Phones for the more mature: Part two

Old versus new

After a long battle with technology, my grandparents have almost discovered how it all works. Besides a few glitches here and there, they have definitely come a long way. Not only do they own a computer, a DVD player, a mobile phone, they also purchased their very own GPRS.

Recently, my Grandmother announced that she wanted a brand new mobile phone. Her reasons were simple. She no longer wanted a brick for a phone that is capable of only SMS, phone calls and has limited memory that can only store ten contacts. Rather she wants, as my grandmother says, a 'young and hip phone’.

I am fully confident that my grandparents will be able to use a phone that offers multiple functions and applications to its full potential. Although my grandmother would like the latest mobile phone, she made it clear that she does not want a phone that has a complicated set–up. I have learnt that most seniors would prefer to have the latest technology that is not too complicated to use. If you are a senior and looking for a new mobile phone then you are in luck. There is a wide range of latest mobile phones that are simple to use.

BlackBerry ban in India

Email being accessed on a BlackBerry phone

I recently read a headline ‘India threatens to ban Blackberry email, messaging’. As I read the article I realized that the reason for the ban was that the government could not access BlackBerry users’ encrypted e-mails and instant messages. My first thought was, why would the government want to have access to people’s personal and private conversations.

My second thought was, is it right for the government to spy on legitimate and confidential communication? Citizens also have a right to privacy. Business users, for example, need some encryption, hence, the popularity of the BlackBerry within businesses.

The BlackBerry phones were to be banned in the hope to guard against abuse by criminals and terrorists. It was argued that terrorists could use Blackberry phone security features to communicate. This is understandable in that India has experienced terrorism in the past but my concern was whether the banning of the BlackBerry phone will really make a difference in stopping terrorism.

Banking on mobile phones

Like many students in their last year of studying, I am stuck wondering what I want to do with my life. It is only August and the panic has already set in for next year. Although I am terrified, there are plans already being made. One of them concerns my mobile phone. Next year, I am finally able to make my own money and of course spend it. With this in mind, my plan is to do all my banking via my mobile phone. Nowadays, mobile phones provide the perfect opportunity for this.

This would be very convenient for me as I am hardly left alone without my mobile phone and when I am to busy, next year, attempting to be a real journalist, I can use my mobile phone to do my banking on the go. I can bank wherever I am and whenever I want. As of now, I am still trekking to the bank to draw the cash out from the ATM. Although I have been following this method for years, it can get a bit tedious. Using my mobile phone seems like a much better option.

What is wonderful about your mobile phone is that it can be your very own ATM. However, not only can you do banking, you can also pay for virtual items via your mobile phone and buy online items such as music downloads. These purchases can then be charged to your mobile phone bill.

BlackBerry brilliance

There is a sudden influx of South Africans purchasing Blackberry phones. According to Vodacom, 350 000 BlackBerry phones have been sold in South Africa and this is said to increase. If you don’t have a Blackberry, you wishing you had one. I don’t own a Blackberry and I have to admit, I feel rather left out. My humble Nokia 6300 (a replacement phone after my BeatBox M3200 was missing one too many beats in its box) is holding itself together with prestik and I am lucky if the battery will last the day. The Blackberry phones are clearly out of its league.

I first started to notice the popularity of the BlackBerry phone when I came across a number of Facebook status’s that said “bbm” me (BlackBerry messenger) with their BlackBerry pin to follow. Another person in particular, said on Facebook, “bbm me if you dare” with his BlackBerry pin to follow.

My sister recently had her birthday. She was lucky enough to get her very own blackberry as a present. She claims it’s the best present she has ever received. I think she might be overreacting (can you sense some jealously?) but nonetheless, her phone has become her new prize possession. So, what is the reason for the popularity of this phone?