Murray 1 Vanessa Murray Professor Saas CAS 137H 2 November 2012 The Emergence of the Smart Phone Culture

Today, one is able to update Facebook, send pictures to friends and family, search cookie recipes, listen to music and much, much more from almost anywhere in the world. How are all of these seemingly computer-tied feats possible from the top of a mountain or the middle of a desert? The answer to that question lies in the advancement of a new form of mobile phone technology that has not only emerged but exploded onto the technological scene. Though cellular phones are nothing new, the large increase in popularity and prevalence of smart phones has become increasingly more pronounced during the second half of the first decade of the 21st century. Apples iPhone is one of the more popular smart phone brands, but in recent years most large cell phone carriers have scrambled to break into the lucrative market of smart phones. The market for mobile phones has undergone a pronounced shift in product design from the basic talk and text cell phones to the highly advanced constant-communication tool, the smart phone. Long ago in 1941, the first mobile telephone was invented and used walkie talkie-esque radio signals. Later in the decade when scientists at Bell Laboratories developed cellular technology that allowed many mobile conversations to occur simultaneously, the modern cell phone was born. Widespread use of cell phones did not actually occur until the early eighties, however, because of restrictions on the number of cell phone service subscribers by the Federal

Murray 2 Communications Commission (FCC). In 1983, the restrictions were repealed and wireless technology was permitted to grow in an unbridled fashion. By the early 1990s, cell phone technology was common in North America, Western Europe, and Latin America, among other regions of the globe. Throughout the nineties and into the 21st century mobile phones became more portable, more reliable, and more user-friendly (Mobile Telephones n. pag.). The basic, non-smart cell phone has undoubtedly made a staggering impact on society as a whole. What was once a play toy of the rich businessman has become a common household item that millions worldwide utilize daily. The invention of the mobile phone has made telecommuting a reality and exponentially increased communication on business and personal levels. Many claim that cell phones have made them more efficient workers (Batchelor n. pag.). Cell phones have even provided millions with an increased sense of safety; in fact, emergency calls made via cell phone jumped 32% between 1995 and 1998 (Batchelor n. pag.). Despite the many strengths of the traditional cell phone, modern technology has proven that it is not perfect. As the cell phone was developing through its infant stages, so was the desktop computer. The computer allowed users to access the internet, connect with others via internet pathways such as email, type documents, and even play games. The cell phone allows for none of these things. Thus, in order to enjoy the endless benefits of the internet, one was previously tied to the office or desk. Though each product was useful in its own right, in the past the two were reserved for completely different spheres. As technology advanced further and computer chips decreased in size, the possibility of combining the cell phone and certain- albeit not all- aspects of the computer became a reality in the form of the smart phone.

Murray 3 The precise historical moment in which the popularity of the smart phone became undeniable is difficult to pinpoint because of the BlackBerry. The BlackBerry brand was developed by Research in Motion (RIM) and released in 1999. Primarily, the BlackBerrys were used more as business tools than as personal communication devices. Technically speaking, they were smart phones; however, the introduction of the BlackBerry does not mark the explosion of the popularity of smart phones among average consumers. The BlackBerry was new and exciting, but it hadnt quite caught on among the general public. The specific paradigm shift from the consumer preference for basic cell phones to the preference for smart phones most dramatically occurred in 2009. Though Apple stores had existed since 2008, it took until 2009 for the public to realize the gem called the iPhone that the store offered. Through the use of innovative marketing techniques and the introduction of the still catchy slogan, Theres and app for that, the company was able to establish the iPhone as the product that every savvy consumer should own. Right on the heels of Apple followed computer manufacturers such as Dell and Acer as well as established mobile phone operators such as Verizon Wireless and AT&T. The sudden and dramatic influx of products into the market not only drove down the price of smart phones but also provided consumers with more options and improved technology. The result was the widespread acceptance and proliferation of smart phones. In todays society, smart phones have become so common that it is generally expected that a person of reasonable age will have a smart phone. In fact, some schools are even using them as learning tools in the classroom. Journalist for the Sunday Territorian Ryan Kim makes the claim that For many mobile phone users now, the issue is not if they will upgrade to a smart phone but when (Smart phone love affair n. pag.). The phones have become woven into the fabric of the daily lives of average citizens much like their predecessors the basic cell phones.

