Yes, lots of cell phone news today and we promise we won’t have quite as many tomorrow. This one is especially noteworthy – Google is expected to introduce its idea of an iPhone (well, it won’t be called iPhone, of course) on January 5, if we believe industry rumors.

The rumors started flying when Google began inviting journalists to a mysterious press conference shortly before the opening of the Consumer Electronics Show, the annual Disneyland gadget spectacle for geeks in Las Vegas.

A German security expert announced that the encryption technology protecting certain cell phone calls from interception has been cracked. The tools necessary to intercept cell phone calls are available free of charge on the Internet and information detailing the vulnerability of cell phone voice call and data (such as text messages) encryption has been released.

The newly raised concern affects only GSM networks, which are used by about 4 billion cell phone users around the globe and by AT&T and T-Mobile in the U.S. There were previous reports indicating that GSM might be insecure, but no one was able to show evidence for that claim until now.

I have to admit that I never really cared about text messaging and even found it quite annoying and useless – before the time of my divorce. Now I am infinitely grateful for this service as it allows me as a single parent to keep contact with my children when they are not with me. But it seems that not only I have gone SMS crazy, but many other people in the U.S. as well. According to the Census Bureau’s most recent data, more than 110.4 billion text messages are sent from U.S., cell phones – every month.

Rant alert – You might think it is common sense to assume that texting while driving could be rather unhealthy, especially if you are typing and miss that red light in front of you. But some things may simply be too inconvenient to believe and to adjust to – and we need to be reminded countless times of potential consequences. So, how many studies and accidents do we need to understand how dangerous texting while driving really is? How many more studies do lawmakers need?

There is quite some activity in the cellphone space: Many big carriers are dropping their fees for certain plans. Especially the all-you-can-eat voice plan, that is now available for as little as $45 per month, down from as much as $130 just a few months ago, has created enough incentive for carriers to make their plans more attractive – which is very much welcome by single parents who depend on those unlimited voice and data plans. But if you are stuck in a 2-year plan, changing plans or switching carriers can be very expensive and result in early contract termination fees. Consumer Action has released helpful tips how to cut down the impact of those fees if you want to switch.

If we believe the usual suspects among typically well-informed tech bloggers, Google has begun testing its own cellphone. Apparently it will look just like an iPhone, with a huge touchscreen, but it will be thinner and it is squarely aimed at the crowd that has become so dependent on texting and mobile Internet. Which, of course, includes single parents who need to stay in touch with their kids.

The ability to use a digital camera, a computer and a means of communication such as broadband connection to produce high quality images and distribute them has enabled an explosion of fun. Equally it has fueled a rapid rise in questionable or illegal use that directly affects people, particularly children.

Some time ago there was a phenomenon whereby people were being assaulted on the streets and this was captured on phone camera and uploaded to Internet sites for public viewing. A mobile phone with an internet connection is all that was required to achieve this, nothing else.

Review Nokia N97 Smartphone – What matters most in a cell phone? For the single parent, it is no secret that you will need a device to keep in touch with your children and your ex-spouse. Typically, you would be shopping for a smartphone that has great texting capabilities, a decent camera, and is overall easy to use.

Apple’s iPhone may be the obvious choice these days, but there are interesting alternatives as other manufacturers are trying to catch up. We have had a chance to play with Nokia’s N97 smartphone, which imitates key characteristics of the iPhone and packs the most features you can buy in a cell phone today. At $600, it is also one of the most expensive cell phones you can buy. But is it worth it?