Making a Useful Mobile Telephone

There's a lot to like about cell phones these days. In one hand-held device, you have a small computer, a communication device, a music player, a PDA and more. It's hard to imagine life without one now. However, no matter what bells and whistles these cell phones have, it always makes me wish for more. Here are a few things I wouldn't mind seeing on my cell phone:

1. Enough with the add-on charges: It's really nice to have internet access on my computer. I like to check my e-mails when I'm away, and I like to be able to look things up on the web on occasion. It's wonderful that my phone can access the internet and use it's power. I don't mind paying extra for internet access. However, it's the nickel and dime add-on charges that kill me. My phone has GPS capability. However, if want to use it, I have to pay an extra monthly fee. Why? I already pay for a monthly data plan. If you go out and buy a GPS device, they don't charge you a monthly fee to use it. So why do I have to pay my phone company an additional fee? I sync my phone's calendar with my Microsoft Outlook server. My phone company charges me an additional fee for doing this-- on top of the monthly data plan I already pay.

I was looking through my phone's manual and I noticed that the phone can be used as a high-speed modem. I was unable to get it to work. I called my phone company and guess what? It's an extra charge. On top of that, they have premium "television" content, additional software, additional ringtones, etc. that all cost extra money. In my mind, if I buy a telephone for hundreds of dollars, pay a montly fee for telephone and data use, then I should be able to use all of the features of my expensive telephone.

2. Remote Control: We're always looking for the remote control. But we always have our telephone right on our person. Is there any reason why we can't incorporate a universal remote control into the telephone? I remember a while back when certain smart phones had IR emitters that were almost strong enough to be used as a remote control (but not quite). Why not build one into the handset?

While we're at it, why not make it an RF remote as well, so that you could turn on your lights, open your garage, operate your ceiling fan, etc.

3. Baby monitor: It would seem to be a natural. Someone should invent a transmitter that can send sounds (or even video) from your baby's room to your smart phone. That would be a useful device.

4. Bottle opener: A little extra plastic on the phone could make it a handy and readily available bottle opener. Other options could include a knife blade, a cigar cutter, or the full Swiss Army package.

With a little ingenuity, the cell phone makers can really provide a useful little tool.