Pretending To Talk On a Mobile Phone

Pretending to talk on a mobile phone is something people usually associate with little kids / babies playing around, trying to mimic what they see grown ups doing, usually using Mommy's or Daddies real phone, or a toy phone that doesn't function. But, I wonder how many adults do, or have done this but would never admit to it. So many people suffer with social anxiety, specially in crowded places like city centres etc, that it does seem like a good method to help get through an anxious episode by pretending to talk on a mobile phone. Is this a new phenomena? Has it been around since the early days of the vintage brick phones, or has it become more "known" / mainstream due to the massive increase of people now owning a cellphone..

Faking a phone call also has other uses. See someone you don't want to talk to? Just pretend your on the phone. Feeling a bit uneasy in unfamiliar surroundings..That's a good reason. Want to get out of a certain social situation? Fake a phone call.. Some phones actually have a fake call option built in. Although perhaps a bit sinister, this could be a great help if you're someone who sells items face to face.

Is anybody really there...

You could make out that someone else has called you interested in the item you have for sale when another buyer is with you looking it over. Make out someone is really interested, and say something like "You want to come and view it now? Someone is just looking at it at the moment, if they don't buy it I will give you a callback". I imagine in some cases that would have the desired effect and help in sealing the deal.

This feature is found in quite a few of the cheap Samsung phones. I don't know about the newer phones (Smartphones) as I don't own one. I prefer basic retro phones with as less features as possible. Is an E-2600 a Smartphone? I'm not sure, but I don't think it is. I know the Samsung E1080i has a fake call feature because I have tried it out. However, when I have pretended to be on the phone (Yes, I admit, I have done it) I never used the fake call feature.

You only do that if you want the people who you are with, or in close proximity to, to actually hear the phone ringing. If you are alone and are doing it because you feel a little anxious or have a panic attack, just turn the phone off and put it to your ear. Turning it off also eliminates the radiation (Head + Body SAR levels) that's emitted by the phone (Yep, this is the case even when the cellphone is powered on, but not in use).

The funny thing is, that you never really know if someone is faking it or not. Unless their phone starts ringing while they've got it to their ear, while they were apparently deep in conversation! Amateurs. However, people who are more clued up with this method will either put the phone on to silent mode, or turn it off all together. I wonder who the best faker out there is..

Maybe they should make some kind of game out of it where you have to guess whether someone is really having a conversation or not. Best guesser wins a phone. And the best faker gets a small part in a film where they need someone, an extra, to pretend to be on the phone in one of the scenes. Nah, I don't think it would work. It's very hard, almost too hard, to tell if someone is really having a conversation or not.

The Tablet Vs Smartphone Comparison

Tablets Versus Smartphones. At this moment in time, there are a couple of billion Smartphone users around the globe. This number is expected to increase by a tenth as we reach early 2017. Smartphones have completely revolutionized the technological sector. With more local and affordable options readily available, it has become very easy to own one of these devices. These days, in the western world, you can buy a Smartphone that's been imported from China for the same price as a basic model with no enhanced features. And that's a fact. Just take a look on Amazon. Do a search for Smartphone and sort by cheapest first and you will be surprised with the results.

Its older cousin, the tablet, seems to lag behind in the race for the best. Experts observe that the tablet market has peaked and will decline from here on out (They say this with no good reason, I might add). But who really knows for sure what will happen. Let's wish for less cluttered days and hope that “dumb phones” take over. The cheap ones mind you, not those fake ones that are considered fashion accessories, like the Punkt MP01.

If you have mixed feelings about whether you should buy a tablet or a Smartphone, you're not alone. However, a lot of people would say the latter would be the way to go. These two devices make an interesting comparison because in some ways they are very similar. You can also buy a combination of the two. A smaller, or sometimes larger “Tablet” that can also be used to make phone calls and send texts etc. All you do is insert your SIM card, tweak a few settings and functions, and away you go. They are called Phablets. Anyway, here are some reasons why most people will say “Get the phone”.

A 6-inch screen is ideal for reading

Almost all of the world's most popular e-readers sport a 6-inch screen. The average Smartphone screen size also ranges from 5.2 to 5.5 inches, thus rendering the large screen size of the tablet useless for better visualization. However, bigger screened tablets do offer better visibility and improved usability for certain tasks, it has to be said.

Smartphones have a better battery life

A Samsung Galaxy phone will last much longer than its Galaxy Tab counterpart will. The same comparison holds true for all phones and tablets. It makes perfect sense that the larger size of the tablet will obviously consume more power than a Smartphone, so why compromise on less battery life for the same functions?

