Cell Phones

Have you ever wondered how many people own cell phones? When it comes to the adoption rate for modern technology, few products have risen in popularity quite as quickly as the mobile phone.

How Many People Own Cell Phones?

Before being able to discuss how many people own cell phones, it must first be noted that most of the figures released by the various reporting bodies in the industry are only able to determine the current number of cell phones in use. Even then, these figures are largely based on estimates and not on individual counts.

Why is this differentiation important? Consider this analogy. Say that there are ten people in the room and, among these ten people, they are wearing a total of ten pieces of jewelry. Does this mean, then, that each and every one of the ten people in the room is wearing a single piece of jewelry? No. It is a very real possibility that only one person in the room is wearing jewelry; she just happens to be wearing ten pieces and the other nine people are wearing none.

The same can be said about mobile phones. It is quite common for certain individuals to own and use more than one cell phone. Wireless Penetration in the United States

Wireless Penetration in the United States

Not surprisingly, cell phones have quickly risen in popularity in the United States in the last decade. When looking at the number of cell phones in the United States, there were only an estimated 97 million active units in June 2000. That figure has since grown to nearly 300 million by June 2010, representing a shift from just 34% total wireless penetration to an incredible 93% wireless penetration.

Indeed, CTIA-The Wireless Association reports that 24.5% of American households are wireless-only households (as of June 2010). This means that fully a quarter of households in the United States do not have a landline telephone, opting instead to rely solely on mobile phones. Part of this has to do with business growth, but it also has to do with the relative affordability of cellular phones. Why have a landline when a mobile phone will suffice on its own?

The Rise of Smartphones

From the iPhone to BlackBerry, Google Android to Windows Phone 7, smartphones are quickly becoming much more mainstream. When asking how many people own cell phones, it's also interesting to ask about the number of people who have switched from "feature" phones to smartphones instead.

According to a report released by Nielsen in March 2010, smartphones are set to overtake features phones by the end of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2009, only 21% of phones in the United States were smartphones, but that number is expected to surpass 50% by the fourth quarter of 2011. This has a huge impact on how people interact with their phones and how the network providers have to address these needs from their customers.

Cell Phones Around the World

Looking outside of the United States, some figures are even more startling. It is estimated that there are approximately five billion mobile phones in use around the world. Considering that the world population is estimated at nearly 6.9 billion people, that represents an overall penetration rate of 72.6%.

Emerging markets, like China and India, have a great deal to do with this international growth. This is largely because of the increasing availability of cheap cellular phones that are more affordable to people with less money. In many areas, a landline telephone simply is not a viable solution, but an inexpensive prepaid mobile phone is a viable solution.

Interestingly, there are several countries where the wireless penetration exceeds 100%. In the case of Russia, as an example, it has been reported that there are approximately 214 million mobile phones in a nation that is comprised of only 142 million people. This works out to a penetration rate of nearly 150%, meaning there are three phones for every two citizens.

With approximately three-quarters of the world's population using cell phones, mobile phones have become a way of life, not unlike automobiles and the Internet.

Are you looking for information about how to donate cell phones? If you've purchased a new cell phone and have an old model that is still usable, don't throw it away. Donate it to an organization that can put it to good use!

About Cell Phone Donations

With cell phone technology changing so rapidly, many people upgrade to the latest and greatest models even though they already own telephones that are in serviceable condition. This has created a surplus of cell phone equipment that is taken out of service and thrown away sooner than is necessary. Fortunately, secondhand cell phones that are still in good shape don't have to end up taking up space in landfills. Instead, they can be donated to charitable organizations that will see to it that they are used to provide assistance to people who are in need. Some organizations refurbish and reprogram phones to provide to needy individuals and law enforcement agencies and others sell donated cell phones as a way of raising money to provide services to disadvantaged populations.

Three Organizations That Accept Donated Cell Phones

Several charitable organizations accept donated cell phones. Here are a few examples of groups you may want to connect with the next time you have a used phone that needs a new home. Here are three examples of nonprofit organizations that accept donations of used cell phones.

