Speaking of Smarter Phones...

The next generation of cell phones is making waves. Only we can't call them that anymore. In order to accurately describe these devices we'd have to call them multimedia devices.

Newer phone models still make calls, sure, but among the new features available are email (okay, so this isn't new), music playback (not so new either, but only really big for the past year or so), video (think iPod or YouTube-style video), and, for the phone user who wants it all, live TV.

I'm not a tech gal when it comes to my phone--I want it to send and receive and phone calls with clear reception and good coverage areas, and I want to customize my ringtone. That's it.

Sure, I use the camera in it when I'm in a pinch (forgot the camera on a field trip), but you know what cell pics look like, right? It's not going to replace my digital camera any time soon! I truly don't get the video/TV thing, it's boggled me since the first video iPods came out. Everyone is touting how newer phones are getting smaller and smaller - who wants to watch a video on THAT? I'm already nearsighted enough, thanks!

For a more tech-savvy (and probably less biased) look at the future of the cell phone, check out these articles at the Washington Post or PC World (both online).