Mobile phone uses & gratification - Literature review Example

?Topic:  Mobile Phone Uses & Gratification Project “Exploring how to manage the distractions by creating an application for the mobile that moderately controls the media.” Literature Review Mobile Phones Worldwide The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) reported in 2002 that there were already about one billion mobile phone users around the world. The popularity of mobile phones, however, was attributed to wireless technology as telephone applications empower peoples from all walks of lives to use it anywhere and anytime (Bates et al., 2002). Aside from mobility and accessibility, mobile phones are preferred by many due to enlarged scope of information content via the Personal Communication Systems or PCS. Services include delivery of weather updates, news headlines, traffic, locations, internet access, among many others that consumers require. It has rapidly changed the way people live, work, and interacts with one another more than the landlines before them (Wei & Lo, 2006). Socio-Psychological Impact Wei & Lo (2006) explored the role of the mobile phone in individual’s family ties and social connectedness and suggested that phones which were considered a commodity of the past has come a long way. The wireless phones today have several purposes aside from instant verbal communication between users – the caller and the receiver. Designers provided many components and collaborations in order to produce the finished product with various features. The Qualcomm noted that “…enormous strides have been made in the delivery of data to mobile devices. In particular, cellular telephony networks have matured into robust delivery mechanisms for Internet data, and a rich variety of services are being offered around the world,” (Qualcomm, 2006, P) Wireless phone hardware and software evolved in parallel with internet capabilities and graphic art media so that it has become inevitable for many groups of businesses, engineers, artists and even the consumers cooperating with one another (Kaye, 2006). The Smartphone from IBM has been cited as an “information appliance” that has a phone and a personal digital assistant or PDA. The features include a calendar, an address book, world clock, calculator, note-pad, e-mail, and games. This should not be surprising because such features were in mobile phones for more than a decade now as progression continues towards maximizing capabilities. The Operating Systems used are Symbian, Palm OS, Windows, BREW, Linux, and other new generations of programs that are capable of integration with current systems. Similar applications are developed with variations of games; access of internet and memory capabilities for various media downloads and uploads. Kaye (2006) has noted that mobile phone entertainment has been used by gaming companies to demonstrate new games to attract users in purchasing the full software. Games together with ringtones, and wallpapers were seen to generate more revenue. “In Europe and other regions, ringtones are a billion-dollar business, yet sales were only in the low millions in the United States during 2003,” (Kaye, 2006). Recent developments in mobile phones include cameras and MP3 players as companies collaborate on the product “to deliver a worthy product to consumers.” Apple company with subsidiary iTunes were cited to cooperate with Motorola the phone hardware and Cingular, a U.S. wireless phone carrier, to deliver quality downloads on phone music player. Clutter is reduced on the part of the consumer as MP3 player and mobile phone become one (Kaye, 2006). Likewise, images can now be sent, downloaded, captured or uploaded on the internet and elsewhere through the mobile phone (Kaye, 2006). Mobile phones have a basic photographic quality of up to 2 mega pixels per image and even video capture and sharing fit for tiny screens of mobile phones. Nokia released the mobile phone with camcorder capabilities for amateur film-maker or for those who can and will afford it, and others soon followed suit (Kaye, 2006). More recent developments include access to internet networking sites such as Yahoo!, Flickr, FaceBook, Twitter, MySpace, and others as uploading, commenting, and sending messages using the smartphones were made possible (Kaye, 2006).The networking websites do not charge money for the features but all wireless phone carriers charge their own rates for text messaging and internet access (Kaye, 2006). Developments in top-end phones concentrate on the processing power and storage capabilities comparable to desktop computers of 4 to 5 years ago. In 2004, 674 million phones were bought and 2005 consumption was estimated at 730 million (Jain, 2005). It has grown indispensable and now called the “uber device” or one gadget that has it all. Aside from being communications device, the mobile phone serves as watch, alarm clock, calculator, flashlight, calendar, radio, camera, phone book, games device, map, direction guide, reminder for events, weather guide, traffic guide, for shopping, voting in contests, a social interface, and many other things for an individual. Jain (2005) noted the "time-pass" function it serves for many people. Customizing phones of ringtones, themes and wallpapers adds personality and character (Jain, 2005) Features of Mobile Phones The digital camera is usually point-and-click that captures images allowing user to save them for printing or sharing with others to computers and the internet networking sites (Jain, 2005). The audio recorder takes up the [place of a portable recorder which required tapes, and can be used to record conversations, brief notes or even an original tune or two (Jain, 2005). The video recorder can store hour or more length of video (Jain, 2005) then share them on the internet. The multimedia messaging system can archive from recorded data as well as shared date from others by using MMS (Jain, 2005). The internet-capability has allowed phones to be integrated with the Yahoo Messenger, Chika, and other sites to