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Just about everywhere you turn these days, you see cell phones. No place is sacred any longer. Whether you are walking down the street, driving, or even using the restroom, you can more than likely find someone talking on a cell phone. What began as a luxury item several years ago has become what seems to be a staple of society. Back in 1997, I worked a brief stint as a sales representative for a cell phone company. Believe me when I say that the selection of phones and calling plans back then was extremely limited and nothing compared to what is available today.

Initially the cell phone was purchased primarily for either business use or in the event of an emergency. I purchased my first cell phone for the latter reason. Slowly I saw the definition of "emergency" change over the years. Even though I had bought a cell phone in case my car broke down and I needed to call for help, I eventually found that calling home from the store to make sure I had everything I went there for in the first place became somewhat of an emergency. The convenience of having a mobile phone became obvious over time. It keeps us in contact with loved ones. It allows us to order our carry-out pizza on the road or just before we are done with the grocery shopping. With most cellular plans these days, it means that we can talk for "free" on nights and weekends to just about anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.

Styles have changed as well. My first cell phone was a "bag" phone. It came with a convenient though bulky carrying case that I had to tote everywhere because it served as the antenna for the phone. Next, I had a very bulky handheld phone with an antenna that I had to pull out anytime I wanted to talk. Then came the flip phone. I can still remember the feeling of elation I got when I got my first flip phone. It was at least 4 times bigger than my current flip phone, but it was cool nonetheless. The latest craze are camera phones and media phones. I'll come back to them in a bit.

Up until just a few years ago, the cell phones that I owned always served to supplement my landline telephone. Looking back, it is a little difficult to even remember why I had both a regular phone and a cell phone, but I will give it a try. Part of the "boom" that the cell phone industry has seen is due to the fact that slowly as a society, we are moving away from dial-up Internet connections and gravitating toward cable, DSL, and broadband. And why not? It doesn't tie up

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