It’s no secret that mobile technology has come a long way since 1978. When the first cell phone call (ever) was placed, Motorola’s beige-brick took the first step towards becoming the staple we all but depend on today. Connecting the globe one phone call at a time was just the beginning though. The evolution of personal devices has not only become a borderline necessity, but has changed the way we communicate entirely.
America Runs on Mobile
According to the Pew Research Center, 68% of Americans owned a smartphone in 2015. That means roughly 221 million people in the States alone had the World Wide Web neatly tucked away in their pockets. Equipped with access to a high-speed mobile network 24/7, we’re constantly connected with billions of other internet users. Catching up with high school pals on Facebook or “tweeting” our thoughts to an audience of like-minded people has never been easier. We’re constantly in the loop, for personal and business reasons alike.
Smartphones have transformed more than the way we stay informed or express ourselves, however. Mobile friendly platforms (like Yelp and Uber) provide us with a myriad of useful, on-demand services. Everything from instant takeout options, to high-quality taxi choices are constantly available to us, regardless of when and where we might need them.
A Smart Phone and a Smarter Watch
The world of fashion is constantly changing, and dressing sharp alone just doesn’t cut it these days. If being plugged into the wire from your phone wasn’t enough, major tech companies like Apple and Samsung have blended circuit and accessory into high-powered wearables. These trendy gadgets don’t just look sleek though: with everything from your football team’s score to personal health goals, these devices are a surefire way to stay up to speed on the information you need, or want. You just need to check your watch.
If striking a perfect blend between geeky and cool wrist gear isn’t for you though, wearables are pioneering a new era for the medical field too. One ambitious company called eSight has developed and patented a pair of glasses that allow the legally blind to see. Wow!
Mobile Technology Tomorrow
As “smart” devices continue to grow, our phones are becoming even more convenient. With the development of voice command, a quick phrase to Siri or Ok Google can get you directions to any location, retrieve the latest weather update or have your phone get the title of a catchy radio tune. And that’s just a fraction of what these snappy AI’s are capable of. Advancements in smartphone technologies continue to enable us to take advantage of both productivity and convenience.
The possibilities are endless, and while a fully-connected world may be a scary thought, there’s a lot of potential for good. In th
e year 2016, technology is helping the blind see, bringing people together from all over the world, and creating a truly global marketplace. We can hardly wait to see what’s next.
First published in our June 2016 IT Radix Resource newsletter
[code-snippet name=”hiding-blog-image”]