Ever since the first models came out in the mid-80s, mobile phones have quietly changed the way we communicate, exchange ideas and do business. Hate them or love them, mobile phones have revolutionized the world’s industries, creating opportunities in production, manufacturing, finance, marketing and human resources, to name a few. These gadgets have also changed how we live our day-to-day lives.
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In a mobile society, the primary mode of communication is now the handheld phone. The impact of mobile electronic gadgets is such that it has become inconvenient to do without them. In fact, a recent report by the World Bank has concluded that the world is going to have more mobile phones than people soon. Whether we realize it or not, how mobile phones have changed our lives is merely a reflection of our ability and willingness to adapt. Here is a look at the ways the ubiquitous mobile phone have made our present society the way it is today:
1. Setting appointments has become easier
There is a joke about how many of the tragedies told in Shakespeare’s plays would have been averted if only the characters had mobile phones. Today, setting a meeting or a date requires only a few buttons pushed; changing the time, day and other details is as easy as sending a line of text in an electronic message, calling another mobile phone user or leaving a voice mail – no letters, memos, sticky pads or notes hastily written on napkins.
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2. Communicating from virtually anywhere is possible
Making a call through a wireless device? Check. Booking that air ticket to your favorite holiday destination? Check. Calling mom on a vacation from an isolated beach? Check. Sending a text message from the top of the highest building in the world? Check. Sending the boss a corrected copy of last week’s report while on a two-hour commute? Check. Making changes on your personal website while shopping? Check. Sending your followers your latest tweet while walking the dog? Check. Mobile phones let you do virtually anything these days, opening up opportunities to exchange ideas while on the move.
With mobile phones, location, time zones and geography no longer limit how we do business or go about our personal lives. With the help of satellite technology, it is now possible to send and receive calls from places where conventional telecommunication systems failed in the past. Whether it is in the middle of the desert, the ocean or a remote jungle, finding a way to talk to someone has become easier and more convenient.
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3. We have a convenient means to document our lives
From built-in cameras to apps that allow us to post photos, messages and videos on websites, blogs, forums and social networking, mobile phones have given us a number of opportunities to open up our lives to other people and vice versa.
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4. Our gaming and entertainment methods have changed
Most mobile phones come with onboard gaming apps and entertainment software. With handheld technology, there is really no excuse for us to be bored. With a mobile phone, we have access to nearly every type of game available – games that challenge the mind, improve our strategic and planning skills, boost memory, encourage teamwork and yes, test our patience. Tired of pushing the buttons? Try the radio, video, TV or audio music app that comes with your phone – listen to music, create music, watch TV or download a video while waiting for the plane at the airport or for a friend at the corner coffee shop.
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5. We can do business with a handheld gadget
People get hired, contracts are signed, products are bought, stocks are checked, businesses are started and suppliers are found using a tool weighing just a few grams. Service providers have paired with computer and mobile technology security companies to ensure that transactions are more secure and safe. Mobile phones available on contract, for example, offer their subscribers secured browsing, banking and payment transactions once their phones are hooked online. With mobile phones, we can shop from anywhere, buy nearly anything, look for jobs and even earn.
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Do you remember what our life was like in 20 years ago without the mobile phone? Can you imagine a day without it now? I would feel quite awkward to go anywhere without my phone. It’s even scary sometimes… What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.
Interesting article Peter. Mobile phones have changed our lives, but many of the things you mention, such as how we can now game on our phones, is thanks to the evolution of phones themselves into smartphones.
Would you say a smartphone and mobile phone are the same thing?
I strongly agree, Mobile phones have changed our lives. Even had violated the existing rules such as sending a message or call at the time of driving a vehicle. Unfortunately not accompanied by technological advances that good mental.
Hey Peter,
Great post, I love what you said about the chances of Shakespeare tragedies being averted if the smart phone had been around. That would have changed a lot lol!
Even thinking back to our childhoods, it’s amazing to see how far we have come.
To Your Success,
Beth 🙂
I am one of the probably few people at least in my age category that’s not tuned into the cell phone thing. They can be useful, but to me most of the time they are more of a nuisance, distraction, and annoying. Seems like people are so tuned into their phone they can’t get anything done anymore. A lot of the businesses I visit it seems like I have to wait for the employee to put their phone down so I can actually pay for what I am trying to buy. My niece plays with some gadget nearly 24-7, and I tell myself I am glad we didn’t have these things when I was her age. I am not against them or anything. I just get easily annoyed by the interruptions they seem to cause.
These mobile phones have certainly revolutionised the way we live, the way we perform works. Everything has become easier after the coming up of mobile devices.
True, the mobile phone has changed the way we live. We used to be difficult to interact now we can communicate with anyone at any time simply by pressing a button. But the mobile phone also bring negative effects such as radiation. Therefore, we must be wise in using it.
After reading this post, I could just say this again “Cell Phones have turned a necessity of life”
I am just imagining the process wherein the luxuries of a decade turn as necessity of another decade!
Mobiles phones have vastly improved our lifestyle. Now a life without it is impossible, isn’t it! I wonder one day cell phones would replace computers also because of its mobility. Mobiles of today are no less than a computer themselves.
Hi Peter,
You’ve done a marvelous job with this article. I came here looking for some inputs as part of my research on mobile phones and their impact on our lives today. And I got a lot of great inputs here from your post. Thank you very much for sharing.
Regards,
Kumar
Glad you find the article helpful, Kumar! Thanks for reading!