Deconstructing a Device: My Cell Phone - Essay Example

Deconstructing a Device: my cell phone It is relatively difficult to establish the advent of the modern communication technology as used today. However, for the users of the mobile communications technology, the inventions of wireless communication began in 1908 (Klemens 9). However, it is not until the World War I that we see first mobile communication technology in use. Although at this period there was no sophisticated technology, the constructions of the cell phone entailed a one-way radio communication channel, controlled from a major base in a local area (Klemens 11). However, in the late 1940s the technological experts began expanding their knowledge, which saw the advent of the 0G (zero generation) mobile phones. Consequently, as technical knowledge increased and specialists in the communication field explored more option, the technology of advanced mobile communication devices also grew accordingly. This also saw the shift of the functions and uses of the mobile phones from just mere communication devices, to other extensive purposes. Similarly, the technological evolution also realized a shift of the partnering technologies and fields, to incorporate additional components facilitated by the other fields such as the software developers among others. Today, my mobile phone is not just a device that I carry around for communication purposes. Practically, the mobile is a companion to many users (Dhanendran 1). For instance, the number of people with mobile phones is enough evidence of the particulate use of the device. The mobile phones have evolved in its applications, from a simple communications device to an essential operating device that facilitates most of the daily lives of its users. In everyday life, we see people along the streets and in restaurants among other places holding their phones. What activities they engage using the phone, you may ask? Well, the phone is essentially and practically one of the most convenient devices of all time, with critical applications. Some uses include taking pictures and videos (Dhanendran 1). My phone, for instance, the HTC Android model has an inbuilt feature of sensitivity that gives it the best camera resolution, making remarkably clear images and videos (Hansen 1). Another notable application of the mobile device is the ability to send and receive text messages. Similarly, this incorporates the texting services provided by the host service provider as well as, applications that use the internet to facilitate texting. Another elemental use of the mobile phone is the ability to access the internet (Hansen 1). This allows practical applications for sending and receiving an email, downloading applications and even entertainment materials such as music and movies. Additionally, the phone is useful for education purposes, as we do use it to search for content on the internet. The banking industry is also another notable application of the mobile phone. It is useful in facilitating mobile banking, in which a user can access their bank details, send and withdraw money from the bank through the phone (Klemens 221). Lastly, the purpose of communication, through making voice calls, is the core use of the mobile communication device. Thus, a notably elemental aspect of the phone in all its applications is the mobility component. Personally, I actively engage my mobile device for all these uses. The cell phone has such extensive uses that most people prefer having their mobile phones with a computer. The entire business world and all industries from aviation to agriculture, all apply the mobile communication device in varied forms, all leading to the core function of communication. The mobile phone revolutionized the communications industry accordingly initially; people used unorthodox communication channels, such as the mere word of mouth or writing of letters and messages on physical paper and sending a messenger to take the message. However, these communication procedures proved costly, time-consuming, and relatively insecure. The construction of the mobile device began with the advent of the radio technology discovered early in the century. The discovery of the radio waves and harnessing of the same for communication purposes proved a major breakthrough for the communications processes (Klemens 19). This followed the establishment of the walkie-talkie, used in the World War I. from the 1940s, after the world war, technology began evolving accordingly which saw the establishment of the first-generation mobile phones. These phones had lower processing capacity and practically fewer uses. Mainly used for phone calls and text messaging. Then came the second-generation mobile phone technology, which incorporated applications such as the internet and other aspects including a camera for taking images (Dhanendran 1). Following this invention, in the late 1990s, the invention of the modern phone began. The technicians and developers engaged all fields to establish the ultimate mobile phones, using the android system. This saw he software developers noting the essence of technology and utilizing it accordingly. The core components of the third-generation mobile phones as developed today include the internet aspect. The mobile phone is a powerful small processor that can perform a multitude of tasks. The internet component facilitates access to applications that require the web for communication purposes. The mobile phone also has the software component, which incorporates the operating system used to establish the performance of the device. My phone uses the android operating system while there are other models that use the windows operating system. The technology continues to evolve, as the third-generation technology is slowly paving way for higher technologies such as the fourth generation, which is already in use in the UK to come (Klemens 101). The mobile phone construction also entails the hardware, which is composed of the tangible elements. The hardware of the mobile phone varies, with most using a combination of metallic elements and plastic to establish the physical component. The phone has connecting wires to the device, a motherboard consisting of diodes and transistors. The internal components include copper wires, and the other elements are of silicon and iron (Klemens 31). The outer covering can be of plastic or metallic material. The make or model of the phone varies, and its ability to establish given tasks determines the pricing and social class sophistication of the device. For instance, most highly performing mobile phones are for the higher social classes in the society. While the simple phones with small asks are for lower cost and lower social classes thereof. The mobile phone distribution includes the sales of the company manufacturing as well as retailers who deal in the telecommunication devices. These are the channels for diffusing the phone device. For example, it is probable to access a mobile phone from most electrical and electronics retailing sections. The mobile phone technology is part of the entire technological system; hence, works in collaboration with other devices to facilitate all functions. For instance, a phone from the Samsung Company can communicate with an HTC phone due to the standardization and integration of the technology system. Similarly, a mobile phone can use other devices such as earphones made by their companies or a USB cable from different model. This shows the integration of the devices within the technological system as the whole entity. The network providers are another system of technologies that work in conjunction with the mobile devices. Notably the device will not communicate without a service provider; hence, the service provider is a key technology for incorporating the mobile device in its functions (Klemens 64). The technical knowhow is an essential element for developers of the mobile phone device. Consequently, they all engage the resources in the field successfully to establish the mobile device with better functions and components for the communication processes. In conclusion, the mobile phone industry has taken major milestones since the beginning, evolving from the zero generation to the current sophistication of the fourth generation. Additionally, the functions of the phone device are extensive, making the device remarkably important to most people. The technology constituting the mobile phones is also evolving accordingly in conjunction with the entire technological system, to establish the phones that fit the functions envisioned by the users. Works cited Dhanendran, Anthony. "HTC FLYER." Computer Act!ve Aug 2011: 28. ProQuest. Web. 27 Jan. 2015 . Hansen, Kristena. "HTC Smart Phones Soar." Orlando SentinelJul 09 2010. ProQuest. Web. 27 Jan. 2015 . Klemens, Guy. The Cellphone: The History and Technology of the Gadget That Changed the World. Jefferson, N.C: McFarland, 2010. Internet resource. Read More