The Future of Cell Phones We have seen the cell phone evolve from a large, bulky, cumbersome device into a small, elegant device. Now you can choose different ringtones for your phone and change its appearance. At this time you can even access the Internet. Even though it seems like we've seen it all, cell phones continue to improve. Just recently new phones that can take photos were released. Not only can you take photos, but you can also send them. However these phones have just been released and will be very expensive. Technology is constantly improving, and it seems that no matter what type of phone you get, a newer model will obsolete it. A company in London, the name is Eleksen, has created something they call "smart fabrics" that can electronically sense a touch of the finger and recognize the amount of pressure applied to it (16). You may be wondering, “What will this do for cell phones?” Well Erik Fok, who works for Eleksen, says he hopes the fabric heralds a new generation of lightweight cell phones that can be controlled with a handshake or a swipe of a finger (16). Can you imagine it? A cell phone that can be crumpled, folded or slipped into a pocket. It may seem far away but believe me it will be commercialized within a few years. Have you ever bought a business card? Well, in the future you may be able to purchase disposable cell phones. That's right, disposable. These phones, invented by Randi Altschul, will be made of paper and will obviously be recyclable (17). The phone is expected to be available soon and can be purchased for twenty dollars for sixty minutes of talk time (17). There is another inventor who has gone further. Victor Chu, a fashion technologist from New York, wants to develop a biodegradable casing for prepaid phones that contains flower seeds and can be planted once the phone's credit runs out (16). I'll have to see it to believe it! Many people predict that cell phones will do much more than just voice communication in the future. They will hold the keys to bank accounts and will be used as remote controls to open home or car doors.