Face It: Cell-Phone Service Sucks

Grok Headline matches for Face It: Cell-Phone Service Sucks

U.K. Drivers Face Handheld Cell Phone
Ban

U.K. Drivers Face Handheld Cell Phone
Ban 12/02/2003 03:02 AM
AP via Daily Press Dec 2 2003 2:42AM ET

Cell Phone Makers Face Chip Tariff Woes

Cell Phone Makers Face Chip Tariff Woes 06/18/2004 08:00 AM
Hankooki Jun 18 2004 11:52AM GMT

Cell Phone Customer Service Ranked Next
to Last

Cell Phone Customer Service Ranked Next
to Last 06/10/2004 08:37 PM

How to decipher cell phone service plans

How to decipher cell phone service plans 04/20/2004 08:50 PM
ZDNet Apr 21 2004 0:07AM GMT

Complaints Over Cell Phone Service
Abound (AP)

Complaints Over Cell Phone Service
Abound (AP) 06/04/2004 03:55 PM
AP - Your cell phone company knows you hate it.

Complaints Abound over Cell Phone
Service

Complaints Abound over Cell Phone
Service 06/07/2004 03:41 PM
Your cell phone company knows you hate it. Mobile phone service was the second-lowest ranked industry—beating only cable providers among the 40 rated—in the University of Michigan's newest customer satisfaction index.

Complaints Over Cell Phone Service
Abound

Complaints Over Cell Phone Service
Abound 06/04/2004 07:11 PM
AP via Newsday Jun 4 2004 11:01PM GMT

7-Eleven rings in cell phone service

7-Eleven rings in cell phone service 04/27/2004 02:36 PM
The convenience store chain is selling its own prepaid cell phone service in 1,400 stores. Analysts say other retailers will soon follow.

Japanese cell phone service rings in
Linux

Japanese cell phone service rings in
Linux 12/03/2003 08:32 PM
Japanese cell phone service provider NTT DoCoMo urges its handset suppliers to build Linux-based cell phones, a milestone for the operating system's acceptance by the wireless industry.

Cell Phone-Based Service Made for Blind

Cell Phone-Based Service Made for Blind 06/11/2004 12:44 PM
San Jose Mercury News Jun 11 2004 5:24PM GMT

Cell Phone-Based Service Made for Blind
(AP)

Cell Phone-Based Service Made for Blind
(AP) 06/11/2004 12:54 PM
AP - A Finnish government research project that combines cell phones, wireless Internet, global positioning, and voice technology to help the blind move freely in cities is ready for testing this fall.

Cruise passengers can now set sail with
cell phone, Internet service

Cruise passengers can now set sail with
cell phone, Internet service 07/19/2004 06:24 AM
Semissourian.com - Mon Jul 19, 08:29 am GMT

(LEAD) Handset Shortage Plagues S.
Korea's 3G Cell Phone Service

(LEAD) Handset Shortage Plagues S.
Korea's 3G Cell Phone Service 12/29/2003 05:58 AM
Yonhap News Dec 29 2003 4:39AM ET

Handset Shortage Plagues South Korea's
3G Cell Phone Service

Handset Shortage Plagues South Korea's
3G Cell Phone Service 12/28/2003 11:48 PM
Yonhap News Dec 28 2003 10:41PM ET

Pride Communication Services, #1
Reseller of Krusell Leather Cell Phone
Cases, to Begin Selling Identity-Theft
Conscious Horizontic Plus Cell Phone
Case in April

Pride Communication Services, #1
Reseller of Krusell Leather Cell Phone
Cases, to Begin Selling Identity-Theft
Conscious Horizontic Plus Cell Phone
Case in April 03/29/2005 04:34 AM
To Better Accommodate the Needs of Today’s Identity Theft Conscious Cell Phone Users, Pride Communication Services (PCS), a Subsidiary Franchise of KaseIT and the Largest Reseller of KRUSELL Leather Cases, Announced Today that it Would Begin Selling the Horizontic Plus Cell Phone Case, KRUSELL’s Newest Offering, In its Online Store in April. [PRWEB Mar 29, 2005]

