Oneupweb : Health Versus Mobile Convenience

That was it—I’d finally had enough of being left out of the mobile online buzz. I broke down and stepped up to a quick messaging phone. Cute, compact, great reviews and best of all , it works (unlike my previous phone). It’s not an iPhone (still a bit too pricey for me), but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want one. Maybe I’ll be able to get one for my next upgrade four years down the road?

With all the craze about apps that can do everything from taking 360 degree panoramic images, to composing a dinner shopping list to getting pregnant, who wouldn’t want an iPhone? Our lives are getting more complex every day—and it just makes sense to have a phone that really performs. The more spare time we free up, the more activities, tasks and errands we can pack into our day.

I don’t go many places without my phone. Other than swimming, it’s pretty much always in my pocket. And then, of course, right there on my towel when I return to catch some rays. Regardless of where I am, it’s always within close range. Why? Because you never know when a friend might update their profile status on Facebook from single to engaged, or when a business might Tweet about a new product must-have. Also, receiving breaking news alerts in real-time is extremely handy.

But as society continues to thrive on cutting edge products, are we paying a higher price than we’re aware of for all of our conveniences? While doing some research for that new, must-have phone, I came across the Environmental Working Group for the 2010 Cell Phone Radiation Report Update. Some of the leading phones on the market (iPhone, Motorola Droid and HTC Nexus One by Google) are also leading in radiation levels they omit. And the worst part about it is that retailers are not required to disclose this to buyers. So if you’re one of those who can’t seem to get enough mobile in one day, it might be smart to be sure that your phone isn’t one of the “leaders”.

If it is, I recommend checking to see if there is a healthier option.