Aside from being the main mode of talking to his friends, the 16-year-old uses the phone to listen to his favorite tunes, take pictures, play games and watch movie clips.

"I'll do that at work, or somewhere that I can't really pull out the phone," he said. "It makes it easier to keep in touch at times that I can't really talk."

At a time when the Internet has radically changed the way people communicate, the handheld devices are broadening mobile communications and offering all the entertainment luxuries of computers.

Text messaging, mobile Internet connections and picture mail have made it possible for cell phone users to access and send information anytime and anywhere.

Many of the new phones hold myriad applications that can be used by professionals for a mobile office manager or by teenagers for their own entertainment center.

"People are using (their phones) for everything these days," Wireless Giant general manager Joseph Hesano said. "There are a lot of features to use. It's hard to find a phone now without a camera in it."

Standing behind a case full of new and loaded phone models, Mr. Hesano said the new popular wave of cell phones include iPod digital music players. A phone has the capability to store up to 1,000 songs.

"I'm not even sure anyone in my family would know how to use it," she said. "It comes in handy for me, though, because I can send a message to someone if they are in class or whatever, and not disrupt them."

Voice recorder - Some phones have digital recorders that can tape up to 30 seconds of sound, so you can leave yourself a reminder or record a short message to keep.

Camera - Many phones have built-in cameras that allow users to snap digital photographs and even record short videos. Quality can vary, but users may have to pay to save multiple pictures or send them to others.

Text messaging - Users can send short type-written messages, but often the communications are not included in a traditional service plan. Service providers sometimes bill a small fee for each message or allow a flat-rate fee each month.

Web access - Cell phones can access the Internet for e-mail and other uses, but service providers generally require users to pay a monthly service fee for a data plan.

Music - Songs can be downloaded onto phones through the Internet or purchased through the service providers. Newer phones allow users to listen to the tunes like a mobile jukebox, set them as ringers or use as alarms.

Navigation tools - Phones can offer step-by-step directions similar to the GPS devices in vehicles. For a monthly service fee, users can plot directions for trips, find an address or track where they are. Often a data plan is required for use.

Games - A plethora of games is available through the Internet, some free and some with monthly fees. Many phones also come with free trials of simpler games.

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