Although few jobs start with a phone, anyone can acquire one at one of the tech vendors; it performs similar functions to a PDA or computer, except that its programs manifest as apps downloadable from the NC-AppNet system. Most programs that work from disk can be installed on the phone, and most programs that read data from disk as well. Phones come in a variety of colors, with protective case mods available for even more variety (and protection from accidents). Phones typically unlock to a specific set of fingerprints or numeric code, though the Security team has ways around this via their friends the Network Technicians.
Phones have the ability to call or text message anyone whose phone number the owner knows, and save a contact list of known phone numbers. Through their scan function, they can collect phone numbers printed on paper or via various other sources. This works apart from the ship's local telecommunications array, so this is a good secondary option. They also have a flashlight, much like the more popular PDAs, and can take pictures like a camera, but cannot perform some functions of cartridges or hardpoints (scanning for reagents, for example.) That said, they can interface with most handheld technology through a UDT cable, allowing you to holster the item on your belt and continue getting status updates through your phone, or save output to the phone's memory via text files.