Teens Get Support from Bush for Cell
Phone Recycling Drive to Benefit Service
Men and Women

Teens Get Support from Bush for Cell
Phone Recycling Drive to Benefit Service
Men and Women 08/20/2004 02:19 AM
Men and women serving their country are discovering the high cost of calling home from places like Iraq. A concerned brother and sister began a drive to help pay those bills, which has attracted attention from the White House. [PRWEB Aug 20, 2004]

Motorola Inc. said Wednesday that the
Internal Revenue Service claims the
cell-phone maker may owe $500 millio

Motorola Inc. said Wednesday that the
Internal Revenue Service claims the
cell-phone maker may owe $500 millio 08/11/2004 07:03 PM
Newsweek Aug 11 2004 11:19PM GMT

Telestial Announces Launch of GLOBAL
RIIING - New Low Cost International Cell
Phone Service

Telestial Announces Launch of GLOBAL
RIIING - New Low Cost International Cell
Phone Service 03/17/2005 04:12 AM
Today Telestial announced the official launch of its new Global Riiing cell phone service. Global Riiing offers travelers incredibly low airtime rates (as low as 52˘ per minute), unlimited free incoming calls throughout most of Europe, and the convenience of having a single cell phone number that works in over 100 countries around the world. [PRWEB Mar 17, 2005]

A Mickey Mouse Cell Phone Service Might
Not Be Goofy Idea (Investor's Business
Daily)

A Mickey Mouse Cell Phone Service Might
Not Be Goofy Idea (Investor's Business
Daily) 01/26/2004 10:15 AM
Investor's Business Daily - Fast starts in the U.S. wireless service field by Virgin Mobile USA and Boost Mobile have sparked speculation that others - most notably Walt Disney Co. - could enter the market.

Rest all is ok, BUT ASTHEiCALLY this
phone sucks. the shape

Rest all is ok, BUT ASTHEiCALLY this
phone sucks. the shape 08/30/2004 04:23 AM
TechTree Aug 30 2004 8:51AM GMT

Iowa phone company tries to block
incoming cell phone calls

Iowa phone company tries to block
incoming cell phone calls 08/16/2004 05:48 PM
Iowa phone company plans to block cell phone call in a dispute with wireless carriers. The Iowa Utilities Board has prevented the plan for now.

Quick-'n-Dirty methods to determine
which competing label is better: "Cell
Phone" or "Mobile Phone"?

Quick-'n-Dirty methods to determine
which competing label is better: "Cell
Phone" or "Mobile Phone"? 04/28/2004 11:39 AM

On the SIGIA-L mailing list, Stephanie Berger recently asked: "My cohorts are not sure whether to use "cell phone" or "mobile phone". Any evidence that one is better than the other, or one is used more often than the other?"

This is a good example of the kind of labeling questions information architects face all the time. The answer to these labeling questions will depend on the target audience (a better label for whom?), on business requirements (maybe the business want to promote one term over the other) and on the context in which the label will be used.

I'll discuss the conversation that followed here and afterwards point to some useful tools for if you have a labeling question yourself.

Andres Sulleiro: "Without any empirical data I will go with my own opinion. [...] A quick survey of the phone carriers seems to suggest that "wireless" (as in "wireless phone", "wireless customer") is most common among US carriers, though you see some references to "mobile" as well. T-mobile, a European company, uses "mobile" which is more common in Europe as well as being the name of the carrier."

Method: check what other websites call it.

Jason Cho: "I think "cell" is more widespread in the US as Andrés noted. "Call my mobile" can sound pretentious to Yankee ears. But I would think everyone understands the term "mobile" on a business card."

Method: personal experience.

Peter Van Dijck (and others): "Google for "cell phone" (including quotes): 6,230,000, Google for "mobile phone": 6,360,000. Looks like a tie, assuming your audience is similar. Just pick one and make sure your search engine knows both terms."
Christina Wodtke: "Y ahoo for cell phone : 16,800,000, yahoo for mobile phone: 21,200,000. What does this really tell you? you'd have to know who each engine indexes, how much of the web, etc.. better to use a magic 8 ball. ;-)"

Method: check popularity of the terms on the web.

