We live in a world where technology surrounds us everywhere, from the computers we work on, to the cell phones no one seems to be without.
I know I feel lost if I accidentally forget to pick up my phone when running out to the shop.
Our phones are becoming more and more like little computers in our pockets. The Apple iPhone is a perfect example; it’s not just a phone but also a contact book, a web browser, an access in to social networking, and a camera, to name a few of its features.
Now, these are features that have been growing in popularity on cell phones for a few years but Apple (and many other companies alongside them) have taken it even further with the applications that can be added to your memory.
My own phone contains well over 5 Gig of my favorite music. I can watch movies and television programmes on it, and I could record short films and immediately send it by IM to my friends and family.
It contains my diary; it contains whole books in case I get bored on the train, I can shop for almost anything I may need, including groceries, and get them delivered to my door.
In short, I can run most of my life from this little device that fits in my pocket.
(The above is not true – I still have a ‘brick like’ phone…but it could easily be true!).
Is technology running ahead too fast?
As is usual with a fantastic new product, Apple announced the launch of the new iPhone 4 last month with fanfares and fireworks.
Unfortunately, even the launch didn’t go without a hitch.
As Steve Jobs was attempting to demonstrate the capabilities of the new generation phone, he asked the audience if they could come off their own wifi connections so he could connect the new phone to the network.
Then, only a couple of days after its launch, customers were reporting faults with their phones.
One of the biggest complaints I have seen in the last few weeks since the launch of iPhone 4 is that you can’t use your left hand to make phone calls, as part of the antenna is in the silver band around the outside of the phone.
Placing your hand over two points on the bottom left corner of the phone can corrupt your signal.
At the time of writing this, Apple were advising people to hold their phones another way to stop this, or to buy one of their recommended covers for your new phone.
There is no denying that smart-phones make our access to technology a lot easier
Whatever your view on Apple’s new product, you have to admit they can make our lives as small business owners more simple.
You can easily sit on a train and write and post an entry on to your blog, as you rush along at high speed. There is no need to wait until you get back to your office PC or to drag around a laptop. With the invention of the notepad computer that can fit into a much smaller bag, it’s easier to make notes of ideas that come into your head at the most awkward moments.
Technology moves along at an almost supersonic speed, constantly trying to update and improve itself. Are companies trying too hard to improve on their competitors, trying to get us to buy their product without giving them time to develop properly, without ironing out all the kinks before they go on sale?
What do you think? Please share your views in the comments below. Thanks.
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Oh I don’t know if I should even confess this. Okay here goes…
I don’t own a cell phone.
I use to, but due to financial problems I had to let if go. And I realized that the cell phone was more a distraction than anything else. So I never bothered to get it back.
I’m happier this way. So communication may be moving too fast, but I plod along at my own happy and relaxed speed.
Blog Angel a.k.a. Joella recently posted..How Dofollow And Nofollow Links Impact Blog Success
I have only been without my phone for 1 week and I think I am loving it as well. But my phone will be back working tomorrow. Darn all the luck! LOL!
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I rarely use my ‘brick’ of a phone – just for clients (and the kids!).
It’s mainly for the convenience of being able to verbally communicate while on the move.
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..11 Ways To Outsmart The Average Blogger
@ Joella Don’t feel so alone. I own one, but only use it when I have to. Franky while traveling I usually Skype. I know my brother talks about being one of the last men in America to never have owned a cell phone. He is a little proud of that in a perverse way, though I think he is debating turning to the dark side
@ Andrew I am actually shocked the iphone 4 get produced with such a major design flaw. That isn’t a little oops on their part. That is something that should easily have been picked up in any competent testing phase.
Thanks,
Steve
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Steve,
Re: design fault. I agree.
These companies decide on a date to launch and go for it. I feel for the guys who do the actual work – the pressure they must be under to hit the date.
Sometimes, it would be nice if they just said, “Sorry but we are behind – it’s going to be another 3 weeks”
Could actually be a good marketing ploy – build up the hype even more!
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..11 Ways To Outsmart The Average Blogger
My granddaugter, Veronica, who knows everythinbg about everything -
at seventeen -
told me the other day.
“Do not show
your cell phone to any of my friends. I would be humiliated.”
My cell phone is eight years old. It has never had a battery change.
Yes, it is a brick.
I work at home mostly so I don’t use it much. When I go out, I put my phone on call forwarding. It works.
Since I have everything up to date at home -
Technology, at this point is working fine witb me
YOU?
Is there something wrong with me?
You’re perfect. I have an old phone that I use for talking and a new phone that I use for the web. My old phone works just fine. yes!
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Corinne
Nothing wrong with that, at all.
What’s the benefit of having the latest model?
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..11 Ways To Outsmart The Average Blogger
Yes, they are rolling out the technology fast. The thing is if I wait to work all the kinks out before I roll out my technology, then my competitor will get theirs out first.
Truthfully people like complaining and reporting bugs. They will like that my competitor came out with it first, and gave them the opportunity to buy it and complain about it.
They wouldn’t even care if I came out with a perfect one months later, because by that time, my competitor will have worked all their kinks out with the customer involved.
Gotta love the irony.
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Gerlaine
You have hit on a great point – competition.
The pressure to be first must be immense and that causes bugs and problems.
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..11 Ways To Outsmart The Average Blogger
Nobody is perfect, that is how I see the iPhone 4, but Apple should have discover the problem with the iPhone 4 for it was launch.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Agree and it must have been the pressure to release!
Andrew
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It is true technology is running too fast! The new Iphone could become our virtual life since we can do anything with a simple gadget, all is so easy with it! But i find that all this technology is a little dangerous, everyone is addict to it, not only about cellphones but also tv and computers and even some people are becoming no life by always sitting in front of their computer, but i’m out of the subject here…
Twitter: andrewrondeau
Sushie,
A lot of people are addicted – especially to the latest gadgets. The camp outside the shops days before launch. I don’t understand them!
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..Win A Book By Simply Commenting
Many people in Asia love gadgets especially the latest ones, and they really put their efforts in lining up in front of the shops even the day before it is going to be released! I myself believe that thanks to tiny cellular phones and e-mail, I have always kept in touch with my friends and family any time I want to (or anytime they want to, I suppose!). For me, the most important use of a cellphone is in case of emergency, you can contact your family or anyone who can help you immediately.
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Felicia,
I suppose we are all different.
Some love the gadgets, some not too bothered.
Myself, when it comes to cell phones…I’m not bothered. I only use mine for clients and emergencies.
Andrew
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Technology has enabled us to live a more convenient life. I would agree that these smartphones could sometimes be a distraction with students in class, people at work and people praying in church. It is also true however that it really depends on the person using it to control when and where to use it.