More Cell phone rant (last one, I promise)

I think we have gone too far with our obsession with cell phones (I also think I am going too far with my cell phone rants). I saw a program on the television recently where they were testing cell phones. A lot of channels and companies test cell phones in many strange ways, but this one was put to the ultimate test. They were firing live ammunition rounds at the various cell phones with a high powered rifle! I stayed on the channel and watched the entire show. I wanted to know what the conclusion was and why were they destroying all these (some very expensive) cell phones. They concluded that one of the Nokia phones had minimal damage and I think the Blackberry incurred the maximum. The presenter ended the show with ‘Will this research help the business user to make a choice between the Blackberry and the Nokia so and so model?” I don’t get it! Every cell phone was destroyed. I am not counting on a cell phone to save me from an assassination attempt even if the cell phone was made bullet proof. And no, I will never take this data, or research into consideration while buying a cell phone.

I am just amazed at the fact that TV channels have an hour long recurring weekly program dedicated to cell phone instruments (Cell guru, to name one). They find something to talk about every week? Amazing! The current cell phone I use is my 4th cell phone. I bought my first cell phone in Philadelphia in 2002, which I shared with my wife – which means she used it most of the time. When I was made Director with Capgemini/Sogeti my boss insisted I carry a company cell phone. It was a business need. I moved to India in 2005 and needed to get a cell phone, since I was moving to a new city where I did not know anyone. So I set out on my quest to buy one. The conversation between the cell phone salesman and me went something like this:

Me: Hi. I’d like to buy a cell phone.
Salesman: For what?
Me: To talk to people.
Salesman: Yes, but what else do you want.
Me: A charger….
Salesman: NO NO NO NO NO Sir!! Camera, Video, FM, MP3 ….(and a whole lot of stuff I had no idea about)
Me: No thanks, I have a very good camera and an iPod. Just a cell phone please, to make and receive calls and store some numbers.
Salesman: Arrey sir, that is not important. I have phone with 3 mega pixel Camera and Video and……
Me: No! I want a plain phone. How about that Nokia 1080 for RS 1500 (I had done my research)?
Salesman: NO NO NO NO NO SIR!! that is for servant. You cannot buy that phone!

We argued for 20 minutes, but he refused to sell me the phone. I had to send my driver back to the shop to buy it for me. I used it for two years without feeling the need for a “better” phone.

I think I missed the boat, but when did a cell phone become a lifestyle product, and how? Again, I fail to understand this phenomenon. One may argue that cars, watches etc., are also life style products. Why spend hundreds of thousands on a Rolex when a couple of thousand bucks on a Titan watch will serve the purpose? Why waste money on a BMW when a crappy Hyundai can also take you from point A to B? Well, Rolex and BMW are benchmarks in engineering performance and precision. A classic car, a great watch, or a hand crafted pen has character. They symbolize power, success, achievement and class. They are works of art. I have observed people with expensive, latest models of cell phones. Cell phones do not have character or class and have no bearing on the success of the person using it. My driver has better phone than mine. The technology inside does not change so the only way to make cell phones expensive enough for only the super rich to be able to afford is by making them in gold and covering them in diamonds. The high price tag is not for the technology, but for the metals and stones. Most people don’t even use most of the functionalities on their phones. When I think about the time I will be successful and rich, I think of the Rolex I want and the BMW I want to drive; not the cell phone I intend to buy to celebrate my success. Character is why people collect old cars, bikes, watches. I admire my friend’s1947 Triumph Twin which he restored to immaculate condition. I would be very worried if he were trying to do the same with a 1996 Motorola Startac.