In the last decade we have seen technology change and influence
our lives significantly. Notably the iPhone (smartphones) and Facebook (social
media) have had major impacts in how we carry out our everyday lives.
Some of the iPhone changes
we’ve seen have negatively impacted sales of desktops and laptops in favor of smaller
more mobile tablets and the smartphones. Some other changes are discussed in
the podcast, http://www.cnet.com/videos/how-the-iphone-android-and-facebook-changed-everything-in-cnet-uk-podcast-400/.
In this podcast, how the iPhone, Android Smartphones and the social media
network Facebook have changed or impacted our lives are discussed.
First, looking at
Smartphones, one would have to agree that these devices have significantly
changed our communication lifestyle. I’m sure you can think of many ways this
technology changed your life, whether you may consider it good or bad.
Smartphones have
been a game changer in many ways. They have changed the way we interact with
family, work and friends. We use to leave work and the desktop computer at the
office with some of us lucky enough to be supplied with a company laptop so we
could work on the way home or at home. However, with a Smartphone we don’t have
to wait to leave the office before we can access our emails or various other
productivity apps to continue working while away from the office.
The iPhone has made
texting easier and actually calling a person obsolete.
The iPhone replaces many
other devices and the need to carry them around. Bulking cameras, for example,
are no longer needed because now Smartphones have cameras built right into the
phone. No more forgetting or worrying about whether that camera is charged or
has those batteries. Suddenly everyone is now a photographer and within seconds
can record video or take snap shots of events. This ability to be a “Johnny on
the spot” picture taker has also influenced the news media by providing news
worthy pictures available to media outlets. Without this access many events
would have gone undocumented. Do I dare
mention, no paper needed because the Smartphone has changed our reading habits.
No
need for maps! I remember going to AAA to get a dozen maps and a TripTik when
traveling on vacation, no longer a need with Google maps on the Smartphone the
Smartphone can get me there and back, tell me how many miles and how long it
will take with the greatest of ease. I can also search for localized
information such as restaurants, shopping, tourist attractions, historical places
or whatever I decide. There is no interaction with a paper map and it’s
difficult to read at night. As a matter of fact they are cumbersome and
difficult to read while in the car.
Smartphones
also function as game consoles and big time music boxes. The technology has
really revolutionized the music industry. At times I wonder, if my phone is my productivity
device or my 9yr old’s gaming toy. He is constantly asking me to use my phone
to play games.
There
are several Apps being developed all the time and as a matter of fact, has
created a new consumer market and mini
economy for App developers worth about $5 billion dollars. Apps include uses for weather, health, news,
shopping, financial, Twitter, Facebook, foursquare and just about anything you
can think of, all easier to share online. Eventually, the list use be never
ending, having an App for just about anything.
The
iPhone has also increased the popularity of the touch screen. This feature has
also changed the way we use other computing devices making touch screen the
option of choice. The use of Siri voice and voice recognition technology has
also had a dramatic impact on our lives as this technology is being perfected
and used in various ways. The Smartphone also provides us with around the
clock, 24/7 internet access.
The question at this
time may be, has the Smartphone peaked?
If you combine the
features of the Smartphone with the Facebook application you have a volatile mix.
Facebook has changed
how we keep in touch with each other, how we share our lives, how we look at
content, how we look at politics, how we organize and how we do business.
Some comments were
made In the podcast, such as “Small groups are more rewarding than large groups,
with a large group of friends you can get the impression that you know people
when you really don’t. I think there is merit in this statement. What do you
think?
Also you can get
caught up into “upmanship” with fellow friends and try to get “more” friends
and have “better” pictures. Eventually, if you try to keep up with the Jones
without just being yourself you can end up driving yourself insane. One person
was quoted in the podcast as stating, “Before social media I had faith in
humanity, now it’s gone.”
Facebook has altered
our lives in many ways. With Facebook, instead of sending emails and having to
CC numerous people now you can make a few Facebook post, reaching all your
friends. Facebook has about 1.2 billion users. It allows people to connect with
other people all over the world, which have never been done before at this
magnitude.
Instead of creating
that photo album with photos that fade over time and then placing that album in
a drawer only to be brought out when grandma or other relatives visit you can
recreate that childhood on Facebook for easy access and those picture will not
fade.
You can maintain
past relationships easy and you can share events like weddings, graduations and
new additions whether kids or pets. With social media such as Facebook or
twitter within moments images can fly across the planet.
Businesses also use
Facebook as advertisements and marketing outlets for their business. Online
presence is essential for businesses in today’s digital world. In many ways this
presence is more important than the brick and mortar presence. People need to
be able to find and connect with your business online.
How has Facebook changed your lifestyle?
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