Advantages and Disadvantages of Mobile Technology - Essay Example

Mobile technology Name Subject Professor Date Mobile technology, particularly the smart phone, allows amateur users to both produce and consume media content largely without concern for geographical location. With reference to published scholarly theory, discuss at least three implications of this change. Consider both the positive and negatives of this, as well as how this connects to ideas of accessibility and the digital divide. Introduction Mobile technology can be said to be the technology that is utilized for cellular communication in different mobile devices. As the name depicts, it is portable technology. This could include devices that one may carry to undertake various tasks including communication. Some of the gadgets involved when it comes to mobile technology include laptops, tablets, personal digital assistants, wireless credit or debit card payment terminals, vehicles, global positioning system devices and cellular phones among others. With the advancement of technology and innovations in this field, mobile technology has largely been enhanced. A normal mobile gadget is no longer just a simple two-way pager but instead, it is a cellular phone, an instant messenger, a video game system, a web browser, and a GPS navigation system among other better things. Some of the aspects that have in one way or the other enhanced mobile phones and mobile technology in general include the utilization of different transmission media and communication technologies such as Bluetooth, virtual private networks, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), radio wave, dial-up services and infra-red among others. This makes it possible to transfer data via text, voice, barcodes and videos and other means (Goggin, 2012, p.112). Networking is also made easier through these technologies. This piece of work will give an in depth discussion of the concept of mobile technology and different aspects associated with it. Much emphasis will however be placed on Smartphones and their impact on the society. Some of the areas that will be highlighted in the paper include the background information that surrounds mobile technology, the implications of mobile technology, the benefits and drawbacks of mobile technology as well as the effect of mobile technology on accessibility and the digital divide. Background information Mobile technology has evolved over the years as new ideas and concepts are developed. It is apparent that mobiles and Smartphones in particular are now inseparable companions to most people to an extent that they think they could not live without them. Nonetheless, they have not been in existence for a long time especially in their current state and capabilities. Despite the fact that the idea of mobile phone can be traced in the early 20th century, the early versions were not really mobile or portable. The history of mobile phones that were handheld can be traced back in 1973, produced by Motorola Company. Mobile phones have since moved from relying on zero generation or 0G to 1G, 2G and now 3G and 4G mobile technology (uSwitch, 2016). According to Strategic Growth Concepts (2017), consumers use their mobile phones and other mobile devices for many uses. Some of them include making calls, sending text messages, apps, social networking mobile web, games and music among others. A considerable number of shoppers also make use of their mobile devices in making in-store purchase decisions, an aspect that is quite crucial. Mobile payment systems are also a mobile technology brought forth to ease the payment process. In addition to the use of mobile devices in marketing, they are also used in inventory management, customer service, travel directions, fund raising, employee dispatching and emergency notification system among others. Individuals also use mobile phones in managing their social media accounts such as Facebook. As a result of the many uses associated with mobile phones especially the Smartphones, most individuals have become addicted to the devices and are always using them. It is worth noting that the technology that compels various mobile devices has been greatly enhanced over the years, particularly in the last decade. For instance, mobile appliances have become more powerful, smaller in size and quite useful. They are now widely available and they play considerably greater roles in individuals’ lives. Implications of Mobile technology Mobile technology and Smartphones in particular is not without some implications on individuals and the society at large. The most outright implication is that Smartphones make it possible for users to both produce and consume media content largely without concern for geographical location. Only connectivity and a mobile device are needed for people to access various services by just a click of a button. The mobile gadget or phone does not necessarily have to be expensive. Some of the common implications of mobile technology include enhanced communication, making life easier and improving business processes. Mobile technology has considerably improved communication among people irrespective of the geographical distance between them. With mobile phones especially Smartphones, communication has become so easy. Social media has made it possible for people to be always connected with family, friends as well as the wider society. At a relatively low cost, it is possible for individuals who have a Smartphone and internet connectivity to receive all sorts of notifications, exchange messages and share various formats of information. Mobile technology also makes life easier. This is made possible through the availability of a wide range of applications that allow for easy access of services. Mobile devices make it possible for people to read