The year 1980 marks the release of the mobile phone to the public. It is important to note, however, it would be a mistake to remember it as anything less than the beginning of a grand shift in both society and in the technology itself. This paper will track the progress of the mobile phone since its release, outlining how society’s preference of the text message over the voice call shaped the technology’s functions by changing its offered services, physical design, and targeted audience, in order to place a greater focus on the text message, while also taking in account the limits that an unprepared society imposed on the phone’s early development by analysing both social and economic factors. Then this paper will evaluate the impact of the
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The cell phone had, for other intentions, the feature of text messaging, although, at the time, it was neither an advertised feature nor one that designers considered especially attractive. It simply allowed the service provider to contact the phone owner to provide information (Flew and Smith, 2014). Despite its designated use, phone owners began using the text messaging service to send messages to their contacts. Texts were considered to be beneficial over voice calls for numerous reasons such as a cheaper price (Flew and Smith, 2014) and because they allow users to contact friends whenever they want, especially in situations where voice calling would not seem appropriate such as social gatherings, work or classes (Blaire and Fletcher, 2011). Due to the text message’s popularity, the mobile phone garnered fame amongst people of all ages thus deterring the path and intentions the designers had for the phone in the beginning (Flew and Smith, 2014). Designers began putting a higher emphasis on messaging, bringing in more features such as emoticons and the ability for the sender to upload and forward a variety of multimedia to the receiver. In fact, the text message rose so high in popularity that many emerging …show more content…
Controversy has arisen, however, amongst scholars in deciding whether this change in communication has been positive or detrimental. In spite of the evidence and arguments for this point, the mobile phone has been generally beneficial for teens as it permits them to surpass the limits of time and space in order to create and maintain more meaningful friendships
In agreement with the negative view of change, Palackal, in his article, brings forth the argument concerning the shift in youth’s formation of friendships. He says that the mobile phone destroys individuals’ “weaker relationships” as teens tend to spend their time texting their closest friends and family, and therefore neglecting premature, budding relationships (2011). By contrast, Thompson and Cupples argue in their article that mobile phones permit teens to mature and solidify friendships faster by giving them the possibility to converse with newly-made acquaintances even when they are not in the same place. Without mobile phones, teens would have to wait until they meet their acquaintances again, which could potentially be in a long time. With the device, they can become close to their friends without having to physically see them often, thus aiding
The cell phone had, for other intentions, the feature of text messaging, although, at the time, it was neither an advertised feature nor one that designers considered especially attractive. It simply allowed the service provider to contact the phone owner to provide information (Flew and Smith, 2014). Despite its designated use, phone owners began using the text messaging service to send messages to their contacts. Texts were considered to be beneficial over voice calls for numerous reasons such as a cheaper price (Flew and Smith, 2014) and because they allow users to contact friends whenever they want, especially in situations where voice calling would not seem appropriate such as social gatherings, work or classes (Blaire and Fletcher, 2011). Due to the text message’s popularity, the mobile phone garnered fame amongst people of all ages thus deterring the path and intentions the designers had for the phone in the beginning (Flew and Smith, 2014). Designers began putting a higher emphasis on messaging, bringing in more features such as emoticons and the ability for the sender to upload and forward a variety of multimedia to the receiver. In fact, the text message rose so high in popularity that many emerging …show more content…
Controversy has arisen, however, amongst scholars in deciding whether this change in communication has been positive or detrimental. In spite of the evidence and arguments for this point, the mobile phone has been generally beneficial for teens as it permits them to surpass the limits of time and space in order to create and maintain more meaningful friendships
In agreement with the negative view of change, Palackal, in his article, brings forth the argument concerning the shift in youth’s formation of friendships. He says that the mobile phone destroys individuals’ “weaker relationships” as teens tend to spend their time texting their closest friends and family, and therefore neglecting premature, budding relationships (2011). By contrast, Thompson and Cupples argue in their article that mobile phones permit teens to mature and solidify friendships faster by giving them the possibility to converse with newly-made acquaintances even when they are not in the same place. Without mobile phones, teens would have to wait until they meet their acquaintances again, which could potentially be in a long time. With the device, they can become close to their friends without having to physically see them often, thus aiding