A Phone In The Hand Beats Two In The Head
by Mark Ontkush, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 06. 5.07
This just in from SimplySwitch; a recent study found that a little over a quarter of the 18 million cell phones purchased in the UK end up being lost or damaged every year. Topping the list is dropping the chatter into the crapper; that's right, a staggering 855,000 handsets are flushed down toilets every year. That translates into about £342 million in additional revenue for the cell phone sellers.
Phones in the throne aren't the only problem; other common catastrophes include leaving mobiles in the pub (810,000 handsets) in a taxi (315,000) or on a bus (225,000). Dogs ate another 58,500, and 116,000 went through a spin cycle with the dirty laundry. The finger of blame points at the young - a full 40 per cent of those under 34 admitted to losing or damaging their phone. Don't they know the value of a pound? Or maybe respect for material goods is the issue; try giving your phone a name. Remember, you can't green your electronics when they are in the sewer. :: SimplySwitch
A family member dropped her's in the thunder mug, followed by an outcry of dismay at the realization. I retrieved it, with a minor fluorish of toilet heroism, removed the battery, rinsed it twice, showered myself, and let it dry out for a week in the sun.
When recharged and turned on, all was fine except for the number "6" which when tapped would display on screen as multiples
6666
Evil pot spirits had invaded and reprogrammed the chipset obviously. Covering with an old Apple Newton failed to exorcise anything.
I must admit that I'm getting old and forgetful, but I just remembered reading somewhere that these cell phones contain gallium, which is becoming precious because of it's use in thin film solar cells.
We all should be reminded that much of this stuff just doesn't grow on trees. [ I think I'm reading too much Treehugger].
J.C., Sr.