Murray 4 Unlike cell phones of years past, however, these new technological wonders come fully equipped with every imaginable capability and then some, including GPS, a compass, a high-resolution camera, internet connection, games, and more. The impact of the rise of the smart phone will be ongoing as long as technology continues to advance; it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Though the boom has occurred relatively recently, the effects of the popularity explosion are already clearly visible across many aspects of modern society. These effects have very far-reaching implications for the future in terms of society. The increased proliferation of smart phones has thus far had both positive and negative consequences. The benefits of smart phones are so innumerable that to discuss them all at any length would be impossible. One of the greatest improvements to the quality of life brought about by smart phones is the increased mobility of the user. With smart phones, the entire world

becomes an office, allowing for greater productivity of professionals. Smart phones obviously allow the user more freedom; however, the vast number of benefits afforded by smart phones may not be so obvious. All cell phones allow for communication- that is their primary function, after all. Smart phones, though, provide a whole new level of communication. While certain means of communication used to be restricted to the office computer, smart phones allow users to send emails with attachments, watch YouTube videos of family and friends, book plane tickets, and find directions. Staying in touch with friends from across the globe has become significantly easier since the advent of smart phones. Moreover, this type of phone concentrates all desired media functions into a single, highly mobile device. For example, one can listen to music and then watch a television show. When boredom strikes, s/he can switch to a game, eBook, or movie. The entertainment possibilities are endless. The final major benefit of smart

Murray 5 phones is the applications, commonly referred to as apps. Apps are small but powerful; they allow the consumer to personalize his/her phone as well as complete many functions that ease daily life. Apps range in function and size and can be used for almost anything from recipes to workouts to games. While smart phones do increase the convenience and ease of work and communication, they are not a perfect new gadget. In fact the overuse of smart phones has been a hot topic across the academic realm. The ease of mobility provided by smart phones jeopardizes the work-life balance of many professionals. In addition, many apps utilize location-based data and other personal data to generate the app. Concern has recently been raised over the potential threat of third party access to this data and the consequences such as identity theft, consumer profiling, and even stalking that could result (Cell Phone Privacy n.pag.). The widespread acceptance of smart phones could have potentially harmful impacts on technology dependence among users. Smart phone use has generated a culture of expectation of constant availability. Constant connectedness has been made possible and acceptable, but such a change could come at the expense of interpersonal relationships that occur in the real world as opposed to the virtual world. Despite the potential negatives, the prognosis for smart phone use is that it will only increase in the coming years. In fact, the possibility of the eradication of all traditional cell phones looms, as even prepaid phones are being adapted to have smart phone capabilities. Though cell phones themselves are not extremely new to the daily lives of the general public, smart phones represent a subtle shift from the basic phone to one with many of the same capabilities as a computer. The use of smart phones has literally boomed at an unbelievable rate in less than five years. Their development from the BlackBerry in 1999 to the cutting edge iPhone 5 has been breathtakingly swift yet incredibly exciting to consumers and retailers alike.

Murray 6 Smart phones, while here to stay, can be a blessing and a curse in both the workplace and the personal sphere. While they do provide greater ease of communication, mobility and thus productivity, they also endanger the work-home balance and value placed on face-to-face communication. Hopefully time is all that is needed to work out the problems of smart phone overdose.

Murray 7 Works Consulted Batchelor, Bob. "The Development of Cellular Phones." Science and Its Times. Ed. Neil Schlager and Josh Lauer. Vol. 7: 1950 to Present. Detroit: Gale, 2001. 521-523. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 Nov. 2012.

"Cellphone Privacy." Congressional Digest 91.9 (2012): 269. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Nov. 2012.

"Mobile Telephones." American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman, et al. Vol. 10: 1990-1999. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. "Smart phone love affair going strong." Sunday Territorian (Australia). January 3, 2010 Sunday : 673 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. 1 Nov. 2012.