Benefits of Using Smartphones - Report Example

?REPORT ON BENEFITS OF USING SMARTPHONES TRANSMITAL MEMORANDUM 25th June benefits of using smart phones The purpose of the report is to educate the public on the importance of using smart phones in our day to day lives. It focuses on both the advantages and disadvantages of using these modern phones while giving a clear comparison with the previously used mobile phone models. Though this report challenges the youth to develop more sophisticated technological gadgets, it further encourages the general public to use these smart phones because of their benefits. In addition, the report has some visual effects that would enable the audience to clearly understand its content. Abstract The use of smartphones is the latest world trend with people of different ages opting to adopt the use of these gadgets in their everyday lives. This is because smart phones assist in informal learning, distance learning, increase quality and efficiency in health care, increase voter participations in elections, and also increased professional engagement in work. However, the use of smart phones has some disadvantages such as reduced social life and access to obscene adult content from the internet by teenagers. In general, the use of smart phones has played an important role in making the world a better and comfortable place to leave in. Benefits of Using Smartphones 1. Introduction Mobile phones and smartphones are both used with the primary function of being able to make and receive phone calls and send and receive text messages, but the smartphone has certain qualities that distinguish it from any usual mobile phones. Smartphones have additional features such as online gaming, online video watching, route tracking, GPS system and several other added features, which differentiate it from other usual mobile phones and, are more preferred than mobile phones. There are different kinds of smartphones in the market, which are produced by different mobile manufacturers such as the Android which is produced and sold by Google and the iPhone, which is produced and sold by Apple Inc. A very huge percentage of the population has shifted towards smartphones from their usual mobile phones. The PEW research center has reported that in the US alone over 35% of the adult population is currently using smartphones (Smith 1). The research center further figured out that there are various benefits that can be obtained through smartphones, and these benefits are the primary reason for the high demand of smartphones in the US. Smartphones are not limited to the access of adults; they are even owned and used by several teenagers and the younger generation. Smartphones have gained immense popularity among the youth population because of the several benefits offered by these phones. On one end are those who propose that smartphones are a smart invention and are assisting the society in several ways; on the other end are those who are against the use of smartphones due to various negative effects associated with these phones. This writing will focus on the argument of whether the smartphones are beneficial for the society or not while defending the stance that smartphones have several more benefits to offer than costs. The writing will especially focus on the benefits offered by smartphones to both the adult as well as the youth population. Smartphones benefit both the adults and the youth in obtaining both formal as well as informal educations. They have become a major tool of in distance learning. They are used by users to satisfy their personal need, helps employees in remaining involved with their businesses, are assisting in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of health care services, and are elevating the quality of health care, and can even help in increasing voter turnout during different elections. 2. Background The development of Smart phones evolved from the traditional mobile phones. Though both of them perform nearly the same functions, the Smart phones are designed to accommodate various features that a normal mobile phone cannot. These features include the use of android operating system, Wi-Fi internet connectivity, multi-tasking, online gaming, multi-downloading, installation of various software, large internal memory storage etc (Mukerji 32). Often referred to as the 21st century phones, Smart phones have challenged stakeholders in the technology sector to develop new software that would make the life of human beings more comfortable. According to Kondo Fumiyo, the new software developed mainly focuses on entertainment, business and in matters of national importance such as voting and taking surveys (60). In this report, the analysis of the impact of using smart phones in the society would be made. This would be done by critically examining the use of these phones in comparison with various factors such as the career, age, government progress, overall adoption etc. 3. Report objectives 1. To clarify the difference between a Smartphone and the common mobile phone 2. Find out the advantages of using a Smartphone 3. Find out the effect of using a Smartphone in the society 4. Find out the disadvantages of using a Smartphone 4. Findings The use of smartphones A very huge population of the youth as well as adults is currently utilizing smartphones to satisfy various daily needs, and their mobile phone usage is consistent with their everyday lives. Both the adults as well as the younger generation are involved in using smartphones in accordance to the situation they are in. For example, Different individuals tend to text message other mobile phone users for various reasons and situations. Certain individuals may use text-messaging services in order