And of course, they hope to save money over competitors by being the first to use common wireless services--calling, text messaging, Internet access and so on.

FORBES: Google's Call

Another possible reason people seek to share these types of experiences is that as technology disconnects people -- with social networking sites, e-mail, text and instant message replacing face time -- those with common interests look for opportunities to be together, Yarrow said.

CNN: Why 'Eclipse,' iPhone fans love waiting in line

And the image didn't blur--a common problem when contrast controls are set to extremes--meaning that the in-game text remained crisp and readable.

FORBES: Magazine Article

While an illustrated alphabet in rhyme, the shorter catechism, and selections of prayers and Bible verses remained the unchanging core of The New-England Primer, variations in the text from edition to edition were common and became a barometer of changing cultural codes and priorities.

NPR: Excerpt: 'Minders of Make-Believe'

Speaking of calls, your options when receiving one are to to pick up, hang up, or reject with a text message -- with a slide-up menu offering you the most common apologetic missives to send out.

ENGADGET: Samsung Galaxy S II review Hands-on

Text input gets a fairly significant overhaul as well, representing a notable departure from common standards of controller-based typing.

ENGADGET: Steam Big Picture beta hands-on HD