An MSNBC article discusses mobile technology in Japan: Next hot trend for cell phones: Reading? According to the article, reading cell-phone novels is the latest trend in cell phone use, though it is still considerably behind playing games. The Java-based technology for cell phones has been available since 1999.

Surprisingly, people are using cell phone books to catch up on classics they never finished reading. And people are perusing sex manuals and other books they’re too embarrassed to be caught reading or buying. More common is keeping an electronic dictionary in your phone in case a need arises.

One wireless cell-phone book download Web site in Tokyo has over 50,000 subscribers.

This made me think of an article in the February 2005 issue of Enterprise Networks & Servers that discusses the IBM 2004 Global Business Security Index Report: Surge in Viruses, Worms Target Mobile Devices. IBM sees PDAs and cell phones as the “new frontier for viruses, spam and other potential security threats.” By now, everyone has heard that Paris Hilton’s T-Mobile phone was hacked: Paris Hilton Hacked!

Resources:
Java-based cell phones: CNN.com - Unleash the beast inside your cell phone - Sep. 2, 2003

[Cellbook article via Library Link of the Day for March 20, 2005.]
Is is ‘cell book’ or ‘cellbook’?