What's the deal? [Handphones]

Emmm... you know, these days I see people listening to music more on their mobile phones than their mp3s, iPods and such. Mobile phones these days are truely incredible, you can take pictures, watch tv, videos, movies, download music, play games, browse the internet and to top it off, you can CALL PEOPLE ON IT! XDXD

But you know, whats the deal with it? One of my firends said he doesnt believe in mobile phones, or handphones as it is better known in Malaysia cuz it is too common. I know what he means~ The people of this generation can't even live without their handphones, they want the best, latest, high technology ones, and ironically, most people dont really use it to actually TALK on it anymore.

So really, whats the deal with handphones? Follow me deep (ok, not so deep la :P) into the rabbit hole to find out more about this lovely device~

The History of Handphones
(Simple one.. I wont bore yourself~ XD)

(I skiped all the nonesense on wiki... too much!! =_='')

1G (First Generation): Refers to the name given to the first generation of mobile telephone networks. These systems used analogue circuit-switched technology, with FDMA (Frequency Devision Multiple Access), and worked mainly in the 800-900 MHz frequency bands. The networks had a low traffic capacity, unreliable handover, poor voice quality, and poor security.

2G(Second Generation): Mobile telephone networks were the logical next stage in the development of wireless systems after 1G, and they introduced for the first time a mobile phone system that used purely digital technology. The demands placed on the networks, particularly in the densely populated areas within cities, meant that increasingly sophisticated methods had to be employed to handle the large number of calls, and so avoid the risks of interference and dropped calls at handoffs. Although many of the principles involved in a 1G system also apply to 2G - they both use the same cell structure - there are also differences in the way that the signals are handled, and the 1G networks are not capable of providing the more advanced features of the 2G systems, such as caller identity and text messaging.

See also 2.5G (Second Generation Enhanced)

3G (Third Generation): Mobile telephone networks are the latest stage in the development of wireless communications technology. Significant features of 3G systems are that they support much higher data transmission rates and offer increased capacity, which makes them suitable for high-speed data applications as well as for the traditional voice calls. In fact, 3G systems are designed to process data, and since voice signals are converted to digital data, this results in speech being dealt with in much the same way as any other form of data. Third Generation systems use packet-switching technology, which is more efficient and faster than the traditional circuit-switched systems, but they do require a somewhat different infrastructure to the 2G systems.

Compared to earlier mobile phones a 3G handset provides many new features, and the possibilities for new services are almost limitless, including many popular applications such as TV streaming, multimedia, videoconferencing, Web browsing, e-mail, paging, fax, and navigational maps.

4G (Fourth Generation): As the limitation of the 3G, people are try to make new generation of mobile communication, this is the 4th generation. This 4G system is more reliable, fast and easy. Nowadays, some companies have started developing the 4G communication system, this technology can have a high uplink rate up to 200Mbps, more data can transfer in the mobile phone. So the 4G mobile can have more function such as work as the television. Some telecommunication companies claimed that they would applied this 4G system to the business and it will bring more convenience to people
(Source: ieeemacau.org)

Technological Development of Handphones

Ok, so from what I've written above, we learn that handphones just keep getting better and better. Compared to the very earliest chunky walkie-talkie one and the slim beautiful sexy ones we have now, you can see (a gigantic) difference in the design, technology and so on~

Functions featured in mobile phones are getting more sophisticated and more useful. Mobile phones now are not only for communication. The simple communication device now has converged into a multi function device. Many mobile phones now are developed into PDA-like (Personal Digital Assistant) phones with OS (Operating System) that enables the communication device to operate as if a mini computer(Dornan, 2000).

Bluetooth, a form of wireless short range connection also changed the way mobile phone operates. Bluetooth is co-developed by mobile phone developers such as Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia and some computer/electronic developers.

Entertainment on mobile phones has also been a development for many developers. Mobile phone gaming (such as Java games, the most popular game platform), camera functions, media player (playing MP3 and short films) are now engaged among 2.5G and 3G mobile phones. Laptops can also get access to the internet using the 2.5G or 3G mobile phone as the modem. Emails can also be accessed via these mobile phones.

