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With cell phones and smartphones now essential in the lives of millions of individuals, it’s hard to believe that, just a few short decades ago, they were a rarity. Today they come in countless styles, brands, and designs, and they can perform tasks that early cellular phone developers never would have dreamed of. With all that is possible with today’s mobile devices, it is hard to even tell what the future may hold.

The first portable phone was developed in 1973 by Dr. Martin Cooper, a former general manager for Motorola’s systems division. He set up his base station in New York and set up the first working prototype of the Motorola Dyna-Tac to introduce the device to the public.

In 1977, the cell phone finally went public. The first trials were performed in Chicago, but they quickly spread to other major cities throughout the United States. By 1988, The Cellular Technology Industry Associate was created to establish specific goals for the providers of cellular phones.

The first mobile phones were large, bulky devices. Many early models were designed to be installed in cars. These bag phones, as they were commonly called, were very costly and involved extensive wiring in the vehicle. They were nowhere near as portable as the slim phones of today. In the early 1990s, a second generation of mobile phones became available. These devices used primarily the GSM standard and varied from earlier phones by using digital transmission instead of analog. Second generation devices where also the first to include SMS or text messaging. Throughout the 1990s and into the early years of the 21st century, cell phones became progressively smaller and more portable.

Media content like downloadable ring tones and music also made its first appearance on second generation phones. By 1999, the first full internet service for mobile phones was unveiled by a Japanese company. The use of 2G phones quickly became widespread throughout the world due to the lower costs and size of the devices. The ever increasing number of capabilities also lead to the surge in popularity of cell phones in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Third generation, or 3G phones, were first created in 2001. These phones used new technology to increase data speeds and allow users greater access to the internet and web-based services. For the first time, 3G made it possible for users to stream live content like music and movies on their mobile phones. Smartphones became popular during the 3G revolution because they allowed users to do nearly countless tasks using a mobile handset. Thanks to the Apple iPhone, apps became an essential feature for smartphones. By the end of 2007, more than 295 million people subscribed to 3G networks. Today, the majority of smartphones still operate on 3G networks.

By 2009, development began on a 4G network. 4G technology is capable of greater speed that is necessary for some of the most intense applications such as those that stream live media. Though it is not yet available everywhere, it has become increasingly available in larger cities.

As the popularity of cell phones, smartphones, and other mobile devices continues to grow, it is certain that the technology will continue to evolve and improve. In time, users should expect to see even faster devices and smartphones that are capable of performing all the functions of a full desktop computer. Other emerging technology includes 3D screens that do not require the use of special glasses.

With cell phones and smartphones quickly becoming more powerful than ever, there has also been a boom in the cell phone accessory industry. Covers, cases, and snap on protectors have proven to be especially popular because they prevent damage to high end devices while adding a touch of style. With the right accessories, it is possible to get the most out of any mobile device. Chargers, memory cards, BlueTooth headsets, and screen covers are also popular among consumers of all ages. As the cell phone industry evolves, so does the accessory industry. As the phones become more fragile, manufacturers work to make accessories that are more effective against damage. At MyCoolCell, you can find all the accessories you could ever need for the phone you have now and for whatever devices you may own in the future.