I have always been credited with having a great imagination but I really lack when it comes to technical ability.

About 1984 I recall that I was having a cold drink with a lawyer friend at the Bermuda Squash Club following a league match. We had a casual conversation and I suggested to him that I would like to have a car phone and a tiny phone to carry around with me so as not to ever miss a call to play squash, tennis or go sailing! My partner laughed out loud and thought that I was being silly but I protested that I was serious.

Today that concept is a communication revolution and cell phones are gaining popularity every day ? especially with students and parents! There are over 60 million cellular phones users, creating about $30 billion in annual revenues throughout out the world.

The first phone was developed by Alexander Graham Bell out of a wooden stand, a funnel, a cup of acid, and some copper wire. Although the idea of a telephone arose in 1831 and the idea of transmitting speech electronically did not arise until 1854, it was not until 1876 before the telephone became a reality.

Today no one knows more about telephone technology in Bermuda than business owner, Kevin Davies and those talented young techs at his family business, Audio Visual Electronics, with two locations, Somerset and Hamilton.

Paulo Aguiar, Diana Aguiar Francisco Aguiar, John Arruda and Michael Oliveria are so impressive with their cell phone knowledge. After spending a half hour with either one of them you will be much smarter about knowing what to buy. Mr. Paulo Aguiar said: ?Our uncle, Kevin, stated the stores in Somerset as a repair technician which led him to cell phones. He shares his knowledge with us.

?We all have an aptitude for the technical and we are quick learners. I plan to take some additional courses to learn more in the near future.?

Whether you are a savvy business executive or a first time cell phone buyer they have a varied and intriguing selection and they are talented enough to give any buyer a quick cell phone education ? like technical wizards these folks will bedazzle you with their abilities to explain the various cell phone selections!

Mr. Paulo Aguiar explained one of the best sellers of the store: ?One of our hottest sellers at the moment is the Motorola V525, a flip phone which retails for about $500. Songs replace the traditional ring. You can use it hands free with a special wireless headset called, ?Bluetooth?. Motorola is actively creating Bluetooth solutions for work, play, home, for life ? everywhere around the globe!?

One of the most popular reasons for students, younger and older, to possess cell phones is to make communication easier between parents and students.

For example, my daughter, age 14, calls me almost daily to apprise me of her schedule after school. Frequently our routine situations change and she, or I, might have to stay later or be able to leave earlier. We use the cell phone to confirm our daily plans, especially since we live in St. George?s and we attend work and school in Hamilton.

?For a basic phone to start out with the Nokia sells between $74 and $114 and is basic, cute, rugged and great sellers for school kids. We offer many different face plates and cases.?

?Another great feature is the ability to send text messages which is very popular with students,? advises Mr. Aguiar.

Personally I know this is the truth as my daughter is forever text messaging her friends and it is unlimited for the additional charge of $7 a month ? well worth it for all the massive text messages coming and going on her tiny little Motorola.

As with any tool, a cell phone is such and should be treated with respect. At Bermuda schools there are rules regarding the use of cell phones. My daughter is not allowed to use hers during the school day but the moment school lets out at 3.30 p.m. ? out comes that incredible cell phone and her fingers start clicking the text messages. And she seems so thrilled by it!

From 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. we have unlimited local use of our cell phones, which really helps our phone budget.

The only negative associated with this ?free? time is the lure of constant yakking of our teen with her friends. We insist and she agrees, to be mature and responsible mastering her schoolwork, which is a top priority. We have the ?no phone rule? at our home effective from 10 p.m. This means no calls go out and no calls come in. Additionally, she is not allowed to casually talk with friends from 7 p.m until she has completed her schoolwork Monday through Friday.

In all fairness, many of her incoming phone calls are questions and/or discussions about homework or school events. The cell phone does help deflate local calling costs after 7 p.m. Regardless of how high tech you wish to go the talented young sales associates at Audio Visual Electronics are there to inform and assist.

They showed me some amazing new phones and taught me about the various bands.

For example the dual band means you can use your cell phone in Canada and the US.

The tri band includes: Europe, England and the US.

The quad band means that you can use it world-wide.

There are numerous interesting phones such as the three-inch Panasonic video camera and phone that retails for $599.

They offer a Samsung slide phone, camera and camcorder for $699.

One phone is so tiny that it is amazing and that is the two-inch Panasonic A100 tri band speakerphone for $225.

?The technology is so swift today! Each week something new comes in and we keep up with the latest trends. You can see a lot of different phones on the Internet. We offer the best prices on the Island and if you have questions one of us is on hand to assist.?

?We recommend Mobility who gives Island-wide coverage and an array of cell services,? advised the trio techs. Owning a cell phone is a responsibility and before you hand a cell phone over to your teen be sure he/she is apprised of the facts and knows when cell use is free.

Make sure that your family communication is conveyed simply and that everyone knows the cell phone is a tool, not a toy.

The staff at Audio Visual Electronics will help you make the wisest choice in today?s cell phone and they are open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. In Somerset they are located at the Market Place Plaza and the telephone is 234-3305.

The Hamilton store is located at 4 Washington Street, across from the main bus terminal, and the telephone is 292-1354 and the email is: infoelectronics.bm