1. 911 Cell Phone Bank

The 911 Cell Phone Bank accepts donations of used cell phones that are used to provide support and assistance to participating law enforcement entities and charitable organizations that provide services to victims throughout the United States. Nonprofit organizations that choose to participate in the program are asked to collect used phones and send them to the Cell Phone Bank. A donation is made for each phone received. Depending on condition and technology, some of the donated phones are recycled while others are refurbished and provided to participating law enforcement agencies as needed. Visit 911CellPhoneBank.org's website for details on how to donate cell phones to the organization.

2. Cell Phones for Soldiers

Cell Phones for Soldiers collects used cell phones and accessories. Donations are sold to a business that recycles this type of equipment. The money raised is used to purchase calling cards for deployed military troops and their families. If you have a phone that you'd like to donate, visit the organization's website and browse the online drop off point directory to find a place to make your donation. The organization's website also provides information on how you can set up an official donation collection station if you are interested in getting involved on a large scale.

3. Recycling for Charities

Charitable organizations looking for a way to raise money can sign up to participate in the Recycling for Charities program. Individuals and groups that donate old phones to be recycled are able to select the nonprofit they'd like to support from the list of participating charities when they print shipping labels for their donations. The selected charity receives a cash donation for each phone donated on its behalf. Donations are recycled and sold, making this program a win-win arrangement for the company collecting the equipment, the charities that benefit financially from donations and the environment.

Donate Cell Phones and Make a Difference

The next time you upgrade to a new cell phone, don't toss your old unit in the trash. Instead, donate it to a charitable organization that collects, reprograms and refurbishes this type of equipment to give to people who are in need. Choose one of the national organizations described above or look for a similar program in your local community.

Although much of the public debate is against it, there are pros associated with allowing cell phones in school. These advantages should not be ignored since cell phones in schools can actually add value to the educational experience, rather than simply be a detriment to it.

Instant Communication

Although you hope that you will never have to do this, you sometimes need to get in contact with your school-aged child while they are in class. This could be because of a death in the family, an accident or other family emergency that may require his or her attention or attendance.

By being able to call your child directly, you also help alleviate the workload of the school's administrative team. Phones are also particularly useful during recess and lunch hours when students aren't in class and may be difficult to find. The problems with knowing where your children are after school could also be reduced if parents had the ability to call them and vice versa. Text messages can make communicating easy and discreet.

Learning Aid

Students who have a smartphone can use various applications designed for students to assist in learning. Many of these smartphones have programs that are similar to what is found on a laptop or desktop computer. Being able to look up facts quickly on the internet is possible on many phones.

If a student needs assistance with classwork and does not have access to a computer, a smartphone can be used in a snap. In fact, the National Education Association reports that cell phones can often be cost effective for schools that cannot afford to purchase technology for all students.

Memory Aids

Studies show that cell phones can be beneficial to students when reviewing and studying for exams or tests. Most cell phones have a camera these days, so children can use these to take pictures in class. This is great for science class, for example, where they may be exposed to certain creatures, plants and other things that they probably won't encounter anywhere else. This is much more effective that simply producing a quick sketch.

Pictures can also be useful to photograph an assignment, a whiteboard or a step-by-step process, so that they can later review the photos to better understand the procedure in metalwork, woodwork or other hands-on courses.

Calendar

Nearly every mobile phone has a built-in calendar function and this can be very useful for kids who have a hard time remembering test dates, assignment due dates and other such details where time is of the essence. By putting these in a cell phone organizer and assigning an alarm, they'll never forget again! After all, paper-based agendas and notebooks can be easily lost, forgotten, overlooked or scribbled over.

Voice Notes

The voice recording feature of cell phones can be beneficial to students who would like a quick way to keep track of what they need to do. After all, students may not always have immediate access to a notepad, so using a cell phone to "jot down" important information can be helpful. There are numerous voice memo apps that can be useful for both teachers and students in a classroom.