to send reminders to their team members and in order to provide update regarding the status of a project. Similarly several individuals even tend to use text messages in order to remain in constant contact with their loved ones and in order to feel closer to them even while they may be far away from each other. Policharet al. figured out that individuals tend to prefer using smartphones over other mobile phones in order to satisfy their need of remaining online through free Internet provided by different outlets such as coffee shops (629). Advantages of using smartphones Smartphones on Education: Devices that are recognized as handheld devices have been utilized in conducting both formal as well as informal forms of learning. These devices are being used by educators in order to supply as well as obtain knowledge and information, while students are using it to obtain information. In cases of formal forms of learning, the smartphones are being used within the classroom, and they are even being used externally. For example, instructors as well as tour providers use these phones in order to provide information regarding attractions at different museums. These phones have replaced tourist guides in museums and theme parks and are providing the same services that were being provided by tour guides. Learning activities that are informal in nature are even conducted with the use of smartphones. Clough et al. figured out that students were using smartphone devices in order to satisfy their need of obtaining knowledge in an informal manner, and those individuals who owned a smartphone automatically indulged in the practice of informal learning (369). This means that smartphones have motivated individuals in obtaining knowledge through informal means and obtaining informal knowledge. Individuals even tend to get involved in the process of informal learning when they do not even intend to indulge in the activity. They tend to use internet obtained through Wi-Fi and GPRS while they are travelling in order to look up for certain areas, places of interests, eating outlets, and this results in the enhancement of their knowledge about different places. Education has crossed the boundaries of educational institutes and is being provided through online means. This means that any individual who has a computer or a device from which Internet can be accessed can obtain education while being anywhere and at any point in time. Distance learning has even gained immense popularity because it is not restricted by time and place. Individuals who are employed and who have families hardly find time to visit an educational institute in order to pursue their higher educational needs. Due to this, distance learning has become popular as it is not restricted by time and place, and individuals can be at their workplaces or houses and obtain higher education. According to Manoj, smartphones allow users to use Internet through Wi-Fi or GPRS, and this has encouraged people to participate in higher education through the means of distance learning (39). He figured out that in India over 40 million individuals are using Internet on their mobile phones and out of this 40 million, 22 million are students. This shows that in India alone, 40 million individuals can engage in distance higher education through their smartphones. Smartphones On Business: One of the best features of smartphones is that it allows individuals such as employees to remain connected with their work anytime and anywhere they are, and they are not restricted at a particular setting such as offices or institutes to continue to produce more. Smartphones even enable employees to gain steady access to information that is required to make useful decisions. They can use the Internet applications to browse through the World Wide Web to find information, and they can even use smartphones to remotely access their office computers and databases to obtain required information. Smartphones even come along with applications that help employees in conducting problem solving activities, and this leads to increased involvement of employees with their work. Today, employers give preference to those employees who are ready to produce more and take on more workload. Due to this workload, the work life balance of employees has been disrupted. Since smartphones allow employees to even work when employees are having time with their families or relaxing at home, smartphones have assisted them in managing their work life balance. MacCormicket al. states that individuals who do not own smartphones to remain connected with their work may end up missing opportunities that can lead to their success and the success of the business they are representing (3). Figure 1.productivity in workplace. The Smartphone applications have tremendously led to the increase in business productivity. Smartphones On Medicine: Since smartphones started gaining acceptance and popularity within society, both the professionals of the health care as well as the common population even started adopting these phones. The smartphone developers have developed various applications related to health care, and these applications have assisted both care obtainers and care providers in receiving and providing optimum quality of care in a timely manner. Figure 2. Healthcare Applications Per Operating System. Represents the applications that are developed to be used by different operating systems of smartphones, and these applications are being developed for the professionals, students, as well as the patients.