The best Apps are only available for Smartphones

The huge difference between the number of "Clever phones" and tablet users drives the market in a particular direction. This means that all the best apps and games show up on phones first and tablets later. Sometimes, they do not show up at all.

Smartphones have a more consistent web experience

Websites usually have two versions, one for a Smartphone and the other for your laptop or desktop PC. Tablets are caught in the mix somewhere between the mobile version and desktop version, neither here nor there. You either have to zoom in or shrink the page to read properly, making it highly inconvenient.

Smartphones have a better camera

In a world where everyone feels the constant urge to document every moment of their lives (I think this is terrible in some ways), the camera is sometimes the biggest selling point for a device. While the average flagship Smartphone boasts over 13 megapixels, the average tablet does not go beyond 8 megapixels.

Tablets Vs. Laptops and Desktops PCs

While tablets are compact and easy to carry, laptops and desktop computers come packed with enhanced computing power, storage capacity, and programs. Even the most basic laptop comes with 250 GB of space. This is quite a lot of space when compared to the average 8-128 GB of storage space a tablet can offer. Furthermore, nothing beats a laptop when it comes to control, precision, and word processing. Well, maybe a desktop computer. You can always use a detachable keyboard with a tablet, but you will never get the substantial feel of a full-sized keyboard.

So what should you buy?

The distinction between devices such as Smartphones, tablets, and laptops is blurring. You can always find a better version of every feature available on a tablet, in a phone or a laptop. It is pretty obvious to me, but the choice is up to you. My choice may surprise you, because this article is written in a way that appears to praise the Smartphone more than anything else. However, if you have read other posts on this blog you will know how I feel about technologically advanced phones. Those types of phones have one major, deal-breaking flaw.

Comparisons: Tracking down the truth

Whichever way you go, never forget the amount of tracking software and hardware that is now built into each device. When you take the tracking / surveillance ability's into account it makes you look at a Smartphone in a whole new way. None of the other devices are immune, but phones, particularly the “Smart” ones, are the worst.

Especially when you think about how many people just can't go anywhere without their mobile phone accompanying them. Most feel lost without them. Convenience and being “connected” with what's going on within your social circle and beyond seems to be two of the things people can't do without. It's now more of an addiction than anything else.

Equally, while giving the user what they want, and without them being aware, wherever they go, whatever they do, even if they are physically alone, they are not entirely alone if you catch my drift. Everything is being monitored behind the scenes. And it's not getting any better. Anything you write on the phone, calls taken and received, messages, pictures received and taken have code built-in which tells certain agencies or individuals where it was taken and when it was taken. The Smartphones camera and / or microphone can also be activated without the owner being aware.

Could this be a reason why the battery in a Smartphone can't be removed, so that it can secretly use a small fraction of its reserves to power up the camera or microphone even when the user has turned the device off. I'm not sure, but it's a possibility. Now don't get me wrong, Tablets are no better in this regard, but at least you don't have it on your person every minute of the day.

I seen a picture the other day of Facebook co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg. He was sitting at his laptop, and the one thing that instantly stood out to me was the fact that he had sellotape over the camera / webcam at the front of the laptop. He knows what's up. Should there be a warning on all these devices informing the customer of what he or she should be aware of? Just like we now have with food in the UK, where on the packaging it must state how much fat, salt, sugar etc is present in the food. Well, if they did that with tablets and phones, instantly making the potential buyer aware, I bet sales would decrease dramatically.

That doesn't mean all people are totally oblivious to the fact that these devices do spy on them, but putting that warning at the forefront of someones mind before they purchase, bringing them instantly up to date with what will be monitored, and how their privacy is totally abused, will definitely make them think twice. I know it has done this to me when it comes to the new food warnings. Foods that I thought were healthy were anything but healthy. After reading the fat and sugar content and thinking – What the hell! On countless occasions, I have ended up not buying it all together.

No one knows for sure how much of this spying is actually going on, but this technology is being used and abused world wide. So, while you might not be on the FBI's most wanted list and don't really have much worth hiding, for anyone who still holds on to the belief that they have a degree of privacy, but they own a Smartphone and carry it around with them daily, really needs to get with the times. It has many sneaky, but clever capabilities.

And while there are ways to become “more” private when using a phone or any other device, you are never totally anonymous. Personal data is big business. Companies pay big money for this type of information. Buying habits, Internet habits, sexual preference, social circles, medical history, martial status, income, debts, I think you get the idea. So, if some stranger knocks on your door one day and starts telling you things about yourself that you thought were impossible for a stranger to know.. You now know how they know.

