Actor Theory Network, Apple`s Peer-to-Peer Payment App - Case Study Example

Name: Class: Unit: Introduction Recent years have seen emergence of major technologies advances in the world. This has seen introduction of tiny computers, increased wireless communication, development of intelligent software agents, sensors, micro-power systems and electronics with the potential of transforming daily human work and life. Sapella (2013) noted mobile internet industry being an ideal setting which would speculate on incremental innovations which would revolutionize current affairs surrounding people. For example, he noted that innovations might transform the physical movement and images of people into heuristic and digital images through the use of smartwatches as input/output devices operating between the cloud and public or private infrastructures. This essay will show apple smart watch and peer-to-peer payment app are acting on their users and how they have impacted their life. It will discuss on the aspect of Actor theory Network and give reasons why it’s important for studying computing. Actor Theory Network Actor theory network (ANT) was created by French scholars Latour and Callon as an attempt to understand processes of technological innovation and scientific knowledge creation. According to Cresswell et al. (2010), ANT theory is increasingly influential but it’s still deeply contested in its approach of understanding human and their interaction with inanimate objects. ANT does not attempt to explain why networks exist but rather it’s interested in the infrastructure of actor networks. For example it tries to find out how they are formed or even how they can fall apart. Moreover, it incorporates the principle of generalized symmetry, i.e. human and non-human being integrated into the same conceptual framework and assigned equal amount of agency. Through this, one gains detailed description of concrete mechanisms at work that hold network together while allowing impartial treatment of actors. ANT consists of three general concepts: actor world, translation and actor network. Actor world indicates the ANT perspective of the world or the society that we live in by identifying the roles entities should play, the nature of bonds that unite them, their respective size and the history in which they participate. Moreover, translation provides for the methodology of theory which shows the process of networking in the actor world. It’s concerned with how actors and organizations mobilize, juxtapose and hold together bits and pieces out of which they are formed. Further translation is concerned with how actors are able to prevent bits and pieces from following their own inclinations and separating from this composition. The Actor network perspective refers to the result of the translation which is also represents the dynamic actor-world in graphic way (Danchao 2011). It emphasizes that the world have structure which is susceptible to change. ANT is suitable for studying computing since it denies any difference between human and non-human entities. It recognizes that non- human actors play an important role in networks and are neither neutral nor fully controlled by human actors (Alexandra and Silvis 2014). Moreover they allude that information researchers should not misuse this by implying that non-human actors are more important that human actors as this leads to techno-determinism which is completely contrary to ANT. Moreover, Arthur and Anthony (2005) note that ANT extends ethnography which allows analysis of both human and non-human technology by using single register to analyze both. This helps in avoiding the need to consider one as context for the other. This helps researchers not to think in terms of human or non-human binaries and the different discourse with which they are aligned. Apple`s peer-to-peer payment app Apple peer to peer payment app is of software category. It allow user to zap money to another from their phone rather than relying on cash or checks. The application allow user to transfer money via text. Through this app, Apple aims to capture a share of the mobile market for money transfer. Peer to peer app provide for a convenient way of repaying individuals digitally rather than in cash. Moreover, peer to peer app allow user to make payments and also to transfer money within its users (Katie & Mike 2015). Convenient way of using apple peer-to-peer app When released, Don 2 notes that peer to peer payment app services would be similar to those of peer-to-peer payment services from PayPal and its subsidiary Venmo. Peer-to-peer app will provide convenient manner of transacting money. For example, according to Don, payments can be done among friends to settle a night of partying or even parents can send funds to their cash-strapped college kids. Apple peer-to-peer app will provide for an essential quick and relatively painless way of sending cash (Don 2015). Aldrin (2015) noted that the peer-to-peer payment app services lets its users send money to one another using only their iPhones rather than paying each other with cash or checks. Peer-to-peer app would be engaged in competition from PayPal owned Venmo and other popular peer-to-peer payment services such as Square Cash, Google Wallet and Facebook. Further, he notes that peer-to-peer payment service is likely to be part of Apple Pay which was launched in October last year to provide for secure mobile wallet solution for paying for purchase of goods or services. Peer-to-peer app requires users to link Apple pay with their checking account from money transfer would be funded. Apple Smart Watch Apple smart watch is of hardware category. It allows users not only to check on time but also to receive and respond to notifications on instant. Moreover, it allows its users to track their daily activity, control