If you haven’t noticed, Mobile or a cell phone is no longer just a phone that we knew. Today, we CAN take pictures, record video, access email, browse internet, download music, watch TV, use cell phone as a smart card, pay at a shop, listen to podcasts, write your blog and the list goes on almost endless.

NPR’s Eric Weiner wrote an interesting summary of how Mobile phones are changing our lifestyles here.  Few interesting snips:

Americans spend, on average, seven hours a month talking on their cell phones, but that figure doesn’t capture how much the cell phone has become a part of our lives. It is, as one researcher put it, "a second skin"— itchy at times and prone to blemishes but something that increasingly we can’t imagine living without.

2007 will likely be the first year in which Americans spend more on cell phone calls than land line ones.

In other ways, too, cell phones are changing how we relate to one another.

On the other hand, cell phones loosen the bonds with those outside our inner circle.

The article also points to an interesting graphic about US mobile consumers, "The Rise of the cell phone".

Also don’t forget to watch this wonderful video "The Evolution of Cell Phone".

While watching the above video, I came across this interesting conversation of "Three Generations View of Cell phone".

Playing Video games on Mobile phone could be quite different and often difficult with smaller screens and cramped keyboards. And thinking of playing a multi player games right from your mobile phone could be quite unbelievable.

But Its possible. All you need is a very very simple mobile phone that can make calls. You read it right. All you need is a simple mobile phone that can make simple phone calls. No advanced smart phone. And of course,  a few other players that wish to join you in the game.

Enter MegaPhone.

MegaPhone is a phone-controlled, real-time, multi-player collaborative gaming platform for big screens in public spaces.

• Anyone can use ANY phone from ANY service provider in ANY country as a game controller
• Players join the game by making a regular phone call, and they can see their input (either voice or keypad) immediately

Since screens are quite small on a mobile phone, MegaPhone replaces the mobile screens with a giant stage Screen. Players join the game by calling a number on the screen. They can play by giving voice commands or by using keyboard. The DTMF signals generated by your cell phone when you press on keyboard while on the call will be used as commands to control the game. Its quite fascinating idea.

Watch the videos below on how it works and how players are enjoying the game.

Game is ON

Game is ON

As per an annual AP-AOL Instant Messaging Trends Survey, 25% of IM users are using Cell phones to send those quick quirky hip instant messages to their buddies.

The survey, which examined instant messaging trends and usage habits among 1,246 IM users, revealed that 25 percent of respondents send IMs from their cell phones, including one in three (32 percent) teens.

The proliferation of cell phones with full keyboards has made it easier to send mobile instant messages. All of the major instant messaging services also let users have their instant messages forwarded directly to their cell phones when they’re on-the-go. In addition, IM users are instant messaging from within their social networking profiles.