Peter Van Dijck: "My next step would be to find out what people search for on your site,
or if not available, on the web (assuming that's more or less your audience). Google adwords can help."

Method: Find out what people (preferably your target audience) search for.

Dave: "I like "mobile" for the reason that Christina stated (forward compatibility); USers and non-USers will equally understand it. Also, it is more interoperable w/ most of the vCard based addressbook programs out there. I don't know any that are using "cell" or "cellphone" ... I also like the clear and easy two word approach of "mobile phone" ... I'm always wanting to say "cellphone" where "cell phone" is really the more correct version. "cell" though just doesn't feel like a real word b/c the "cell" doesn't fit a meaning to me. I know what it means if I am forced to think about it, but it really doesn't mean anything to me at all."

Method: personal experience, check what software programs use.

Christina Wodtke: "> As can Ove rture's keyword tool (couldn't find URL straight away).

You also might consider some adaptation of the freelisting technique on a subset of your target. E.G., a write in survey: what portable electronics do you own, then analyze for use of "cell phone" and mobile phone".

Method: freelisting technique.

Eric Reiss: "Having worked closely with several telecommunications companies, including Tellabs (US), Nortel (Canada), ADVA (Germany), and NetTest (Denmark), this discussion is one I've heard before. Europeans generally don't recognize the term "cell phone." North Americans seem to accept both "cell" and "mobile." ATT insists on promoting the term "wireless." In most instances, we've agreed on the word "mobile" since it is understood by the widest audience. Nortel, for instance, used "cell" almost exclusively until the late 90s, but now leans toward "mobile." I think there is a trend here."

Method: ask the subject matter experts.

Pabini Gabriel-Petit: "There's also Wordtracker.
[...]
In this vein, you might try just walking up to people, holding up your cell/mobile phone, and asking them what they call it."

Method: Analyze what people search for.

Method: Find out what labels your users use.

Quick-'n-Dirty methods to determine which competing label is better.

So, as a review, here are some of the methods used to determine which label is better.

1. What do you think?
Method: personal experience/insights.

2. What do your users think?
Method: freelisting technique.
Method: Find out what labels your users use: show them the item you're trying to label and ask them what it is. (You could build an online tool for this).
Method: Find out what people (preferably your target audience) search for / check popularity of the terms on the web. Ove rture's keyword tool. Google adwords. Wordtracker. Google and Yahoo both list how often a term is used on the web (use quotes around your terms!).

3. What do the experts think?
Method: ask the subject matter experts.
Method: check what other websites/software call it.

Gotcha's: be careful when using these techniques. You are looking for a label that works for your audience and your business requirements. Most of these techniques use audiences that may be very different from yours, and most are indicative only (ie: they're not hard science). Use your judgement.

FreeHeadset.org launches program to
promote wireless phone safety by giving
away free cell phone headsets.

FreeHeadset.org launches program to
promote wireless phone safety by giving
away free cell phone headsets. 07/26/2004 02:22 AM
New laws that mandate the use of cell phone headsets have recently passed in several states. In response, FreeHeadset.org has developed a program to provide wireless phone users with a free cell phone headset. [PRWEB Jul 26, 2004]

Cell Phone Users Interrupt Sex for Phone
Calls

Cell Phone Users Interrupt Sex for Phone
Calls 04/11/2005 08:07 PM
user survey reported

consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/cell_sex.html
track this site | 3 links

Cell Phones Face The Music

Cell Phones Face The Music 06/17/2005 03:35 PM

Napster's recently revealed plan to extend its music service to mobile phones has a long way to go before cells become iPod killers. By Katie Dean, Wired News

Phone firms face up to porn

Phone firms face up to porn 01/30/2004 01:04 AM
Customer demand for adult services are creating problems for mobile phone firms.

US punters face higher phone charges

US punters face higher phone charges 06/10/2004 09:37 AM
World+Dog comment on latest FCC development

You could have a 3G cell phone already

You could have a 3G cell phone already 04/11/2005 03:55 AM
Jakarta Post Apr 11 2005 5:22AM GMT

A Cell Phone in Every Pot

A Cell Phone in Every Pot 12/09/2003 02:39 AM

Ce ll Phones Sales Skyrocket

"The worldwide market for cell phones is outstripping even the most enthusiastic predictions from the beginning of the year, as consumers continue to snap up handsets at a dizzying rate, according to research released Monday by Gartner.

