Can you say luddite? I know you can

[cliffy]

Mobile 'phones can be seen to be annoying, but the people who make them so Will always find a way to attract attention at any cost.

At least that's my experience anyway

[Crispy]

I am trying to hold off on buying one of those things for as long as humanly possible, but I know I won't be able to hold out much longer. As long as you are talking about stupid things cellphones make people do, the surely regrettable things I just barely keep myself from doing to the person with the phone that rings during a show should count.

[kamome]

I hate inconsiderate keitai users, but Japan goes a bit too far in restricting their use on trains. They say that people talking on mobile phones cause annoyance on the train, but I don't see the difference between talking on a phone and talking to your neighbor on the train. As long as you use the same volume when talking on the phone, what's so annoying? Instead of targeting mobile phone users, just target anyone who is talking loudly and creating a disturbance.

I also have a hard time believing that stuff about wireless devices interfering with pacemakers. Is this scientifically proven?

[Steve Bildermann]

As long as you use the same volume when talking on the phone,

Ahh but there lies the problem. It seems that few people in Japan have grasped the fact that speaking on the phone nowdays does not require raising your voice and in fact lowering it and speaking in a lower tone can enhance reception.

In early (pre Keitai) days I used to dread making any calls from crowded public call areas because of the shouting that goes on.

Perhaps it's a cultural thing held back from when the Japanese phone system was really bad as it seems that it's the older generation who insist on practically yelling into the phone.

[kamome]

Quote:
As long as you use the same volume when talking on the phone,

Ahh but there lies the problem.

Of course, that's why I mentioned it. It's a big conditional statement, but I see most people are very considerate when they talk on their cell phones. Usually they cup their hands over the phone and speak very discreetly. That's perfectly ok with me; but some Japanese even think that's an annoying distraction. Hence the announcements on the train for passengers to turn off the power.

[Steve Bildermann]

Obviously the technology will improve. I don't think we are too far away from wireless ear and thoat implants that will provide hands free online communications, just say who you want to contact in a sublingual voice and your immediately connected and talking.

Combine that with radio reception and I-mode internet access played out to an eye piece and ...

'Voila' you have Steve's complete F*** gaijin communications and summer body cooling unit. Rather fetching you'll agree. Beats the ROBPONGI getup hands down

[mitch]

Not only that, but the nanoprobe implants are standard.

I wonder if the suit comes with a optional cup holder?

[Steve Bildermann]

This just in regarding the implanting I mentioned
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,31500-10477904,00.html

However on the other hand perhaps reported health risks are real
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_2053000/2053565.stm

[Crispy]

The first thing I thought of when I read that was Metal Gear Solid and the Codec devices everyone seems to have. They'd be extremely useful for war, but I don't know about peace...