Cell Phone Facts
A cell phone is not only useful but also an excellent safety device. With a cell phone, you can call someone even if you are wandering around in the middle of the woods. If the electricity goes out, a cell phone will still work when a cordless phone will not. The cell phone is also pocket-size and highly transportable. Find out more about cell phones, from how they work to who invented them.
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History
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The invention of the cell phone is credited to Dr. Martin Cooper, who worked for Motorola at the time. The first cell phones were very large compared to modern cell phones. Cooper made the first cell phone call in April 1973, according to Cellular Online. The call was made to one of Cooper's rivals, who at the time worked for Bell Labs.
Features
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Cell phones do more than just make phone calls. Texting allows two or more people to type out messages and send them to another phone. Many phones include an online browser that allows the owner to browse the Internet for an added fee. Games, phone wallpapers and custom ringtones are available to download. With the rise in popularity of texting, phone companies created new phones that slide or twist open to reveal a small keyboard, modeled after the traditional computer keyboard.
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Function
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According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, cell phones operate on the same principle as a radio. The phone sends out radio signals which are transported to the receiving cell phone. Cell phone areas are broken into "cells" that use specific frequencies for the different signals they control. This prevents cell phone and radio signals from being crossed and creating interference.
Power
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Cell phones are battery powered. A slim battery fits into a compartment on the phone and provides power to the phone through a series of metal connectors. The battery loses power quickly. Phones show a battery meter and many warn the user when the battery is getting low. Phone chargers are specially designed to fit a certain type of cell phone. Once the charger is plugged into an outlet and then into a phone, it will recharge the battery regardless of whether the phone is turned on.
Warranty
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Cell phones come with a basic warranty that covers defects for a certain period of time. The phone warranty does not include damages caused by the owner, such as dropping the phone and breaking it. It also does not cover water damage. While a cell phone can still be saved if it is submerged in water, a sticker located inside the phone changes color to alert the company that the phone has received water damage and the warranty is void.
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References
- Photo Credit Photo by Samantha Celera, http://www.flickr.com/people/scelera/ Available through Creative Commons License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/deed.en
