The Mobile Connection

I know I would have never spent around S$600 on just about anything except maybe an air ticket to somewhere exotic. But just the other day I spent that exact amount on a new mobile phone. I felt quite miserable afterward though and wondered what on earth have I done to myself.

Mobile phones are electronic devices many people in this world today are using. Given the high levels of societal mobile phone service penetration, mobile phones are, as mentioned in Wikipedia, key means for people to communicate with one another.

Whilst its function may appear important and convenient to many, yet in my opinion, mobile phones are just another form of luxury the world is currently into. So little do I think having a mobile phone is very necessary, and I remember arguing with dad about this…

Dad once told me that I “needed” a mobile phone if I ever were to live in Singapore. But I told him that it was an overstatement because I could survive and have been surviving without one nonetheless. So I sticked to my belief and for a while lived my life without having a mobile phone.

Furthermore, I think mobile phones are liable to damage and loss if one isn’t careful. I’ve heard of cases whereby mobile phones stopped working within a day or two after purchase, and even more cases of misplaced and stolen ones actually. So I didn’t quite agree to ‘gambling’ my money on these devices.

But just the other day I bought a new mobile phone. Ironic it may seem, but I bought the mobile after thinking I probably really ‘need’ one especially because the mobile I was using at that moment was dad’s and that it didn’t seem to be working so well anymore.

So the other day I checked out a range of mobile phones and catalogues at a shop in the city to see what’s good. Been doing so since months back in fact but hadn’t found something that I truly like I guess...

And to start with, I didn’t even know what to look for when buying a new mobile phone given all the new series they’ve produced - the last time I cared about buying a mobile was way back in early 2003, when mobile phones weren’t of such great range yet.

And only after speaking to a worker in a mobile phone shop that I visited the other day could I end up making a decision...

And so on that day I got myself a Nokia Symbian Smartphone. I spent about S$600 in that mobile phone shop just to get myself a new mobile. But because I quite like the phone so I presume it’s not too bad after all.

Like its name, my smartphone comes with not only free maps but also a GPS system (and all the “oodles of functionality” and “decent look” it has in it has now started to excite me).

But I knew I didn’t have to spend ‘that’ much just to get myself a new mobile phone. Then again, the cheap ones were just too basic and the moderately expensive ones (S$200++) looked like they’re made for teenagers.

Still, I can’t believe I’ve forked out half a thousand dollars on a mobile phone, really. And I know I might have underestimated mobile phone prices given my lack of knowledge on the recent mobile sales.

But whatever it is, I’ve already burnt quite a big hole in my pocket now and so am only hoping that all will turn out well with regards to this new phone that I am currently using.

Anyhow, just in case you might be interested, below’s an embedded video documentary on mobile phones I came across on Youtube one day. Do check it out!