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If it seems like everyone you pass on the streets these days is on their cell phone, it's probably because most of them are. The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project found that, for the first time ever, the number of Americans who own a cell phone surpassed 90 percent. According to the survey, which was conducted from April 17 to May 19, about 91 percent of adults have some kind of cell phone, making it the most quickly adopted consumer technology in the history of the world. 

This year's survey was also the first to see the majority of U.S. residents choosing a smartphone as their mobile device. In the study "Smartphone Ownership 2013," Pew found that 56 percent of American adults are smartphone adopters, with only about one-third of people owning a device that is not classified as a smartphone and the remaining 9 percent not owning a cell phone at all. 

The fact that so many Americans are embracing new mobile technologies means many people feel the need to upgrade their mobile device to the best on the market. To make this process as easy as possible, these individuals frequently sell cell phones to companies like USell.com, which allows them to find the best price for trading in old phones. 

Smartphones have steadily risen in popularity since their debut, and the mobile devices are set to hit a significant milestone in 2013. Analysts from the research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) estimate that smartphones will account for about 52.2 percent of all mobile shipments sometime in the near future, marking the first time the devices have surpassed more traditional phones.

Experts anticipate that the trend will only continue to shift in favor of smartphones in the coming years. By the end of the year, an estimated 958.8 million units will be shipped. There are a number of factors contributing to their growth, but among the most significant is the fact that carriers and vendors are both placing a greater emphasis on the devices, while they have also become largely more affordable in recent years.

"If you look at the number of vendors who support both feature phones and smartphones, many of them have not only successfully transitioned their product portfolios to highlight smartphones, but smartphones have become their primary value proposition going forward," said Ramon Llamas, the research manager for IDC's mobile phone program.

Those looking to make the switch from a feature phone to a smartphone may want to trade in their old model and pick up a new mobile device.

Sprint caused a stir in 2011 when it began offering its customers the chance to use Apple's iPhone, and since then the carrier has seen a steady increase in the number of people switching to the popular device. Recent statistics from Kantar Worldwide ComTech revealed that the percentage of Sprint customers with iPhones went from 33.4 percent in February 2012 to 34.8 percent just two months later, according to ComputerWorld. 

The results are interesting given that two of the biggest carriers in the U.S. – AT&T and Verizon – have seen the percentage of their customers who have iPhones drop in recent months. Experts say that Sprint has experience such a boon because many users who had other devices at the time of the announcement in 2011 are coming to the end of their two-year contract, so many are looking to trade in their cell phone.

Regardless of what carrier you have, it's hard not to be excited about the prospect of a new iPhone waiting in the wings. While there is no confirmed information, industry insiders believe the IPhone 5s could come out sometime during the latter part of this year, according to TechRadar.com.

If you're among those looking to make the switch to a new model, it may be a good idea to trade in your iPhone for the more current version. 

As college graduations take place across the U.S., many fresh graduates are getting ready to join the workforce. They have to find an open position first, however, and the job-hunting process is quickly becoming a round-the-clock endeavor. More and more people are turning to mobile devices to aid in their search, and apps like Proven are helping along the way. 

Proven is a new mobile app that works as a job search engine on Android and iOS devices. You can browse through job openings in your area and apply, taking advantage of a feature that stores multiple resumes and personal information that makes submitting an application easy. 

"People are getting used to going online while sitting on a bus or waiting for an airplane. And if you hate your job, it's so easy to pull out your phone and see what else is out there," Cindy Cloud, a manager at the Silicon Valley company Informatica Corp., told The Wall Street Journal. "We think mobile is the next big area for recruiting." 

Being on the cusp of technology is extremely important in some fields, so it's imperative that your phone reflects your aptitude. You can sell cell phones on USell.com and upgrade to a device that shows just how tech-savvy you really are.