Mobile phones can also become an information centre. Information from weather reports, latest news, share market status etc can all be gathered from small mobile phones. Before WAP or GPRS were well developed, users can gather the above information from the system operator (depending on the system operator, not all provide these services).

Read more about this

(Source: wiki.media-culture.org.au)

How Handphones Work

Here is a diagram that shows how handphones actually work, followed by a nice video, just in case you got lost~ ^^

Watch another video

Types of handphones and their functions

Well.. are you wondering which phone is best for you? Kids theses days (emm, including myself, im not so old you know.. >.>) prefer something where music is essential, and want something that can store and play music beautifully... or maybe something else? Here's some options for you~

Hectic life? Need information at your fingertips? Always rushing from one appointment to another? If you do then you should consider a purchasing a smart phone. A smart phone will let you synchronise your valuable data with you PC, meaning whatever you have in the office, you can potentially have with you on the move. Phones such as the Nokia N95, the Blackberry Curve and the Sony Ericsson P900i are phones that are more than capable of offering this kind of output.

Like music? If you are then a mobile phone with a dedicated built in mp3 player is the kind of phone that you should be looking to choose. For this there is none better than the Sony Ericsson walkman series. For sound quality and reliability they really do beat all the rest. The Sony Ericsson W960i has a huge memory capacity and a very sexy touch screen. Another option might be the Nokia N81, this made more interesting when Nokia release their music site later this year.

If it's photographs you want to take then definitely go for the Sony Ericsson K850i. This has a great flash and lense and comes with a 512mb card to store all your photographs on. The durability of this phone is also brilliant, something that we have come to expect from the manufacturers. Overall choosing a mobile phone will depend entirely on what you want to use it for.

(Source: ezinearticles.com)

There's also a basic phone or conventional phone, for those on a budget, where you have the simple and main features of a phone. Many have basic cameras and support for wireless Bluetooth headsets for hands-free communication.
(Source: consumerreports.org)

Impact on the Way Business Transactions Are Carried Out

Future of Retail Banking - impact of mobile phones, RFID and alternative payment systems, online banking and financial services trends

Businesses can enhance the capability of the technology to advertise, to sell their merchandise, stories downloads, music, films and movies to the individual on the move, where ever they are.

Smart phones with bio-security can be used as an Electronic Wallet, to pay for things such as drinks and snacks from vending machines, transport fares, ticket bookings, and information search for facilities and amenities. For example, on emergency, you are looking for the nearest public toilet, the mobile phone can identify your location via GPS, and direct you to the nearest LOO.

Phones with Wi-Fi features enable the user to access the Internet, read emails, send replies and surf the Web while on the move. For dynamic and fast changing information such as Forex Exchange Rates, Stock Exchange Reports, share prices and company search are all available on the finger tips so to speak. The best part of all, is that is free by Wi-Fi, not through the phone line.

The future of communication system and e-business is the one-to-one interaction. The broadcasting method will slowly evolve into Uni-casting, and television shows, news broadcasting will be as Video-on-demand.
(source: resources.alibaba.com)

Impact on the Culture of the Community

watch part 2
watch part 3

Hand phone at this time is no longer considered to be luxury goods or goods in a foreign society, almost everyone knows and has a hand phone from a small child until the parents. Place hand phone sales or anything related to the hand phone can be encountered in almost every corner of the city, and there are in every shopping center, this indicates that the mobile phone has become a popular culture, because in addition to its distribution reach all sections of the community promotional activities are also great primarily through print and electronic media, but even though mobile phones are very famous or popular in the community still have some of the people who do not have a hand phone even though they should have had a hand phone.
Read more
(source: http://www.kumpulanskripsi.com/en/skripsi/psychology/deprivacy-relative-the-impact-of-a-mobile-phone-as-popular-culture.html


Benefits and Disadvantages

Advantages :

• The more you talk, the more you know how to talk and the better your communication skills become. This is applicable if you’re a sensible person and keep note of your interacting habits over the phone. It can be a communication tutorial!
• Nothing more than a cell phone comes to great help in emergency. You are driving by the freeway and the vehicle jams and cell phone comes to your rescue. You are stuck in a lone place, again call somebody and ask for directions.
• Parents can be a little less worried about their kids by being in constant touch with them.

