mobile phones

Virgin Trains Pendolino service 2 June 2004 + First North Western service 9 June 2004 + Metropolitan line 2 June 2004 (all morning services)

traveller "...

A business man in front has vanished... I think I hear him on the phone in the vestibule area. I saw him leave... headset in hand. I remember that headsets seem to be used on trains so that people can maintain contact, cradle their phone. The woman opposite me has a piercing mobile phone ring. She gets out a notebook and pen, to make notes as she talks. Around me someone has their mobile on handsfree, and a distorted voice echoes out into the carriage. Another phone rings... Another phone rings. And another. I think they are text notifications, as they beep a few times and then are silent... A man from the telecoms industry is on the phone, talking loudly... [notebook: Virgin Trains London Euston service 10 March 2004 2pm]

A woman is playing a game on her mobile. Typical [mobile] gaming stance of the body: I can tell by the body, not the device [what she is doing]. The two handed hunch: [handset] close up, almost a prayer-like position, hands clutched together. [notebook: Thames Trains turbo service to Surbiton 26 May 2004 7am]

system "...

No information.

ethnographic guide

Mobile phones may be used to stabilise relations with the 'other' world outside of the journey. It connects the traveller both through talking to, and texting, friends, family and colleagues, but also through the simple act of holding the handset; the mobile is still mediator of those techno-social relations, even when a call or text is not ongoing.