camera phone

I have been semi-obsessed with oversized, clunky and illogical camera phones ever since I saw the "Mugged" episode of Flight of the Conchords where Jemaine's handmade camera phone (it's literally a camera and phone taped together) gets taken by a street thug. This Canon camera phone is even more fantastic because it combines a spectacular camera with a rotary phone base. Cause everyone needs a rotary phone that can capture images within cord distance, right?
Photo courtesy of HBO and Source

I love my BlackBerry Pearl and iPhone. I use them for different things (the BlackBerry for work and the iPhone for play) but I have to admit, neither one of them takes phenomenal photos. The iPhone's camera is definitely superior to the BlackBerry's and the fact that it syncs to iPhoto is fantastic, but I wouldn't let anyone take my head shot with it. I am so intrigued by the idea of telescopic zoom lenses for cell phones because it would allow me to take good pictures from afar and sharpen my Nancy Drew skills. Geek haven Brando sells a telescopic zoom lens ($19) that fits on Motorola phones and offers some serious zoomage. Would you use it?

Last week Lifehacker featured a great guide to Using Your Cameraphone as a Visual To-Do List and it reminded me how very useful a camera phone can be. Here are some of my favorite ways to use my camera:

• To Do List - Using your cameraphone to make a visual to do list is much easier than finding a pencil and paper because it's already in your pocket. Sometimes I even take a picture of my list with my phone so I don't have to carry paper.
• Shopping - My sister and I were shopping for dresses to wear to our friend's wedding a while back and we started taking pictures of one another with our camera phones so we wouldn't forget about potential dresses when we moved on to the next store. You can always send them via text message to a friend for a second opinion.

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Have you ever considered your cell phone could be used as a weapon of defense? Recently in New York City, a 30-year-old woman used her camera phone to snap a picture of a man who had exposed himself and then pressed himself up against her. According to Switched, the woman was finally able to escape the subway train and call 911. When police arrived the assailant was arrested.

Thankfully with websites like Holla Back NYC, women have a place where they can upload pics of perverts and street harassers - exposing them for the jerks they really are. With a logo that says "so stop walkin' on and Holla Back," it's worth checking out. And be sure to never underestimate the power of a cell phone!

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According to Techdirt, technological advancements like the camera phone have taken the average Joe and turned him into a 'citizen journalist.' They say that "everyday people with camera phones are driving photographers' fees down to new lows." Most cell phones, including my lovely BlackBerry pearl have built-in, picture-ready cameras. Be at the right place, at the right time and anyone can capture a hot off the press shot. For some proof, check out PopSugar's celebrity sightings group where TeamSugar fans can post their pictures and stories about run-ins with celebs. Hmm, maybe I'll post my Ja Rule pic after all!

For the full Techdirt article, click here.

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