I still remember during my college years when smartphones were not yet available on the market. I need to have coins, so I can use the telephone booth to phone someone. I need to pay for hours I spend in a computer shop just to do research, or might as well spend several hours in the library. I can still remember that the only means of sending an instant message was through a technology called “Pager”, and also known as a “beeper” because it beeps. I had a friend who had a pager back then, and every time a message would come in, that small gadget (the size of a very small coin purse) would emit a beeping sound. It seemed like he was so good-looking as he was into some kind of a high technology thing because not all students could afford a pager. Life back then was not as convenient as it is now. But thanks to technology and invention, life is easier and communication can be achieved in a flash.
Let’s have a little bit of history about smartphones:
In 2007, Apple Inc., introduced the iPhone, one of the first smartphones to use a multi-touch interface. The iPhone was notable for its use of a large touchscreen for direct finger input as its main means of interaction, instead of a stylus, keyboard, or keypad typical for smartphones at that time. 2008 saw the release of the first phone to use Android called the HTC Dream (also known as the T-Mobile G1). Android is an open-source platform founded by Andy Rubin and now owned by Google. Although Android’s adoption was relatively slow at first, it started to gain widespread popularity in 2010, and now dominates the market.
From then on, the use of smartphones worldwide was another thing to talk about. It was something to watch out for, because of its quick and ever-changing updates on different models and features from time to time. More and more smartphone users enjoyed the benefits of having their mobile device handy. According to statistics: For 2016, the number of smartphone users is forecast to reach 2.08 billion.
This leads me to think… Is it already a necessity to have a smartphone handy? Let’s enumerate the reasons why it’s becoming a necessity:
A Status Symbol
A smartphone can indicate the social or economic status of the owner. A person will buy a mobile phone depending on his/her budget, needs and lifestyle. Before, mobile phones were just simply for sending a text message and calling someone, but nowadays, we use our phones based on the needs that our lifestyle and status dictates.
Has the capacity of a computer
The reason why it is called a smartphone is because it’s so smart that it can function as a computer, which has an OS (operating system) in it. Having a smartphone handy is like using a computer where you can surf the web, download files, edit and share documents, and transact online.
Easy Messaging: SMS/Email
Sending instant messages or even emails when you’re on-the-go is never impossible with a smartphone. Back in the old days, you needed to send a snail mail or wait until you get to the computer before you can send an email, but now with the smartphone, you can do that in an instant.
Can capture precious moments
Do you still remember the days when you need to bring a camcorder and a camera whenever you travel or when there’s a special occasion? Now, it’s all-in-one device, which has features of editing it at once.
Has media playing features
Anywhere you go with a smartphone, you can watch movies, listen to music and follow current events and sports team. So convenient, right?!
An organiser, alarm and calendar
A basic feature of a smartphone is to have an alarm clock and a calendar, but what makes it smart is that the calendar gives you reminders about birthdays, anniversaries or any other special occasions. It includes an organiser which keeps you reminded of the things to do for the day and the weekly/monthly plans.
Capable of GPS
I so love this feature, because with GPS came the birth of apps showing the traffic situation, a car service company which knows where to pick you up and can bring you faster where you need to go, and a navigation tool on-hand.
Games and Apps-friendly
We’ve got tons of games and apps to download in a smartphone whether it’s from Google Play or iTunes. It is just so genius that you can install utility apps and have it work to your advantage. You can also try Overpass spy apps if you have a fascination with spy stuff, or install some educational apps or games to aid you in your learning.
Now, I conclude that smartphone is becoming a necessity because of the benefits it brings. When I was in college, I could have done more research or spent less time in the library if I had a smartphone back then. Communication would have been easy and instant if we had a smartphone. Though I cannot go back to the past and bring my smartphone with me, I can enjoy it now and think that in the future my children will enjoy this device which will have better features than what we have now.
Credits to:
–https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone for the history about smartphones.
–http://www.statista.com/statistics/330695/number-of-smartphone-users-worldwide/ for the statistics about smartphones.