iPhone

Technology is constantly changing. It has enhanced most electronic devices that are a part of the average American household today. An evident example includes how television evolved from monochrome to color to the nearly mainstream HDTV. Overall, communication keeps changing and becomes more accessible because of technology.

What is most impressive out of all these transitions is the telephone. Alexander Graham Bell’s invention has been one of the most successful advances in communication. He was aware of its huge impact that it would have in America. But it is safe to say he had no idea how far the use of the phone would come and cement itself in the lives of so many people. The telephone has now reached various forms including the home phone and cell phones.

Seriously, the thought of not having a cell phone is unthinkable. Cell phones have also evolved to a new generation of sleek-looking, multi-tasking and touch-screen devices known as smartphones. Smartphones have applications (apps). Programs capable of e-mail, video, alerts, and GPS. Like HDTVs, smartphones are also on the verge of becoming mainstream.

“Touch-screen phone adoption grew by 159 percent between August 2008 and August 2009. The firm also found that by the end of August 2009, there were 23.8 million users with touch-screen mobile phones in the United States alone. In August 2008, just over 9.2 million people were using touch-screen phones,” according to ComScore.

Popular smartphones include the BlackBerry Strom, LG Voyager and Palm Treo. However, these smartphones are no match for the dominant iPhone.

“Unsurprisingly, it was the iPhone that led the way during that period. the iPhone was the top touch-screen device for users aged 13 and older, capturing 32.9 percent of the touch-screen market. The LG Dare placed a distant second, accounting for 8.7 percent of the touch-screen phones in the wild. That device was followed up by the LG Voyager, BlackBerry Storm, and Palm Treo, which captured 7.8 percent, 7 percent, and 6.5 percent of the market, respectively,” according to CNET News.

Of course the iPhone is the leading smartphone this year and has been the most sought after smartphone ever since its debut in 2007. The iPhone is notoriously known for having an unlimited number of apps. There is an app for almost anything.

“Apple’s App Store is now serving over 100,000 downloadable iPhone apps. iPhone owners worldwide have downloaded over 2 billion apps to date,” according to Apple.

Need to convince your boss that you are working while you are actually sleeping? There is an app that makes the random sounds of rustling papers and typing on the keyboard. Trying to hit on that girl you are interested in? There is an app that generates pick up lines that will have her falling for you. Are you a germaphobe? There is an app that simulates a virtual hand on the iPhone that you can use touch to faucets, door knobs and shake people’s hands. Forgot to turn in your homework? There’s an app that give you excuses such as being abducted by aliens that you could use on your professor

Some of these apps are really dumb but they are still a lot of fun as they are always in demand. Sometimes, apps alone are the sole reason people want to purchase smartphones. Who could blame them? Smartphones are cool and are naturally a big hit with the younger crowd.

  “51 percent of smartphone users are under the age of 35. A whopping 58 percent of touch-screen users fall within that age range. 21 percent of touch-screen users range in age between 18 and 24. Less than 5 percent of touch-screen users are 65 and older,” according to ComScore.

As a result, other phone companies, like Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Motorola have been trying to make their own version of smartphones with apps. It is good most companies are following the same trend but in actuality it is a losing battle as the iPhone remains number one in development of apps.

Even though smartphones are a great advancement in technology and taking over the standard cell phone, they still have their problems as they are expensive, have expensive service charges and are 50 percent more likely to have problems and fail than regular cell phones. Still it is hardly a dent in the transition of smartphones and technology itself.

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