Let's make a new name for cellphones!!

Syzygys

Syzygys

As a mother, I am telling you
Valued Senior Member
This is where you can show off your imaginative side and come up with a name that if promoted, might even make it to the dictionary!!

So what is the problem? Well, today's cellphones are not just cellphones anymore, but mp3 players, cameras and videorecorders and even internet access devices. yes, they also measure time and take notes and such.

I think we should call them something else than the cellphones of 10 years ago. Right now I don't have any good idea, thus this thread. If something pops into your mind, just post away!

So what should we call these all powerful and can not be missed electronic devices? Iphone and Blackberry are brandnames, gadget is too wide ranged...
 
Syzygys said:
So what should we call these all powerful and can not be missed electronic devices? Iphone and Blackberry are brandnames, gadget is too wide ranged...
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I already hear people refering to it simply as a "cell." The same thing happened with portable transistor radios 45-50 years ago: people just called them "transistors."

And in my observation people distinctly differentiate between a plain cellphone and a portable handheld internet device.
 
superstring01 said:
The people I know just call them "phones". The only people I know with an actual house phone is my parents.

~String
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In Germany, I know many people that don't have handy/phone (they prefer not to). In Indonesia, I don't know anyone who doesn't have handy, some people have two or three (me too :eek: but these I got for free /gift)
 
superstring01 said:
The people I know just call them "phones".
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But that is the point, it is way more than just phone, like mp3 player. So a new name is needed. It should be short but descriptive and practical.

I like the word handy. Most of Europe calls them mobile by the way, not cellphones.
 
I still vote for the current common US nickname: cell

Reasons:
  • It is the shortest of the suggestions, being only one syllable. Most names tend to shortening, not lengthening over time, e.g. Robert --> Bob
  • It's relative and descriptive, many if not most of the functions the devices perform depend upon the "cellular" network.
  • The name is already in common usage and at least recognizable in most parts of the world, even those where people's preference is something else like "handy".
 
Well, I like simplicity and my current cellphone is just that, a phone, nothing else. So "handy" would mean the more complex device with all the whistles and such. Thus there is logic in calling a different device in a different name...
 
technically the correct name for the new mobiles would be "PDA" because thats what they are, pocket computers. Hell mine even runs windows (inset grumpy mumbling about shitty microcrap here) along with word, excel ect ect
 
Asguard said:
technically the correct name for the new mobiles would be "PDA" because thats what they are, pocket computers. Hell mine even runs windows (inset grumpy mumbling about shitty microcrap here) along with word, excel ect ect
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Don't you call them that in Australia? At least as an alternative to "mobile"? We do in the US. I think the initials stand for Personal Digital Assistant, right?
 
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