Cell Phones
Introduction
Historical Context of the Cell Phones
Historically the invention and innovation of radio technology brought upon the technology of cell phones in the world. Those were the times when the foundations of cell phones were laid down by the two way communication radios used in police cars and service vehicles. The first mobile phone communication was made possible by the Swedish police in 1946. Modern technology of cell phones started from the creation of hexagonal cells by the scientist named as D.H. Ring belonging to Bell Labs in 1947. In the same years, an idea of cell phone receiver and transmitter towers was given by an engineer from the same lab (Carlo and Schram 23).
Cell phones were first marketed in the public in 1984. Cell phones have been regarded as more of a technical miracle, blessings of which define an individual reaching his pocket and making the use of a cell phone where there was no limitation to reaching the people anywhere around the world. The initial face of cell phone was that of a heavy object that was expensive and was not an easy machine to operate as compared to the kinds of phones seen in the modern days. In the past days, cell phone used to be in the wish list of people who did not have enough money and in the most wanted list of people who had the money to own it. Initial days of this technology were the days of lesser awareness thereby there was lesser awareness with regards to this technology being hazardous to health causing heart attacks and brain tumors. Cell phones were later known to emit radiation-emitting devices and these were not tested for health risks before being released into the market (Rheingold 26).
10 years after the release of cell phones, more than 15 million Americans were using it, the rates of adoption of this technology were beyond measures, and still there were no tests being carried out on these devices in relation to the health risks that they covered. In the year of 1999 more than 104 million Americans and even more than 500 million people around teh world were using cell phones.
Evolution of Cell Phone Technology
First generation cell phones were released by Motorola in 1983 and the model was named as DynaTAC 8000X and it took more than 15 years to be released in the market for customers. After its release many other kinds of models have been produced by Motorola in cells that have been appreciated by teh customers. in the initial days, most of teh cell phones were not made to be handled in hands in a mobile manner but all cells that were initially produced were to be fitted and fixed in the cars permanently.
Second generation of cell phones is a range that included more advanced mobile phone systems as GSM, IS-136 (TDMA) and IS-95 (CDMA) and these mobile phone systems were more adopted is USA and later on in Europe. Another main feature that has been associated with this generation of cell phones is that these were smaller and much better in shape as compared to the phones in 1980s. Moreover, these cell phones were hand held devices that were more portable and mobile (Kling 57).
Currently is an age of third generation mobile phones and these are referred to as 3G. this generation represented more innovations and advancements in science of wireless cell phone technology. These cells are much more complex as compared to the previous cells, are comparatively difficult to handle and learn as technology used in these cells is much more advanced, and complex.
Thereby cell phone is the kind of technology that many people are adopting and these numbers are increasing on a daily basis. As compared to the previous days there is an increase in an awareness of capabilities and market abilities that the cell phone has that has made it an increasingly accepted object.
Cell phones were counted among the analog phones that provided the customer with an ability to make and receive calls wherever he or she may be. Text messaging was considered as a kind of innovation and it was enjoyed and highly appreciated by the people as communication was done without making longer phone calls. As the time passed by, more advancements were made and there was an incorporation of graphics and emoticons in the text messages that made it more appealing.
In the past as the technology of cell phones advanced to a stage that these were not merely considered as a status symbol but an alternative and a better mode of communication. There were many reasons for this. Text messaging was far more convenient and economic as compared to making calls and there was a revolution in the use of text messaging instead of making phone calls as text messages used lesser time to send a message across as compared to the calls.
Many cell phone companies were growing aware towards an increase in the demands that customers were having towards an increase in the functions and services that came in with cell phones thereby an additional services were added in the cell phones that further attracted customers. These days, cell phones are more than mobile entertainment systems as there were no ideas in the past if cell phones could ever play the songs as MP3 players and video players (Glotz, Bertschi and Locke 78).
Customers all around the world are embracing the innovations that are being given in the cells and cell phones that are now being produced are based on the fashion sense of these customers. With this, it has been argued that there are many possibilities with the kind of cell phones present in the market and it is being anticipated that better generation cell phones are still to evolve as better and more complex phones that will be suited to customers demands.
Controversies Surrounding the Cell Phones
The main controversy that has surrounded cell phones since the past few years relate to a set of health risks involved with use of cell phones. It has been argued that low frequency radio waves are emitted by the cell phones that have an ability to penetrate into any matter. Studies that have been conducted in America and Europe have shown that long-term use of cell phones can be harmful. It has been reported that the cell phones can be related to brain tumors and heart attacks in people who are in a habit to place cell phones in their heart level pockets. Thereby on the basis of this, it has been argued that precautionary measures are to be taken that can save people from getting heart attacks and brain tumors (Carlo and Schram 56).
Second main controversy that has surrounding the cell phones relates to the rates of its usage by the teenagers and youngsters all around the world. It has been argued that on the basis of advanced features that have been added in the cell phones, youngsters and teenagers are more invited and appealed to use these. These features are being used by the teenagers in a positive as well as a negative manner, and in this case Bluetooth feature and camera are the main issues. In this case, it has been argued that the cell phones have been around for more than 15 years and no decisions have been taken by the schools and college authorities as to how to control its use in schools. Mid 1990s was the time when schools and authorities had banned the students from brining their cell phones in schools and universities. Mid 1990s was the time when cell phones were expensive and were owned by a limited number of people thereby there was a belief that students who owned the cell phones used it to facilitate drug business in the school. There are many lobbies who have discussed pros and cons of cell phone usage in the schools. One lobby who argues that cell phone usage in school is necessary as family plans as pick and drop is arranged by the parents. Other than this, it has been argued that these days security situation has become unpredictable based on which there is a need that students carry their cell phones so in case of emergencies, parents can be informed (Hanson 90).
The lobbies who argue against the use of cell phones in class say that teenagers and youngsters who use cell phones in classes and schools should not be allowed to do so as there are many wrong doings observed in schools. Drug business has flourished in the schools and colleges as a result of cell phone based communication and it has become harder to control. On the other hand, the teenagers use cell phones with advanced features in order to attract younger girls by exchanging cell phone numbers and pictures. These are the main cause of immorality in the society.
Another main issue that has been observed with the use of cell phones in a negative way by the teenagers is a constant sharing of songs, pictures, video clips and jokes with Bluetooth technology. Seamless and unethical flirting trends in teenagers have increased by sending files through Bluetooth technology. These teenagers make sure that along with camera as an inbuilt technology in mobile, Bluetooth technology should be a compulsion. Teenagers have broken public barriers by using Bluetooth technology in shopping malls and public spaces. It has been argued by the teenagers that connecting through Bluetooth technology is much easier, safer and faster as compared to throwing numbers on individuals of opposite genders to share cell phone numbers (Kling 67).
Conclusion
Cell phone technology has been a revolution in the world of technology. This technology has been based on the radio frequency communication that began in 1980s. With advancement in the cell phone technology there has been an increase of concerns that have been taken into consideration after a set of controversies surrounding cell phones.
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