(Mosaet al. 10) Smartphones in Elections: Countries have recognized the increased popularity of smartphones and have established voting applications for smartphones as this helps in increasing the voter turnout. There are several voters who cannot vote and who do not vote, as they do not prefer to stand in long queues in order to cast their votes. Smartphones can be used to encourage such voters to vote as smartphones erase the use of queues and even costs associated with visiting a voting outlet. Figure 3.Rate of voting errors by smartphone and non-mobile owners.Shows that when the mobile voting system was used by smartphone owners, they made fewer mistakes than those who did not own a smartphone and those who did not own a phone at all. (Campbell, et al. 1103) The disadvantages of using smartphones Research has continuously proved that smartphones are benefiting individuals of different ages, but smartphones have some certain disadvantages associated with them. Work Engagement: Smartphones have assisted adult employees in remaining engaged with their work at all times even while adults are at home or having a luxurious night out with friends. MacCormicket al. states that smart phones have increased the involvement of adult employees, but this increased involvement is compromising the social life of employees and is even adding up to the stress levels of employees (3). Social Life: Individuals are constantly working with the assistance of smartphones, and due to this they have ended up forgoing their life with friends and family members. Similarly, Clough et al. states that smartphones promote students to indulge in obtaining education that is informal in nature (369). Youth Students: Students use smartphones to search for places and events and learn about different things. The problem associated with informal learning is that these students and especially the youth end up browsing for information that is not good for their age. They end up surfing the web through their smartphones to learn about sex and pornography, and they even stalk other individuals, which leads to violation of the right of privacy of others. 5. Conclusion Smartphones are highly popular among individuals of different ages such as adults as well as teenagers. These devices are so popular due to the various advantages offered by these devices to the younger and the adult generation. Benefits include formal as well as informal learning, distance learning, increased quality and efficiency of healthcare, increased participation in voting during elections, and increased engagement with professional work. On the other hand, there are disadvantages associated with smartphones that come along with these advantages. These include decrease in amount of time spent with friends and family members due to higher engagement with work and access to information that is not appropriate for the age of teenagers. This does not mean that smartphone use should be stopped as this would lead to giving up the benefits offered by smartphones. Instead adults need to manage their time with their families and work in an appropriate manner and strict supervision regarding the information that is being accessed by teenagers needs to be adopted. Works cited Alister, J et. al. “the developing field of technology education: a review to look forward. International journal of technology and design.N.p., n.d. Web. 25th June 2013. Alister et.al in this journal emphasizes the need for technological education for all people. They analyzed both the positive and negative effects of using smartphones in the society. In addition; Alister et.al brings forward some of the fundamental issues in smartphone adoption in the society Campbell, B. A.,etal."Voting on a Smartphone: Evaluating the Usability of an Optimized Voting System for Handheld Mobile Devices."Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting 55.1 (2011): 1100-4. Print. In this journal, Campbell explores the process of voting using Smartphones. The book analyses the benefits and limitations of this method of voting while at this method of voting while suggesting the releveant adjustments that need to be done. Ching- Yi Chang et. al. “A strategic analysis of the mobile telephone industry in mainland china” journal of manufacturing technology management.20.4(2011): 23-30. Print. The journal analyzes a case study in china’s telephone industry. Since China is one of the most technological developed countries, Ching is able to explain the impact of smartphones in the economy and other sectors. The journal also analyzes the negative impacts of mobile technology both to the society and the government. MacCormick, J.S., K. Dery, and D.G. Kolb. "Engaged or Just Connected? Smartphones and Employee Engagement."Organizational Dynamics 41.3 (2012): 194-201. Print. In the journal, Kolb, Dery and McCormick explore the use of smartphones in the workplace. They analyze the various ways in which the smartphones can be of importance to both the employee and the employee. In addition, they incorporate the effects of using a smartphone both by the employee and the employer. Kondo, F. et. al. “stimulating customer response to promotions: a case study on mobile phones coupons”. Journal of targeting, measurement and analysis for marketing 16.1 (2011) 57-63. This article focuses on sales promotion using journals. It explores the effect on the market created by the use of smartphones by the consumers. In addition, Kondo explains ways in which the smartphones can be used to improve the market situation of products. Manoj, Kumar M. "Impact of the Evolution of Smart Phones in Education Technology and Its Application in Technical and Professional Studies: Indian Perspective." International Journal of Managing Information Technology 3.3 (2011): 39-49. Print. Kumar in this journal tries to relate technological advancement with education. He analyzes India’s learning population from the rich perspective and the poor