Phone Book a Handy Guide to the World's Favourite Invention

'Full of interesting facts ... a well researched history ... intriguing' - Creative Review 'Brilliant!' - Flipside The first book to celebrate a global phenomenon, Phone Book not only gives an insider's view of phone design, it also highlights those little (and not so little) differences in how our favourite gadget is used around the world. The perfect mix of information and entertainment, it tells you everything, from how Japanese schoolgirls set global trends to why text messaging is big news during Ramadan and how you can 'push-to-talk' in the USA. Cell phone, Mobile, Handy, Keitai, Telefonino - whatever you call it, this ubiquitous and indispensable pocket-sized gadget has changed forever the way we live. Visually stunning, witty and entertaining, the book looks at phone fashions globally, presenting the fifty most influential handset designs - from 1980s' bricks to twenty-first century biometric phones - and visions of the future from key brands and experts, looking at the technology inside and at how 3G will revolutionize the way we communicate. Including a glossary, texting dictionary and directory of online resources, Phone Book is the ultimate fix for phone fans and gadget buffs everywhere. Henrietta Thompson is Deputy Editor of the award-winning design magazine Blueprint.