No Surprise - Cell Phone Most Vital Device

According to a new study released by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, Americans are now more reliant on their mobile phones than their landline phones. When the research firm mounted a similar study two years earlier, respondents still cited landline phones as the more essential technology.

"The preferences have flipped," said Pew Research associate director John Horrigan. "During that timeframe, people have gotten new devices that have more capabilities. People have more experience using cell phones for text messaging and other information tools. That has helped pushed cell phones as 'go to' devices."

Mobile handsets are now the technological tool Americans would be most reluctant to give up, surpassing the Internet and television; two years ago, landlines topped the Pew Research list, with television in second place and cell phones in third.

According to Pew Research, 58% of mobile users have now sent or received text messages, a 41% increase over April 2006 totals; on an average day, 31% of mobile subscribers employ text services and 15% turn to camera features, with about 8% playing mobile games. Another 8% rely on their phones for email.