Convergence has enabled a basic device like a mobile phone, the capacity to become an all-in-one telecommunications, media and computer handheld machine. This new media technology has generated massive social change in the behaviours and lifestyle patterns of the consumer. Beatty (2004) concurs with this when he says that “the transforming mobile technology is affecting people far more rapidly than what they realise�.
Mobile phone convergence is fusing together two of the most powerful consumer technologies in history- the interactivity and depth of the Internet with the convenience and freedom of mobile telephony (Hutchinson Whampoa Limited, 2003). 3G takes the most compelling aspect of each of these platforms and brings them together in one device. This is substantiated by the Wikipedia (2004) which says that this new form of convergence is combining many electronic tools into the one gadget for optimum ease and effect. It is a new wireless communications category that offers a highly personalised interactive multimedia experience - anywhere, anytime. Such a powerful technological tool has generated a comparative impact on society. However the majority of this impact has been veiled in the fast-paced rush to acquire this flourishing technology.
Furthering this, the blending of technologies, although giving the user the opportunity to access plentiful amounts of information, has also posed various threats. Dryer (2004) identifies this threat as the manipulation of human behaviour, social provenance and communication outcomes brought about by a pervasive system of technology.
The impacts of this technology on society are varied in both positive and negative outlooks. There is a loss of personal one-on-one interaction with real-time voice calls being replaced by multimedia messages. However real-time video calls are empowering people to not only talk to each other while on the move, but also see what each other means through their facial expressions and mannerisms (Hutchinson Whampoa Limited, 2003). Camera phones and recorders permit users to abuse the technology by taking away privacy rights, however they also allow the opportunity for the moral user to capture special moments.
Furthering this, mobile phone convergence enables greater freedom for the user as they can access their emails and videoconference without being chained to the office, however it makes them answerable to the workplace as they can always be reached through any communication. Additionally, this technology gives the user more time by seamlessly connecting the industries of telecommunications, media and information technology, however this free-time is commonly invested in more work and technology instead of physical human contact.
The mobile phone is the only other device apart from the wristwatch that we carry with us every day everywhere (Ahonen, 2003). The convergence of this superior technology will add an invaluable dimension to modern life as it enables a unique service platform for any urgent, private and sudden service needs, ranging from sports score updates to banking services, to the sudden need of a map if one is lost. It is the only device capable of serving such needs, and as new services are launched, such needs can finally be met. At the same time, this convenience will generate interference with actual human contact as users become over-reliant on the presented services, with the likelihood of isolating themselves from society. Dryer (2004) establishes this as “pervasive systems replacing physical human contact�.
Back to Mobile Phone Convergence
Donna Locke 23:48, 28 Oct 2004 (EST)
