iphones and convergence

Over the years, I have been really impressed with all the Smartphone and convergence technology that is out there. It can be somewhat irritating that every two years something new and improved comes out, but nevertheless, I am impressed.

Specifically, I really like the iphone. Unlike the standard cellular phone, which when first introduced, according to the lecture on cellular technology, only offered calling technology, which is referred to as 1G.  The iphone offers almost everything you need in order to communicate.

When I first had a cell phone, in 2001, I could make phone calls and send and receive text messages (2G). I never envisioned where technology would take the standard cell phone. Smartphone technology is exactly that, smart. The iphone is about six inches vertical, by four inches across. There are four different versions of the iphone; the iphone 4 being the latest.  This version is either all black or white with a touch screen.

An iphone, as most Smartphone’s, offer all sorts of ways to communicate and entertain yourself. You can listen to your favorite music, download your favorite videos and music, store pictures, Skype, use GPS, use it as your remote control, security system, and surf the internet. Some of these features are downloadable as applications, or, apps. It acts as a camera and video camera, compass, calculator, speaker, and on and on. It almost has everything you want and need. This phone had a huge impact and effect on people. As a society, it revolutionized everything in technology. In 2007, just prior to the iphones release, there was anticipation for the device that most compared to as the “second coming, the technology savior, the Jesus phone” (Campbell, La Pastina, 2010.) Its impact is worldwide. Now, with the capability of carrying facebook wherever you go in your pocket, you can post and update things as small as what you are doing, to what has just happened (e.g. “Bin Laden Killed!”). I believe this is becoming the most popular feature and the thing that impacts us users the most: the ability to stay connected to the world and see/read what other people, our friends are doing, while having the option to call or text them in a matter of seconds using the same device. I believe people will start to see the advantages of convergence technology to a standard cell phone and they will begin to cross-over. With their sleek design, entertaining apps, and easy to use features, skeptics and cell phone loyalists will start to understand and accept the advantages that a Smartphone offers. Especially, as mentioned in the lecture, the use of the fractal antenna (a “bent” antenna inside the phone.) Which eliminates having to pull out an antenna.

Its hard to say what a Smartphone will offer in the near future. I think it will offer more apps to do more things. I think perhaps a Smartphone will have the capability to act as your car keys, your credit card, and maybe even as a cigarette lighter.( most of this is already available). But I believe that some sort of 3D type, interactive screen is on the horizon.

Campbell, H.A., & La Pastina, A.C. (2010). How the iphone became devine: new media, religion, and the intertextual circulation of meaning. New Media Society, 12, p. 1191-1204.