Qualcomm Inc (QCOM)

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Cell phone use becomes fun once you download programs
Usable tools available at reasonable price at Web site
By Vanessa Dennis
[e-mail] Copy editor.

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Apparently all the kids are doing it -- well, at least, all of my friends who are cooler than me.

I recently spent a weekend with about 14 friends whom I haven't seen for a year or so, and I discovered that I was totally missing the party.

Ring tones, screen savers and text messaging.

I thought I hated text messaging, but I gave it a try this weekend.

It wasn't so bad.

I would compare it to smoking: It is just something to do during a lull in conversation to keep you busy. I mean you could just call someone and say what you need to say, but it takes up more time and, lets face it, you are way cool if you just send them a short quip.

So while I have come to the decision that there is nothing wrong with a little fun text messaging banter, there is a limit.

For example, I witnessed people saying mean things about other people who were within the vicinity. It is like passing notes in class, ... sooner or later you will get caught.

Also, there is no need to ignore an actual conversation so you can sit and text message people.

Seriously, it's annoying.

Ringtones and other downloads for your phone are also something I was not fully versed on. I knew you could download games and ringtones directly from your service provider, for a fairly steep price, but I had no idea about all the other options.

It seems the best place to get downloads for your phone is 3gupload.com. For $10 you can get free downloads for a year.

They have almost anything you could want. For example, I wanted a tip calculator on my phone and I found an application to do that. I now have a Radiohead song as my ringer and also a program that can tell me which way is north.

3G Upload is kind of like a file sharing service, except more legit. People can submit their own ringers, screen savers and programs.

For example, I could create my own gif animation and use 3G Upload to download it to my phone. The service will automatically format the file to fit my phone perfectly.

Considering that most of the ringers from Sprint cost about $2.50 each, $10 for a year of unlimited downloads is a great deal.

I tried the ringers out, and it is great fun. I have Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley for my political friend, Sir Mix A lot for my friend with the big behind, and Snoop Dogg for my dorky friend. There's nothing like infusing a little personality into your technology.

Various technology writers have said that Wall Street has not yet caught on to the ringer phenomenon. This could be another chance for someone to make some money off people's tech obsession.

So keep your eye on phone technology, there really are no limits at this point.


Originally published Sunday, June 20, 2004

http://www.chronicle-tribune.com/news/stories/20040620/localnews/681483.html