Mobile phones have come a long way since the 1990’s, where few technological advances have been applied to the mobile phone as we know it today. But thanks to technology in recent years, we can now expect the bridge between mobile phones and other electronics to merge- and create new types of powerhouse electronics.
First in line for discussion is the role of photography in mobile phones. Mobile phones are now commonly being used to replace full-fledged cameras with some definitions reaching as high as 7 megapixel, and the limits are only being pushed higher every day. Mobile phones with this functionality will often cost quite a pretty penny, but are great for photography lovers.
Networking and social contact among mobile phone users is becoming strong every day. With technologies such as infrared, Bluetooth, and fully functioning wireless cards, it’s now possible to share and send media in seconds flat. In years to come, battery life will continue to become less of a problem with such technologies and we could even start seeing social networking platforms emerge.
Gaming on a mobile phone is a great way to kill some time- especially at the doctor’s office or while on a road trip. Mobile phones certainly can’t compare to next generation consoles out to date, but they can indeed create vast 2D worlds, and some have even broken the 3D milestone. Some platforms such as the Nokia N-Gage have also dedicated the mobile phone to being a gaming platform- something quite unheard of previously.
Also beneficial to mobile phone users is the fact that mobile phone networks are becoming faster, more dependable, and maintain larger areas of coverage. Current trends in mobile phones are shifting towards the 3G network, which has taken advantage of high speed networks to deliver content faster and more reliably. The upcoming 4G network is also expected to make quite a stir in the mobile phone community as well.
Lastly, mobile phone companies are now starting to input innovative features such as the global positioning system as an everyday feature for consumers. Already, mobile phones are able to send emergency hotlines location data for those who are on their mobile phone at the time of the call. This functionality is being extended to the consumer range for applications such as finding a certain location, getting driving instructions, and even estimated times of arrival. There is still room for expansion, but already the GPS is proving to be a vital consumer application in mobile phones.
Final Thoughts
It’s tough to tell where the mobile industry is going, but it’s easy to say where it’s been. The mobile phone industry has made considerable progress over the years, and there is no signs in showing that this progress is slowing down any. Mobile users get the benefit of this upstart in technological advances, although it doesn’t always come cheap. It won’t be long until mobile phones become multi-use consumer electronics, but many would attest that they have already become so with their vast features and options.