Friday, December 17, 2010

Mobile Technology Paper

Mobile Technology
                Our world today has become so technologically advanced. Think back a few decades when cell phones were comparable to bricks, and the internet wasn’t very popular. Everything revolves around technology, and our phones are no exception. Phones have changed our world as we know it. Our world as we know it is now completely available in one little device that we like to call our smartphones. Due to new technology there have been many changes in society, the economy, laws and privacy. Many of these (but not all) have negatively impacted our world.
                First up, the changes cell phones have made in our society. Some changes positive and some negative.  Cell phones have become a key necessity in the lives of many. Most of us couldn’t spend a day without our phones, much less an hour. Our society is addicted to our cell phones and I predict that it will only get worse. I can guarantee almost every student in high school who owns a phone has texted in class. I admit to this, but personally I find cell phones hinder our society. Since our phones now have everything from email to Twitter and the latest sports update, what’s not to love?   We are becoming lazy and dependent; however, since we have our phones to do everything, people are relying on technology to do things for us. People aren’t communicating as well as we used to. It’s now typical to send a text message or shoot an email; the old fashion phone call is disappearing. Society is negatively impacted by cell phones. 
                The economy as well has been affected by the “smart phone era”.  I see cell phones as having a positive impact on the economy.  People constantly invest in the newest technologies in order to stay up to date. Also, the amount of money spent on research and development of new technology has increased dramatically. Advertising budgets have also increased. According to MSN Money Central “more money is spent marketing cell phones, in fact, than any other object in America”. Cell phones are designed around the type of service such as 3G and 4G. Phones are made to be multi-functional to help people work more efficiently and this is impacting the economy because it is easier for people to connect with each other. Also, the economy is becoming based upon the worker.  The economy has been influenced positively by the smart phone era.
                Many new laws that mainly deal with cell phone usage and driving have been put into effect. People of all ages are guilty of texting or looking at their phones while driving. If 47 percent of teenagers can text with their eyes closed (Reported by Marketing Charts) imagine how many of them can text without having to look at their phones while driving. Since phones have advanced, there is even a new term according to Nationwide Insurance called DWD which stands for “driving while distracted”. The scariest part is Nationwide Insurance states that “driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent.  In Minnesota, some of the laws that have been adopted include one enacted in August 2008. This law states that it is illegal in Minnesota to text message, e-mail, or access the Web on a wireless device while driving.  The penalty for violating this law can result in up to a $300 penalty. The smart phone generation has caused awareness all over.
                Finally, privacy is a hot topic when it comes to cell phones. We all think our cell phone conversations and Google searches are private. We’re WRONG! While there are laws out there that are protecting us, cell phones are not nearly as private as we’d like to believe. According to Lawyers. com  “the US Supreme Court has found that the First Amendment allows an illegally intercepted cell phone conversation to be shared with others when the conversation involves matters of significant public interest”.  The lesson to be learned is that technology is increasing the chances that we could have our cell phone conversations recorded at any time.  Be careful what you do or say on your phone as it could be traced back to you. Most phones also contain a GPS or tracking system. With the use of today’s technology it is easier than ever to track someone; it is illegal, but possible.
                We live in the smart phone generation today. Our lives are based upon rapidly increasing technology. Technology has some good aspects; however, sometimes it may hinder us in the case of our society. Overall, cell phones do affect society, the economy, laws and privacy of lives today. As we look into the future, past decades of technology are ancient history. What will we come up with in five or ten years pertaining to cell phones? It is certain we will all be affected by mobile technology in some manner.

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