Disadvantages :

• Nothing more can be a distraction for a teached in the classroom, when a student’s phone rings. Cell phones are increasingly becoming a problem for the schools during classroom hours and are becoming a means of cheating during examinations and other kinds of ability tests. All this is really bad and does hurt the future of the student, who doesn’t realize that he/she is him/her-self responsible for it.
• Health of those living in the vicinity of cell phone towers is becoming a growing concern. Towers result into an area with concrete development along with destruction of natural features (vegetation etc) around the place. The towers also emit strong electromagnetic signals, which can be health hazard for those living nearby and who are getting exposed to strong radiations continuously during a good span of their lives. Read more here
  

Future Directions

Article: Cell Phones Of The Future
Article: The Future of Cell Phones


Ok, so, to sum it up, phones are pretty cool, and convenient. They do more than just enabling people to talk. Its a way of life. For the record, handphones are about to become a necessity in the future, people are gonna start paying their meals with phones, making business transactions, etc. It isn't so bad really........ and another random video just for fun~ ahahahahaa

and I present to you...
the amazing CELL PHONE SYMPHONY!! XD

Distress and Coma

One of my favourite Gazette songs.. Ruki ish ultra-kakkoi in the pv! XDXD

Watch the Distress and Coma PV

DISTRESS AND COMA

The GazettE

Until your distress sleeps

Fill me up with your grief

Until your distress sleeps

Oooo-ooo-ooo

Until your distress sleeps

Fill me up with your grief

Until your distress sleeps

Oooo-ooo-ooo

Hello dear my bride

Nani wo miteiruno

You can't cheat her?

Showo mo hiro waru sono made

Wasuretai no wa

Shiroi sugita kutsuu

Shinjiteru to Ikikasu

Kizu wa kienai

Odoru odoru nemurasete to odoru

Yamanu namida

Koe wo koroshi Yowaku furueru te ni

Kuchibiru wo tosu

Hello dear my bride

Ashimoto wo yaku

Miminari ni mou

Chikazuku hitsuyou nado

Muishiki ni haita

Iki ga hada wo sou

Kamoku yura su yaiba ni

Emi wo

Wasuretai nowa

Shiro sugita kutsuu

Shinji teruto ii kikasu

Kizu wa kienai

Yaseta yume ni

Samenu ima ga utsuru

Kanashimi sae

Sugao da yo to kotaete kureru nara

Kizutsuite mo ii

Wasurenaide Itami wo shiru anata ni

Hikarete kodou

Kokode

Odoru odoru nemureru made odoru

Yamanu namida Nanimo naitoKokoro wo fusagu tabi

Kare sou dato

Yaseta yume ni

Mou ichido wo utau

Kanashimi sae

Jibun dayo to

Kotaete kureru nara

Kitzutsu itemo ii

Until your distress sleeps
Fill me up with your grief
Until your distress sleeps
Oooo-ooo-ooo

Until your distress sleeps
Fill me up with your grief
Until your distress sleeps
Oooo-ooo-ooo

Owaru hazu no yume ni

Sayonara ga saiteru

The Punks Are Comin'!!

Green Day

Punk fans, rejoice! 3 man group Greenday has come out with their 8th studio album, 21st Century Breakdown, released on May 15th . Bille Joe Armstrong, Greenday's vocalist and guitarist descirbes their latest installment as a "snapshot of the era in which we live as we question and try to make sense of the selfish manipulation going on around us, whether it be the government, religion, media or frankly any form of authority."

Billie Joe Armstrong

Sources say reception of the album has generally been favorable and positive. The DailyMusicGuide called the album "enthused, fresh, punchy and melodic", claiming the band has "pulled Green Day up from being just a punk band to a true anthemic stadium band." Entertainment Weekly stated "AMERICAN GENIUSES: Rockers Green Day give their breakdown of the new millennium," giving the album a B. The Tune gave the album an even higher grade, a solid A, stating that "Green Day, in their ode to the Age of Technology - the Age of Disconnection - have created one of the best albums of the decade, one that reflects the culture and the times with occasional biting wit and frequent fist-pounding fury."