articles and books, take photos, listen to music, play games, store data, watch videos, create and disseminate documents, and play games among other activities that are either for entertainment or productivity purposes (Brown and Green, 2012, p. 56). People can also get weather information and maps online. Mobile technology has also played a crucial role in improving business processes. Through mobile phones, people are in a position to know the services and products available for sale in the market. They can also make orders online and also settle payments without having to physically walk to the business premises thus saving on time and costs. Marketing and customer service is also made easy through mobile technology (Martin and Ertzberger, 2013, p.81). Online research on different business aspect allows making of informed decisions and eventual customer satisfaction. Other implications of mobile technology can be understood by looking at the below section of the paper on the positive and negative aspects associated with mobile technology. Positive and negative aspects of Mobile technology The effects of mobile technology could be understood by examining the positive and negative attributes of the same. On the positive side, mobile technology enhances business. This is more so when it comes to improving the services offered to customers. For instance, in the event that one is meeting with customers, they could use the internet to access their customer relationship management system thus making it possible to update customer details even when away from the office. There is also the aspect of customers paying for products and services without necessarily going to the till or physical premise for instance through the use of wireless payment terminal or credit cards. Another positive aspect attributed to mobile technology is the fact that the powerful solutions involved are capable of linking one directly into the office network while working offline. Some of procedures that could be carried out include placing an order online, setting up a new customer’s account, and checking availability and prices among others. All these help in making work easy and saving on time and cost. Cloud computing is also a plus on mobile technology (Sheng, Siau and Nah, 2010, p.32). It has positive impacts on the use of mobile gadget as it allows for more flexible working practices by offering services through the internet. On the negative side, mobile technology has some cost implications. Cost is involved in purchasing or setting up the equipment. Data services can as well be expensive. There could also be some training needed for individuals to use the mobile devices. Mobile devices could also pose a threat on the data and information involved. If appropriate precautions are not taken with regard to ensuring that the devices and data contained therein are safe, there are high chances of the mobile devices exposing valuable information and data to unauthorized individuals. In turn, this could lead to interference or even loss of essential information. Interception of data through mobile technologies such as infrared and Bluetooth is also a challenge when it comes to the use of mobile technology for example Smartphones (Goggin, 2012, p.42) With Smartphones, the keyboard is smaller compared to a standard computer and this may make it difficult to use especially when the piece of information to be input is large. The fact that the devices are small in size makes it easy to damage or lose them as they are easy to steal. This is an aspect that can be costly to the owners or organizations. Some technologies associated with mobile networking are also associated with some limitations. For instance, Bluetooth and infrared face some connectivity limitations that make the mobile devices lack the abilities to perform better. While infrared necessitates line of sight that does not pass obstacles such as walls, Bluetooth passes through walls but only to a functional range of about ten metres (Brown and Green, 2012, p.96). Mobile technology and the ideas of accessibility and the digital divide Accessibility and the digital divide are essential concepts when it comes to the discussion of mobile technology. Generally, many underprivileged individuals especially in the developing world who are in one way or the other handicapped for instance by economic constraints suffer from insufficient access to communication technology. This is an aspect that has resulted in a division of information haves and haves-not that works towards widening the knowledge gap and digital divide in the contemporary technology-centred world. It is nonetheless worth noting that mobile technology has played a major role when it comes to enhancing accessibility and bridging the digital divide among the haves and have-nots. This is more so since almost every individual is in a position to access and own a mobile phone. As opposed to the situation that existed before the advent of mobile technology, people are now connected without much discrimination. Even the poor or marginally isolated can now afford to have a mobile phone even if it is not a Smartphone and be in a position to connect with friends and family as well as carry out various mobile applications and hence not feel left out when it comes to technology. Different platforms or devices are utilized to get news and access information on various life aspects for instance tablets, televisions, computers, radio and print media. Mobile technology has helped in bridging the digital divide considerably. In America for example, mobile device ownership among the population is quite similar for the different ethnic groups including the Hispanics, non-Hispanic and the African Americans. The capability of mobile technology to offer all millennial users and other