send messages and even mails through internet connection on any POP or IMAP server to mobile phone number. Blackberry still has many capabilities lacking in mobile phones but many features are already the same and there is no more need for additional device (Jain, 2005). As web client, the mobile phone allows user to browse websites, via a WAP or HTML browser although website pages lack appeal on the small screen (Jain, 2005). The gaming platform has become big business as individuals from children to adults fund amusement as well as seek entertainment in their free time. The portable, ubiquitous device they carry is helpful at these times (Jain, 2005). More recent developments allow users to view documents on the mobile phone in MicroSoft Office file formats (Jain, 2005). As computer adjunct the mobile phone replaced the PDA using a remote desktop application to make mobile phone a window to the computer (Jain, 2005). As music player, the mobile phone in 2005 became such a big hit to music lovers playing MP3s and soon music streamed from the internet (Jain, 2005). As television, some operators have been promoting television programs on the phone over next-generation networks like EDGE (Jain 2005) and no sooner was the introduction of movie-viewing through the mobile device. As a money-keeper, the mobile phone’s feature is called “wallet” as subscribers can store funds and pay for purchases so much like a credit or debit card. The existing billing relationship between the subscriber and the operator is integrated to be used to make payments to merchants (Jain, 2005). Jain (2005) also reported that some mobile phones have bar-code reading capabilities that explores commercial possibilities. Gratification Measures from Mobile Phones Gratifications have long been seen as one appeal of the fixed telephone (Dimmick et al., 1994; O’Keefe and Sulanowski, 1995). The mobile phone soon followed as suggested by Leung and Wei (2000). In a survey conducted by Wei & Lo (2006), 34 gratification items were listed of which result of principal component factor analysis of the cell phone motive statements. Six highly reliable gratification indices were created: information-seeking has five items of seeking updated information on traffic, social events, stocks, news headlines, consumer, and entertainment. Wei and Lo (2006) claimed that the first factor “represents a gratification typical of instrumental use,” (54); the second gratification, social utility, has five items to relieve boredom, to gossip or chat, to seek the pleasure of talking, to pass time, and to relax; the third gratification was affection, with five items: “improving relations with family, feeling closer to family members, showing caring for others, knowing others care about you, and saying ‘hi’ to people,” (Wei & Lo, 2006, 54); the fourth gratification, fashion and status, consisted of four items: user of the mobile phone may be seen as fashionable, cool, stylish, and definitely not “old-fashioned” (55). These three gratifications were seen as typical of social or intrinsic motives. Mobility is the fifth gratification with three items indicating the use of the mobile phone as handy and eliminates the need to seek for a public or pay phone, to carry coins required to use a pay phone, and to queue up for public phones. Accessibility, included three items: being connected regardless of location, immediate access to others anywhere and anytime, and availability for family members who may need help or in emergency situation. “Mobility and accessibility represent new and unique gratification dimensions from cell phones and, based on mean scores, are the most sought after gratifications by cell phone users,” (Wei & Lo, 2006, p 55). Gratification is highly influential among users of mobile phones as antecedents on family-oriented and social-oriented connection or calls. The affection gratification provides a positive relation with calls to family and the mobile phone is seen to enhance family ties. The social utility gratification was a strong predictor of social uses as user is motivated to use the mobile phone to relieve boredom, to relax by chatting via cell phone as even early users made longer calls to socialize (Wei and Lo, 2006). The mobile phone has also evolved as a type of “pleasure phone” from its previous luxury position as it became a tool to facilitate one’s social relationships (Wei and Lo, 2006). Mobile phone gratification and mobile phone use was seen as covariates of users’ levels of social connectedness. Lonesome and shy people adopted the use of mobile phone late and used it less for social purposes. However, social compensation from the mobile phone is derived in fashion and status symbol. The mobile phone became a fashion accessory. Late and socially deficient users of mobile phones soon presented themselves socially through the symbolic display of the mobile phone (Katz, 2003). The finding supports the notion of technology as one’s ‘second-skin’ (Katz, 2003). Lee (2002) suggested that the mobile phone is “a social prop”, or “smart skins” (3) for young people. Gender was also a significant predictor of mobile phone uses for family-oriented or social-oriented reasons. Women were more dependent on their mobile phone use to show affection to their families while on the move. Men on the other hand, use the mobile phone for efficiency and practical purposes, mainly to get or send information. Lee and Robbins (2000) suggested that “women and men both value social connectedness, but there may be differences in the types of relationship that women and men pursue to develop or sustain a sense of connectedness,” (485). This supports the argument that the mobile phone has become integrated into people’s lives. It has found role as a supplement for the fixed telephone in order to meet the need for relationship maintenance (Katz, 2003). The mobile phone has also been seen to expand the user’s “psychological neighborhoods” (Wei and Lo, 2006, 58). In addition, it maintains “symbolic proximity” specifically for female and heavy users (Wei & Lo, 2006). The wireless communication medium symbolizes a community of trendy fashion and gadget users whether or not the phone is used. Csikszentmihalyi and Rochberg-Halton (1981) saw the mobile phone as a “symbols of social integration” (33) in this era of wireless communication. Wei and Lo (2006) noted that United States adolescents have been left behind their Asian and European counterparts in using the mobile phone, but are now catching up rapidly. Threats and Disadvantages of Mobile Phone Use Stories of radiation, popping popcorns and grisly pictures of accidents caused by inappropriate time of using mobile phones has scared many mobile phone users. But by the year 2009, Madison (2011) noted that mobile phones have become a necessity and a few negative stories related to it should be taken seriously. A 2008 Wireless Association survey found that were 262 million mobile phone users in the United States alone. This increased to about 20 million from the previous year. These consumers were logged to use about 1.12 trillion minutes on their mobile phones between January to June 2008. Users also sent and received about 2.5 billion text messages per day and even rumors of mobile phone dangers did not prevent Americans from using their phones (Madison, 2011). Radiation. There has been a widespread rumor that the radiation from mobile phones causes brain cancer through its emission of low-level radiation. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC), however, have not found evidence that this radiation causes health problems (Madison, 2011). Another rumor is that mobile phone use at a gas station can cause a spark and start a fire and that gas stations have already placed signs asking “not to use your phone while fueling” (Madison, 2011, P 5). The FCC claimed there is no evidence yet to support this theory (Madison,2011). However, the biggest threat associated with mobile phone use is for uses that drive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claimed that 25 % of all accidents were caused by driver inattention. The NHTSA also warned that “the longer an activity goes on, the more distraction it causes” and that a phone conversation can be a cause of distraction (Madison, 2011, P 5). Users should bear in mind that driving requires constant attention and that drivers should be able to react quickly to any sudden change. Using the mobile phone while driving divides the attention and poses danger to the life of the user as well as the passengers and everyone on the road around the driver (Madison, 2011). The introduction of the “hands-free” device has also made many people believe that this eliminates the danger of talking on the phone while driving. Madison (2011) insisted that this is yet to be proven. Distraction during a conversation remains the same when using a phone, handheld or hot (Madison, 2011). When compared to talking to a passenger in the car, a phone conversation is more risky due to the presence and knowledge of the person inside the car of any possible danger even while conversing with the driver and reaction could be more immediate (Madison, 2011). Users should be informed of safety precautions such as adherence to the NHTSA guidelines. Driver-callers should pull to the side of the road before answering or making a call even in emergency situations (Madison, 2011). Distraction-Conflict Theory and Mobile Phone Use Individual Task Performance in a Wireless Mobile, Lee (1999) highlighted that information system researchers should include focus on the “phenomena that emerges whenever technological and social factors come into contact with each other, react to and transform each other,” (2). He has proposed to seek understanding on the effects of wireless mobility on the individual’s work practices and seek the unforeseen negative consequences. One area to consider is the influence on individual work performance. With the goal to gain an understanding of the effects of various levels of distraction and task complexity on an individual’s performance in a mobile wireless work environment based on the distraction conflict theory, Lee (1999) explained “how different levels of distraction and task complexity affect the performance of individuals in a mobile wireless work setting,” (1). Sanders et al (1978) defined distraction as any irrelevant stimuli to a subject’s primary task with the primary task defined as a priority activity which one focuses all his/her attention (Lee, 1999). “The distraction and the primary tasks may require different sensory channels and distraction may be ignored or processed concurrently with the primary task,” (Lee, 1999, 291). The distraction can be social or nonsocial, external stimulus or an internal thought, from a second party or created by the individual himself (Lee, 1999, 299). Sanders et al (1978) suggested that the presence of distraction can pose conflict on an individual’s attention. “Attentional conflict” is a situation where the individual may desire, want, or obligated to provide attention to two or more exclusive inputs (Sanders et al, 1978). This conflict may result to cognitive overload and elevate stress, arousal or drive in the individual (Sanders et al, 1978). It was suggested that while an increased drive may have beneficial effect on simple task performance, the disruptive effect can occur on a more complex task (Sanders et al, 1978). Distraction has been associated with social networking for motorists. Buettner (2010) noted that the use of social networking services among drivers led to automakers and technology suppliers to provide voice-control solutions to improve safety. Buettner (2010) has proposed that “the automobile is no longer a communications dead zone” adding that drivers can stay connected to friends and family via various options such as calling, texting and even tweeting and Facebooking. Communications options has influenced drivers to “take the risk of an accident simply because they want to read or reply to a text message or check and update their preferred social media site” but the