perspective. Moreover, the article explores the effects of development of more sophisticated smartphones. Mosa, A.S., I.Yoo, and L. Sheets."A Systematic Review of Healthcare Applications for Smartphones."Bmc Medical Informatics and Decision Making 12 (2012). Print. In this journal, Mosa&Yoo relate the use of smartphones in improving healthcare. They explore the benefits of smartphones when compared to the traditional mobile phones. Also, the article reveals on more important smartphone software that would be of importance when providing health care. Mukerji, Maitrayee. “ICTs and Development”.Journal of business & management collection 2013.6.4(2013). The journal focuses on the development of information technology in relation to the business world. It analyzes the important ways in which the Smartphone can help in the managerial duties and in business development. Mukerji also tries to compare firms that employees use smartphones and those that employees do not use. Polichar, Valerie E., and Louise Barkhuus. "Empowerment ThroughSeamfulness: Smart Phones in Everyday Life." Personal and Ubiquitous Computing 15.6 (2011): 629-39. Print. In this article, Valerie & Louise explain how smartphone have become part of our daily lives. They present a critical review of the past, present and the expected future on the use of smartphones in the society. Though their analyses is subject to criticism; they present a solid background and study in the future prospects of the use of smartphones. Smith, Aaron. " Smartphone Adoption and Usage ." Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project.N.p., n.d. Web. 14 June 2013. Smith in his research presents the data analysis of how smartphones are used and adopted in the society. In his approach, he groups different users of smartphones according to their ages hence makes a critical analyses on their usage at different age groups. In addition, he comes up with the benefits and the limitations of using smartphones in the society. APPENDICES A. Glossary i) Android- a software application that is used in Smartphones Retrieved from www.techterms.com/definition/android. Tech terms on 29th June 2013 ii) Applications-Is a set of instructions and commands that can be executed by a computer system. Retrieved from www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/application. online dictionary on 29th June 2013 iii) Browse- looking for or searching something Retrieved from www.thefreedictionary.com/browse. the free dictionary on 29th June 2013 iv) GPRS- General Packet radio service: Is a technology for transmission of small data packets between two mobile phones Retrieved from www.webopedia.com/TERM/G/GPRS.html. webopedia on 29th June 2013 v) GPS- Global positioning system: Worldwide navigational and surveying system that is based on reception of signal via satellite. Retrieved from www.webopedia.com/TERM/G/GPS.html online webopedia on 29th June 2013? vi) iPhone- is a type of Smartphone owned and marketed by Apple Inc. Retrieved from www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=iphone. The urban dictionary on 29th June 2013 vii) Smartphone- is a mobile phone which offers advanced features in terms of processing and features. Retrieved from www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/51537/smartphone online PC magazine on 29th June 2013 viii) Online gaming- computer games played with internet access Retrieved from www.thefreedictionary.com/gaming. the free dictionary on 29th June 2013 ix) Online route tracking- using of GPS to track something with a computer or Smartphone Retrieved from www.thefreedictionary.com/route. the free dictionary on 29th June 2013 x) Operating system- software that supports a computer’s basic functions for example executing certain commands Retrieved from www.techterms.com/definition/operating_system. tech terms on 29th June 2013 xi) WI-Fi- a set of wireless connectivity that allows reception of data from the internet. Retrieved from www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/Wi_Fi.html. online webopedia on 29th June 2013? xii) World Wide Web- is an information system that provides access to documents in the internet. Retrieved from www.thefreedictionary.com/World+Wide+Web. The free dictionary on 29th June 2013 B. Research methods The research was done using various methods such as the use of questionnaires, interviews and reviewing past information from journals and the internet. Questionnaires The questionnaires were distributed among class mates, friends and volunteers; and involved finding all the details about smartphones. The individuals filling in the questionnaire were required to give clear and credible responses. Interviews During the research, interviews were carried out to establish the impact of Smart Phones in the society. The interview involved face to face interviews, random phone interviews and also internet interviews. Journals and online information Technological journals played a key role in revealing important information about Smartphones. These journals could be accessed from the internet. C. self selected items What is the difference between a smartphone and a mobile phone? A Smartphone has features which are more advanced and can support many applications as opposed to a mobile phone. What is the difference between GPS and GPRS? GPS is a worldwide navigational tool while GPRS is an application used to send small packet data between mobile phones. Oral presentation outline 1. Introduction of the topic 2. Sources of data (Interviews, questionnaires, online journals; also include challenges experienced when collecting data) 3. Advantages (explain the advantages stated above) 4. Disadvantages (explain the disadvantages as stated above) 6. Conclusion Read More