I've just noticed an article on the BBC News technology pages saying that mobile phone technology has turned 20. On the 7 September 1987, fifteen companies signed an agreement to build mobile phone networks based on GSM technology. This is what really started the industry.
As with television and other technologies before it, it was vital to sort out recognised standards. Otherwise phones (and networks) from different companies can't talk to each other.
The mobile phone itself came about in 1973 as a public fact when Martin Cooper, a Motorola executive, made the first call. He was standing on a Manhattan street corner, outside the New York Hilton, and the recipient was rival AT&T.
The phone he was using was the shape of a brick and weighed almost a kilo. Hardened New Yorkers stared in amazement. Cooper admitted that it was too big and heavy, and didn't want to use one until it got below 100 grams in weight.
Things have changed. What was once impossible, then a luxury, is now regarded as a necessity by many in opinion polls. The young, in particular, seem to regard mobile phones as an extension of their bodies. They are often no longer mobile phones. They are hand-held, personal electronic devices that carry out a variety of functions, including listening to music and taking photographs.
The prototype Motorola phone was patented as US 3906166, a "Radio telephone system". Here is the main drawing.
A vast number have been published since, with the first 2G phone thought to be Qualcomm's US 5309474. And those flip-open phones ? Alleged to be based on someone's love of the cute communicators used in the Star Trek television series, the first is thought to be Motorola's US 5175759.
As for the hexagonal cellular arrangement of the masts that ensure the signals get through, this is based on Richard Frenkiel's Bell Telephones US 4144411, which dates back to 1976. Here is its main drawing.
Hi,
According to Thompson, cell phone viruses are gaining momentum now that we’re doing so much more than talking on our mobile phones. He also explained that the types of people who wrote viruses back then are now working to write programs that give spam companies access to computers instead.
Posted by: 1300 phone numbers | 31 March 2009 at 11:42
This is quite an informative posting on mobile phone technology. Indeed mobile technology has advanced a lot within this span.
Posted by: Cell Phones | 14 June 2009 at 12:21
Brilliant post you have here.Sounds technology is still continues to expand.
-Ava
Posted by: Cellular Motorola Philippine Phone | 23 July 2009 at 08:23
Hi,Nice post.But tell me about cell phone virus problem.How to avoid it.Thanks
Posted by: Nokia Cellphones | 10 August 2009 at 17:40