Cradling Mobile Phone Possibly Dangerous to British Youth

[Mike Temporale]

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/03/19/cradling-phone-possibly-dangerous-to-british-youth-sez-jabra/

"In yet another instance of statistics being manipulated to suit the surveyor's interests, Jabra has dropped a press release warning of their "shocking new research" that claims multi-tasking while on the phone is a potential health risk to British youth. TNS, who did the survey for Jabra, contacted 1,008 people over 16 by telephone (making the situation worse, it would seem) to discover that 78% of mobile phone users have experienced back, neck or head pain at some undetermined time in their lives. Meanwhile, Jabra reports that "experts say [these types of pains] can be a direct result of holding your mobile phone between your ear and neck while trying to do other tasks simultaneously," which the survey claims 88% of people do."

How can anyone do that with any comfort? It's fine with a regular phone because they are a little bigger and fit better between your ear and your shoulder. However, mobile phones are so thin you really need to contort your body to make it possible. If the situation ever arises, I just hit the speakerphone and lay my mobile down on the table. Works like a charm, and no neck injuries to boot.

[Mike Temporale]

http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/03/19/cradling-phone-possibly-dangerous-to-british-youth-sez-jabra/

"In yet another instance of statistics being manipulated to suit the surveyor's interests, Jabra has dropped a press release warning of their "shocking new research" that claims multi-tasking while on the phone is a potential health risk to British youth. TNS, who did the survey for Jabra, contacted 1,008 people over 16 by telephone (making the situation worse, it would seem) to discover that 78% of mobile phone users have experienced back, neck or head pain at some undetermined time in their lives. Meanwhile, Jabra reports that "experts say [these types of pains] can be a direct result of holding your mobile phone between your ear and neck while trying to do other tasks simultaneously," which the survey claims 88% of people do."

How can anyone do that with any comfort? It's fine with a regular phone because they are a little bigger and fit better between your ear and your shoulder. However, mobile phones are so thin you really need to contort your body to make it possible. If the situation ever arises, I just hit the speakerphone and lay my mobile down on the table. Works like a charm, and no neck injuries to boot.

[ctmagnus]

8O I caught myself doing this very thing today. I was on my Smartphone and needed to scribble something in my iPaq, and just intuitively bent my head all the way over. I immediately thought "Wow, this is uncomfortable."

I never remember about speakerphone. I guess that's because I've had my eye on a decent BT headset for so long.