Handset vendors sold 132.8 million units in the third quarter of this year, up 22 percent from last year's third-quarter shipments of 108.8 million units, says Ben Wood, an analyst with Gartner based in London. Gartner calculated the figures using the number of units sold to end users, rather than units shipped into the channel.

'The total market is on fire,' he says. 'We had predicted about 470 million units for the year, but it's going to be about 500 million this year.'

Mature cell phone markets such as western Europe and the U.S. are going through a replacement cycle, as consumers with older black-and-white phones are trading them in for new models with color screens and cameras , Wood says.

'We're getting to a point where a mobile phone is as much about fashion as anything,' he says." [PCWorld.com]

It won't be much longer before purchasing a mobile phone will be as much about utility (staying connected to the internet) as anything.

Cell Phone Zen

Cell Phone Zen 08/16/2004 02:27 PM
My phone sucks ass! The voicemail has never worked properly since day 1. At least once a week I have...

Canada's Phone Giants Face Internet
Threat

Canada's Phone Giants Face Internet
Threat 05/04/2004 11:56 PM
New York Times May 5 2004 4:03AM GMT

Microsoft may face the music with MSN
service

Microsoft may face the music with MSN
service 12/06/2003 04:30 PM
Microsoft Corp. will run into fierce competition when it launches its online music service through MSN next year, but some industry experts think the company may have timed its entrance into the market just right.

Microsoft is mum on the details surrounding the forthcoming service and officials at MSN, the Redmond software company's Internet portal, declined to comment. Microsoft appears to be a latecomer. Apple Computer Inc. launched its iTunes service in late April, and more than 17 million songs have been downloaded by owners of the iPod, a portable digital music player.

Microsoft's New Customer-Service Face

Microsoft's New Customer-Service Face 06/03/2004 02:15 AM
Enterprise Security Today Jun 3 2004 6:05AM GMT

16 mln US teens have a cell phone

16 mln US teens have a cell phone 03/27/2005 02:33 AM
ZDNet Mar 27 2005 5:48AM GMT

Cell Phone Guns

Cell Phone Guns 01/27/2004 05:19 PM

Press M for Murder: Cell Phones That Kill: Can you program the phone to shoot the owner if it's answered in a movie theater?

Though heavier than normal phones, the lethal ones look nearly identical. The hollowed-out devices, made in Croatia, are fired by punching buttons on the keypad and can shoot four .22-cal. bullets in rapid succession.

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Cell Phone Jukebox

Cell Phone Jukebox 08/19/2004 12:08 AM

Downloa ds on the Move in Europe

"The ability to download complete tracks directly over cell-phone networks to mobile phones is becoming a reality in Europe. O2 Music, the music arm of U.K.-based international telecom operator mmO2, has started offering songs for download in Germany and the United Kingdom....

Since Aug. 1, U.K. owners of the new SX1 phones subscribing to O2 Music's Active Music Download service can buy songs from a repertoire of 100,000 titles. They can search, sample free 30-second clips, store and play paid-for full tracks downloaded over O2's network straight to the handset. The songs are protected and securely transmitted over the O2 network with digital-rights management technology from Basel-based Secure Digital Container in Switzerland.

The price of tracks ranges between $1 and $3. The handset, which can store up to 120 tracks of music, costs 80 pounds in the United Kingdom and 150 euros ($183.50) in Germany. SX1 users are charged for their downloads on their monthly mobile-phone bills....

By year's end, Bornhausser expects that Europe will have up to 12 different mobile phones -- from Siemens, Sony-Ericsson and Samsung -- that include pre-installed digital players and SDC's DRM software.

The high-speed 3G networks will also make wireless downloading easier. In Western Europe, Vodafone, 3, TIM and T-Mobile will be operating 3G services by the end of this year. As the United Kingdom's first 3G network, 3 began selling downloadable music videos July 30 from BMG U.K. & Ireland for 1.50 pounds each to compatible handsets." [Wired News]

Wow, I can't wait for this to hit the U.S., although I'm sure our implementation will be screwed up with DRM and we won't be able to use those songs on any other device. Still, the implications for mobile entertainment through the cell phone in an always-on, ubiquitous high-speed internet environment has implications for libraries.

