3. Maps and Navigation
The graph display on the right shows the results of a 2010 survey conducted by The Nielsen Company on what kinds of apps people use most frequently. The results show Games apps are the most popular - 61% of smartphone users said they downloaded a game app recently.¹ Weather apps came in second at 55%, followed by Maps/Navigation/Search apps at 50%.¹
So what do these numbers mean?? According to The Nielsen Company's survey, it seems the majority of smartphone owners desire entertainment and quick information from their devices. Entertainment is usually in the form of game apps and information is regarding weather or navigation.
Concluding Thoughts
Smartphones are clearly impacting society and say a great deal about what we - the consumers - want from our technology. But to categorize the smartphone's effects into positives and negatives, benefits and consequences, is not the correct way to approach looking at this cultural phenomenon. The smartphone perception varies, and therefore this relatively new technology is received and interpreted in many different ways, by many different people. For instance, someone who is not easily distracted may not mind having a smartphone and using it only when they need to. Meanwhile, a person who is easily distracted may find the smartphone is interrupting their work time, their study time, and even time spent in personal relationships. It all depends on what kind of person you are, and what technology you are capable of handling.
Let's review the major impacts smartphones have had on society in the past two years. It's ultimately up to you to decide which ones are worth worrying over.
Smartphones are paving the way for a future generation that demands instant gratification and versatility from mobile devices.
We are becoming "all-knowing, always-connected beings"² that want information - fast.
Single-function gadgets, especially those lacking an Internet connection, will become obsolete.²
Many companies and industries will be forced to shut down because an app can easily replace their single-use products.²
"The more people immerse their personal lives into digital media, the more privacy we give up."²
The Apple company's success has also led to their single point of control over the digital world. This threatens creative freedom and fosters conformity.²
Future technologies will become defined by apps, "all with the common goal of trapping consumers inside their product lines."² In other words, there will be more conformity and less choice involved in purchasing new technologies.
The assumption will be that we are always reachable by a quick email, text, or call. Therefore, people are expected to respond promptly to emails. If not, the person can assume you do not really care about them.³
The growing number of smartphone users will change social norms, regardless of the user's age. People will become more tolerant of disrespectful behavior, such as openly using phones in the movies, restaurants, school, and work places.⁴
People will be inclined to answer work-related calls on holiday because smartphones keep them so connected. This redefines leisure time, and perhaps indicates a future where there is no true "time-off."⁴
Smartphones provide a wealth of entertainment. People, especially younger generations, will watch less TV but also read fewer books.⁴
Smartphone overuse by both genders is overtaking the "quality time" people should be spending together. To fight the smartphone urge, couples are now designating "technology-free" times just so they can make time for face-to-face conversation.⁵
Cable services will loose money to people who can watch shows and movies on their smartphone for much less, via apps like Netflix and Hulu.⁶
App-entertainment systems in cars, triggered by the smartphone's success, are another distraction for drivers, even if these systems are hands-free.⁷
The decline of the newspaper printing press will be speeded up by the increasing smartphone popularity. More people will have access to mobile news apps.
Smartphones are a great learning tool for college students - but only when used appropriately. Having the Internet always on-hand provides a temptation to cheat on tests. Therefore, students will have to learn to practice ethics and set boundaries for themselves, in order to handle these types of situations.
Footnotes
¹ http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/NielsenMobileAppsWhitepaper.pdf
² "What It Means To Be 'Always On' A Smartphone" http://www.npr.org/2011/07/14/137472487/what-it-means-to-be-always-on-a-smartphone
³ "Smartphone's Rapid Rise From Gadget To Tool To Necessity" http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/technology/10phone.html?scp=1&sq=smartphone%20society&st=cse
⁴ "Curse of the smartphone...and adults are as guilty as children" http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-phones/8680613/Smartphone-addiction-adults-are-as-guilty-as-children.html
⁵ "And iPhone Makes Three: Marriage In The Digital Age" http://www.npr.org/2010/11/02/130698574/and-iphone-makes-three-marriage-in-the-digital-age
⁶ "Users ditch computers, TV for smartphones" http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/10/21/smartphones.as.computers/index.html
⁷ "Will your next car be a smartphone?" http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/10/19/smartphone.cars/index.html
Images
Nielsen Company Graph Image Source: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/report-looks-at-trends-with-mobile-apps/?scp=9&sq=smartphone%20society&st=cse
"2 Smartphones on Table" Image Source: http://www.npr.org/2011/07/04/137549800/smartphones-making-it-harder-to-call-it-quits