Advantages, Disadvantages of Smartphone in Future

Smartphones

Smartphones being one of the most important inventions of technology, are getting more interesting and attractive day by day. Communicating over any corner of the planet, entertaining in numerous ways, gaining knowledge about anything is just finger tips away. There are some serious cons as well, but their pros make them irresistible. More than 80% of world’s population owns mobile phone today.

Introduction

Fig. 1: Smartphones

A smartphone is a portable electronic device that performs high technology functions. It functions similar to a mini-computer and it is as compact as fitting in users’ hand. Smartphones have higher multitasking ability, high data storage capability and advanced high-speed internet applications as compared to feature phones[1]. The best manufacturers of smartphones are Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Sony, Oppo, Vivo, One Plus, Lenovo, LG, Moto, etc. The operating systems on which smartphones operate are iOS, Windows, Android, Blackberry, Symbian, Open Web OS, Ubuntu Touch, Palm OS, Bada, etc.  

In 1992, IBM developed a mobile phone that had PDA[2](Personal Digital Assistant) features.  In 1994, BellSouth developed a refined version of the phone and called it as Simon Personal Communicator. This was the first device that could be referred to a smartphone.

Major advantages and disadvantages of smartphones are as below:

Fig. 2: Advantages of Smartphones

Advantages

1. One can make audio as well as video calls globally.
2.  With Internet, advanced entertainment is possible like reading news and e-books, watching online videos, movies, listening audio books, playing online games etc.
3. Other official work like email communication, webinars, conference calls are possible with ease.
4. For safety purposes especially for women, smartphones can be used to track location, using GPS. There are few applications like My Safetypin, Secure Girls etc. With maps and navigation, there are lesser chances of getting lost at unknown places. 
5. Variety of applications for Utilities, Entertainment, Gaming, News, Social networking can be installed in smartphones. Any company can build their own application and connect to customers. There are examples where with a single application, people have become millionaires. Eg. Vijay Shekhar Sharma- CEO of Paytm Application.
6. Marketing can be done through a smartphone. SMS marketing, digital marketing are in boom today.
7. Online banking, online bill payments are possible sitting at home. Online shopping is possible on one touch of the phones.

Disadvantages

Fig. 3: Electromagnetic radiations from digital devices

1. Electromagnetic radiations from smartphones and towers cause serious health issues. These can lead to anxiety, depression and stress. Research says these can also lead to cancer in the long run. Nerve damage, disrupted sleep, irritation in eyes, hearing problems, back ache, concentration issues, loneliness, temporary cramps in fingers, wrist etc. are other health problems related to addiction of smartphones. Small brownish white sparrows that were called common sparrows are becoming extinct as they cannot bear the radiation from towers. The highest and lowest radiations of few phones are as in Fig. 4.

   

   Fig. 4: Radiation chart of smartphones

2. Most people get seriously addicted to smartphones and end up wasting a lot of time. This affects students badly and also diverts professionals from work in offices. Average time spent on phones is shown in Fig. 5.



Fig. 5: Average time spent on phones

3. Smartphones are mostly fragile. They need to be handled with care. Feature phones are comparatively stronger.
4. Smartphones can be useless if the battery is dead or if there is range problem.

Future Expectations

With the finest phones available, there are still expectations to have richer features in future. Higher Internet speed, higher battery backup, higher memory storage, better camera clarity, finer sound and video clarity are general expectations. There is also a necessity to take measures to reduce radiation as this is adding to severe lifestyle diseases.

There are few advanced features that may be added in future in smartphones, as below:

Fig. 6: Transparent Screen

1. Transparent phones: These phones use switchable glass technology[3] and look beautiful. Sony Xperia Pureness, Lenovo S800 were released in 2010 and 2011 respectively, that had a transparent display. These phones had drawbacks like less brightness of screen. These phones are under research.

1. 3D screens: Mobile companies are experimenting to move from 2D to 3D technology.
2. Inbuilt projector: Samsung Galaxy Beam was released in 2010 that had built-in DLP (Digital light protection) Projector. Research is being done to make this feature a part of new smartphones.
3. Flexible screens: The screens that can be folded or the phones that have screens on both sides are under research.



Fig. 7: Augmented Reality

4. Augmented Reality (AR): This is a feature where using the camera on your phone, you can point it somewhere live to get particular information. Ex. Nearest cafe, a gym, a restaurant.

Ultimately, it all depends on us, how we use them. Smartphones have transformed our lives drastically. Use of Internet at hands has created a new world for us. So today's youngsters say they have four basic needs- food, clothing, shelter and Internet J. 
Jokes apart, hope this post was useful. Kindly share your views in the comment section below. Thank you for reading. J 

---

[1] Feature phone: a standard phone that has limited functionality as compared to modern phones.

[2] PDA- personal digital assistant: a hand-held device that had computing, telephone, fax, Internet and networking features. They are also called as palmtop, hand-held computer, pocket computer toady.

[3] Switchable glass technology: this is a technology that uses liquid crystal molecules to display images and text.