Mobile phones reflecting a technology on the move

A mobile phone and mirror are two of life’s necessities for today’s female students. The two items have always taken up a space in their pockets or handbags. But the need to carry these items separately could be eliminated by a new mobile phone whose display functions as a mirror. The liquid crystal display panel on the lid of the handset of the new phone has been improved to reflect light so efficiently that it can be used as a mirror. And the innovation reflects the experimentation that is leading to a clutch of mobile handsets with many convenient features. The screen of these mirror mobile phones, introduced by LG Electronics Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., can be used as reflectors when the phone display not displaying the time and date. For those women conscious of their appearance, the product is small enough for a quick check of their makeup. In another innovation, users can jot a brief message on the display of Samsung Electronics’ “touch screen” phone and send it like email. It is now possible to listen to music with a mobile phone. SK Telecom’ s new product called a “music phone” offers tunes on demand, a feature that allows users to download music files from wireless networks. People can also store MP3 music files to make an album or use them as ring tones. The company also provides stereo earphones with the product, which provides sharp audio. “We expect many young people will buy the products because they can enjoy music and also easily carry the mobile phones, hung around their necks,” said an official at SK Telecom. The price of the product is approximately 500,000 won ($410), which is similar to the prices of other mobile phone products. There are a range of uses for the phones. For example, what would you do when you have an accident or when you suddenly have a stomach ache? A mobile handset with built in global positioning satellite system, or GPS, chip can help you in such an emergency. It can be used to give your location to the nearest fire station, police station, or hospital. Such a device’s usefulness in an emergency is unlimited because a satellite can hone in on the user’s location through the mobile phone’s GPS system. People concerned about security can rest a little easier with the introduction of a mobile phone that thwarts wiretapping. This device should put to rest controversy over how secure a mobile phone really is. A phone that can be used without fear of conversations or data being tapped would open up new areas for wider use of this technology, such as in banking and stock trades. by Kim Jong-yoon