In a couple of years when Kailee and Brent get cell phones, they will most likely have this functionality. What do you think they will expect to be able to download from their library? What do you think the library will be able to offer? Do you think the library is even thinking about this kind of service for the future?

Cell phone lockdown.

Cell phone lockdown. 12/06/2003 05:34 PM
CNet: Cell phone lockdown. Now that number portability is in effect, locked phones are even more evil. Two reforms that I would suggest are forcing carriers to unlock phones when contracts expire and allowing customers to take their phone rebate in cash when signing the contract.

Your $600 Cell Phone Bill

Your $600 Cell Phone Bill 06/01/2004 12:02 PM
Family cell phone plans have a lot of hang-ups, especially when a teen's on the line.

You CAN take your cell-phone number with
you

You CAN take your cell-phone number with
you 11/11/2003 10:17 PM
ZDNet Nov 11 2003 9:18PM ET
Grok Description matches for Face It: Cell-Phone Service Sucks
GrokA matches for Face It: Cell-Phone Service Sucks

Out of Lebanon

Out of Lebanon 04/04/2005 01:02 PM
Bowing to U.N. and U.S. pressure, Syria agrees to withdraw all its troops by the end of the month.

Microsoft , Lebanon MoU

Microsoft , Lebanon MoU 04/11/2004 12:26 AM
AME Info Apr 11 2004 4:37AM GMT

Lebanon drops out of Eurovision

Lebanon drops out of Eurovision 03/19/2005 02:40 AM
Lebanon pull out of taking part in this year's Eurovision, in a dispute over screening the Israeli entry.

Lebanon names pro-Syrian as PM

Lebanon names pro-Syrian as PM 04/15/2005 06:44 PM
Moderate pro-Syrian MP Najib Mikati is named as Lebanon's new prime minister by the country's president.

US presses Lebanon over election

US presses Lebanon over election 03/24/2005 12:15 PM
The US calls on Lebanon to hold general elections on time in the presence of international monitors.

Four die in Lebanon fuel protest

Four die in Lebanon fuel protest 05/27/2004 12:15 PM
Troops kill four people in a clash with protesters in Beirut as a strike over high fuel prices grips Lebanon.

U.S.: missing Marine may be in Lebanon

U.S.: missing Marine may be in Lebanon 07/08/2004 08:30 AM

Microsoft, Lebanon, e-government

Microsoft, Lebanon, e-government 05/13/2004 02:11 PM
AME Info May 13 2004 5:12PM GMT

Lebanon extends president's term

Lebanon extends president's term 09/03/2004 02:31 PM
MPs in Beirut vote to extend the Lebanese president's term despite a UN warning to Syria not to interfere in Lebanon.

U.S. Embassy: Missing Marine Is in
Lebanon (AP)

U.S. Embassy: Missing Marine Is in
Lebanon (AP) 07/08/2004 05:51 AM
AP - The U.S. Embassy has "credible information" that missing U.S. Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun is safe in his native Lebanon, but hasn't been able to confirm it, a public affairs officer said Thursday.

Syria to move troops in Lebanon

Syria to move troops in Lebanon 09/21/2004 02:20 AM
Syrian troops are about to be redeployed in Lebanon, three weeks after a UN motion urged their withdrawal.

Since 9/11, Rich Arabs Again Frolic in
Lebanon

Since 9/11, Rich Arabs Again Frolic in
Lebanon 09/08/2004 10:07 PM
Lebanon, once a byword for terrorism, has turned into the destination of choice for wealthy families from the Mideast.