GPS Tracking

GPS tracking can be a benefit of cell phones to parents who want to be able to keep tabs on their children's whereabouts. Use GPS to track a cell phone can provide peace of mind to concerned parents and teachers if a student is reported missing or has gone somewhere of concern. GPS tracking can also inform parents that their children have arrived to and from school safely.

Store Emergency Contact Information

Important phone numbers can be easily stored in cell phones. For students, this can be important in case they become sick while at school or are in an emergency situation. Their cell phone can contain important numbers such as their parent's work, doctor's office, dentist, and who to call in case of an emergency, as well as numbers of close family members and friends.

Classroom Collaboration

Cell phones can assist in providing a modern alternative to standard teaching and can encourage student participation. For example, the website platform Poll Everywhere permits teachers to create poll questions to which students can respond via their cell phones. Students can also use cell phones to collaborate with each other and also to connect with children in other schools or geographic areas. They can also connect students to specialists in specific subjects for assistance or advice.

Modern Living

Cell phones have unquestionably become fixtures in everyday life for most adults. In fact, Pearson Education found that 82% of high school students use mobile devices regularly. Cell phones will not only be a part of their everyday lives now and in the future, but will also be important in many careers. Knowing how to use mobile devices effectively is an important skill to have in modern society. Incorporating mobile technology in the classroom is key to preparing your students for the future

Remember to Weigh Both Sides

Students bringing a phone to school has both positive and negative consequences. Many schools have set rules in place regarding cell phones and whether they are permitted in the school or classroom. Parents can decide whether their child should bring a phone to school - as long as it is not against the rules - and set appropriate guidelines regarding the use of the phone.

The on-board speaker on a cell phone can only be so powerful, but external speakers can provide a much larger and fuller sound. Having the right external speaker to go along with a cell phone is a critical decision for any music lover, whether they're listening to tunes at home or taking the jam on the road. Many external speakers feature a standard 3.5mm stereo audio input jack; this can be used to connect the speakers to nearly all contemporary mobile phones the same way you would connect a set of headphones. This universal connectivity means that wired speakers will work with just about any mobile phone.

Four Wired Speakers Home or Office Use

If you enjoy listening to music stored on your cell phone at home or your office, the experience will be even more enjoyable when you have a great speaker to amplify the sound.

Audioengine A5+

The Audioengine A5+ comes as a pair of premium powered speakers to suit a variety of musical styles and genres. Designed to work with a variety of iDevices like the iPhone, as well as with other smartphones, TVs, computers, or any other audio source, the A5+ provides great stereo sound to any room in your home. In addition to the pair of bookshelf speakers, the A5+ also features a remote control and a USB port to keep your smartphone charged while it is playing music through the provided auxiliary input jack.

Pricing: The black or white versions of the A5+ speakers have a retail price of $399, while the bamboo version costs $469.

Harman Kardon Soundsticks III

Offering a very unique look, the Soundsticks III from Harman Kardon allow you to "listen to a work of art." Unlike a typical docking station where you get a single unit, the Soundsticks III is a three-component system providing a 2.1 audio configuration. This means you get two stereo speakers, plus one central downward-firing subwoofer, all of which boast a transparent appearance. Each stereo channel has four full-range transducers

Pricing: MSRP on the Soundsticks III is $170.

M-Audio Studiophile AV 40

Providing a similar studio-like experience for audio aficionados, the M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 compact powered speakers provide a total power output of 40 watts, with 20 watts per channel. The speakers feature four-inch polypropylene-coated woofers and 3/4-inch silk dome tweeters that are ferrofluid-cooled. The magnetic shielding virtually eliminates any interference and the built-in volume dial on the front makes it easy to adjust the sound. Conveniently, the 3.5mm stereo input jack is also located in the front, making it easy to connect your phone.

Pricing: The retail price on the M-Audio AV 40 is $200.