Basically, in a nutshell, a Smartphone has become an unbelievably powerful spying device. An excellent tool for surveillance. This technology is not coming in the year 2020 or at some other year in the future, it is here right now as you read this comparison, and has been here for many years already. Got a Smartphone? Well, you are already in possession of a device that has all that sinister technology built-in. After reading this, take a good look at your Smartphone, and think of all the times, of what you perceived to be private moments that you've had over the years. From “private” phone conversations to intimate pictures you have taken with your phone.

And remember that potentially, the pictures may have been looked at by other people (no, not just on Facebook or anywhere you may have shared them), and your phone calls listened to. In fact, all of the data on your phone has most probably been extracted (copied / downloaded) at some point without you knowing.

Smartphones are not as innocent as people seem to think. This isn't about having something to hide, or being paranoid, it's about being aware and up to date with the current capabilities these devices have and not letting go of your rights to actually have some notion of a private life. People have the right to some privacy. With everything being monitored 24/7 its basically Orwellian surveillance overload. It really is out of hand.

So it begs the question and finishes the comparison. Tracked all the time = Smartphone. Tracked some of the time = Tablet + Laptop. Monitored when at home = Home computer. The choice is all yours.

UK Phone Hacking Soon To Be Made Legal

Did you know, that while most people have been preoccupied with watching Coronation Street, Eastenders, Facebook updates and keeping up with the Jones', The UK Government has been working hard to separate you from what little privacy you have left. The Investigatory Powers Act, also known as the Snoopers Charter is expected to come into force in the UK by early 2017. That's not to say Phone hacking and snooping in general hasn't been going on for decades already, because it has. However, this new bill just legalises it so it becomes a free-for-all with no one getting so much as a slap on the wrist.

Under the guise of "Terrorism" or "Counter-Terrorism", your Smartphone can legally be hacked by a wide range of Government Agency's. That means all your personal data (meta data) will most probably be extracted, including browser history, photos, personal files, and anything else of interest. But hey, it's alright, they're just trying to protect you, right? Yeah right. There is a petition going, which now has over 200,000 signatures.

But the word is that this Bill has got the go-ahead and no amount of signatures will change that. All the Investigatory Powers Act needs is Royal Assent and then it is part of the Law. Let's hope the Royal who looks over this ridiculous set of proposed Orwellian laws thinks it's just as over the top as the rest of us do. Sadly, I doubt they will. Update: This law has now been passed - Signed, sealed and delivered. Welcome to England, the surveillance capital of the world.

Please be aware: This website is about mobile phones, so I'll stay on topic. But all of the above (and below) also applies to computers. Including Desktop PCs, Laptops, Tablets, etc. In fact, any device that can connect to the Internet. All Internet Service Providers will have to keep a full record of their customers activities. Browsing history, connection locations, and all other data must stored for 12 months. Your Mail will also be monitored. I'm talking about postal mail, not email (email is monitored also). Where was it sent from, who sent it, where to, who to, etc. A lot of Data Mining will no doubt be taking place. Read a great comment while browsing the Internet about this issue. And I agree with it 100%.

"When Theresa May gives us a 24/7 broadcast of her private life and her business then I will agree.  Otherwise, the same arguments she holds against it apply to my own life."

Government Authorities can also ask for help with hacking and decryption by the companies who made or own the websites or devices, such as Apple in order to compromise a stubborn (protected) iPhone, should the need arise.

What's the best form of protection for mobile phones?

The best method for keeping eyes out of your mobile phone is to go old school. Ditch the Smartphone and get yourself a basic Nokia 3310, 8210, 8310 or similar. Do not store any information on the phone that you don't want anyone to read but yourself. I have mentioned the following words a few times on this blog. Smartphones are tracking devices, spying on everything you do. This new law dramatically increases how many agencies can legally snoop into and basically steal your personal data. Also included, listening to your phone calls, voice mails, chat logs, and even activating your microphone without your knowledge in order to listen in on your conversations. This has been going on for years already but will now be magnified.

Best protection overall?

Throw your computer, Laptop, or mobile device in the bin and get yourself a Pager. haha. You don't need to go that far. There is a lot of encryption / protection software out there that will work reasonably well with protecting privacy to a certain degree.

These spying powers, which are soon to be given to many more British authorities, will no doubt be abused to the fullest. Warrants are meant to be needed. But that is only for bigger cases (Terrorist info and bulk interceptions need "double lock"). But for most instances nothing is needed. No level of authorisation. The databases that hold all your stored information logs can be accessed virtually and then acted upon how authorities see fit. Not to mention the security risk of public data, which will be a prime target for hackers. And we've all seen what's happened in that regard in recent years. How many big companies have been hacked and peoples information stolen. There has been a lot. The Snoopers Charter opens the door for the stealing of public data on a huge scale.