Syria is able to control Lebanon with
14,000 soldiers

Syria is able to control Lebanon with
14,000 soldiers 03/17/2005 03:23 AM
Syria and Lebanon have been in the news lately.  Leban on has a population of 3.7 million.  Syria is able to control these people with just 14,000 soldiers, according to the latest articles, and to judge by the tens of thousands of supporters who rallied today in Beirut, Syrian control of Lebanon is just fine with most of the Lebanese.  This is a remarkable achievement considering that the U.S.-led coalition has rough ly 150,000 troops in Iraq for their 25 million people and Iraqis don't seem to be turning out in any great numbers to show public support for the foreign soldiers to continuing hanging around.  One wonders if we should not have outsourced the Iraq occupation to Syria...

"Iraq: Vietnam, Lebanon, or civil war?"

"Iraq: Vietnam, Lebanon, or civil war?" 09/14/2004 08:58 AM

U.S. Marine Arrives in Germany from
Lebanon

U.S. Marine Arrives in Germany from
Lebanon 07/09/2004 08:01 PM
Reuters via Wired News Jul 10 2004 0:07AM GMT

UN backs Lebanon sovereignty call

UN backs Lebanon sovereignty call 09/02/2004 09:34 PM
The Security Council calls for foreign troops to leave Lebanon - a move aimed at reducing Syrian influence.

Hezbollah Claims Win in Southern Lebanon
(AP)

Hezbollah Claims Win in Southern Lebanon
(AP) 06/06/2005 12:12 AM
AP - Hezbollah and its Shiite allies claimed victory in southern Lebanon in Sunday's second stage of national elections, a vote the militant group hopes will prove its strength and send a message of defiance to the United States.

Intel opens Lebanon office

Intel opens Lebanon office 12/19/2004 02:56 PM
Mena Report Dec 19 2004 3:14PM GMT

Annan Says Syria Withdrawing From
Lebanon (AP)

Annan Says Syria Withdrawing From
Lebanon (AP) 03/22/2005 03:46 PM
AP - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Tuesday after meeting Syria's president that Damascus will completely withdraw its troops and intelligence agents from Lebanon in keeping with a Security Council resolution.

Pro-Syrians claim S Lebanon poll

Pro-Syrians claim S Lebanon poll 06/05/2005 11:31 PM
Pro-Syrian parties in Lebanon say they have won the latest round of parliamentary elections.

Lebanon Jails 26 Over Bombings of U.S.
Outlets

Lebanon Jails 26 Over Bombings of U.S.
Outlets 12/21/2003 01:23 AM
Reuters via Wired News Dec 21 2003 0:33AM ET

Talks start on Lebanon government

Talks start on Lebanon government 04/16/2005 08:47 PM
Lebanon's prime minister-designate begins talks with political leaders about forming a new government.

Syria to give Lebanon timetable

Syria to give Lebanon timetable 04/03/2005 03:39 AM
Syria says it will give details of a plan to withdraw all its troops from Lebanon before elections in May.

Clashes on Israel-Lebanon border

Clashes on Israel-Lebanon border 05/07/2004 03:30 AM
Israeli aircraft bomb suspected Hezbollah outposts in south Lebanon, security sources say.

UN attacks Lebanon Hariri inquiry

UN attacks Lebanon Hariri inquiry 03/24/2005 07:50 PM
Lebanon's investigation into the killing of former Prime Minisater Rafik Hariri is heavily criticised by the UN.

Arab allies discuss Lebanon vote

Arab allies discuss Lebanon vote 09/15/2004 05:39 AM
Egypt's president makes a hurriedly arranged visit to Syria a day after a divisive debate in the Arab League.

Syria's Lebanon Pullout Expected in
April (AP)

Syria's Lebanon Pullout Expected in
April (AP) 04/03/2005 05:58 AM
AP - The Syrian government has promised to remove all its troops and intelligence agents from Lebanon by April 30, the U.N. envoy said Sunday after meeting with Syria's president and foreign minister.

Syria vows full Lebanon pullout

Syria vows full Lebanon pullout 03/29/2005 10:39 PM
Syria says it will withdraw all its troops from Lebanon before the Lebanese elections in May.

U.S. Official Tells Syria to Leave
Lebanon

U.S. Official Tells Syria to Leave
Lebanon 09/11/2004 08:58 AM
Reuters via Wired News Sep 11 2004 1:50PM GMT

Face It: Cell-Phone Service Sucks

The following phrases have been identified by the grok system as matching this entry: riiing lebanon