Cell phones are everywhere these days. So ubiquitous are they that some people are giving up their land lines and using a cell phone exclusively. Using only a cell phone may be easier on the budget, but what long term effect could it have on your health? An association between cell phones and tumors of the brain is one that’s been entertained for a while, but no one has come up with any firm conclusions. Now, a new ten year study conducted under the watchful eye of the World Health Organization shows that long term cell phone use may increase the risk of tumors of the brain.

Cell Phones and Tumors of the Brain: What Does a Study Show?

This study looking at cell phones and tumors of the brain spanned thirteen different countries. Researchers questioned almost 13,000 people, some who had suffered from brain tumors and some who were healthy, regarding their cell phone usage. After analyzing the data, they found that the risk of two types of brain tumors was increased in those who used cell phones for ten years or more.

What Kind of Tumors of the Brain Were Seen?

The risk of one type of tumor of the brain called a glioma was increased by thirty-nine percent in cell phone users, while the other, called an acoustic neuroma was almost four times more common in people who used cell phones on a long term basis. Acoustic neuromas are non-cancerous tumors that develop on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. Not only was the risk of tumors of the brain increased in cell phone users, but cell phone users also had a higher risk of tumors of the parotid gland.

Is There a Definite Association?

This association between cell phones and tumors of the brain may sound ominous, but not all studies show a correlation between the two. Out of thirty-one completed studies, eight show that cell phones increase the risk of tumors of the brain, while twenty-three do not. Because of conflicting data, it’s difficult to say whether cell phones are really a tumor threat or not.

If there is an association between cell phones and brain tumors, experts are concerned that children could be the most vulnerable. For this reason, authorities in some countries are discouraging parents from giving their kids unlimited access to cell phones. Adults who spend a great deal of time talking on cell phones could also be putting their health at risk.

Cell Phones and Tumors: The Bottom Line?

Would it be best to part ways with your cell phone? Probably, but few people are willing to make that sacrifice. If you’re unwilling to give up your cell phone, at least keep calls as short as possible and allow children to use them only in an emergency. If there is an association between cell phones and tumors, take measures to protect you and your family.

Everyone is all abuzz about how cool the android phones and devices are, but what really sets the Android OS apart from other device Operating Systems, and how do you take advantage of the power and openness of this great platform? What devices are for beginners, and what devices are for the root user / developer, and what the heck does it mean to root an Android phone? All of these questions will be touched on here, but only on an introductory level. More in-depth guides will be forthcoming.

What is Android?

First of all, we should understand what Android is. Google developed an alternative smart phone operating system that would take full advantage of the powerful tools that most modern handsets incorporate. The Google phone was the ‘Original’ android phone, offered on T-Mobile. It was an impressive OS from the get go, mostly in its open source nature, which means that anyone can have access to the source code and develop applications or change different aspects of the kernel and user interface. Though many manufacturers and providers may be in denial of it, the open source nature of the OS is the key to the success of the android devices.

Once people began developing apps and rooting their devices, the game changed. Certain devices, such as the original Motorola Droid, were found to be quite easily rooted and developers began instituting what have become known as custom ROMs. ROMs are simply: user created, device specific, ready-made custom user interfaces for the android devices. CyanogenMod was, and still is, one of the most popular ROMs available. (The ROM series is named after its creator’s forum handle). With the onset of these highly customizable interfaces, the iphone’s “they all look the same” interface lost a large piece of the smartphone market share.

Rooting of android phones has become both a boon to device owners, and a thorn in the side of some providers and hardware manufacturers. To gain root access simply means to remove security blocks that keep users from having system access. In many ways these security measures are there to prevent people from damaging their operating systems, as untrained actions can render a phone as useless as a brick, hence the term “bricking your phone”. Most root users have learned where the proper forums are, and how to avoid damaging your device, as well as restoring it to working condition, should the unspeakable happen. The biggest benefit of root access is that you can remove bloatware (the unwanted apps that come pre-installed on your device, taking up space and resources) and the ability to fully customize the interface through the use of ROMs or customization apps.

Popular Android smart phones

The most popular Android phones are the line of devices by HTC and Motorola. The main thing to look for if you want a highly customizable device is a popular device that has been around for several months. That way you have a large group of users, and the developers have had time to build numerous offerings for you to install. Brand new devices are usually a challenge for the developers, as manufacturers and providers have not yet realized the benefit they would have in offering full access to users. People buy these devices for hundreds of dollars or multi-year contracts, and as the owners of the phones, they are entitled to have some say as to what the device looks like, reacts like, and what version of Android they want on their device. It has become a game of intellectual tug-of-war that is entertaining and important.

There are also a great many ‘entry-level’ phones – phones that offer Android OS, but without all of the benefits of the more popular, high-end phones. LG and Sony-Ericsson have several models that are great as a phone, but simply haven’t had as many user upgrades made for them. Some do not come with WiFi, or have not been rooted, perhaps are lacking in CPU speed or system memory. These phones are great for the casual user, but if you wish to “own” your phone, want root access, or simply wish to try your hand at development for the mobile devices, you might wish to do your research at any of a number of android specific developer forums. Just search for it – you’ll find plenty of them out there.

As far as the other OS offerings for smart phones, there is the ever-popular-but losing ground, iOS on the iPhones, as well as a few iterations of Windows for mobile phones. Both of these are closed source operating systems, making it difficult to develop for them, which drastically limits the app offerings. The market simply isn’t as competitive. Ease of use is pretty high across the board, but the final decision regarding which OS you prefer should be based on a well-researched investigation on your part. Put your hands on the different phones, and feel them out. Many of the options available are more device-specific than OS specific, so be sure to check out numerous phones and get a good feel for what may well be your best friend for the next year or two.

For more information go to www.android.com