Cell Phones: The Next Generation of Computers?

When the idea of using personal computers came out, many people laughed and wondered what anybody in their right mind would want with a computer. However, over the course of the past two decades computer technology has evolved so greatly that it is now rare not to find at least one computer in person's house. Even with some of today's fastest computers, humans are never satisfied, and everybody is looking for the "next big thing." Recently, as the sale of cell phones has been outdoing the sale of computers,⁽¹⁾ the question on everybody's minds is, "Are cell phones going to replace computers?"

There are many similarities and differences between computers and cell phones. Although to the untrained eye they may seem like they are in two completely different items, only an experienced cell phone user can explain just how deceiving looks can be. According to the World Book Encyclopedia Online, cell phones are jammed with some of the latest features, (most of which even computers lack), such as cameras (to take pictures), antennas (to make calls), ultra portability so that they fit easily in a pant pocket, and long battery life so that one can do work without worrying about losing it.⁽¹⁾

Cell phones are usually just as packed with features on the inside as they are on the outside; however, most people who use these phones quickly come to the realization that the cell phone is just too small and complicated to replace the personal computer. However, some critics argue that although cell phones may not be able to replace a desktop right now, they hold great promise for the future.⁽¹⁾

Desktops have become a vital part of our lives, and many are just not willing to give up their 20" monitors, and large spaced keyboards, for a minute cell phone with a small screen, thumb keyboard, (and no mouse). Desktop computers with their large monitors, make browsing the internet a breeze, but with a cell phone, it is not nearly as easy. The small cell phone screen means that browsing the internet can be quite tricky, as it requires one to read tiny text (that I nearly half the size of that which shows up on a desktop monitor). Browsing the web with a cell phone also requires that one be able to read while moving around the screen, just to read an article that simply will not fit on a cell phone sized screen.

The keyboard is another desktop innovation on that would not possibly fit on a small cell phone. At the very best, the most expensive cell phones come with a thumb keyboard, (which can be very difficult for people to use, especially those who have large fingers). Although many attempts have been and are continuously being made to try to make portable keyboards (such as foldable, and laser keyboards), none of these have been feasible or cost effective enough for mainstream use.

Internally cell phones consist of many of the same basic programs that computers use, from pocket e-mail applications (that allow people to send and receive e-mail messages), to instant messaging applications (that allow people to chat with their friends as if they were sitting on their computer at home). The problem with most cell phone applications, however, is that they can be extremely difficult to use. As Mr. Dvorak argues, many people are just happy to use an operating system other than Microsoft's Windows on their cell phones, but most users have noted how doing even the simplest of tasks turn out to be difficult to accomplish on cell phones, due to the large number of options and lack of buttons.⁽²⁾

Although the personal computer is still far from being perfect, the desktop, both internally and externally is functional to the extent where it is ready for mainstream use, and will not create a great deal of confusion for the user. With the ability to control things using a keyboard and mouse, desktops provide the ease-of-use which mobile phones lack. The ability to move the mouse to different part of the screen to choose different options allows for both better productivity and better functionality.

Today, most cell phones have about the same processing power as desktop computers did a few years, ago. There is no doubt that as the demand for smaller, more portable computers continues to increase, large companies like Palm, Sony, and Microsoft will start to feel the pressure to focus more of their technologies on designing smaller parts and making cell phones easier to use. Although right now many would agree that the cell phone is not ready to take over the personal computer, the future of cell phones and portable technology continues to shine brightly.

1. Dvorak, John C. "A Phone as Your Next Computer? Never." PC Magazine 23.10 (2004): 73.
2. Stone, Brad. "Your Next Computer." Newsweek 143.23 (2004): 50-54.