21st Century Breakdown

Well to the newer fans out there, Greenday first started out in 1987,and were originally part of thepunk rock scene at 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley, California. Its early releases for indie record label, Lookout! Records earned them a grassroots fanbase, some of whom felt alienated when the band signed to a major label. Their breakthorugh success came in 1994 with the relese of Dookie. This soon was followed by the success of songs like Longview, Basket Case and When I come Around. Renewd glory came with the phenomenal success of American Idiot, released in 2004, which gained them numerous awards, including a Grammy for Best Rock Album.

A review of their latest album can be read here, as I havent really.... listened fully to it yet. XDXD ^_^'' (me bad~)

No Doubt

Anyway, one other thing that I'm looking forward to is.. the return of No Doubt! Gwen Stefani's band.. before she started her Dance-Pop Diva career. She was the rocker girl all rock fans loved. Now, she coming back with her boys with a new album and soon-to-be tour. Now, I know most of the "young generation" these days are mostly interested in No Doubt becuase of Stefani, so let me add some of their history here... :D ahaaaa....

Well, No Doubt first started in 1986, but because of the popularity of gurnge that time, they didn't make enough waves. Things turned around in the 1990s when ska started to revive due to their release of their album Tragic Kingdom. Notable songs from the band inclued Dont Speak, Just A Girl, Bathwater, Ex-Girlfirend, Hey Baby and Underneath It All. Band members include Gwen Stefani on the vocals, Tom Dumont on the keyboard and guitar, Tonay Kanal on the bass and Adrian Young on the drums and percussions.

I'll post more about the band in the future. Right now, I cant wait to see Gwen all rockin again!! XDXDXD

Viva La Vida

One really genius song, by one of the coolest bands in the world.



Viva La Vida - Coldplay

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

Get to know Visual Kei!

Hey people! Now, for those who know me, you probably know I'm so in love with J-rock. And its common that people around me go "what the hell?".. well, it basically Japanese rock.. its kinda hard explaining to them all the different sub-genres it has to offer, especially when it comes to Visual Kei.

Today, I'm gonna explain Visual Kei, or VK, as it the sub genre i find most interesting and just started to indulge myself in this form of music. I took this from a post I did earlier in my other blog, Tragic Kingdom.

Alice Nine. One of my most favourite bands.

According to wikipedia, Visual kei (ヴィジュアル系, vijuaru kei?, lit. "visual style") refers to a movement among Japanese musicians that is characterized by the use of eccentric, sometimes flamboyant looks. This usually involves striking make-up, unusual hair styles and elaborate costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that Visual Kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of J-rock (a term referring to Japanese rock in general), with its own particular sound, related to glam-rock, punk and metal. However other sources state that Visual Kei's unique clothing and make-up, fashions, and participation in the related sub-culture, is equally as important as the sound of the music itself in the use of the term.

The Gazette- One freakin awesome band~^^

So, one fine day, I stumbled upon something interesting... A blog (in spanish) explaining the different types of VK (hahahaa xD me and my ignorence only thought there were 2- Visual Kei and Oshare Kei. Don't flame me now. I'm still learning!) Ok, so these are some of the extracts from Akiry Blog

"Some bands have been handling "types" of visual oshare, kotekote, eroguro, etc ... but are beginning to fall into disuse because the bands have been combining and adopting new styles which can not be seen as one." <--disclaimer X3

My disclaimer: I translated some of the desciptions here, for general use, I dont know if its right or not, since I cant speak Spanish, and I am clueless of where they got the definitions (I'm thinking its their own.. XP) Some of my own words are thrown in there, which are in itallic or bold~ If they seem random and out of place, they're mine. :)

Kote Kote

(I shall never say this out loud, not to be caught dead, I shall define this as VK instead, eventhough it might be wrong in some ppl's eyes/ears)

The typical image that comes to people when they hear the word "visual-kei." Extravagant leather costumes, hairstyles and flashy with colors in sharp contrast with makeup white faces.