their music by using their voice or even pay for products or services (Apple 2015). Apple watch provides its users with important information and essential services just at the raise of the wrist. It lets its users to do everyday activities in more easier and convenient manner as well as providing simplicity in doing things which were not easier before. Worldwide smart watch market With the ever increasing human activities, time has become limited. More than before, people have considerable more activities. Moreover people are getting more meetings, appointments or even more information to digest. To this effect apple smart watch comes in handy to be people’s time saver gadget. Apple smart watch is designed not only for indoor environment but also outdoor usage or even rough environment. It’s designed to have a long battery life which spans a couple of days to years. Moreover, it’s water resistant and has sensors that enable gesture in interactions. Hence, apple smart watch ensure time saving by ensuring some daily activities processing are easier and more efficient (Ian 2015). According to Maged et al (2011), rapid uptake of technology has transformed many aspects of our lives globally. It’s impacting not only on the way we communicate but also in the sense of culture, community, identity or even relationships. For example, according to Joe 2015, smart watches are getting paired with smartphones giving people the capability of text messaging, or even phone calling. Hence smart watch has changed the manner in which people live and do their activities. According to Nicholas (2010), even though World Wide Web has been around for 20 years, it’s hard to imagine life without it. It gives instant access to vast amount of information and enables people to stay connected with friends and colleagues. However, he notes that our dependence on the internet has dark sides. He notes that researchers have pointed out scientific evidence that internet with its constant distractions and interruptions are turning people into scattered and superficial thinkers. In his book The Shallows, he expounds on how internet is changing the way we think, read and remember. Further he notes that according to Patricia, even though technology has played a bigger role in our lives, people skills in critical thinking and analysis have declined but their visual skills have improved. The stories describe innovative combination of technology plus free time. Nicholas Carr argues that the time Americans once spent watching television has been directed towards other activities that are less about consuming and more engaging. He notes that that these efforts are not fueled by external rewards but intrinsic motivations which bring the joy of doing something for their own sake (Wired 2010). Clay (2010) argues the effect of vast cognitive effect of surplus aided by new technologies. For instance he acknowledges that new technologies bring greater freedom to publish hence lower qualities on average. Moreover it allows experimentation which produce greatest innovation (Clay 2010). Conclusion Actor Network theory is an influential approach of understanding human and their interactions with inanimate objects. However, research based on ANT remains descriptive and fail to provide explanation of social process. In modern computing actants are identified when they prompt user to perform certain actions which. For actants to act they cannot exist in isolation, they require other actants to act. In the stories actants are human and either the peer-to-peer app or the Apple smart watch. The need for service by human actant moves them to use the discussed actants. References Alexander, P. M. & Silvis, E. 2014, Towards extending actor-network theory with a graphical syntax for information systems research, Information Research, Vol 19 No 2 paper 617, viewed on 3rd Dec 2015 Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/19-2/paper617.html Apple 2015, To wear it is to love it, viewed on 3rd Dec 2015, http://www.apple.com/watch/ Boulos, M. N., Wheeler, S., Tavares, C., & Jones, R. 2011, How smartphones are changing the face of mobile and participatory healthcare: an overview, with example from eCAALYX. Biomedical Engineering Online Vol 10 No 1 Calimlim A. 2015, Apple planning to take on Venmo with peer-to-peer payment service, viewed on 3rd Dec 2015, http://appadvice.com/appnn/2015/11/apple-planning-to-take-on-venmo- with-peer-to-peer-payment-service Clay S. 2010, Cognitive Surplus: Creativity and Generosity in a Connected Age, viewed on 3rd Dec, http://www.ccd.rpi.edu/eglash/selforg/ClayShirkyChap1.pdf Cresswell, K. M., A. Worth, et al. 2010. Actor-Network Theory and its Role in Understanding The Implementation of Information Technology Developments in Healthcare. Bmc Medical Informatics and Decision Making 10 Danchao H. 2011, Using actor -network theory to understand inter -organizational network Joe Wikert’s 20th July 2015, Digital Content Strategies: An Industry Critics’s View of Our Rich Content Future, Peer-to-Peer Content Distribution, viewed on 3rd Dec 2015,http://jwikert.typepad.com/the_average_joe/2015/07/peer-to-peer-content- distribution.html Nicholas C. 27th Aug 2010, How Internet is Making us Stupid, viewed on 3rd Dec, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/7967894/How-the-Internet-is-making-us- stupid.html Reisinger D. 1st Dec 2015,Is Peer-to-Peer Apple Pay's Next Frontier?, viewed on 3rd Dec 2015, http://fortune.com/2015/12/01/apple-pay-peer-to-peer/ Tatnall, A., & Gilding, A. 2005. Actor-Network Theory in Information Systems Research viewed on 3rd Dec 2015 http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.10.1265&rep=rep1&type=pdf Wired 24th May 2010, Cognitive Surplus: The Great Spare-Time Revolution, viewed on 3rd Dec, http://www.wired.com/2010/05/ff_pink_shirky/ Read More