Do you still remember the days of our parents’ generation when they used mobile phones the size of our water bottles? ( Big enough to knock the daylights out of anyone) When companies like Ericsson and Motorola introduced this technology in the 80’s this began to vastly shape our social landscape and how we communicated and operated as a society. With the punch of a button, we are now able to communicate directly with the other party facilitating interactive communication.
In the 2 decades since then, we have slowly but surely seen the evolution of mobile communication in Singapore as more options become available to us and affecting our consumer choices. Power houses like Nokia and Sony Ericsson bombard us with a myriad of handphone models to choose from, and we as consumers are spoilt for choice. Our choice of phone also seemingly defines our character and it is like a virtual extension of ourselves.
Speaking as a member of “Generation Y” and a hopeless tech junkie, I constantly dog the news for latest developments on mobile phone technology or if companies are taking a refreshing approach to integrating features onto handsets. Since the mobile phone’s initial entrance into the market, smart messaging, gprs,wifi, integrated cameras and video telephony are but to name a few of the features that are found in the fray of phones.
In Japan, the statistics show that almost every schooling child has access to a mobile phone and amongst them many begin owning such a device at the tender age of 5. This shows a vast change in landscape and to put in perspective, a social necessity. What’s more, we already hear that they are leading in the innovation arena where things like free to air tv and even phone transactions is nothing foreign in their niche industry.
Our new generation craves for many elements in their ideal phones-style, portability, applications or just the x-factor. Recently the industry’s newest player Apple’s iphone has generated much discussion on how it will bring abt the next revolution in phone usage, and more will be revealed at the developer conference on June 9.Whatever it is, we can see that the next few months will be exciting as we see snazzy designs that cater to our personal preferences.
I feel that the “craze “ is not limited to the youngsters also. Recently I did a stint at a telecommunications company and I was intrigued to see how many retirees or non-tech savvy people snatch up new high end models (even though they dunno how to use them) because innately I think it makes them feel they are flowing with the times and not socially backward. I understand their need to feel inclusive but sometimes u can't help thinking "Dunno how to use n95 8GB then buy for wad? " or "Auntie... you can't delete your bluetooth!"
Having said this, there is also a minority that feel that having a mobile phone is an intrusion into their personal space and even though they have the knowledge to utilize a phone they make a social choice not to. Questions like "Do i want to be contacted?" surface out and it leaves us wondering about the backlashes of technology in this busy age.
I feel that with more consumer options available, phones will continue to integrate themselves deeper into society and my personal choice of phone must be one that can have a good mix of portability and functionality before i make my $ count.
Until the next entry, this is Mr potato signing off! Come comment!
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna/cgi-bin/search/search_7days.pl?status=&search=iphone&id=347363
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11 comments:
I find that these days, too mch teach can really be a real burden. Somedays, you really hope to be able to find your private space away from everyone and everybody and i think this space is gradually being invaded by tech and all it's machinations.Maybe, there should simply be a mutual respect for people who want to remain uncontactable and untraceable.It really isn't a capital sin, techies. Play nice.
what are your thoughts on "turn it off" day? are people are too connected to their toys nowadays?
I agree that these days, all of us are tied to our mobiles whether we like it or not. Even when you're on time off, all you wanna do is chill. Then, your phone rings and crapz, you have to think of work again or worse, you have to go back to the rat-race once more. Which totally defeats the purpose of having your time off. Yet on the other hand, having a mobile phone is indeed handy. For the very least, you're very much easier to contact now. HAHA. Whether you like it or not, you're just a number away.
Another point I would like to add is the ironic fact thst even though mobile phones are said to make the world a smaller palce and all, by connecting us with all our friends and family. It seems to be doing just the oopposite as well. We're more glued to the phone than ever before. So is this how the phone is supposed to make the world a smaller place???
I don't know, maybe you all might wanna think about it...
Uncle Ken, refer to Xw for a living example of a person who cant survive without a mobile.
Anyway, I do agree with you that our lives have really been shaped by technology, especially in the handphone industry. But the element of convinience that the mobile phone provides is definitely undeniable. It's as empowering as the Internet, and its a tool to be used on the move.
But its true that many of us have become dependant on it to lead our lives, like how I personally check my phone the moment I wake up. If you measure the pros and the cons, I'd still think that the handphone is the most powerful 'mobile' tool we have.
David
ok. this is my harsh mode.
in terms of technique/delivery
your essay/blog post is not convincing. the first paragraph is redundant. if you want to reminisce about the past, do it in the context of your opinions and thoughts. basically, dun give info most people would know. everyone knows that "With the punch of a button, we are now able to communicate directly with the other party facilitating interactive communication" through our phones. there are redundant words that, when removed, add more conviction and depth to your post (in order to present your point better and more forcefully, you are a comms student after all, a student of persuasion)
if you want to incite statistics, its better to put in figures because the idea of citing stats is to lend credibility to your argument. but because you dun put figures, it doesn't... lend anything. so instead of in japan, statistics show (either add a figure or drop the phrase statistics show)
try to insert a argument every paragraph or a continuation of an argument, not leave it hanging there as info that doesn't contribute much. your japan parag is one such example of useless info.(either combine it with the next or drop it)
in terms of content,
i agree with you on how quickly technology has converged. this technological convergence has created a phenomenon of nostalgia for the 'greener' days of the past, as you have so amply demonstrated in your post. but perhaps, the real question, are the days of the past really that much greener or is it just reluctance to embrace a brighter future or such a huge pace of change or something else.
In my opinion, kids these days are just pampered to the extreme by parents. Parents give excuses such as they need to monitor their kids therefore providing them with handphones is one of the means. I mean, if you really wanted to monitor your kids you could do it any other ways. Back then, parents need not resort to buying handphones or even pagers to track us down. So why, now, the need for high-tech gadgets??
Nowadays, i think we have become very reliant on technology and the handphone, that at times when we forget to bring our hand phone out, we feel awkward or 'naked' in a sense. It has become just so convenient to use the hand phone to talk to some one from almost any place. I still remember the times before the age of hand phones where we would carry 10 cent coins and phonecards, and remember where the nearest pay-phones are.
However, do we want to be contacted at times like what you wrote? i remember the times during national service where i get calls from my camp during my days off or when I am on leave. I always dreaded them and always prayed that I would not get disturbed on my days of rest.
I am guilty as charged for I am indeed one of those who buys a high end mobile & do not even have the slightest idea of fuly utilising it. I am a person who choose fashion over function.
& true, technology does encroach on our personal lives. Perhaps we should try leaving our mobile phones at home sometimes.
i guess these days having technology-be it in the form of an ipod/handphone/whatever latest gadgets helps us be in the "cool" crowd. we choose to be a part of it but if we defy it,who knows what awaits us over at the other side
Hi Uncle Ken! Well, it's a great entry but far too long. I think you could have told us more about your amusing experiences with using technologies. And bring in the humor Uncle Ken! =)
Anyway, I love technology but I also hate to admit that we are increasingly dependent on it. I fear to see the day when we all run out of eletricity (a la War of the Worlds scenario) and people start getting frantic and stuff. Hence, it is crucial we maintain the progressivity of technology to bring us to greater heights. I am pro-tech but I also respect the wishes of people who simply refuse to adopt technology. People are afterall, not the same.
wow sj sure is the expert on this one... i shall take your points into consideration haha.
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