Oshare Kei
The word oshare in Japanese generally means elegant or someone who has too much in this fashion. The bands of this type are very extravagant and almost always wear colorful costumes and a bit exaggerated. Usually applies cheerful, fun, happy and all derivatives as well as infant and tender attitude that occurs in humans. Their sound reflects this attitude with each pose. Example: An Cafe X3

Takuya. Me love you. Miku. Cute as always.

Angura Kei

Comes from the word "underground", The bands of this kind are few and are characterized by a traditional Japanese touch but obviously a bit dark. Go google the bands la! XD hahaha

Eroguro Kei

Derives from the words and Erotic Grotesque. Able to recognize the bands of this type simply watching your videos, photos, costumes and monsterous, violent and disgusting makeup until the sound can be integrated.

From Wikipedia: Erotic Grotesque Nonsense, frequently shorted to Ero guro, (エログロ ) is a wasei-eigo term that describes a literary and artistic movement from 1920s and '30s Japan. Ero guro puts its focus on eroticism, sexual corruption and decadence. This movement is often used incorrectly by western audiences to mean "gore" - depictions of horror, blood, and guts. In actuality the "grotesque" term implies malformed, unnatural or horrific. While ero guro is a specific movement, many of its components can be found throughout Japanese history and culture. Items that are pornographic and bloody are not necessarily ero guro. The band Cali Gari was heavily influenced by Erotic Grotesque Nonsense and Angura. Western Visual Kei fans mistook this theme as a description of their "genre" and linked it with other Visual Kei bands.

Ohh.. so Grotesque Parody aniki is into this stuff? hahaha. Best ke? Mintak tunjuk ajar~ XD

White kei

The vocalist takes the feminine role.. usually in white, the sound becomes more light in their songs (but not rule).

Shironuri kei

Gang members, they generally like to wear school uniforms or traditional Japanese clothing with a dark childhood, but their faces are completely white with contrasting black and red lips and eyes~

Nagoya kei

The bands that follow this style are in the vicinity of Nagoya, and has a bizarre image, used clothing, hat, tie, vest, shirt or dress (for the"girl"). Something more formal but not so dark and bizarre, depending on its makeup is music~

From Wikipedia: Nagoya kei is a subgenre of visual kei, with its roots in the modern music scene of Nagoya, Japan. Often considered darker and gloomier than normal kei, nagoya takes its musical influences moreso from western (specifically British) punk rock bands than visual kei initially had. The focus of nagoya bands tends to be much less on costumeand makeup in favor of more complex musical compositions and concentration on the music itself. Notable bands include Deadman, Kein, The Studs, etc. - Kinda contrasting? XD lol

Koi kei X

Is based on the lyrics of songs and style, are romantic and ironic and a bit pop-rock. Includes Miyavi, Gackt, The Gazette,etc.

Shibuya kei

Obviously a style that place, the vocals are usually women who have a special touch to dress, the atmosphere is usually used for white backgrounds that contrast with the bright colors worn.

From Wikipedia: Shibuya-kei (渋谷系) originated in the Shibuya district of Tokyo. It is best described as a mix between jazz, pop, and electropop. The word for Shibuya (渋谷) is combined with the Japanese word kei (系) which literally means "system" or, in this context, "style", to form Shibuya-kei which roughly translates to "Shibuya style". Emm.. Puffy AmiYumi?

Kurofuku kei

From = kuroi fuku = clothes and dark. This style is almost equal to Nagoya kei, the difference is not so "formal" or sober.Example: LUNA SEA.

Iryou kei

The image is still here is that scientists / doctors / nurses and all that derives crazy / bloody / malignant / mysterious; clearly identified by using a coat~

Psychotic. Just the way I like it. XD

Anyway, that concludes it~ Hope all you peeps learned something.. cuz man, after writing and translating all that,I would be tragic if the only thing that comes out of this is the pain left in my fingers and eyes. Pfft. Hahaha :D