The Transformation of Cell Phones Many studies highlight how cell phones have radically changed our lifestyle over the years. They have become part of the people because just as many cannot go anywhere without a cell phone by their side. Cell phones started out as simple talking devices, but today you can call, store contacts, text, email, browse the web, and have access to endless apps. While a lot has been said about how cell phones have become a huge distraction in today's society, less attention has been paid to how much cell phones have transformed over the years and the advancements they have given us. (Ray) The first type of cell phone is remembered as a “car phone,” because these phones required vehicle power to operate. Car phones were too large and bulky for people to carry. People in today's society can't even imagine a lifestyle where you would have to sit in your car to make a phone call, even if that was only about fifty years ago. (Ray) People lived their lives unchanged from birth to grave because there were no technological advances. Once upon a time people didn't have watches, but it didn't matter. These phones were very popular for the time because they had long battery life and longer talk time. Phone companies began to move forward and figure out how to pack all the features customers wanted into a smaller, more portable, and more affordable device. (Ray) Cell phones at that time had big antennas, twelve buttons and no extras like we had today. (Cullen) The physical shape of cell phones has changed dramatically over time: they started weighing a pound and a half, and today an Apple iPhone weighs just 20 grams. Consumer perception has changed over the years, as they wanted a more stylish and portable cellular device. Current phones feature larger screens with high quality and fewer buttons, allowing more space to view media sources.