Guess who won't be getting tracked, hacked or spied on. The people in Government. MP's to be precise. Apparently, their privacy is more important than everyone else's. Can you believe the audacity! They will not be spied on but everyone else will. One rule for them and another rule for everyone else. I don't care if you think you have nothing to hide, these new "Laws" are an extreme invasion on people's privacy and should be abolished immediately. The rise in people using VPN's and VPS', also browsers like Tor and Startpage is expected to rise dramatically. With VPN's and VPS', ensure that none of the servers you use are located in the UK. Everything now needs to be encrypted if you want some level of privacy (Including phone calls).

What is happening, or has happened to the UK. It really is becoming like George Orwell's 1984. A side note: Were you aware that every UK citizen's medical history was also sold to Insurance companies years ago? Ever wondered why you see those Insurance advertisements that say "no medical or health checks are required". Well now you know why.. They already have access to all your medical history.

So they don't need you to disclose it to them over the phone. Now that's sinister. And if that wasn't enough, if you make a minuscule error on your application, but the insurance you're applying for gets the nod and goes ahead, after decades of you making the monthly or weekly payments, if you ever need to claim, the Insurance company can void your contract under the non disclosure of material facts. To end on a positive note: This is a great time to invest in VPN companies!

Punkt MP01 Phone UK - Don't Get Punked

There appears to have been a trend going on for the last year where people who are usually Smartphone reliant now want to downgrade their level of pocket technology to that of just a basic phone. The phone of choice for the ever-so materialistic "you better have the right stuff or we can't be friends" brigade, is the Punkt MP01 (And also the MP02 4G). This seems to be one phone that is actually accepted as cool enough to be given a pass. Your average Samsung or Nokia Brick just won't cut the mustard. Even though the much cheaper Samsung's and Teak tough Nokia's are actually the much better phones overall.

Punkt "Dumb Phones" Costs More Than Some Smartphones

If you're too mind-frazzled, or still in a daze from the Smartphone days to not realise that your Punkt MP01 is basically telling you in it's brand name that you just got Punked for paying such a ridiculous price for a phone that looks like a calculator, then there is not much hope left for you. Don't get me wrong, I love basic phones, but what can the Punkt MP01 do that a cheaper alternative can't.. Nothing.

I'll tell you what it can do, it can leave you reaching in your pocket and only feeling your leg! By the way, they're not calling them basic phones anymore, they're now calling them Dumb phones. Dumb phones that cost the same amount to buy as a top of the range Smartphone. Is it really the phone that's dumb?.. Or the people who are buying them..

The Punkt MP01's start up screen shows a Bird. An attempt at coolness perhaps. Or a snidey way to imply that you just got roasted.. I don't care if it does have a Gorilla Glass screen and comes in a fancy black box. Have you seen how many times a Nokia 3310 can be bounced off the floor without suffering any irreversible damage. And even if it does get smashed to bits, a new case / cover and all is well again. A wise man once said: Smartphone's can be summed up in three words.. Surveillance, conditioning, reliance. It may well be true.

Punkt MP01 and MP02 Have Hundreds Of Cheaper Alternatives

You do not need to spend silly money on a basic phone in order to unplug from your Smartphone induced fever. That's just a marketing trick aimed at taking more money from you while you are under the influence of impressive social engineering. Pulling the plug from this mobile crazed world that now refuses to accept anything less than a 24 hour digital revelation into your life, and a constant update on all the things that don't really matter requires no money outlay at all really. Distractions distractions.. Just some self control and, well, maybe £10 or £20. But you can get that money back.

And now the Six O'clock news: Want to go back to basics? This is what you do. If you want to that is. Buy a cheap Samsung phone. Or even a little Nokia 8310. They are between £10 - £25 (UK money). Then, get your Smartphone and literally try to snap it in half with your bare hands. Nah, don't do that. Make some money from it. List it for sale on eBay. You should get a decent price for it. Use the money to replenish the £10 or £20 you spent on the basic phone, and the rest of the doe is your spending money.

I hope you weren't coming here to read reviews on the Punkt MP01? Or even worse, how to apply certain functions on the phone..Because that would mean you really did get punked! Send it back and stop being so brainwashingly gullible.I thought you had better cognitive function than that.

➡ Not worth reading: The only reason the video above is on this page is because I needed a thumbnail image for the popular posts widget in the sidebar (looks out of place without one) and couldn't be bothered to hunt around for a picture of the MP01 that I would be allowed to use.. Note: I got to 1:07 and never went any further. It hurts me to promote such a product. Even if I'm not saying anything good about it.