It doesn't matter what you decide to refer to it as - hand held phones, cellular phones, smartphones or mobile phones, the simple fact remains that these handy phones add safety, convenience and comfort to our lifestyles!

I can still remember when cellular phones were launched for the first time - it must be a good 15 years ago! The phones were mostly large and rectangular, and if you owned a mobile phone you were thought to be a privileged individual. At that time it was still pricey to own mobile phones and it was certainly not available to the person on the street!

How times have evolved! At present I would not set a foot outside my house if I am not equipped with my lifeline in the form of my mobile phone! I really regard my mobile phone as more than "just a telephone". I see it as my connection with the outside world, my 24 hours 7 days a week link to the rest of the globe.

If I get a flat tyre next to the road, I do not have to get out of my car and risk being run over by a pickup truck, I simply telephone for road side assistance and sit back and listen to my car radio while waiting for assistance to arrive.

If I am running late for a meeting, I do not have to worry about my client being upset because I'm late. I simply grab the telephone, dial the number, and save the situation in a matter of seconds.

Nearly all mobile networks also have emergency support readily available. Through the use of mobile phones anybody can dial a short telephone number, usually 3 digits long, and be connected to the fire division, ambulance services or the police. It is usually recommended that you have these numbers on speed dial for in case of disaster. When you find yourself in danger or perhaps following an accident, your mind does not always want to think clearly and even a number that you dial often, might slip your mind! For that reason ensure that you have at least one emergency number on speed dial.

However, as with all things in life, mobile phones also have a negative side. Have you ever watched a motion picture at the cinemas while the adolescent in front of you was playing on his/her cellphone? That flashing light in a dark cinema can be extremely frustrating! And what about the businessman at the table next to you in the eating place, barking out orders at his poor worker on the other side of the line? The most annoying for me is definitely when people are talking on their mobile phones in traffic! This normally has one of two consequences: Either the individual is totally ignorant to his/her surroundings, or the individual drives at half the speed limit, since most of their attentiveness is focused on the telephone attached to their ears!

If you own a mobile phone, ensure that you do not form part of the 2% of cell phone users who really spoil the fun for the remaining 98%!