Mobile Devices

I think my generation is living through some of the most rapid technological changes the world has ever seen; particularly in regard to the emergence and amalgamation of computer technology and mobile communication. We either keep up pace with the digital world or we are very much left in the dark. In thinking of a smart phone as another appendage is no longer a laughing matter, a great number of people work and sleep with their mobile phone at arm’s length. By 2011, 54.9% of mobile users in the United States were smartphone owners. I must admit, since jumping on the bandwagon in upgrading to a Samsung Galaxy SII in 2011, I cannot see myself going back to a simpler device.
It’s not to say that I cannot be without my smartphone, it’s just so addictively convenient to have internet access, the capacity to write emails, a music collection, a photo album and so much more in the palm of my hand. It really is a life organiser all in one if used to its greatest affect. My uncle who works as an electrician was recently telling me that he is going to make the move to a smart phone so that he can access emails about new jobs without having leave the job he’s at to access his personal computer. This is just one example of how mobile devices are benefiting our daily lives. However, when this makes it so much harder to switch off and it is increasingly more difficult to have time apart from our jobs or our social life, for many digital communication leads to a self-destructive addiction. Julia C. Gluesing, a communication research professor, raised a valid point in that the boundaries between or work lives and our family lives are fast eroding. When we are now immediately answerable to friends and co-workers emails, text messages or Facebook contact then how can we really have any true time to ourselves? I felt comforted by much of what Sherry Turkle had to say in her convincing speech elaborating on the social implications of digital age communication. While it’s never been easier to keep in contact with others, striking up a real life conversation or even a phone conversation has become something of a rarity for so many of us. When there are so many efficient ways to interact with others such as email, text messaging and social networking sites, do we really need to have real time conversations? I feel we are not using these social devices to aid our social lives, these digital interactions do not really bring us any closer to one and other; subconsciously we are becoming increasingly lonely trying to fill the void of real relationships. I believe in the future we will increasingly reliant on mobile devices. We might use phones to make all monetary transactions or they may help to break down language barriers with other with the aid of an ‘app’. As I am ever more conscious of relationship with my smart phone, I don’t believe I’ll be without a mobile phone but I’ll certainly take into account the need to have time apart from my digital life.


http://www.inc.com/john-brandon/smartphone-of-the-future-6-predictions.html

http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together.html

http://reader.eblib.com.au.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/(S(i5qhqauraxmi5epiqyy5csr3))/Reader.aspx?p=428280&o=132&u=8ieBBVHqDnVxF4ip0KLAOw%3d%3d&t=1354356289&h=73710168FEE0EF8242822FB9991BBCB96936425A&s=7266428&ut=405&pg=71&r=img&c=-1&pat=n

http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/ehost/detail?sid=bee491c3-d541-4e80-9748-63be174a02de%40sessionmgr11&vid=1&hid=8&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=f5h&AN=23303035

http://www.email-marketing-reports.com/wireless-mobile/smartphone-statistics.htm