introduction of a voice-activated infotainment solutions is proposed to provide significant help on driver distraction in these instances (Buettner, 2010). The U.S. automobile corporation Ford adopted the voice activated in-vehicle communication systems using the Sync Applications Programming Interface (API) to allow users to access applications like OpenBeak, Pandora and Stitcher within the car touted as “safe manner, leveraging voice commands and steering-wheel controls so drivers keep their hands on the wheel” (Buettner, 2010). General Motors also announced via Twitter of developing “new functionality in the coming months to its Gen 9 hardware platform, including integration with Facebook,” (Buettner, 2010, P 5). While these are seen as part of the wireless communications development, it is likely a result of the mobile phone issues that were mentioned earlier. These were developed to help or encourage drivers “to keep their eyes on the road […] enable customers to have their text messages read to them using Bluetooth, allows users to connect their mobile device to their vehicle and receive automated text messages,” as integrated on a single button on the steering wheel. Users also can reply back to a text by verbally selecting one of four pre-set replies (Buettner, 2010, P 7). While it was not yet thoroughly documented and studied, it has been suggested by manufacturers that “numerous app developers have noticed that drivers are texting and using their favorite apps while driving and have created a number of products and services to manage driver distractions from mobile phone usage. And the number of apps that deal with this problem is expanding quickly,” (Buettner, 2010, P 8). Irreversible Trend Many emerging theories about the continuing popularity of use of mobile phones as a social tool despite the dangers it posed with regards to its use in appropriate time. The use of the mobile phone as a social tool has manufacturers and systems developers cash in on the possibilities of creating “safe” devices for mobile phones and related gadgets despite the indication of rising driving accidents due to these distractions. Several US states “have come out with laws prohibiting the use of the cell phone for taking or making calls or sending and reading text messages while driving. The only concession that some of them make is if the driver is using the hands free cell phone. For sending text messages the users need to download the necessary applications for that purpose or use the Android app - the idea is that if your hands are not to be used for making calls or sending text messages, then it is alright as your driving will supposedly not be affected to a large extent,” (Buettner, 2010, P 14). Vetorri (2010) found that many people are engrossed sending or reading their text messages and disregard their own vehicle which might already be gradually changing lanes. They may also not notice any oncoming vehicle coming suddenly at high speed. It was suggested that using the texting while driving application allows their hands to be on the wheel and will be more alert while driving (Vetorri, 2010). However, many sensible, prudent drivers find it unfair for them to suffer for someone the recklessness of others. “They in fact want laws to be made stricter and want defaulters to be heavily punished,” (Vetorri, 2010). Vetorri (2010) cited that studies found that youngsters between the ages of sixteen and twenty five consider texting as the primary form of communication (Vetorri, 2010). It should also be noted that many youngsters drive. The sleek and modern cell phones found to be very convenient has made many users feel it is easy to read or send out text messages quickly while driving. “This is a grave misconception and that is why law enforcers have clamped heavily on such defaulters. If they wish to send a text message, at the most, some States permit them to do so only if they have the texting while driving app downloaded on their cell phone-else, they must be prepared to face punishment,” (Vetorri, 2010, P 4). In addition to the Ford and General Motors applications cited earlier, another application has been hyped as “a revolutionary mobile phone application [that…] reads text messages and emails aloud in real time and automatically responds without users touching their mobile phone,” and the application is said to utilize text to speech and speech to text software as a service with a hopeful proposal that it will “eliminate the danger created by the growing number of people who text while they drive,” (Vetorri, 2010). Conclusion There had been a lot of developments in the features of mobile phones since it was introduced as a gadget weighing pounds and carried only by businessmen who need to keep in touch for profit purposes. Today, the mobile phone, due in part by the parallel developments in wireless communications and applications or software advances, has turned into one-in-all and all-in-one ubiquitous gadget that many individuals cannot live without, for a few minutes. Management of its features has become very important to address usability and universal consumption with regards to its gratification impact. As already mentioned, gratification has led to risky use, especially where user is on the road, and driving. While many features are already added or relevant gadgets already marketed, it will not be a burden for more applications management system to be developed. References Bates et al., 2002. Not your plain old telephone: new services and new impacts. In: Lin, C., Atkin, D. (Eds.), Communication Technology and Society, Hampton Press, Cresskill, NJ. pp. 91-124. Buettner,A. (2010) "Social Networking While Driving Becomes a Reality" http://www.isuppli.com/Automotive-Infotainment-and-Telematics/News/Pages/Social-Networking-While-Driving-Becomes-a-Reality.aspx Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Csikszentmihalyi, Mihalyi, and Eugene Rochberg-Halton. 1981. The meaning of things: Domestic symbols and the self. 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