at airport gates.

I always email myself flight information so I can open up my email on my BlackBerry when I get up to the check-in window, so I love the idea of being able to use my cell as a boarding pass. It means one less step, right?
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Artist Nick Rodrigues recently created a Cellbooth piece that mocks our inability to restrict our cell phone usage in public and suggests a special quarantine box for cell phone use on the street. On his website, Rodrigues claims he's interested in the way that humans relate with one another, and how technology and innovation can dramatically affect these interactions. "Often the acceptance of new products into our lives is so subtle that it goes unnoticed, and yet it alters our experience in profound ways," he says. "My pieces highlight the discrepancies between what is, what has been, and what could be normal." I find the idea really intriguing because I often worry the people around me have become addicted to technology — specifically their cell phones and the Internet. Are you one of the many people who could use a Cellbooth, or do you limit your public cell phone use?
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Other than my mom, I assumed everyone and anyone owned a cell phone — especially celebrities! Well according to Us Magazine, Vince Vaughn recently revealed on MTV's TRL that he doesn't own a cell phone. "I don't own a cell phone because...the old way always worked for me. You call me, I call you back, like a gentleman." Although he did admit that he likes them if he needs to call someone, but doesn't like receiving calls. If worse comes to worst Vaughn will ask to borrow a phone. "I will say to my friends...can I use your cell phone? A friend in need is a pest...I am an annoying friend that way." Do you feel the same way? Or are you cell phone obsessed? Leave your answer below! Source

Cell phone contracts have been a bone of contention with customers ever since the invention of the cell phone, but news that some cell companies are going to loosen their policies on contracts means a little more freedom and a few less bones.

This past weekend the Washington Post reported that AT&T and Verizon Wireless are going to let customers make changes to their calling plans without automatically extending their contracts. In addition, AT&T is going to reduce the fees consumers pay for breaking their long-term contracts. While the changes may seem minor, the change could prevent the wild cancellation fees of $200 and up that some people end up paying to get out of their two-year cell contract.

To be honest, I only pay attention to my cell phone contact when I'm ready and looking for a new phone. Do you pay attention to contract dates?

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How would you feel if your cell phone released a fragrance—no I'm not kidding. The Sony Ericsson DoCoMo SO703i phone does just that by including a replaceable scented strip near the center hinge.
Featured on Trendhunter, the DoCoMo comes in a variety of designs as each includes a different aroma sheet which resembles that of a scratch and sniff sticker. Why would anyone want a smelly phone? Supposedly the aroma is intended to relax cell phone users while they make calls. Each scented strip is said to only last about three months, which may be a blessing in disguise in case the first scent gets more irritating than enjoyable!

What do you think? Love the idea or not a fan? Leave your comments below!

A few weeks ago Giggle was sitting through the eighth 30-minute sitting period in an all day meditation when her phone began to ring. The room was completely silent — save for light breathing — when she heard the phone's first vibration noises and she quickly scrambled across the floor to turn it off.

She was understandably mortified and when she told me the story, I realized it's an incident we've all experienced at one time or another. I got a call once when I was sitting down to a fancy dinner date and while I didn't answer it, my date was totally taken aback and later admitted he thought it was one of my friends calling to offer me an escape route.

Obviously, the fact that we carry our cell phones everywhere with us means we are prone to an awkward call every once in a while, but it's definitely something most of us don't look forward to. Have you ever received a phone call at an embarrassing moment?

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While some Japanese dieters have already started using their camera phones to record their food intake one cell company has taken the notion of using your phone as a weight loss aid to a whole new level.

Japan's largest cell phone carrier NTT DoCoMo has released a "Fitness Phone" that was designed to keep owners healthy and feeling minty fresh. The phone features "various devices that can measure your pulse or the amount of steps you've taken in a day, dispenses heath advice after you've punched in statistics such as gender, age and weight," according to Reuters. My favorite feature is the fact that you can exhale into the phone and it will let you know if you have bad breath.

The NTT DoCoMo company is targeting "fat-fighting middle-aged businessmen and young women on diets." I know Fit would agree with me saying that a phone won't change your fitness level or commitment to staying healthy, but if you can use it as a motivator more power to you.

Yesterday's New York Times tipped me off to an initiative that will offer British cellphone users free calls and text messages in exchange for agreeing to receive advertising on their phones.

The company, which is called Blyk, is operating on the fact that fees from callers are flat or falling in many markets and carriers are seeking other ways to profit off of cell users, says the Times.

Blyk's website describes the company as a "new mobile network for 16 – 24s that’s funded by advertising." Blyk claims it "links young people with brands they like and gives them free texts and minutes every month."

I've become an utter TiVo freak in an effort to weed out advertisements from my TV viewing, so I can't imagine signing up to receive ads on my cell phone. What if you had to watch a minute long ad to make a 10-second call to tell your partner to pick up soymilk? Would you do it to cut costs?

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The Metropolitan Transport Authority announced on Wednesday that they would be wiring 277 underground stations in the subway system for cell phone use. According to The New York Times, the cell phone signal will only work in subway stations, as the subway tunnels will not be wired, so commuters can ride in peace. This subway upgrade will start in six downtown Manhattan stations in two years and then when all the glitches are ironed out, Transit Wireless will have four more years to complete the rest of the underground stations. The main reason for the estimated $150-$200 million dollar improvement is to help people stay connected, especially when there is an emergency. I think this should be implemented in all subway stations, and I like the fact that it doesn't mean you'll be stuck listening to a person gabbing next to you while traveling. What do you think?Image Source

Isn't it always the case that as soon as you put your cell phone in that hot little Gucci clutch purse, you end up missing three calls and eight text messages?! Unless I have my BlackBerry on some serious vibrate action, there's a slim to nil chance I will ever know if someone is trying to get a hold of me— that is, if my phone is in my handbag. Therefore, yes, I usually carry my cell in my hand like Paris and LC. What about you? Have you mastered the art of the cell phone in the purse? Leave your comments below! Image Source