Mobile Phone Myths and Facts

We find the truth behind some of the popular theories about mobile phones

 

 

 

Myth : Mobile Phones can cause gas station fires

Fact : A complete myth! But static electricity surely can. Mobile phones cannot cause fires of any kind except an exploding battery perhaps. However, static electricity is easily created when people get in and out of the car, which creates friction with the fabric. If not discharged by touching the car body it can cause a fire when you touch the fuel nozzle. This is demonstrated wonderfully by Mythbusters, Part1 (skip to part 2 to see the effects and how to avoid static build up) and Part2.   

Surprisingly younger women drivers are more prone to this simply because they tend to get in and out of the car without touching the car, watch the video. In India, thank God we have petrol pump attendants.

Myth : The government spies on you through mobile phones

Fact : Yes, mobile phones can be used to track you or eavesdrop on your conversations. As cinematic as it may sound, it is true, read the Wired Science article here regarding this. We don't know it works here in India but apparently FBI in the US have used the 'roving bug' to eavesdrop on criminals in an organized crime investigation. But in certain cases judges have not granted FBI permission to use such techniques due to the lack of a "probable cause".

 If you think the that information about all mobile phone users is open for government or law enforcement officers or even to the highest bidder, then you are probably doing some real bad things or just plain paranoid.

Myth : Your mobile phone has hidden battery power

Fact :  

Yes and No; perhaps a little of both depending on your point of view. This is true of some Nokia phones that have a code to provide 30% more battery talk time at the expense of lower sound quality. There are two separate codes to achieve the same effect. Check out these Nokia codes here to see if this works for you.  

 
Myth : Mobile phones cause cancer

Fact :

Mobile phones do generate radiation and yes, the radiation levels are regulated. Even though no cancer related studies have been directly linked with the use of mobile phones there are some particular alarming studies linked with mobiles and their accessories. Did you know that 60% of the radiation emitted by a typical mobile phone is absorbed by the user's head?

Myth : Mobile phones can unlock a car door with remotely operated spare key

Fact : No one knows when this rumour came about, but it is a myth. The basic idea of the rumour is that in case you're in a hurry and forget your keys in the car, you can just call home and ask someone to press the button on the spare key to unlock your car over the phone.  The signal goes through the phone to your car and voila the doors open. Honestly, this is a rumour I would love to see come true, you got to love human ingenuity.

As to why this doesn't work? See how Mythbuster's test this theory out. 

Myth : Emergency number for mobile phones is 112

Fact : Well, Yes and No. Most of Europe and a few countries outside EU can use these emergency services. However, the number won't work in North America, Asia or Africa. So it isn't a universal emergency number but rather country specific.

Also, not all mobile phones will allow special emergency numbers to be dialed if the phone lacks a SIM card or the keypad is locked.

Myth : Cell phones are traps therefore called "Cell" as in prison

Fact : The general definition of Cell is any small compartment. Yes, a prison is a small compartment too but this is not what the moniker Cell phones refer to.

Wireless carriers such as Vodafone, Loop, Airtel, etc., have limited capability to handle load. The "Cell" system (much like the cells of a honeycomb) is the division of a city into small cells to allow frequency recycling across a city, so that millions of mobile phone callers can use the service at the same time. So for example, if the cell phone carrier receives about 800 frequencies to use across a city, the carrier splits up the city into various cells with each cell being typically around 26 square kilometers (10 square miles).

Myth : Mobile phones are a health hazard        

Fact : 

While there are no concrete studies that directly point to this possibility, doctors and experts have asked the public to take precautions. This is for everyone who sleeps with their mobiles next to their head, pregnant women, children below 15 years of age, etc. Better safe than sorry. MED India has listed top ten safety facts that need to be kept in mind when using mobile phones.

Myth : Half of Japan's Top Fiction Was Written on Mobile Phones

Fact :  

Yes, written not just read! You think this is crazy, so do we. Apparently, Japanese like to write their novels on a technology that is most accessible and convenient for them to use; their mobile phones. Five of the top ten works of fiction in 2007 were written on mobile phones. Surprisingly, the authors tend to be women who like it small. Guys take note.