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May 13, 2008 9:52 pm US/Eastern
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Study: People Can't Part With Their Cell Phones
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
A new study reveals just how much users have become addicted to their cell phones after researchers got a surprising reaction when they asked people to choose between their cell phones and other items.
The question was, "If you could only have one item would you chose your cell phone over say your wallet?"
Vanessa Lima of Brockton loves her cell phone and said that is the item she would take.
"I've personalized it," she said. "It has pictures on there. It really becomes a part of you."
She's not alone.
"You can basically live your entire life inside the phone where you have access to email, the Web, something like the iPhone where you can watch TV shows, and You Tubes videos," said Boston Globe technology reporter Hiawather Bray.
The survey asked people across the globe what one item they would take if they had to leave home for 24 hours -- their cell phone, keys, wallet or laptop.
More people said they'd take their cell phone rather than their wallet.
Thirty-eight percent said their cell phone while less than 30 percent said their wallet.
Despite saying he'd take his keys, Dave Ferra admits he's addicted to his blackberry.
"I think I've got that syndrome where you think you can feel it vibrating even when it's not there," he said.
And it's only going to get worse. The survey, by Nortel -- North America's biggest maker of telephone gear -- found 40 percent of phone users plan to be hyper-connected, using multiple devices and applications over the next five years.
"You'll be carrying it around with you all the time because it will have everything in it, and what it doesn't have it will be able to get virtually instantly," Bray said.
Bray predicts a lot more people will be like Lima. The study defines "hyper-connected" workers as those who use seven or more devices and at least nine applications, like texting, email and instant messaging.
The study surveyed people in 17 countries, and people in China were the most hyper-connected.
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