Edifier Exclaim e10

If you're looking for a pair of stereo speakers that make a statement, the Edifier Exclaim e10 Bi-Amped 2.0 speaker system could be a fantastic choice. The base of each of the stereo speakers is spherical in shape, containing the main three-inch woofer, while the vertical upper sections contain two one-inch tweeters and a 1x3-inch passive radiator for added sound production. The full integral digital sound processing provides excellent performance for any general of music with a total RMS output of 36 watts.

Pricing: The Edifier Exclaim e10 is listed at $100.

Five Wired Portable Phone Speakers

The larger options above are best suited for the home or office, but it is also possible to carry around a smaller, portable speaker for sharing music on the go.

GOgroove Pal Bot Portable Android Speaker

Not all speakers have to be flat boxes or cylindrical towers. The GOgroove Pal Bot is a portable sound system that takes on the appearance of the Google Android character. Some people call him Andy and others refer to him as Bugdroid. In any case, the cute Android robot acts as a full-fledged speaker for your smartphone and it will even work with iPhones, Windows Phones, and other audio sources. At lower volumes, the battery can keep the music going for over 24 hours and the retractable audio cable keeps everything neat and tidy.

Pricing: Whether you go with the official-looking green or a less conventional blue, the GOgroove Pal Bot retails for around $40.

Scosche boomCAN

An extremely affordable speaker that happens to be remarkably small too, the Scosche boomCAN comes in a number of different colors and features a rechargeable battery for up to 7 hours of continuous music playback. It measures less than two inches wide and under 2.5 inches tall, making it one of the smallest portable speakers for cell phones. The aluminum housing is lightweight, while also providing good durability. You can even link together multiple boomCAN speakers via the audio output jack for even bigger sound.

Pricing: The Scosche boomCAN is available for around $20.

HMDX Burst Portable Speaker

Available in blue, grey, orange, purple or yellow, the HMDX Burst portable speaker features a convenient, retractable 3.5mm cord for connecting to your music-playing cell phone. The retractable cable is very convenient, as you don't have to bring along a loose audio cable. The rubberized soft exterior provides some protection and the rechargeable battery can last up to six hours.

Pricing: The HMDX Burst has a list price of just $25.

Go-Anywhere Mini Speaker

Geared toward people who value a trendy, fashionable appearance, the Go-Anywhere Mini Speaker features a unique vase-like shape and can be used vertically with MP3 players, smartphones or any other audio source via its 3.5mm input jack. It comes in bold colors like pink magenta, orange and pool (aqua).

Pricing: The Go-Anywhere Mini Speaker retails for $25.

Hi-Koala Huggable Portable Speaker

Perfect for children, the Hi-Koala Huggable Portable Speaker may look like a simple stuffed animal, but portable speakers are integrated into the koala's feet for playing music. The arms can also be bent to "hug" the cell phone or MP3 player, amplifying tunes via the standard wired connection. This speaker is conveniently powered by two AA batteries or via a USB connection.

Pricing: The Hi-Koala Huggable Portable Speaker lists for $40.

Two Bluetooth Speakers with Input Ports

Most modern cell phones come with Bluetooth connectivity and having a wireless Bluetooth speaker can be very convenient. Many of wireless speakers also come with a 3.5mm auxiliary jack for a wired connection as well.

JBL Flip Speaker

Used horizontally or vertically, the versatile JBL Flip is a relatively compact speaker with an easy-to-access auxiliary input jack. This makes it a great wired speaker for any number of cell phones and it comes bundled with a neoprene carrying case for music on the go. As can be expected with smaller speakers, the low-end bass may not be earth shattering, but the rest of the range sounds great for its size.

Pricing: The JBL Flip has a regular price of about $120.

Bigger Sound in Smaller Packages

Mobile phones are fantastic convergence devices that have effectively combined the functionality of so many separate devices, but their compact size has typically limited both the volume and quality of the sound their speakers are able to produce. Fortunately, many external speaker options are available, with selections in all sizes and price ranges. A wired speaker may be the ideal choice for you, or you may find that you prefer a wireless model or even a cell phone dock. Whatever type of speaker you choose, you're sure to enjoy the larger sound.