populations more control over the sources they utilize as well as the information they consume is essential in closing the digital divide especially through news consumption (Srinuan, Srinuan and Bohlin, 2012, p.256). According to Brown, Campbell and Ling (2011, p. 146), mobile technology is playing a crucial role in bridging the digital divide and easing access to communications and the internet in the developing world. In a great way, this empowers the citizens with information just by a click of a button irrespective of the geographical location. There have been various programmes that are aimed at raising awareness on the potential and usefulness of information communication technologies and the internet as a way of closing the digital divide. In as much as there still exists a gap between the developing and developed world with respect mobile penetration and to access to digital innovations, there is hope that the situation will be better with time. Knowledge gap results from unequal access to information alongside uneven distribution of income, thus making knowledge a limited resource for people who can afford it. Some of the strategies and measures that have been implemented as a way of bridging knowledge and digital gaps especially in the developing world include coming up with cheap tablets and laptops that are provided for school going children in different parts of the world such as the Middle East and Africa region. Mobile technologies and applications offer unlimited opportunities for the developing world while at the same time overcoming cost barriers. Access to information is essential for survival for every individual in both developing and developed worlds. For example, in the event of crisis such as outbreaks of diseases, citizens in the developing world use their mobiles to send short messages alerts regarding tips on vaccinations and prevention measures (Sheng, Siau and Nah, 2010, p.28). With Smartphones, the situation is even better since people could spread essential information on different social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook. In the contemporary fast-paced world, information is no longer considered a luxury but rather an essential commodity. Lack of information and its access make the underprivileged individuals more vulnerable to illnesses as well as other life-threatening problems. The use of mobile technology and mobile phones in particular in supporting education and enlightening the society on different life issues is also a positive step towards closing knowledge and digital gap (Jeng, Wu, Huang, Tan, and Yang, 2010, p.6). The future of mobile technology and Smartphones in particular is quite bright. This is more so with regard to enhancement of its capabilities as technology and innovations advance day by day. The next generation of Smartphones are likely to be context-aware as a result of data exchange capabilities as well as the growing availability of entrenched physical sensors. Phones will be in a position to track an individual’s personal data as well as predict the information that one may need base on their intentions. New applications are likely to come up as Smartphones evolve. One of them is and X-Ray gadget which will be in charge of revealing information regarding the location at which a phone is pointed. Software that makes use of more precise location-sensing data will also be in place (Shankar, Venkatesh, Hofacker and Naik, 2010, p.114). All these are intended to reinforce the capabilities of Smartphones and make them even better. Conclusion From the above discussion, it is apparent that mobile technology is an aspect that is essential with regard to its impact to individuals and the society at large. It is a concept that has been widely embraced across people of different age, gender, cultural, social and economic status. Mobile technology is not without some implications on the community. Some of the implications associated with mobile technology include enhanced communication, making life easier and improving business processes. As it is the case with other concepts, mobile technology is linked with both benefits as well as drawbacks across populations. For instance, it makes communication and business processes easy. It also avoids the need to cross boundaries or travel long distances since one could get some services just by the click of a button. On the other hand, mobile technology can be costly in terms of purchase and set up. There is also the danger of data and information security due to aspects such as hacking, theft and viruses. To a large extent, mobile technology has enhanced accessibility and bridged the gap associated with digital divide. This has been made possible by reaching all populations irrespective of their geographical locations and economic constraints. Further research ought to be undertaken on the issue of mobile technology particularly on upcoming innovations in the field and the effects they may have on the industry. References Brown, B. and Green, N. eds., 2012. Wireless world: Social and interactional aspects of the mobile age. Berlin: Springer Science & Business Media. Brown, K., Campbell, S.W. and Ling, R., 2011. Mobile phones bridging the digital divide for teens in the US?. Future Internet, 3(2), pp.144-158. Goggin, G., 2012. Cell phone culture: Mobile technology in everyday life. new York: Routledge. Jeng, Y.L., Wu, T.T., Huang, Y.M., Tan, Q. and Yang, S.J., 2010. The add-on impact of mobile applications in learning strategies: A review study. Educational Technology & Society, 13(3), pp.3-11. Martin, F. and Ertzberger, J., 2013. Here and now mobile learning: An experimental study on the use of mobile technology. Computers & Education, 68, pp.76-85. Sheng, H., Siau, K. and Nah, F.F.H., 2010. 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